State officials discuss highway funds

YATES COUNTY--State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) met with the Yates County Legislature Friday, March 6 to address concerns and questions posed by the county representatives. One of the focuses of the state congressmen during their opening statements involved their efforts to secure additional funding for area roads. The representatives spoke about the need for the state to increase funds for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and how they are working to convince the governor to include an additional $200 million to a total of $638.1 million in the 2015-2016 state budget. They're also seeking the creation of a new, five-year, $500-million "State Aid to Local Roads, Bridges and Culvert Program" that would be distributed through the existing CHIPS formula and funded by a portion of the state's $5.4-billion bank settlement surplus.
"New York State has an unprecedented opportunity to address the local transportation crisis, and we can't afford to miss this chance," O'Mara and Palmesano said in a joint statement. "Local roads and bridges, in every region of the state, are community and economic lifelines that are at risk from a severe lack of adequate, dedicated funding. A revitalized state commitment to local transportation is a wise use of taxpayer dollars. It's an investment in economic growth, job creation, property tax relief and motorist safety."
Two years saw the first increase since 2008 in state funding for CHIPS. An additional $75 million was included in the 2013-14 state budget to boost CHIPS funding to a total of $438.1 million. That base funding level was maintained last year, but it was bolstered by $40 million in "Winter Recovery" funding to help municipalities better respond to last year's severe winter.
In his 2015-2016 executive budget, Cuomo has proposed to maintain this year's total CHIPS funding at last year's level of $438.1 million while eliminating the winter recovery allocation.
In addition to roads, the representatives also heard other concerns from members of the Yates County Legislature during the meeting. Legislator Mark Morris brought up the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act, imploring the state congressmen to get it repealed. He said many within the county would like to see the SAFE Act repealed or defunded. O'Mara said they are looking at both of those possibilities and still have problems with not just the legislation itself, but also the way it was rushed through the state senate and assembly.
Legislative Chairman Tim Dennis asked about provisions of the act going into effect, with O'Mara referring to the point of sale background check for ammunition purchases. O'Mara said the state is working on getting this process implemented, but added "they have made no progress, and I don't know what technology is there to do this." He said the budget is very vague as far as wha money is in there for the SAFE Act and he is unsure if there is money in there specifically for implementing that portion of the act, adding he is looking at reducing that portion of the budget.
Another topic of discussion brought up by Legislator Dan Banach is the 2 percent tax cap. Banach said while it is "all well and good" to stay under that, the capital improvements sought by the county take a significant setback, adding the highway department is usually the first place to see cuts. He said Yates County has a need for public transportation, but due to these limitations, the county has difficulty pursuing it. O'Mara said many counties are suffering and in need of transportation, and that the situation is not unique to Yates County.