Antonio Applauds Ohio’s Transportation Budget

Just last week, the Ohio legislature passed the state’s two-year transportation budget, House Bill 62.

I was honored to serve as the highest ranking Democrat on the Transportation, Commerce and Workforce committee where the transportation budget was deliberated. Once the budget passed the Senate, it then moved to Conference Committee, a committee made up of three House members and three Senate members. I was honored to represent as the appointed conferee, the only Senate Democrat, on the committee. The job of the committee was to sort out the differences between the Governor’s-introduced budget and the passed budgets in both the House and the Senate and come up with compromises through various amendments. In the end, we forged a compromise bill that majority of Democrats could vote for.

HB 62 includes $70 million per year for public transportation, a 10.5-cent increase in the gas tax and a 19-cent increase in the diesel fuel tax as well as an increase in the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low- and moderate-income Ohioans amongst other items.

I supported this budget because it will bring more dollars to public transportation, provide an increased tax credit for low-income Ohioans, and bring needed funds to our local communities to fix our roads and bridges—core principles we fought to include.

Certainly, no one prefers tax increases; however, in order to keep our roads and bridges safe and increase public transportation, this was the only option. I was especially proud of the collaboration between the Ohio House and Senate Democrats as we worked together for the best way forward for all Ohioans.

Later this month, the Ohio Senate will begin deliberations on Ohio’s operating budget, and I look forward to taking up that process.

For those of you who contacted our office during the transportation budget process, your input was much appreciated. Going forward to contact our office, our phone number is 614-466-5123 and our email is Antonio@ohiosenate.gov. My Legislative Aides, Taylor Phillips and Sarah Taylor, would be happy to assist you.