The following can be attributed to Jason Warner, Director of Strategic Engagement at the Greater Ohio Policy Center regarding the state transportation budget.
"It is disappointing that Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks did not even mention public transportation in his written testimony today provided to the House Finance Committee. Likewise, Greater Ohio Policy Center is disheartened to see the executive budget proposal backsliding and reducing state-based funding to only $15 million over the upcoming biennium, with a passing commitment to flex Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds, without identifying a specific amount, for use by transit agencies. The executive budget proposal ignores the important work the Ohio General Assembly did two years ago, which committed funding of $140 million over the biennium.
"The closure of businesses in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in transit agencies that receive revenue from local sales taxes losing funding, while the suspension of fare collection by a number of agencies has directly impacted the bottom line for those agencies largest source of revenue, the fare box. Couple this with the added cost of making transit vehicles clean and safe for use, Ohio’s public transit agencies are reeling.
"Despite this double-whammy of negative economic impacts, Ohio’s transit agencies have continued to provide essential services throughout the pandemic.
"It is imperative that Ohio not retreat from its commitment to ensure all Ohioans have access to reliable transportation options."
-Jason Warner, Director of Strategic Engagement, Greater Ohio Policy Center
About the Greater Ohio Policy Center
Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with a mission to improve Ohio’s communities through smart growth strategies and research. Our vision is a revitalized Ohio. We undertake original research and analysis, develop pragmatic policy recommendations and advocacy strategies, and deploy our convening power to meet the needs of Ohio’s local change-makers. We operate statewide.