N.Y. Lawmakers Call for $5 Billion Water Bond Vote

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Some New York State lawmakers are pushing for a public vote on a $5 billion bond measure to fund water infrastructure improvements.

State Sen. Terrence Murphy, R-Yorktown, held a press conference Tuesday with other elected officials from Westchester and Putnam counties to emphasize the importance of the Clean Water Bond Act. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City, would ask voters to approve $5 million in borrowing for "repairing, replacing and updating municipal wastewater, storm water and drinking water infrastructure." The measure would need to pass the state Assembly and Senate and be approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to go before voters in a statewide referendum on Nov. 7.

"Water quality and contamination is a very, very serious and growing concern to all New Yorkers," said Murphy at the press conference held on a bridge overlooking Croton Reservoir in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. "The contamination of drinking water in several areas across New York State has been of great concern."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed in January $2 billion in capital expenditures for water quality improvements as part of his $162 billion fiscal 2018 budget plan. A Feb. 13 report issued by New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated that the state will need to invest $39 billion just to maintain existing water infrastructure through 2030.

Murphy also pushed Tuesday for passage of the New York State Water Infrastructure Relief Act he authored that aims to assist municipalities with financing water projects. The bill includes a maximum award of $10 million per year to support a qualifying locality's project.

"We have an obligation as public servants to protect the long-term health of our residents," said Murphy. "Together, the New York State Water Infrastructure Relief Act and the Clean Water Bond Act will provide the financial assistance our communities need to face the environmental concerns in our region."

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