(ALBANY, NY) - Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) today celebrated the inclusion of several items in this year’s Senate one-house budget to improve and modernize New York’s transportation and infrastructure systems. From connecting workers to job opportunities and supporting public transit systems, to keeping highway workers safe, Senator Cooney explained that the Senate is prioritizing the future of transportation in New York. 

“From potholes to public transit, New York is firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to making the kinds of investments needed to modernize our transportation and infrastructure systems,” said Senator Cooney. “This budget is about making public transit more accessible and affordable, keeping New York’s roads safe and reliable, and making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to get from Point A to Point B. I’m pleased with the work we’ve done and ready to push for these wins in our final adopted state budget this year.” 

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

$10 million for a Workforce Transit Equity Fund. Senator Cooney has been pushing for this new fund to connect workers in inner cities to job opportunities in the suburbs, like Fairlife in Webster, NY outside of Rochester and Micron, whose facility is outside Syracuse in Clay, NY. This fund would be dedicated for upstate transit systems and would cover the costs of direct routes to large employers for the first year of operation, after which costs would be covered by the employer. 

15% increase for public transit. This would mean an additional $75.8 million STOA increase for upstate New York transit systems like RTS, funds that can be used for more frequent and efficient routes. 

Protecting Highway Workers. Senator Cooney has introduced legislation that would enhance assault protections for highway workers. The NYS Department of Transportation alone has seen 40 incidents of harassment or assault since 2022. Both Governor Hochul and the Senate included language to create new assault protections for these workers. 

$898 million, an increase of $250 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. 

The Senate has included a DOT appropriation in the amount of $400,000 for the Special Olympics of New York to support transportation for all SONY athletes. This yearly 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. 

Stronger Move Over Law with increased fines for the first, second, and subsequent offenses within 18 months. 

Increased fines for work zone speeding violations (S.4647A) to keep drivers and workers safe on the job. 

Clarifying the process for the school bus stop-arm program, easing backlogs and permitting procedural improvements for local courts. 

$125 million, an increase of $25 million, for the Extreme Winter Recovery, funds that go to local roads and bridges to help repair roads after harsh winter weather.

$140 million for State Touring Routes, funds that go to cities to help maintain and repair its aging infrastructure.

$35 million to BRIDGE NY, funds that go directly toward the repair and replacement of county and local bridges

$12.5 million for the Airport Capital Grant program, funds that go toward airport maintenance

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