Rep. Crawley statement as state transportation budget clears House Finance Committee

COLUMBUS – Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus), the ranking Democrat on the House Finance Committee, issued a statement today on the committee passage of House Bill (HB) 74, the state’s two-year transportation budget. Democrats opposed the governor’s proposed cuts to public transit funding and fought to secure $193.7 million over the next two years, doubling the total investment over the governor’s initial proposal.

“Public transit is a business friendly, pro-growth investment in workers, in our economy and in the opportunity for Ohioans to pursue the American dream, that’s why Democrats fought to reverse the governor’s proposed cuts and re-invest in Ohio,” said Rep. Crawley. “While Democrats secured a win with more funding, we’re still not at the level we need to be to fully meet the demands of building back our economy and making it easier for people to get to work, go to school and make a living—the kind of progressive action we need to move Ohio forward. Democrats will continue to push to see those needs are met.”

Democrats offered a number of amendments during Wednesday’s hearing. Lawmakers approved an amendment to include $5,000 for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network to purchase transit vouchers for their clients in both shelter-based and community-based programs. However, Republicans rejected a Democratic amendment to increase public transit funding to $221.28 million over the next two years.

The transportation budget is set for a full House vote Thursday.