| Ohio.gov Transportation Budget Press Release. |
| Thursday, April 2, 2009 10:07:56 AM - Middletown Ohio |
 April 1, 2009 – Governor Strickland Signs Transportation Bill
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 2, the biennial transportation budget for fiscal years 2010-2011.
"A 21st Century, sustainable transportation system will help to save and create Ohio jobs," Strickland said. "This comprehensive bill is the product of thoughtful bipartisan compromise. Ohioans are best served when we seek common ground, and Speaker Armond Budish and Senate President Bill Harris deserve great credit for achieving a bipartisan agreement."
House Bill 2 contains nearly $7.3 billion for transportation projects and public safety. The bill includes an additional $1.9 billion in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources and $200 million for the Clean Ohio program.
Included in Recovery Act resources is the $774 million announced last week to fund 149 transportation infrastructure projects, which are estimated to create or retain more than 20,000 jobs throughout the state of Ohio.
Governor Strickland also applauded the General Assembly's bipartisan support for pursuing the restoration of passenger rail.
"The first step toward establishing a high-speed rail system in our state is restoring passenger rail. Ohio's ability to compete for federal rail resources is greatly enhanced by this sensible compromise," Strickland said.
Highlights of Strickland's transportation budget include:
* Provides the Department of Transportation $5.7 billion for road, bridge and highway construction and maintenance in fiscal years 2010-11.
* Provides the Department of Public Safety $1.4 billion, including Ohio's First Responders and the Ohio Highway Patrol, for the next biennium.
* Provides $200 million to the Clean Ohio program, $38 million for the roadwork development program at the Ohio Department of Development, $138 million for the Public Works Commission's Local Transportation Improvement Program.
* Supports Ohio's pursuit of federal funds for the restoration of passenger rail in Ohio. The budget requires a super majority of the state controlling board to approve expenditures for passenger rail capital improvements.
Recovery Act provisions in transportation budget:
* Appropriates $1.9 billion of stimulus resources from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including $774 million for 149 transportation projects that are expected to create or retain more than 20,000 jobs.
* Establishes significant accountability measures for the distribution and use of Recovery Act funds by creating an independent deputy inspector general for federal stimulus.
* Includes an emergency clause that extends unemployment compensation for Ohioans who have lost their jobs and expands their ability to receive medical coverage after being laid off through COBRA by changing Ohio law to allow the state to maximize additional federal resources.
Discuss in the forum
|
| |
|
