Association President, Bill Wright,PE, testified Thursday, January 31st at the Legislative Public Hearing 2013-2014 Executive Budget--Transportation
Bill Wright, PE, President of NYSCHSA and Commissioner of Public Works for Ontario County as well as Richard Kukuk, a member of NYSAOTSOH Executive Committee and Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Clifton Park testified on Thursday, January 31st at the Legislative Public Hearing for the 2013-2014 Budget.
As Bill Stated, LOCAL ROADS REALLY DO MATTER:
"It's important to understand that 87 percent of the roads and half of the bridges in New York State are owned by local governments. Local roads do matter and should matter in any state budget as we have discussed with many of you. All they want is safe and well maintained infrastructure. To do so takes money and only the state and federal governments collect fuel taxes. So we depend on you to be our partner in balancing the needs of all systems, without regard to ownership."
NYSCHSA and NYSAOTSOH urged the Legislature to seek ways in which to make available more State funding and resources that adequately reflects the critical needs of local roads and bridges and continuing dialogue with the Governor's office, Department of Transportation officials, legislators, and traveling public in an effort to re-establish the funding of local roads and bridges as a State priority in order to ensure seamless transportation system of exceptional quality.
Download a copy of the full written testimony and view the video of the full testimony below: