New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc.

CHIPS FUNDING APPROVED!

Monday night just before 9PM the State Senate and Assembly both approved the Governor's Emergency Article VII bill (S.8090/A.11372) which included our full annual $402.8 million appropriation for the 2010-2011 fiscal year for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and Marchiselli Program. This is the same record funding level we have been able to achieve the past two years. It is time to get to work - we now have full authorization to be reimbursed for our capital expenditures.

Shortly after State Leaders failed to pass a Budget on April 1st the NYSAOTSOH and NYSCHSA Board members took the lead in letting our elected officials know the huge negative impact this was having on our local roads and bridges. With the State DOT's budget cut by over $200 million and no authorization to move this year's capital projects, we decided to get our CHIPs funding, we must call on our local program to be treated like the MTA's Capital Program. The letters below are just some of the examples of the message we delivered to state leaders. The MTA got their Capital Plan approved on June 1 and we got our CHIPS program approved on June 7.

Our CHIPS funding for this fiscal year is $363.1 million and Marchiselli is $39.7 million. Again, your individual locality's allocation should be very close to last year's funding. Click here to see the updated statewide CHIPS runs now. Please thank your state legislators for supporting our CHIPS funding. While we all know it's never enough to do what needs to be done, please keep in mind when you are talking to them:

* The State is facing a $9.2 billion budget gap
* The State Budget is more than two months late with no agreement in sight
* The DOT still doesn't have funding for their capital plan

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Examples of letters delivered to State leaders:

Letter to Governor Paterson 05/18/10

Letter to Governor Paterson 05/28/10

2010 Budget Update: Action Required

The Legislature appears no closer to finalizing an agreement on a new State budget than they were weeks ago.  Meanwhile, the Legislature continues to approve weekly emergency spending bills to pay some of the state's liabilities. These emergency spending bills provide for the payment of the state share of federal transportation projects under ARRA (federal stimulus). However, all other state supported federally-aided and local highway funding (CHIPS) monies have been suspended.

The Legislators claim that they are powerless to help us because the Governor controls the content of the bills that enact emergency spending authority. Although a timely budget, which is the primary responsibility of the Legislature, would set aside the need for emergency bills and solve this problem.

Certainly, similar language provided for ARRA projects must be contained in future emergency spending bills to prevent the situation where state funded projects are being shut down and workers are laid off. 

NYSAOTSOH and NYSCHSA have responded by sending a joint letter to Governor David Paterson (click here) to urge the inclusion of CHIPS authorizations in future emergency spending bills. We are asking all our members and affiliates to send a similar letter to the Governor as well.

Please click here for sample letter to sign and fax to the Governor's office at 518-408-2549.

We also want you to be aware that we are issuing a press release in the hope of drawing public attention to this situation--click here to view press release. Should you get any calls from the press and you would like any assistance or want to refer press to the Association please don't hesitate to call Association Headquarters at (518) 694-9313.

Funding Freeze Threatens Jobs

2010 Advocacy Day: March 9-10

The New York State County Highway Superintendents Association, Inc. and the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc. are standing together again to protect jobs and increase economic vitality across NYS! New York State Legislative Leaders as well as industry professionals from across the state will gather in downtown Albany in support of increased funding for local roads and bridges. Join us for our Annual Legislative Grassroots Campaign!

Our advocacy program begins on Tuesday evening, March 9th, with a legislative briefing and strategy meeting, followed by a meeting with Legislators at the Crowne Plaza. We will update you on the status of state budget negotiations and the latest political developments. Position papers, talking points and other handouts will be distributed at the briefing before Legislators arrive. Please feel free to review the documents below in advance:

Joint Transportation Testimony February 8

Local Highways Needs Assessment

On Wednesday, March 10th attendees will gather for an early breakfast and briefing at the hotel before boarding shuttles to go up the hill to the Legislative Office Building (about two blocks) for appointments with state lawmakers and their staff.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND OFFSITE PARKING

The hotel block at the Albany Crowne Plaza is now full. If you still require a hotel room, you may contact the Comfort Inn in Glenmont at (518) 465-8811.

There will also be a Park & Ride available from the Comfort Inn for anyone driving in on Wednesday, March 10 who is concerned about the limited parking in Albany. In the morning, buses will run from the Comfort Inn to the Crowne Plaza Albany every 45 minutes from 7:15am to 9:30am. Later in the day, buses will run from the Crowne Plaza Albany to the Comfort Inn every hour from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

The Comfort Inn is located at 37 Route 9w, Glenmont, NY 12077. Directions: Take Thruway Exit 23 to 9W South.  The hotel is 1 mile on the right side. When you drive into the entrance of the hotel off of 9W, go left to the end and take a right and park either along the side or behind the Quality Inn.

Download Brochure

Online Registration

 

Thank You to our 2010 Advocacy Day Sponsors!

Diamond
International Truck and Engine Corp.

Silver
Chemung Supply Corp.
LADA
The Gorman Group

Bronze
CHA
C&S Companies
Erdman Anthony
Foit-Albert Associates
Kenworth of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany
Tectonic Engineering and Surveying Consultants