West Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Brian Maher, representing Walden for the Republican and Conservative parties, has cast a vote to continue emergency spending for veterans' services and other essential departments. This comes as the New York state budget remains unsettled due to ongoing negotiations between the Legislature and the governor.

In efforts to address local infrastructure concerns, Maher met with employees from the local Department of Transportation (DOT) to discuss the current funding deficit affecting roads, bridges, and infrastructure in the Hudson Valley area. He is pushing for an additional $100 million to be included in the finalized state budget to fix damaged roads in the region. Beyond this, Maher is advocating for an extra $250 million to be added to the 2025-26 budget to bolster the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), which supports crucial infrastructure across counties and local areas.

Maher commented, "Our roads are in the worst shape they have ever been in. In the Hudson Valley, region eight is the most underfunded in the state of New York. I’m taking time to talk to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to try to encourage them to add an additional $100 million for the Hudson Valley region before the budget is finally adopted. The status quo is unacceptable, and we have to continue advocating for the appropriate amount of funding for the DOT as the budget process continues."

The issue of potholes was brought to the forefront by Maher, who warned, "Potholes are creating an unprecedented amount of damage to a record number of vehicles, and I fear that without immediate action and appropriate funding, the ongoing neglect of our state roads could cost New Yorkers their lives."

Additionally, Maher has encouraged constituents to report vehicle damage and pothole locations in his district through a form, aiming to facilitate more targeted DOT responses. He criticized the previous year’s promises from the governor, stating, "The governor last year said she was going to fund potholes. She said, 'We’re going to make sure that there’s not holes instead of potholes.' Well, there are a lot more potholes, and while what the governor said last year may have rhymed, her words did not age well."

Maher is also co-sponsoring a proposal to hold the state liable for year-round damages caused to vehicles on its roadways. Currently, New York's liability is limited to damages during the warmer months only.

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