Construction contractors, engineers, architects and environmental advocates are urging lawmakers to follow through with promises to increase spending on New York’s aging drinking water and waste water systems, the Associated Press reports.
The coalition, called Rebuild NY Now, rallied members on March 20 in Albany to drum up support for water infrastructure proposals that have been gaining traction with lawmakers in budget negotiations this year.
State officials have predicted it would cost $80 billion in the coming years to replace crumbling water mains, modernize sewer systems and remove lead pipes.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has won bipartisan support for including $2 billion in his budget proposal for clean water projects. The Senate has proposed an additional $5 billion in bonds in its one-house budget.
