Buffalo Ledger

Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) represented the Assembly Minority Conference as the Chair of the Joint Budget Conference Committee on Transportation. This conference committee brings together the four legislative conferences to negotiate an agreement on a final state budget as related to state programs and issues regarding transportation.

Norris and his colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference are calling for at least a $200 million increase in local infrastructure funding for upstate communities. Norris highlighted the importance of such funding by stating, "Norris and his colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference are calling for at least a $200 million increase in local infrastructure funding for upstate communities."

Governor Hochul proposed a $60 million reduction in CHIPS funding as part of her executive budget, a move that has sparked concerns among legislators. The Assembly one-house proposal restored the $60 million cut in CHIPS, and the Senate one-house proposal went a step further by adding another $100 million for CHIPS, as reported by the article.

Apart from advocating for CHIPS funding, Norris expressed his desire to see increases in programs like the Extreme Winter Recovery program, PAVE-NY, and BRIDGE-NY. He emphasized the importance of these programs by stating, "Norris would like to see increases in programs like the Extreme Winter Recovery program, PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY."

Looking towards the future, Norris remains optimistic about the outcome of the budget negotiations, expressing hope that a final agreement between the Governor and two houses will restore the CHIPS cuts and allocate additional funding. He stated, "Norris is hopeful a final agreement between the Governor and two houses will see the CHIPS cuts restored as well as some additional funding, so long as the governor gets on board."