This week, our #GOPCThread focuses on the state transportation budget, which received its first hearings this week in the Ohio House of Representatives.
The largest source of ODOT revenue comes from federal highway aid. Other sources include bonding programs, other federal funding, and registration/permitting fees #GOPCThread
The state transportation budget involves the allocation of the Ohio Motor Fuel Tax revenue for use by @ODOT_statewide, as well as fees which support operations at the @OHPublicSafety & @OHHPatrol.
ODOT is responsible for maintaining state+national roadways. For FY22/23, ODOT is recommending 87% of total budget ($5.9B) go to highway construction and maintenance #GOPCThread
Despite overseeing several modes of transportation, ODOT plans to spend only a combined 2% of its funding on the other three modes: Transit, Rail, and Aviation #GOPCThread
ODOT Director Marchbanks gave testimony before OH House Finance Committee last Tues, outlining @ODOT_statewide requests for the biennium #GOPCThread

https://ohiochannel.org/video/ohio-house-finance-committee-2-9-2021
Unfortunately, Director Marchbanks failed to mention #publictransit even once in his prepared remarks #GOPCThread https://twitter.com/GreaterOhio/status/1359238514366435336
Two years ago, the legislature increased the MFT to balance state infrastructure funding, while also making the single-largest investment in transit in a generation #GOPCThread
FY22/23 appropriations reflect @FTA_DOT funding received by ODOT +local matching funding. There are no state funds designated for transit under the Governor’s proposal #GOPCThread
The legislature provided transformational funding to #publictransit in the last budget cycle, but ODOT’s current proposal represents a 90% reduction in state funding for transit
The executive budget proposal reduces state funding to $7.3M/year. In testimony, Dir Marchbanks loosely committed to flex FHWA funds without identifying a specific amount #GOPCThread
#PublicTransit provides critical services to essential workers, the elderly, and others. During the pandemic, systems around Ohio stepped up to continue to serve their communities https://twitter.com/GreaterOhio/status/1271112317107933185
Transit is integral to the state’s recovery efforts and now is not the time to divest from this essential service. ODOT’s own #AO45 plan calls for a greater commitment to transit
That is why GOPC is calling for the following changes to the as-introduced transportation budget. 1/ the legislature should move to retain robust GRF funding to #publictransit #GOPCThread
2/ Restore flex funding for use by transit. FHWA flex funding is an important tool that Ohio’s larger transit agencies can access to meet their capital needs #GOPCThread
3/ Establish a joint legislative study committee tasked with identifying and implementing a source of dedicated funding for Ohio’s transit agencies which is recommended by a number of entities, including @ODOT_Statewide #GOPCThread https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/programs/access-ohio-2045#page=1
We look forward to addressing this issue with all legislators in the coming weeks. Look for updates here as well as on our blog. Lawmakers must act by March 31, so stay tuned! #GOPCThread
You can follow @GreaterOhio.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: