Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C–LaFayette) called for greater state investment in local roads, bridges, and culverts at a bipartisan press conference on March 4. Lemondes was joined by colleagues from both the state Senate and Assembly, who said that local roads and bridges should be the foundation of any statewide infrastructure plan.
The group highlighted that local roads and bridges account for about 87% of New York’s road mileage and more than half of its bridges. They also noted that nearly half of all vehicle miles traveled in the state occur on these local roads. Despite this usage, less than 12% of taxes and fees paid by drivers are allocated to maintaining these roadways.
In response to this funding gap, Lemondes and his colleagues urged lawmakers to increase funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) by $250 million, raising the total annual allocation to $898 million. The proposal is intended to help local governments maintain and improve transportation infrastructure across New York.
Lemondes said the additional funding would benefit residents throughout Central New York while ensuring efficient use of taxpayer dollars. “Every day, millions of New Yorkers drive on roads that are poorly maintained and underfunded, yet Albany continues to drag its feet,” said Lemondes. “Local and state officials from both sides of the aisle have been calling for increased investment in our roads and bridges for years. Well-maintained roads should not be a luxury. They should be the standard. It is time for Albany to step up and give local communities the resources they need to keep our roadways safe and accessible.”
Lemondes has served 27 years in the military, including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring as a colonel in 2014, according to the official website. He comes from a family of veterans, lives with his wife Martha and their children, attended Paul Smith’s College, Penn State University, Syracuse University, Command & General Staff College, and Eisenhower School for National Resource Strategy according to the official website. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022 according to the official website. Lemondes has also served as president of the New York Farmer Veteran Coalition and on the board of Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District according to the official website.
He commits himself to supporting veterans, first responders, law enforcement officers, as well as environmental preservation according to the official website.
