The state legislature on Wednesday passed a $7.8 billion transportation bill, despite many lawmakers’ opposition to removing earmarks for local transportation projects and public transit.
The two-year transportation budget cleared the House in a 88-16 vote and the Senate in a 28-5 vote Wednesday. The transportation budget is separate from the main operating budget and provides money for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Public Works Commission and Development Services Agency.
It now goes to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
Rep. Ryan Smith, a Bidwell Republican, said the spending will create jobs and put Ohioans to work.
“We’re talking about investment in our roads and bridges and innovative solutions trying to modernize our transportation infrastructure,” Smith said.
Before passing the bill, lawmakers stripped $48 million earmarked for local road and bridge projects and a $30 million boost for public transit, which had been added by the Senate, as part of a compromise between the two chambers. Using the money for that purpose would have jeopardized the state’s ability to leverage federal dollars, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The 2018-19 budget does include $33 million a year for Ohio’s 61 public transit systems — a $10 million increase over current funding levels.
The bill allows counties to charge an additional $5 vehicle registration fee above the $20 currently allowed by state law, subject to a referendum. It also allows the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to raise the deputy registrar service fee from $3.25 to $5.25.
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