Schumer: House Slashes Funding For Critical TIGER Grant Program That Would Make It Nearly Impossible For NY Communities To Access Vital Infrastructure Grants - Urges Restoration of Funding To Key Program

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged his colleagues to vote against the House proposal to cut funding to a key program that supports critical infrastructure projects across New York State. Schumer explained that the House funding bill included severe cuts to the incredibly important and popular Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The cut, which was included in the bill that was recently passed by the House Subcommittee on Transportation Housing and Urban Development (THUD), would slash TIGER funding by $400 million or approximately 80 percent of its total funding, in Fiscal Year 2016. Schumer said that a cut like this to the TIGER program would make it much harder for communities across New York to receive federal funds for important Transportation Projects, which create jobs and boost the economy. TIGER funds have helped to support critical projects in all regions of the State in recent years, and the proposed cut would shut out most communities from this important funding source.

"The House proposal cuts important transportation infrastructure funding to New York and makes it virtually impossible for New York communities to access a critical job-creating program. This House proposal guts investments in economy-boosting infrastructure and transportation projects that would cost New York hundreds of good-paying jobs," said Schumer. "If that wasn't enough -- the proposed cut comes at a time when local communities are in dire need of infrastructure funding to help repair roads and bridges, create jobs and grow the economy. It's clear that this proposed budget cut is a loser for the middle class and New York and should be immediately rejected."

Schumer highlighted important projects that TIGER funds have helped support in the past -- including the Rochester Inner Loop Reconstruction, the "Cars Sharing Main Street" initiaive in downtown Buffalo, the Syracuse Connective Corridor, and upgrades to the Capital District Transportation Authority's Bus Rapid Transit system. Schumer said severe cuts would not only impact those communities planning to apply for funding in FY2016, but would also make it harder for any project currently applying for funding this year that does not get selected to reapply next year. Specifically, the proposed House cuts would mean the TIGER program would only receive $100 million, down from $500 million it received this year. Schumer said the FY 2016 bill should not force Upstate New York communities to forfeit key projects that mean jobs, infrastructure repairs and economic growth for many regions across Upstate NY. Schumer reiterated his position that now is the time to be investing in infrastructure that will help grow the middle class and that House cuts like this to important programs only put our Nation's infrastructure further and further behind.

Schumer has long fought to secure TIGER funds for projects across New York, which means transformational projects and employment for residents in the surrounding area. Over the last 6 years TIGER funds have helped to pay for over $225M in projects throughout New York. Schumer said he would push his colleagues in the Senate to approve a budget that restores funding to critical infrastructure programs. Schumer said these infrastructure projects were necessary to ensure the United States retained a competitive edge in attracting new businesses and to efficiently transport products on highways.

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