Patton Helps Push Transportation Budget through in the Ohio House

The Ohio House today passed House Bill 74, otherwise known as the transportation budget, within the Ohio House. State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) supported the measure and also served as chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Transportation that helped move the bill forward through the legislative process.

“Not only does this legislation build the strength of our infrastructure and support commerce across our state, but this is also a jobs bill,” said Patton. “This transportation budget is an investment into economic growth and jobs across the state. I am proud of the work we accomplished on the Finance Subcommittee on Transportation with this legislation and I thank my colleagues today for supporting it on the House floor.” 

House Bill 74 will provide 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 provides more than $1 billion over the next two years for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, including increased funding for the state highway patrol.

In addition to repair and maintenance of the state’s existing 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. 

Patton acknowledges that Ohio is a transportation hub as it is 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. 

Yesterday, the Ohio House Finance Committee approved a new two-year state transportation budget that invests in Ohio’s infrastructure and public transit.

House Bill 74 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.