Syracuse, NY – Standing at Syracuse Hancock International Airport alongside local elected officials and infrastructure stakeholders, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today touted key wins for Central New York included in the bipartisan, bicameral Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which passed the House last week with his support.
Rep. Katko was joined by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, Executive Director of OCWA Jeff Brown, CEO of CENTRO Brian Schultz, President & CEO of CenterState Rob Simpson, President of the Manufacturers Association of CNY Randy Wolken, President of the Central-Northern New York Building & Constructions Trades Council Greg Lancette, President of the AFL-CIO Local 150 Anne Marie Taliercio. Rep. Katko was also joined by Oswego County Administrator Phil Church, Director of Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council Jim D’Agostino, Director of Cayuga County Sewer & Water Authority Jeanine Wilson, and Executive Director of Wayne County Sewer & Water Authority Martin Aman.
As Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group, Rep. Katko authored framework that became the basis for the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. The bill includes investments exclusively for physical infrastructure, contains responsible measures to pay for its spending, and according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is projected to have a 33% return on investment. Importantly for Central New York, the bill will deliver investments for local roads and bridges, ports and waterways, clean water systems, broadband networks, electrical grid, and airports.
“When I first ran for public office, I pledged I would create economic opportunity and strengthen our community for generations to come,” said Rep. John Katko. “Recognizing the dire state of our local infrastructure, a key part of that promise was delivering infrastructure investment. As a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus’s Infrastructure Working Group, I helped develop the framework for this bipartisan physical infrastructure bill. By passing this bill, I’m proud to have kept my promise to Central New Yorkers and deliver long overdue investments for upgrades to our local roads and bridges, electrical grids, airports, water systems, ports and waterways, and broadband networks.”
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “Investing in our infrastructure has been a top priority of my administration. Whether its our roads, bridges or sewer pipes, Onondaga County has a strong track record of making the necessary investments to maintain our infrastcture.” McMahon continued, “Now thanks to the leadership and parternship of our federal delegation, specifiaclly Congressman Katko, we will be able to make even greater progress in modernizing our wastewater infrastructure, bringing broadband to our underserved communities and proactively maintain our roads and bridges. Thank you to Congressman Katko for his efforts in making this legislation a reality.”
“We’re demonstrating in the City of Syracuse how local government can turn federal funding into better roads and updated infrastructure. The bipartisan infrastructure bill will help us take this progress to the next level. We will have resources to move forward with bus rapid transit; increase broadband access; strengthen water infrastructure; improve air service and repair more roads and bridges,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “I thank Congressman Katko for his critical work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Problem Solvers Caucus and deeply appreciate the leadership of Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The bipartisan infrastructure bill shows what we can accomplish when we work together.”
“I am very grateful that members from both parties, in both Houses of Congress came together to pass much-needed infrastructure legislation,” said Jason Terreri, Executive Director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. “This legislation was a historic bipartisan compromise, and although some in Congress opposed it, we are grateful for the support from Rep. John Katko who recognized the needs of our community. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation for the leadership of Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, in passing this landmark legislation. This bill will provide vital funding for a range of important infrastructure projects, including at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, which will prove enormously beneficial to Central New York. Airport funding has been lagging well behind what is needed to cover present and future infrastructure needs at our nation’s airports. This investment will help address this funding gap, and help SRAA meet the growing commercial passenger and cargo transportation needs of the region.”
“OCWA—Central New York’s Water Authority—is pleased to join with Representative Katko and other community leaders in enthusiastically welcoming passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA),” said OCWA Executive Director Jeff Brown. “The IIJA provides $54 billion in critical funding for such important water infrastructure needs as lead service line replacements and addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. In addition, it will provide $11.7 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving funds which are used by OCWA and other local water utilities to replace aging water mains, improve water treatment facilities and generally improve water quality for our customers. We applaud Representative Katko for his leadership in supporting this important piece of legislation for Central New York.”
“By any measure, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is good for Central New York workers and will greatly benefit the entire region,” said Greg Lancette, President of the Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades Council. “This bill directly supports local physical infrastructure projects that will be built by Central New York construction workers. Our labor community applauds Congressman Katko for his role in developing and passing this historic pro-job infrastructure bill and for continuing to support the creation of good-paying, local jobs.”
Specifically for Central New York, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act includes:
- $24 billion for roads & bridges in New York State
- $27 million for Syracuse Hancock International Airport
- $74 million for CENTRO
- $8 billion for the Department of Transpiration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, which benefits Bus Rapid Transit in Syracuse.
- $23 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which supports water infrastructure in Central New York.
- $42 billion for Broadband Deployment Grants to expand rural broadband and improve internet connectivity.
- Funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance pending projects like those in Oswego, Little Sodus Bay, Greater Sodus Bay, and across Lake Ontario.
A full summary of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act can be found here.
Information provided by the Office of US Rep. John Katko
