Representative Oelslager Leads Transportation Budget through Ohio House

Today, the two-year transportation budget under House Bill 74 passed within the Ohio House. State Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) supported the legislation and helped lead the bill through the legislative process as chairman of the House Finance Committee; the body held seven committee hearings and had over 60 submitted testimonies.

Just yesterday, the House Finance Committee approved the transportation budget, which invests in Ohio’s infrastructure and public transit.

“I’m very proud of all the work we’ve accomplished in putting together this extensive and detailed budget together,” said Oelslager. “The bill pushes Ohio toward a big and bright future as we continue to invest in our state’s infrastructure – that means enhancing our economy, commerce, services and jobs for decades to come.”

House Bill 74 provides nearly $7 billion over the next two fiscal years for the Ohio Department of Transportation, supporting road and bridge construction and maintenance, as well as other transportation priorities. Additionally, the measure allocates more than $1 billion over the next two years for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, including increased funding for the state highway patrol.

Oelslager notes Ohio is a transportation hub of the Midwest as it’s located within a day’s drive of 60 percent of the American and Canadian populations and has the nation’s fourth-largest interstate system and its second-largest inventory of bridges. 

Along with repair and maintenance of current infrastructure, the transportation budget also provides $100 million in each of the next two years for major new construction through the Transportation Review Advisory Commission program. 

The plan also makes a major investment in public transportation, which is critical to connecting Ohioans with jobs, entertainment and access to important services, such as medical care. The House plan doubles the governor’s proposed investment in public transit, providing more than $190 million over the next two years. 

The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.