Ortt: Senate Budget Supports Critical Infrastructure
March 13, 2015
Senator Fights for Increased Infrastructure Funding and CHIPS Funding
As part of the New York State Senate’s “Brighter Future” budget plan, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) announced his district could soon see significant investments in infrastructure.
The Senate’s proposal, which was laid out yesterday, includes $1.5 billion for Upstate revitalization projects, and as part of a five-year road and bridge capital program, would add another $1.5 billion for infrastructure projects.
“The Senate budget focuses on rebuilding our roads and bridges to spur job creation and economic revitalization,” said Sen. Ortt. “This is something that’s critical to my district and Western New York as a whole. Many of our canal bridges are closed because of deterioration. We need to fix and reopen these bridges if not for our safety, for the efficacy of local commerce.”
The infrastructure portion of the “Brighter Future” budget also proposes $700 million for regionally significant economic development projects identified by local leaders, money for rural broadband, $25 million for Upstate transit capital projects, and $50 million for the Main Street Revitalization program to assist local governments in cleaning up blighted areas.
Additionally, due to this year’s harsh winter and the toll it took on our roads, the budget plan calls for another $50 million for the Consolidated Local Streets and Highway Program (CHIPS).
The State Budget is due March 31.