Compromise Reached On Transportation Budget

The transportation budget conference committee finally reached an agreement last night, after several days of debate.

The bill includes the passenger rail plan.

“The House and Senate found common ground and made prudent compromises to support a very important bill that helps put Ohioans back to work and protects our key priorities. Democrats and Republicans came together to achieve this agreement, and by doing so we have helped move Ohio forward with economic growth and a stronger transportation system. This plan is good for Ohio.”

--Armond Budish, Speaker of the House

It’ll be up for a vote later today, and must be approved by tomorrow. A few of the highlights from the budget compromise can be found after the jump.

According to the press release:

Creating jobs and moving Ohio forward: The Transportation Budget included provisions to appropriate stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It also clears barriers for accessing these resources and establishes significant accountability by giving oversight to a new Deputy Inspector General. The budget approves spending federal stimulus dollars in Ohio to create 20-thousand new jobs. By appropriating the stimulus dollars through the Transportation Budget, we ensure that the money gets out and onto the streets at the earliest possible time.

Protecting public safety resources: This bill preserves service levels for Ohio’s First Responders and the Ohio Highway Patrol by funding the Public Safety Budget as a part of the Transportation budget.

Reducing the gas evaporation tax credit: A reduction in the evaporation and shrinkage credit for oil company wholesalers allows the savings to be used to fund public safety forces.

Preserving opportunity for passenger rail service: Ohio is in the best possible position to seek federal assistance to establish a passenger rail system in the state. The ability to move quickly while at the same time providing for full consideration is maintained by requiring a super majority of the state Controlling Board (5 of the 7 members including a majority of the members from each chamber on the Controlling Board) for any expenditure of stimulus funds.

Enhancing benefits for those most impacted by the struggling national economy: The bill extends unemployment compensation for Ohioans who have lost their jobs in these tough economic times 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. However, because House Republicans could not guarantee enough votes to pass the bill as an emergency measure, the COBRA health care benefits will not be available to out-of-work Ohioans for 90 days under this budget.

Removing provisions that prevented compromise: The primary seat belt enforcement and cameras to catch speeders in highway construction zones were removed from the bill to move this important piece of legislation forward.