Sykes Comments on Transportation Budget
April 2, 2019
Vernon Sykes News
Today, the Ohio Senate passed the state’s two-year transportation budget, House Bill 62.
“After an impassioned plea by the Governor and several conversations with ODOT, the General Assembly has agreed to a budget that generates 95% of the revenue requested in the Governor’s proposal,” said Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron). “I did not support the version which was originally passed by the Senate because it was a half measure that would raise taxes without producing results. It is my belief that the budget, in its current form, produces the needed revenue to improve our roads and bridges, upgrade our public transportation systems and make critical safety improvements.”
“After an impassioned plea by the Governor and several conversations with ODOT, the General Assembly has agreed to a budget that generates 95% of the revenue requested in the Governor’s proposal,” said Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron). “I did not support the version which was originally passed by the Senate because it was a half measure that would raise taxes without producing results. It is my belief that the budget, in its current form, produces the needed revenue to improve our roads and bridges, upgrade our public transportation systems and make critical safety improvements.”
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.