Four labor leaders are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to secure more funding for SUNY Upstate University Hospital's expansion project.

In a letter obtained by Spectrum News 1, the heads of United University Professions, the Public Employees Federation, the Civil Service Employees Association and the Central & Northern New York Building Trades are asking the governor to work with legislative leaders to allocate $450 million toward the project.

This comes after the governor proposed a $200 million investment in Upstate’s emergency department in her executive budget.

The group says Upstate serves as the only level 1 trauma center for 14 counties, children’s hospital for 22 counties, burn unit for 37 counties and poison center for 54 counties and that the additional funds would address overcrowding of the current emergency department.

"Just as we have long-term certainty about the maximum amount of financing available for other generational projects in this region, it’s critical that Central New Yorkers — and all upstaters — have long-term certainty that Upstate’s expansion will be fully financed in the years ahead. To put it simply, you can deliver that certainty with a full $450 million appropriation in the new state budget," the letter reads in part.

Upstate lawmakers have expressed concern that the Central New York facility isn’t receiving the infusion of resources that SUNY Downstate is. SUNY Chancellor John King said in January that the allocation indicates the governor has heard those concerns, but argued that it’s not enough to finish the job.

The full letter can be found below: