Griffo, Miller, Blankenbush, Buttenschon and Smullen urge the state to provide additional support to communities hit hard by snow and ice
February 26, 2025
New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-C-New Hartford, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, R-C-Black River, Assemblyman Robert Smullen, R-C-Meco, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, recently urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide additional support to residents and communities significantly affected by the recent winter storm that caused serious issues in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.
In a letter to the governor, the legislators wrote that the storm has “created serious health and public safety issues, overwhelmed and overstressed municipalities and has had a harmful effect on the wellbeing of New Yorkers.”
“While residents and local governments continue to dig out, we urge you to provide financial and other resources to assist with the ongoing cleanup process,” the legislators wrote. “Important assistance during past natural disasters and severe weather events, including flooding, tornados and blizzards, has been offered by the state. The same should be done now to help those who have suffered from this event.”
The text of the legislators' letter to the governor is below:
Feb. 25, 2025
Gov. Kathy Hochul
Executive Chamber
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Gov. Hochul:
We are writing regarding the recent winter weather that has created significant challenges for many communities in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, including those that we represent in the Senate and Assembly.
We are thankful for the assistance that the state has already provided, including from the Department of Transportation. However, we believe that the state must do more to help those who are still affected by the heavy snow and ice, which has created serious health and public safety issues, overwhelmed and overstressed municipalities and has had a harmful effect on the wellbeing of New Yorkers.
Our constituents continue to struggle as they work hard to protect their homes, businesses and properties from and/or prevent further damage. Buildings, barns, roofs and even a fire department in the region have collapsed because of this destructive winter event. Other structures are in jeopardy, livestock has been killed and the public is still at risk.
While residents and local governments continue to dig out, we urge you to provide financial and other resources to assist with the ongoing cleanup process. Important assistance during past natural disasters and severe weather events, including flooding, tornados and blizzards, has been offered by the state. The same should be done now to help those who have suffered from this event.
We ask you to consider:
- Increasing the allocation for the Extreme Winter Recovery program and designating the communities affected by this substantial weather event as eligible for this additional funding to help repair damaged highways and bridges.
- The further sharing and providing of additional services and equipment from state agencies due to the excessive amount of snow and ice that has created significant public safety hazards for pedestrians and motorists.
- Increasing the availability of the Department of Financial Services to assist residents with expediting insurance claims and expanding access to additional financial support from the state similar to what was done following devastating flooding in the region.
We are hopeful that you will consider taking the necessary action to help alleviate the burden felt by so many during this most recent significant weather event. New Yorkers need to know that when disaster hits, New York will deliver the needed resources that will help them rebuild, recover and overcome.
Thank you for your consideration.
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