CARMEL, NY – Earlier this week, represented by County Executive Kevin Byrne, Putnam County was selected to provide testimony at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2024 Executive Budget on Transportation. These hearings allow state legislators the opportunity to ask questions regarding the governor’s proposed state budget, while calling on experts and constituents throughout New York to provide their input as well.

In his testimony, County Executive Byrne thanked advocated to restore a massive $60 million cut to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). Putnam County and all of its towns and villages rely on CHIPS funding for maintenance of roads. He also praised the work of the New York State Department of Transportation under Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, and thanked Assemblyman Matt Slater for his unwavering advocacy in getting Route 52 repaired.

“Putnam County received over $1.2 million in CHIPS funding last year. That money is vital to keeping our tax levy down, and if we had not received it, it would have interfered with our paving program,” said County Executive Byrne. “I urge all of our state legislators to advocate for restoring this critically needed funding during budget negotiations this year.”

Watch County Executive Byrne’s shortened testimony here:

Or read County Executive Byrne’s full written testimony here: https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/admin/structure/media/manage/filefile/a/2024-01/putnam-county-executive-_24.pdf