(ALBANY, NY) - Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) today announced the inclusion of several items in this year’s state budget to improve and modernize New York’s transportation and infrastructure systems. 

“This year we’ve seen the federal government cut highway funding to New York in the latest act of blue-state vindictiveness by the Trump Administration,” said Senator Cooney. “Transportation dollars aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity – and that’s why I fought to keep road workers and drivers safe, break down barriers to transportation, and create a modernized infrastructure system that prioritizes efficiency and reliability. We may not be able to make up for cuts at the federal level, but we can prove to New Yorkers that their transportation needs remain a top priority in Albany.”

Below are some priorities of Senator Cooney that are included in the FY27 state budget:

7% increase for upstate public transit. This translates to an additional $5 million in State Operating Assistance (STOA) above the Governor’s original proposal for a total of $374 million for upstate New York transit systems, funds that can be used for more frequent and efficient routes. 

$698.1 million, an increase of $50 million, for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), funds that go directly towards the repair and upkeep of local roads and bridges. 

Work Zone Speed Camera Expansion. The use of work zone speed cameras to be expanded to include any work zone on state roadways, not just those on controlled access highways. Last year alone, New York saw 366 crashes, 58 injuries, and two deaths in state-owned work zones.

Super Speeders Program. Authorizes New York City to create a program that requires individuals who have received 16 speed camera tickets within a year to use speed restrictors on their vehicles. The program is a five year pilot, with waivers available for those at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. 

Clarifying the process for the school bus stop-arm program, easing backlogs and permitting procedural improvements for local adjudication. There were approximately 100,000 tickets that were not adjudicated across New York State since program implementation.  

$200,000 for Special Olympics New York to support transportation for all Special Olympics athletes. This new line item will allow the 45,000+ athletes participating in Special Olympics to travel to practices, competitions and state games, and will give SONY the capacity to grow and advance their goal of engaging 10% of New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Extension of autonomous vehicle testing for another two years to test the capability of these vehicles in our state. This testing will still require a driver to be present behind the wheel.

###