POUGHKEEPSIE- State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson expressed support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s focus on lead service line replacement in her recent State of the State address, calling it a priority he has long championed.
A fierce advocate for public health, Jacobson has repeatedly requested dedicated funding to replace the state’s estimated 500,000 lead-contaminated water lines ahead of the 2037 federal deadline. As the new chair of the Assembly’s Oversight, Analysis, and Investigation Committee, he is leading an investigation into the state’s progress on this effort.
To accelerate replacements, Jacobson is proposing an amendment to the current law that would allow municipalities to receive non-competitive reimbursements for lead line replacements. Under the plan, municipalities could be reimbursed up to $10,000 per line plus related interest charges, removing the need to compete for funding at the start of the process.
Jacobson estimates that replacing all lead lines will cost more than $400 million annually, and he is requesting $500 million in the state budget to ensure these efforts stay on track. Governor Hochul also highlighted new funding opportunities for identifying and replacing lead service lines, a move Jacobson welcomed as a critical step for public safety.
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