Assemblyman Matt Simpson, a Republican representing the Adirondack region, has joined a bipartisan group of legislators in urging New York’s governor to prioritize funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and local transportation infrastructure in this year’s state budget.
“Local roads are essential to keeping communities safe and supporting economic growth,” Simpson said. “With construction costs up nearly 70% nationally due to inflation, flat funding simply isn’t enough. Local governments face a growing $2.69 billion annual shortfall to maintain our 97,000 miles of roadways and thousands of bridges.”
Simpson also pointed out that requirements under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandating electric vehicle (EV) school buses are leading to heavier axle loads on roads. According to highway superintendents’ preliminary data, this results in faster subgrade rutting and reduces road lifespan by about 20%. He explained that these conditions force municipalities to shift from resurfacing—costing between $20,000 and $50,000 per mile—to full reconstruction at around $550,000 per mile, which could increase expenses tenfold or more.
“While we support cleaner transportation, Albany must account for these realities and provide adequate funding to prevent massive burdens on local taxpayers in the Adirondacks and across New York,” Simpson concluded.
Simpson has advanced community interests through volunteer work, public service, economic projects, and advocacy for state parks according to his official biography. He won election to the New York State Assembly in 2020 after previously serving on the Horicon Town Board starting in 2011 (source). Growing up in the North Country (source), Simpson has chaired Public Works and Personnel committees on the Warren County Board and served as president of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages (source). His efforts have focused on constituent priorities, law enforcement resources (source), fiscal responsibility, reducing taxes, improving infrastructure, supporting economic development, and enhancing public services (official biography on the New York State Assembly website).
