Rep Mike Lawler (R-17th District) joined town officials from around the Hudson Valley for an update on 15 infrastructure projects for which he's trying to get government money.

Lawler, who represents parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, went through each of the projects during a news conference at Mount Pleasant Town Hall.

He's says he is fighting for up to $56 million from the federal government to go toward the projects, which include PFOS-PFOA mitigation in drinking water in East Fishkill, flood mitigation in Clarkstown and repairing the dam at Lake Carmel.

Lawler says he's competing with the 434 other U.S. House members who are seeking funding for projects in their districts, so he kept meeting with local governments to find the best candidates. "This is where government at the federal level should be working with our partners on the local level to invest in these critical projects, so that's why, ultimately, we chose these 15 projects."

The 15 projects he's seeking funds for are evenly spaced out throughout his district -- two in Dutchess County, four in Putnam, four in Westchester and five in Rockland.