Rep. Weinstein statement on transportation budget passage

Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) issued a statement following the passage of House Bill (HB) 74, the state’s two-year transportation budget. Democrats fought against the governor’s proposed cuts to public transit funding in the bill, securing $193.7 million over the next two years, double the governor’s proposed investment. Rep. Weinstein voted in favor of the bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“After the past year, Ohioans are hurting, and bipartisan House changes to the transportation budget will help ease their pain,” said Rep. Weinstein. “With increased funding for infrastructure and public transit, we are not only providing Ohioans with jobs, but we are also giving them new ways to get to work and access additional employment opportunities.”

Other key Democratic wins in the transportation budget include:

Ensuring fairness and transparency of taxpayer dollars by requiring more highway construction and maintenance projects are subject to competitive bidding;
Removing the governor’s proposed hikes in vehicle registration and other fees to save Ohioans money;
Securing funds for public transit vouchers for victims of domestic violence who need help getting to court, medical appointments and school.
 

Democrats offered a number of amendments on the House floor Thursday, including an amendment to invest an additional $13 million in public transit funds in each of the next two years and other amendments on motor fuel quality testing and tracking gas tax collection data to see where and how funds are spent. However, Republicans rejected each amendment.