Surplus state revenue could fill potholes under House-passed bill

State Reps. John Boccieri (D-Poland) and Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) today applauded the House passage of House Bill 415, legislation that would send half of any state surplus revenue to a new Local Government Road Improvement Fund to fix potholes and fund local road improvements. 

“There is absolutely no reason Ohio needs to add more to the $2.5 billion dollars in the Rainy Day Fund with the condition of our roads,” said Boccieri. “Finally, the legislature is listening to our citizens."

Excess state revenues can develop every two years, at the end of the state’s fiscal year, if the state budgeted for more than was spent. In recent years, surplus revenue has gone to fund the state’s emergency fund, the Rainy Day Fund.

“This bill is a common-sense measure to fix our roads and bridges. It helps local communities and helps create jobs,” said Lepore-Hagan.

Under the legislation, the Office of Budget and Management would tally the length of center lane miles in each county, calculating a dollar amount to be shared by local communities in all 88 counties. The funding is then distributed through counties to townships and municipalities for road repairs.

The bill passed by a vote of 73-13 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.