A group is calling on state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to include more money in the upcoming budget to address infrastructure issues throughout New York.

Mike Elmendorf is the president of Rebuild NY NOW, a coalition of business leaders and local labor organizations. They're hoping the budget will include the state Senate's proposal to increase infrastructure spending by $2 billion each year over the next few years to address state roads, as well as boost state-funded programs that fix municipal roads.

"We have to repair these roads and bridges. And the longer you wait , the worse the condition gets. The worse the conditions get, the more expensive it ultimately is to do what needs to be done," says Elmendorf. "Based plainly on the needs of the DOT system and the impact of inflation eating away at what increases were in the capital plan last year, we need to do more. It's the right thing to do, not just for maintaining our infrastructure. It's fiscally sound because it will save us money down the road and it’s a job creator."

News 12 received a response from a member of the Gov. Hochul’s team who said, "Gov. Hochul's Executive Budget makes transformative investments to make New York more affordable, more livable and safer, and she continues to work with the legislature to deliver a final budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.”