Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, R-Westfield, Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, local highway superintendents and municipal leaders recently highlighted shortfalls in the state’s Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding and the strain it is placing on communities across Chautauqua County.

“Local roads are not optional infrastructure; they are the foundation of our economy and the lifeline of our communities,” Borrello said. “Families rely on them to get to work, farmers depend on them to move their products and businesses need them to grow and compete. Yet Albany continues to underinvest in the roads that support nearly 87 percent of New York’s transportation network, even as inflation has driven highway construction costs up dramatically. Every year, local highway departments are forced to do more with less, as rising material, labor and equipment costs steadily erode the real value of state funding. We are calling on the governor and legislative leaders to provide meaningful increases in funding for our local roads and bridges so communities have the resources they need to maintain safe infrastructure, protect taxpayers from higher long-term costs and keep our economy moving forward.”

Their focus is on the widening gap between stagnant state CHIPS support and rapidly rising costs for materials, labor, fuel and heavy equipment. Local officials detailed how inflation and supply chain pressures have significantly reduced their purchasing power, forcing difficult decisions about road repairs, bridge maintenance and long-term infrastructure planning.

“CHIPS funding has not kept pace with the real-world costs our towns and villages are facing,” Molitor said. “When asphalt, diesel and equipment costs surge but state support remains flat, it is our local taxpayers who are left to shoulder the burden. That is not sustainable.”

Highway superintendents have shared firsthand accounts of delayed resurfacing projects, scaled-back maintenance schedules and increased wear and tear on local roadways. Municipal leaders emphasized that rural communities like those throughout Chautauqua County rely heavily on CHIPS funding to maintain safe travel routes for school buses, emergency vehicles, farmers and small businesses.

“Reliable state CHIPS funding is absolutely essential for our local municipalities, especially here in rural communities where towns and villages are responsible for maintaining miles of roadway with very limited resources,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “This funding allows local highway departments to address everyday needs like filling potholes, repairing road surfaces and keeping residents safe year-round. I urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to continue supporting and strengthening CHIPS funding so our local governments can plan, respond and maintain critical infrastructure without placing additional strain on local taxpayers. I also want to thank State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor for their strong advocacy on behalf of our municipalities and their continued commitment to the communities they serve.”

Molitor stressed that maintaining local infrastructure is not optional.

“Our roads and bridges are the backbone of our local economy,” he said. “From agriculture and manufacturing to tourism and small businesses, reliable infrastructure is essential. The state must ensure that CHIPS funding reflects today’s costs, not the prices of a decade ago.”

The lawmakers call on state leadership to increase CHIPS funding in the upcoming budget and to provide predictable, inflation-adjusted support so municipalities can properly plan for long-term infrastructure needs.

“Local governments are doing everything they can with limited resources,” Borrello added. “They deserve a fair partnership from the state. Investing in CHIPS is an investment in public safety, economic growth and the future of our communities.”