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.

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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

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

.@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

And last year’s funding created opportunities for much-needed innovation, like @NEORide + partner @EzFare launching the largest regional mobile ticketing initiative in the country

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

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