This weeks #GOPCThread takes a closer look at the proposed state transportation budget, debate on which got underway this week in the Ohio House of Representatives Finance Committee.
Not on Twitter, the thread is available online , as well as below.
Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter
This week, our #GOPCThread focuses on the state transportation budget, which received its first hearings this week in the Ohio House of Representatives.
The largest source of ODOT revenue comes from federal highway aid. Other sources include bonding programs, other federal funding, and registration/permitting fees #GOPCThread
The state transportation budget involves the allocation of the Ohio Motor Fuel Tax revenue for use by @ODOT_statewide, as well as fees which support operations at the @OHPublicSafety & @OHHPatrol.
ODOT is responsible for maintaining state + national roadways. For FY22/23, ODOT is recommending 87% of total budget ($5.9B) go to highway construction and maintenance #GOPCThread
Despite overseeing several modes of transportation, ODOT plans to spend only a combined 2% of its funding on the other three modes: Transit, Rail, and Aviation #GOPCThread
ODOT Director Marchbanks gave testimony before OH House Finance Committee last Tues, outlining @ODOT_statewide requests for the biennium #GOPCThread
Ohio House Finance Committee | February 9, 2021 | The Ohio Channel | (click image for link)
Unfortunately, Director Marchbanks failed to mention #publictransit even once in his prepared remarks #GOPCThread
Two years ago, the legislature increased the MFT to balance state infrastructure funding, while also making the single-largest investment in transit in a generation #GOPCThread
The new funding allowed systems like @AkronMETROBus and Logan County Public Transit to expand services #GOPCThread
#OHInvestsinTransit: Logan Public Transit to Expand Service Thanks to Transit Innovation Funding click image for link)
.@SanduskyTransit was able to connect BGSU’s Fireland Campus and the new School of Resort Management to downtown, expanding access to jobs & educational opportunities #GOPCThread
#OHInvestsinTransit: City of Sandusky Uses Transit to Invest in Workforce (click image for link)
#OHInvestsinTransit: NEORide Lanchest Multi-Agency Integrated Fare Collection Solution: EZfare (click image for link)
FY22/23 appropriations reflect @FTA_DOT funding received by ODOT +local matching funding. There are no state funds designated for transit under the Governor’s proposal #GOPCThread
The legislature provided transformational funding to #publictransit in the last budget cycle, but ODOT’s current proposal represents a 90% reduction in state funding for transit
The executive budget proposal reduces state funding to $7.3M/year. In testimony, Dir Marchbanks loosely committed to flex FHWA funds without identifying a specific amount #GOPCThread
#PublicTransit provides critical services to essential workers, the elderly, and others. During the pandemic, systems around Ohio stepped up to continue to serve their communities
Transit is integral to the state’s recovery efforts and now is not the time to divest from this essential service. ODOT’s own #AO45 plan calls for a greater commitment to transit
That is why GOPC is calling for the following changes to the as-introduced transportation budget. 1/ the legislature should move to retain robust GRF funding to #publictransit #GOPCThread
2/ Restore flex funding for use by transit. FHWA flex funding is an important tool that Ohio’s larger transit agencies can access to meet their capital needs #GOPCThread
3/ Establish a joint legislative study committee tasked with identifying and implementing a source of dedicated funding for Ohio’s transit agencies which is recommended by a number of entities, including @ODOT_Statewide #GOPCThread
Access Ohio 2045 | Ohio Department of Transportation (click image for link)
We look forward to addressing this issue with all legislators in the coming weeks. Look for updates here as well as on our blog. Lawmakers must act by March 31, so stay tuned! #GOPCThread