FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Statement from FOR Ohio on state transportation budget

(Columbus, OH) — The following statement can be attributed in whole or in part to Curt Steiner, a spokesman for Fix Our Roads Ohio (FOR Ohio):

“Our Coalition expresses deep appreciation to the Governor, leaders of the General Assembly and many legislators of both parties in the House and Senate for reacting quickly and decisively to news of a looming crisis in state and local transportation funding.

“The bipartisan agreement up now up for floor votes in the House and Senate will help ODOT avoid a crippling financial shortfall, fund needed maintenance and provide funding for priority highway improvement projects.  The motor fuel tax adjustment will also provide welcome increases in funding for local roadways — the first such increases in funding for local jurisdictions since the last Ohio motor fuel tax adjustment in 2005.

“Our coalition believes a higher increase, with an indexing provision to offset the effects of inflation, would have been even better for Ohio in the long run, but there’s no question that today’s significant bipartisan package to increase roadway support and additional funding for public transit is a very positive outcome for our state’s economy and the day-to-day lives of our citizens.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Ohio Business Groups Urge Senate to Adequately Fund State’s Highway Budget

(Columbus, OH) — Individuals representing six of Ohio’s major metropolitan chambers of commerce and the state’s manufacturers today testified before the Ohio Senate Transportation, Commerce and Workforce Committee on Substitute House Bill 62 to urge lawmakers to sufficiently fund Ohio’s transportation budget.

Standing alongside executive representatives from the regional chambers of commerce in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo, Chris Kershner, Executive Vice President of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce testified that while they appreciate earlier action by the House of Representatives, the business organizations are concerned that the funding the House provided will not be enough to meet the growing economic needs of their regions.

“While the House-passed budget would provide enough funding for the operations and maintenance of our infrastructure network, it would not provide adequate funding for additional safety and major new construction,” Kershner said. “This means there will be $0 available to spend on new infrastructure projects and capacity expansion of existing roadways in our regions. As the advocates for the business community we can tell you with 100 percent confidence, that this funding is essential to new business recruitment and business retention in all regions of the state.” (Click here to download the testimony)

Speaking on behalf of the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, former member of the Ohio House of Representatives Ross McGregor also asked the Senate committee members to adequately fund Ohio’s roadways and bridges to maintain the state’s economic competitiveness.

“Modern infrastructure is critical for today’s advanced manufacturing economy. To remain competitive and maximize the economic benefits of Ohio’s manufacturing strength, the state must invest in updating and expanding Ohio’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, rails and ports,” said McGregor, who owns a manufacturing business in Springfield. “We support Governor DeWine’s proposal to adjust the motor fuel tax rate and we encourage your support to restore the Administration’s recommendation that is based on both ODOT data and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Transportation Infrastructure.” (Click here to download the testimony.)

Each of the organizations are members of FOR Ohio, a growing statewide coalition of local government officials, transportation industry stakeholders, local chambers of commerce, and others. The group is working to educate Ohio citizens and policymakers about the critical needs of Ohio’s transportation infrastructure and is advocating for funding solutions that will provide long term, smart investment in Ohio’s transportation future.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 21, 2019

Statement from FOR Ohio on Governor DeWine’s proposed transportation budget

(Columbus, OH) — The following statement is in response to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) biennial budget proposal for FY 2020/21.  This statement can be attributed in whole or in part to Curt Steiner, a spokesman for Fix Our Roads Ohio (FOR Ohio):

“Ohio faces an emerging financial crisis in its funding of state and local highways, roads and bridges, and Governor DeWine is providing strong leadership by attacking the problem head on.

“ODOT’s biennial budget proposal as outlined by Director Jack Marchbanks provides significant new revenue to fund a robust construction budget to maintain Ohio’s state and local roadways and to make needed improvements to provide safe transportation and to keep our economy moving.

“The new revenue not only prevents a scheduled halt this summer in jobs-producing new projects, but it provides sufficient levels of funding to move Ohio forward for years to come.

“Our coalition is also pleased that the ODOT budget proposal provides an increase in funds for public transit, an important component of Ohio’s ground transportation network.

“We thank Governor DeWine’s team for its decisive response to this problem in the opening weeks of a new administration. We also thank the House of Representatives for expedited hearings on this issue and the Senate for also holding early hearings.

“We urge all legislators to listen to the facts and adopt legislation that assures Ohio has a safe and modern transportation system to meet the economic and day-to-day needs of our state and its people.”

FOR Ohio is a growing statewide coalition of local government officials, transportation industry stakeholders, local chambers of commerce, and others. The group is working to educate Ohio citizens and policymakers about the critical needs of Ohio’s transportation infrastructure and is advocating for funding solutions that will provide long term, smart investment in Ohio’s transportation future.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Statewide coalition sounds warning about Ohio’s lack of funding for deteriorating roads, bridges

Growing statewide coalition of business, local government and transportation industry leaders launch effort to educate Ohioans on looming transportation funding shortfall

Columbus, OH – Sharply reduced funding for vital improvements to Ohio’s deteriorating roads and bridges presents a major economic and transportation problem according to a statewide coalition advocating for adequate infrastructure spending.