New, Two-Year Transportation Budget Approved in House Finance Committee

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

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.

The measure also will provide more than $1 billion over the next two years for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, including increased funding for the state highway patrol.

The bill will be considered on the House floor for a vote on Thursday.

“Ohio’s infrastructure and transportation is the foundation upon which our economy and our communities are built, supporting commerce, transporting Ohio-produced goods, and connecting Ohioans with jobs and services,” said Finance Committee Chairman Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton). “We are maintaining the infrastructure we have, investing in new projects, and supporting other services such as public transit. This is a bill that will make a difference for all Ohioans.”

State Representative Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), who chairs the Finance Committee’s Transportation Subcommittee said Ohio 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. 

“Ohio is the crossroads of America and our infrastructure is a key part of keeping and creating jobs here in the Buckeye State,” Patton said. “This is a jobs bill that will keep Ohioans and Ohio’s economy moving forward.”

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.