The governor’s proposed $1.3 billion in bonding to fund transportation projects remains a final sticking point in state budget negotiations, and a top Republican in the state Assembly wants to seem more than half of the borrowing removed.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said Tuesday that bonding to fund road projects should not exceed state revenues. “It’s my understanding that there’s about a $400 million annual deficit that’s being run in the transportation fund, so we would like to at least say we shouldn’t be spending more money than we’re taking in.”
AUDIO: Speaker Robin Vos (:39)
Vos’ position would result in cutting $800 million in borrowing over the biennium, something he argued should be at least the “smallest cut” they consider making.
Budget talks have stalled as lawmakers work out a compromise on funding. Vos said he hopes to continue talks with Senate Republicans and remains committed to a goal of getting a budget passed out of the Legislature by the end of June. “I think, in the end, we’ll come to a consensus…we will find that agreement,” Vos said. “But the process has ebbs and flows, and we’re in one of those right now.”