Supervisors urge Paterson to restore highway funds
NORWICH – County lawmakers Monday urged New York Governor David Paterson and state legislators to restore highway funding as one of the first resolutions adopted for the new year.
The Governor’s proposed 2009-2010 level of Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding represents a 35 percent reduction, or nearly $1.5 million, to local municipalities in Chenango County. The funding is necessary to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system, the resolution stated, and, without it, could create “a catastrophic impact” to local budgets and infrastructure programs.
Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates encouraged his fellow supervisors to call or write to state legislators to restore CHIPs funding to 2008-2009 levels. He said he had called often himself, but thus far received little encouragement.
Coates specifically suggested communication with U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer who has been negotiating federal stimulus money for New York, and in particular, direct aid to upstate counties.
“Call or e-mail Schumer to make sure that there is no way for the state to use stimulus money to restore CHIPS. If it goes to Albany, you can follow it down the Hudson to you know where,” he said.
Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan reminded the board that Albany had already held back 15 percent of highway funds distributed to counties for locally administered projects. New York State receives a federal block grant each year. Of the grant, between 30-34 percent has traditionally been allocated for local projects.
The Governor’s proposed 2009-2010 level of Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding represents a 35 percent reduction, or nearly $1.5 million, to local municipalities in Chenango County. The funding is necessary to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system, the resolution stated, and, without it, could create “a catastrophic impact” to local budgets and infrastructure programs.
Columbus Supervisor George G. Coates encouraged his fellow supervisors to call or write to state legislators to restore CHIPs funding to 2008-2009 levels. He said he had called often himself, but thus far received little encouragement.
Coates specifically suggested communication with U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer who has been negotiating federal stimulus money for New York, and in particular, direct aid to upstate counties.
“Call or e-mail Schumer to make sure that there is no way for the state to use stimulus money to restore CHIPS. If it goes to Albany, you can follow it down the Hudson to you know where,” he said.
Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan reminded the board that Albany had already held back 15 percent of highway funds distributed to counties for locally administered projects. New York State receives a federal block grant each year. Of the grant, between 30-34 percent has traditionally been allocated for local projects.
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