By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2023 at 11:23 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: A boater heads east in Albion after passing under the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in this photo from Oct. 2, 2019.
The navigational season for the Erie Canal will run from May 19 to Oct. 11, the New York State Canal Corporation announced today.
This will be the 199th consecutive season of navigation, and for the seventh year in a row the tolls for recreational boaters will be waived. Those tolls were normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.
The season will open at 7 a.m. on May 19 and close to navigation at 5 p.m. on Oct. 11.
The canal is now a year away from the 200th navigation season of the waterway that goes 363 miles, linking the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo.
It cuts through about 25 miles of Orleans County and includes seven lift bridges. That is more than any other county in the canal system, which has 16 lift bridges total.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Health Freedom for All Act to prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from overstepping its congressional authority by enacting a Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
In September of 2021, the Biden Administration through OSHA attempted to mandate Covid-19 vaccines for employees of businesses with 100 or more employees and require weekly testing for those who remain unvaccinated.
While this mandate was blocked by the Supreme Court, this legislation will stop the Biden Administration from ever attempting a Covid-19 mandate through OSHA again. The bill finally clarifies that under existing law, OSHA does not have the authority to implement rules requiring Americans to undergo Covid-19 vaccinations or testing.
The Health Freedom for All Act was co-sponsored by Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-2), Congressman Bill Posey (FL-8), Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-3), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-2).
“President Biden’s efforts to force vaccines into the arms of Americans is a complete overreach of the federal government’s power,” Tenney said. “Whether to receive the Covid vaccine should be personal decision, and every American should be free to choose what option is best for them and their families. I’m honored to lead this legislation once again, which reinforces that the government does not have the authority to enforce covid vaccine mandates and limits President Biden’s ability to further abuse our constitution.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2023 at 8:29 am
ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved a $2 million application on Wednesday evening for the Restore NY grant program.
The application would assist 22 properties in the downtown area, and if approved would bring state funding for 90 percent of building improvement projects in vacant or underutilized buildings.
Jay Grasso, the village’s grantwriter for the application, said the projects range from $50,000 to up to $400,000. Most of the projects include drywall, utility work, plumbing and other improvements to make space more usable for residential and commercial uses.
He thanked the building owners and the village office staff for their efforts in providing information for the application. Building owners needed to submit estimates from contractors for work.
If Albion’s application is approved, Grasso said more detailed construction bids will likely be needed and the state will finalize contracts with each building owner.
Albion qualified as a severely distressed community, making it eligible for Restore NY funding. That state program seeks to revitalize the heart of community centers, bringing funding for residential and commercial projects.
The grants for a community are up to $10 million, and are often anchored by a massive project for several million dollars. Albion is going funding for 22 smaller projects, rather than one giant effort.
Grasso, the grantwriter and owner of G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, said he expects it will take several months before the state announces the winners in Restore NY. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 1 announced a new round of $250 million in Restore NY funding is available.
The Albion sites in the grant are on Main Street, South Clinton Street, South Platt Street, East Bank Street, North Liberty Street and Beaver Alley.
Grasso said the connections he’s made with building owners, included some not in the application, will be helpful if Albion pursues other grants including the Forward NY program. He said Albion qualifies for many of the programs and is a strong candidate for funding.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 January 2023 at 8:18 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the launch of a new committee to better serve members of the community.
Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Medina Memorial Hospital, released information explaining the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will bring individuals from the public together with team members of Orleans Community Health to serve all members of the community.
“Building an inclusive environment both internally and with our neighbors is our commitment,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “As we continue to expand the services we provide to our community, we want all people to feel welcome and proud that we are their health care provider. The DE&I steering committee began meeting in 2022 to determine goals that would guide future planning. I’m happy with the direction things are going and the input we’ve received from those in the community.”
The list of current objectives for the committee include:
To define diversity, equity and inclusion and how each relates to Orleans Community Health.
To cultivate a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the facility and community.
To identify, share and facilitate opportunities for learning and self-growth within the facility and community.
“I think it’s great that we were able to get this committee off the ground and immediately work on ways that OCH can serve and represent everyone,” said Freddrica Fuentes, director of Nutritional Services at Orleans Community Health and one of the founders of the committee. “That means everyone, whether you’re a veteran, disabled, part of the LGBTQ community, or of a certain age, religious group or ethnic background. This committee represents a way that we can work with our partners in the community to better represent everyone, which is what we should always strive for.”
Current members of the committee are Emily Stavange, Angie Doval, Jessica Marciano and Jessica Dittly from the community; and Leighann VanAuker, Victor Doval, Freddrica Fuentes, Nadine Wright-Johnson, Scott Robinson and Kim Gray from Orleans Community Health.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 5:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A truck from Indiana, hauling local cabbage, slid off of Brown Street and flipped on its side this afternoon at about 4:30 p.m. during heavy snowfall.
The driver was headed north on Route 98 but was redirected due to the Main Street lift bridge being closed. Rather than following the detour signs, the driver went by his GPS and ended up on Brown Road. He was attempting to go north to Route 104 when he went off the east side of the road, a state trooper said at the scene, which was just north of the village line.
The driver will be ticketed for speed not prudent and for an overweight load. The limit of Brown Road is 12,000 pounds, the trooper said.
A towing company with a big wrecker is coming from Buffalo to pull the truck off its side and from a neighbor’s yard.
No one was injured in the accident.
Albion firefighters are on the scene and also providing traffic control. There are several other accidents around the county.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 4:27 pm
ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to 3 ½ years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Brennen D. Callara, 24, was sentenced for first-degree attempted robbery and petty larceny. He faced a maximum of 4 years in prison as part of a plea agreement. The judge gave him less than the maximum.
Callara admitted in a previous court appearance that he threatened a cashier at Crosby’s in Medina on July 20 by displaying a knife and demanding money. Callara also admitted to stealing a chain saw sharpener from Tractor Supply in Medina on Aug. 30.
The sentencing also satisfies other charges he faced in Shelby and Ridgeway courts.
In another case, Brandon Belski, 27, of Holley pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony.
He admitted in court today that on April 1 he pointed a shotgun at someone in a car and discharged the gun, hitting tires on the passenger side of the vehicle.
As part of a plea, he will face up to 9 months in the county jail when he is sentenced on March 29.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 3:52 pm
(Editor’s Note: Joe Palumbo, owner of the Albion Gun Shop, wanted to clarify that the purchased guns aren’t for sale at his shop. He served as the middleman for the guns to be sold back to Sheriff’s deputies and other local law enforcement officers. He said he did the background checks for free as a courtesy for the Sheriff’s Office.)
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is switching over from 45 mm handguns to 9 mm handguns and the old guns are being sold.
The County Legislature on Tuesday agreed to sell 23 outdated Glock Model 21, 45 ACP caliber pistols to J.S. Palumbo of the Albion Gun Shop for $310 each or $7,130 total.
The Legislature approved other resolutions relating to the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, including:
• Authorized acceptance of a $172,413 domestic terrorism prevention grant through the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The grant covers two years, from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2024.
• Accepted $150 in community donations with $100 towards SWAT and $25 each to animal control and the K9 unit.
• Set the following civil office fee schedule for mileage for round trips by the Sheriff’s Office, effective Feb. 1: $20 for Albion 14411 zip code; $24 for Elba, Middleport, Kent and Waterport zip codes; $26 for Medina, Bergen, Brockport, Clarendon and Holley zip codes; $28 for Lyndonville, Oakfield and Kendall zip codes.
Benefits for veterans, Medicare also could be interrupted with default
Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed today that the fringe House Republicans’ plan to stop paying the nation’s bills and default on the debt would spell an “economic nightmare” for Upstate NY families.
Charles Schumer
Schumer said that congressional Republicans across the country should think hard about the local communities and families they represent, and places like Upstate NY, before continuing to send America down a politically extreme and disastrous economic path risking a first-ever default by the United States government.
If the U.S. were to default, the senator said this would risk benefits for over 1.8 million Upstate New Yorkers on Social Security, who receive $3 billion in benefits each month, threaten the health of those on Medicare, hinder care for veterans, risk disruptions for those who rely on SNAP and even lead to surging mortgage rates and increasing housing costs.
It would also blow a hole in the deficit and cause a sharp rise in the unemployed. Schumer said it is time for Democrats and Republicans to come together, as they have always done before regarding the debt ceiling, to ensure America continues to pay its bills on time.
“We cannot let the extreme views of a few who want to play chicken with the debt ceiling and recklessly risk driving the American economy off the cliff put Upstate New York families wallets at risk,” Schumer said. “This is not an abstract issue, if these irresponsible extremists fail to allow America to pay its bills and default, Upstate New Yorkers could see real dollars from so much of what they own disappear from their monthly Social Security checks, their retirement savings, their home value.”
Schumer said Upstate NY families have very specific reasons to worry about the debt ceiling.
A debt default would be catastrophic for Upstate New York’s many retirees who could lose an estimated $20,000 in retirement savings. In Upstate New York, there are over 1.8 million Social Security beneficiaries that receive nearly $3 billion in benefits each month.
A default could throw these payments in jeopardy for beneficiaries who earned these benefits.
Medicare payments could be interrupted, threatening the ability of New Yorkers on Medicare to receive and/or pay for healthcare. In total, New York State could see 3,766,000 Medicare beneficiaries lose or have benefits interrupted.
Medicare reimbursements for Upstate NY hospitals and other providers could also be interrupted leading to severe financial distress and even closures for these critically needed community services.
Veterans across Upstate New York who rely on the government for their disability, health care and pension benefits could be left with no support.
Upstate NY Families who rely on federal benefits to keep food on the table could be impacted. If the Treasury is unable to meet its obligations due to default, families who rely on federal nutrition assistance such as SNAP, WIC, or TANF could risk benefit disruption.
2,830,000 New Yorkers across the state depend on SNAP to get the nutrition they need. SNAP is a lifeline for many people who struggle to make ends meet.
1,651,000 children in New York State receive free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program. For many children, school meals are the most reliable meals they get during the day. Free and low cost school meals ensure that all children, regardless of their family’s income level, get the food they need to grow and learn at school.
Mortgage rates, credit card rates, overall interest rates could go up
Moody’s predicts a default could surge new mortgage rates to over 8% – adding significantly to the cost of a new home loan. At a time when mortgage interest rates are already sky high, the GOP threatens to send home financing costs even higher. Even the mere threat of default could send interest rates souring just as inflation is beginning to cool.
Schumer says overall interest rates are likely to increase. Default will trigger a liquidity shortage, making new student, small business and car loans costly and scarce.
It would also cause college financing costs to rise. Upstate New York is home to dozens of public and private colleges, and 58% of New York college students graduate with debt and borrow more than the national average student debt loan of more than $30,000.
Auto loan interest rates for new cars are already at their highest since 2019, and at their highest rate for used cars since 2010. The average cost of a used car in Albany is $33,200, a default will cause a spike in borrowing costs as interest rates skyrocket, adding almost $3,000 to the financing cost of the car.
The average interest rate on bank-issued credit cards is already high, reaching 19.1% late in 2022, according to a Federal Reserve consumer credit report released January 9th, marking the highest rate since the government began tracking this data in the 1970s.
“Look how clear it is: local economies, everyday wallets and Upstate NY families will take the hit should we default and stop paying our bills,” Schumer warned. “The larger Republican Party wants to work with Democrats to prevent this needless economic crisis, but it will take the public putting pressure to inoculate the fringe of the party and for bipartisanship to prevail in making sure America is able to pay its debts on time.”
‘Infrastructure must be a top priority as it significantly impacts our daily lives and local economy.’
Press Release, Assemblyman Michael Norris
Michael Norris
Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) has been appointed by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay to lead the Assembly Transportation Committee for their conference.
Norris has served as a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee for the past four years, on the Joint Budget Transportation Conference Committee, and participated in the Minority Conference’s Taskforce on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation. Norris’s district used to include Shelby in Orleans County until redistricting changed the boundaries starting Jan. 1.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our state in this capacity and for the recognition and trust Leader Barclay has placed in me to continue championing these critical issues in this new role,” Norris said. “Infrastructure has been a priority for me since I was first elected, and I have fought hard to deliver for our district in terms of long overdue increases to local highway, bridge, and sewer funding as well as during times of emergency.”
Norris was a leading advocate for the historic infrastructure and community revitalization economic development investment project along Lake Ontario known as the REDI Program. Additionally, he was the proponent of extending the Discover Niagara Shuttle into Lockport, has worked together with the New York State Canal Corporation to shine a light on canal improvement needs here in Western New York, and advocated for increasing budget funding for the state’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Fund, bridge programs, and sewer and water improvement projects.
Norris is the chairman of the Assembly Minority Conference and will continue his service as the Ranking Member of the Assembly Election Law Committee and as a member of the Assembly committees on Rules, Ways and Means, and Judiciary.
“As the Ranking Member, I look forward to working with highway superintendents and municipal leaders from across our state to raise awareness for parity between upstate and downstate infrastructure needs and funding allocations,” Norris said. “For far too long, the needs of downstate have dominated the conversation when it comes to transportation and infrastructure, and I will continue to refocus Albany’s attention and spending in a more balanced way. Though I am generally very critical of bloated state spending, we must take this moment in history to invest significantly in our failing infrastructure. We must get back to the basics in our approach to governing, and infrastructure must be a top priority as it significantly impacts our daily lives and local economy.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 12:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak, right, presents a proclamation for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Accepting the proclamation on Tuesday are Sharon Nenni, left, a caseworker for the Safe Harbour Program and Theresa Elam-Zwifka, director of services for the for Orleans County Department of Social Services.
Legislators highlighted human trafficking which is a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion or when a person induced to perform such an act is not yet 18 years old.
Legislators also said trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
“Human trafficking can happen to anyone, but certain populations are disproportionately at risk, including people affected by prior abuse or sexual violence, poverty, and unstable living situations or homelessness, as well as those systemically marginalized and underserved,” legislators said in the resolution.
The county a year ago used a state grant to start the Safe Harbour program, which is designed to offer a safe place for teens (12-18 years of age). In addition to providing education and awareness, Safe Harbour provides lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.
The Legislature on Tuesday voted to accept $43,350 in Safe Harbour NY funding from the state Office of Children and Family Services. That will fund a countywide response to child trafficking and exploitation during 2023.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 10:36 am
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Orleans and Niagara counties until 10 p.m. today, with 7 to 10 inches of snow expected.
Light snow will continue through midday, and then will increase this afternoon into early evening with snowfall rates at 1 to 2 inches per hour.
The snow is forecast to mix with light rain this evening, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph this evening, the Weather Service said.
“Travel could be very difficult,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute.”
Genesee, Monroe and northern Erie counties also have a winter storm advisory until 10 p.m. with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 9:09 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Thrive Foods is looking to make a $3 million upgrade at the Freeze-Dry facility on Route 31 in Albion.
Company looks to invest $3 million in Albion, add 45 jobs
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is supporting an application for a $675,000 grant to assist with a $3 million expansion at Freeze-Dry in Albion, a company that was recently acquired by Thrive Foods.
Thrive is looking to invest in new dryers, machinery and other equipment, as part of a plan to expand operations at 111 West Ave., and add 45 employees as part of the first phase of growing in Albion, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
“This is concerning a wonderful project that I think will make everybody very, very happy,” Barone said during a public hearing on Tuesday about the application.
The county will apply for the grant funding from the state Office of Community Renewal. The Orleans Land Restoration Corporation, which is under the EDA umbrella, will assist the county with the application.
Barone said she is hopeful for a quick turnaround from the state, perhaps in three to four months on whether the funding is approved.
Thrive Foods in early September announced it acquired Freeze-Dry, which operated for the past 20 years in Albion at the former Lipton’s plant. Freeze-Dry Foods specializes in freeze-dried products, including pet treats, proteins and ingredients. The products have a shelf life of up to 25 years because Freeze-Dry eliminates moisture and oxygen, while preserving nutrients, flavor, taste, color and aroma.
Thrive Foods recently expanded into a new facility in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Now the company wants to upgrade the Albion facility.
“Hopefully there will be a need for additional phases to follow,” Barone said at the public hearing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2023 at 8:35 am
ALBION – Many people were hoping to see history today with the lifting of the Main Street bridge by crane, and seeing it moved to land north of the canal.
Onlookers will have to wait a little longer because the lift has been pushed back due to the weather today with snow in the forecast.
The state Department of Transportation said the bridge lift will likely be later this week but doesn’t have a set date yet.
Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is general contractor for the project and has brought in a very large crane to move the trusses of the bridge.
The company will be doing a major rehabilitation of the bridge from 1914. The span has been closed since Nov. 14 for a repair project expected to last 18 months.
Organization backs Nourish New York which brings produce to food pantries, community distributions
File photo by Tom Rivers: Volunteers get food ready for a large distribution in Albion on Sept. 11, 2020. Each of about 300 vehicles received boxes of food from the Nourish New York program which has been going for about three years now since soon after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. On this distribution, people received Most of the people received grapes, strawberries, peppers, Brussels sprouts, apples, blackberries, raspberries, radishes and oranges.
Press Release, New York Farm Bureau
ALBANY – New York Farm Bureau released its 2023 state legislative priorities on Tuesday that addressed the needs and challenges of the state’s diverse agricultural community. NYFB President David Fisher and Public Policy Director Jeff Williams highlighted the major issues based on member approved public policy positions.
Farm Labor Needs
The first priority is asking New York State lawmakers to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. This has been a big issue for NYFB members who have been saddled with assessment charges on their quarterly contributions to the unemployment insurance fund.
New York State borrowed billions from the federal government during the pandemic to cover increased UI costs. New York has been the only state that has not begun to make payments on the debt or interest, instead its passing those costs on to employers.
“This is inexcusable. New York must pay its own debts. There seems to be great interest in the legislature to make this happen, and we will continue to make this a priority,” said President Fisher.
NYFB is also concerned about efforts to raise the minimum wage once again. It just climbed a dollar an hour at the end of the year in upstate New York and will likely hit $15 by the end of this year to match what it is in New York City and on Long Island.
The farm overtime threshold will begin to drop as well next year, further increasing skyrocketing labor costs. New York State cannot keep making it more expensive to do business in this state, especially when other states are far behind New York’s wage rates. Like all consumers, farms are facing high inflationary costs. Inputs are up across the board for energy, transportation, labor, fertilizer, and supplies.
“Let’s press pause on these annual income hikes and let things settle for the business community. Now is not the time to make it worse,” said Fisher.
State Budget
Another NYFB state priority is securing proper funding in the New York State budget. The governor’s spending plan will be released soon, and NYFB is looking to maintain funding for important animal health, promotion, and research programs along with full funding for the Environmental Protection Fund. The EPF is responsible for helping farms implement best management practices that include soil health and nutrient management programs that protect our land and waterways. This also includes efforts to help our farms meet the state’s climate goals.
NYFB is also hopeful the governor’s proposal for a refundable investment tax credit is included in the final budget. This will incentivize investment, especially coming off of challenging years of low commodity prices and then the pandemic.
“The state budget is an investment into our state’s farms and local food production. We all benefit when we have a strong farming community,” said Fisher.
Support for Increased Markets for New York Grown Products
NYFB would like to continue funding for the Nourish New York program. It has proven to benefit both farms and people in need. It redirects fresh, locally grown food into regional food banks and emergency food pantries while also helping farms offset the costs to produce, harvest, package, and transport the healthy food.
“Nourish NY served as a lifeline during the pandemic, and we must maintain the program that ensures all new Yorkers have access to New York produced food,” said Jeff Williams.
NYFB is also supportive of the governor’s effort to increase state procurement to 30% for New York farm products. It makes sense for New York to support its own farms when purchasing food for its state agencies and institutions. But we also want to make sure that the regulations are not exclusionary or enforce value-based purchasing requirements that are not currently required by state or federal laws.
Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation
NYFB is concerned about the Extended Producer Responsibility legislation. This bill looks to pass the cost and responsibility of recycling packaging away from the consumer and to the source of the product, in this case, farms and food processors who need things like milk containers, wine bottles and food packaging to sell what they produce. This puts an extraordinary financial burden on to the state’s farms and businesses. This would eventually increase the cost of doing business and further drive-up consumer prices.
Direct Sales for Farm Beverages
NYFB is prioritizing legislation allowing for direct-to-consumer shipping for all New York produced farm beverages, including beer, cider, and distillates. Providing direct-to-consumer sales for craft spirts, hard cider and beer would be a new market opportunity for the industry and put craft beverage makers on parity with the state’s wineries that already have the ability to ship to consumers.
“It is imperative that we all work together to expand opportunities and capitalize on what we do well in New York,” Williams said. “We have one of the most diverse agricultural sectors in the country. It is worth it to each of us to maintain that strong connection to food and farm production. This benefits our food system, local economies, and overall quality of life in the state.”
Other priorities include:
Support the development of solar energy that balances private property rights and the current and future land needs of agriculture in the state. Whenever possible, prime soils and actively farmed lands should be avoided in favor of previously disturbed or fallow lands and rooftop development for distributed generation.
Support critical funding for current agricultural animal health (such as the Avian Disease Program), promotion, research, and environmental programs in the final FY 22/23 state budget.
Solar development and the aggregate value of solar lease payments should be utilized as potential development value when property is appraised for PDR values or similar farmland preservation programs.
Oppose any alteration to Soil and Water Conservation District laws that would change the make-up, mission and function of the State and County Soil and Water Conservation Districts without the statutorily-required inclusion and input from County Boards of Supervisors, or county legislatures, New York Farm Bureau, the New York State Grange, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the four-way partnership (NRCS, NYACD, the State Committee, and the Employees Association) of the Soil and Water District system.
Oppose legislation that prohibits the use of agricultural chemical protectants and support strong DEC’s regulatory authority over pesticide registration in accordance with sound science.
Oppose Extended Producer Responsibility legislation that doesn’t require consumer responsibility for packaging they receive and doesn’t unduly burden New York’s food and wine manufacturing businesses.
Target federal and state infrastructure funding for rural roads, bridges and broadband.
