Senator O'Mara hears from local leaders on the importance of state support for local roads and bridges (WATCH)

Albany, N.Y., February 6—At today’s legislative budget hearing on the local government portion of Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024-2025 proposed state budget, legislators heard testimony from New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara Van Epps, New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Steven Acquario, and Association of Towns of the State of New York Executive Director Gerry Geist. 

Senator O’Mara, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, has long championed and fought for a stronger state commitment to the maintenance and improvement of local roads and bridges throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions he represents, and statewide. 

For more than a decade, together with Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, they have worked closely with legislative colleagues and local roads leaders from throughout the state to bolster New York's commitment to local transportation infrastructure. 

In her proposed 2024-2025 state budget, however, Governor Hochul has proposed significant cuts to local transportation funding, particularly the state’s main source of support through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, commonly known as CHIPS. At today’s hearing, Senator O’Mara gave the local representatives an opportunity comment on the importance of CHIPS to local cities, counties, towns, and villages throughout New York State. 

Watch today's testimony HERE.

The joint Senate-Assembly budget hearings will continue until mid-February. Find out more and watch on Senator O’Mara’s website, omara.ny.senate.gov.