Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today announced the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills includes $27,625,000 million in federal funding for community development projects in New York’s 19th Congressional District as well as numerous policy wins for Upstate New Yorkers. Rep. Molinaro advocated for these funds and has been leading efforts in Congress to get a bipartisan deal that prevents deep cuts to vital programs and restrictions.
Rep. Molinaro said, “I’m proud to report that $27.6 million is now coming back to Upstate New York for community development projects that will improve roadways and water infrastructure, provide housing to veterans, expand mental healthcare, and help EMS agencies upgrade equipment and facilities. From the start, I’ve been arguing for more give and take, and more bipartisanship in government funding negotiations. The end result is the product of the good governing approach I’ve advocated for. This bill is smart, fiscally sensible, and doesn’t include any of the deep cuts or restrictions that I stood against.”
A list of the requests Rep. Molinaro made and brief descriptions of the projects can be found below:
$5,000,000 for the City of Binghamton Henry Street Connective Corridor Improvements. The funding would be used for a complete reconstruction and streetscape improvements including narrowing the travel lanes of Henry Street and eliminating unnecessary slip lanes, addressing the perceived impact on safety due to lack of lighting, pedestrian crossings, ADA dropped curbs, and storm management.
$4,200,000 for the Oneonta West Main Street Water & Sewer Extension Project. The funding would be used for installation of 7,000 linear feet of sewer and water lines and associated laterals, meters, and hookups.
$3,500,000 for the Trumansburg New Emergency Medical Services and Fire Station Building. The funding would be used for construction of a new Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility to provide sufficient space for both Fire/EMS staff and add more garage bays for Emergency Service Vehicles.
$2,000,000 for the Greene County’s Leeds Main Street Improvement Project. The funding would be used for stormwater and road improvements and curb and sidewalk improvements.
$2,000,000 for the Town of Chenango Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. The funding would be used to improve water infrastructure and address significant water quality issues.
$2,000,000 for the Village of Monticello Water Treatment Plant Improvements. The funding would be used to build a new water treatment plant with all new treatment units, sodium hypochlorite instead of gas chlorine for disinfection, all new distribution pumps, and a new clear well.
$1,250,000 for the City of Norwich Sanitary Sewer System Repairs. The funding would be used for the replacement of the sewer system.
$1,250,000 for the Roxbury and Grand Gorge Water System Improvements. The funding would be used for stormwater and road improvements and curb and sidewalk improvements.
$1,250,000 for the Village of Athens Wastewater Plant Rehabilitation. The funding would be used for repair of the wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure which is currently operating over capacity and has major repair needs due to cracked pipes.
$1,200,000 for the Town of Kinderhook Water System Improvement Project. The funding would be used for a new water source, add roughly two miles of new water line, and replace a section of existing, end-of-life water line.
$1,000,000 for the Broome County Veterans Resource Center. The funding would be used to supplement the construction costs of new housing to be built on an empty residential lot along a county-owned bus route in downtown Binghamton, where any veteran may find temporary/permanent shelter.
$1,000,000 for the Town of Ulster’s Water District Tank Replacement Project. The funding would be used for the replacement of a water tank.
$1,000,000 for Sullivan County’s Old Route 17 Corridor Infrastructure Project. The funding would be used to advance critical water upgrades to resolve existing water quality issues and for the extension and upgrade of the water distribution line, town water line and to connect it to the Commercial Industrial Zone on Old Route 17 in Liberty.
$975,000 for Marathon Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.’s New Ambulance Station Construction Project. The funding would be used for a new ambulance station.
A list of provisions Rep. Molinaro fought to include in the bill can be found below:
The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Crisis Hotline, Veterans’ Homeless Assistance Grants, and veterans’ mental health programs will be fully funded.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will receive increased funding.
The emergency food assistance program (TEFAP), which funds food banks, will receive increased funding.
COPS grants, which provide funding to local law enforcement, will receive increased funding.
Section 8 Housing Vouchers, will receive increased funding.
Amtrak will receive increased funding, with $1.14 billion going to the Northeast Corridor.
Cuts to Social Security & Medicare. Rep. Molinaro drew a ‘red line’, and vowed to oppose any cuts to these programs.
Deep cuts to programs for farmers, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and the Hazardous Substances Superfund, which supports the Hudson River cleanup.
