Senate Passes $11 Billion Transportation Budget Paving the Way for Ohio's Future

New Two-Year Budget is Free of Any Gas or Diesel Tax Increases

By John Fortney

March 21, 2025

Ohio is known as having one of the best highway systems nationwide.

Amended Substitute House Bill 54, the Senate’s updates to the transportation budget, will pave the way for Ohio’s future over the next two years.

“The Transportation budget addresses significant safety concerns for our citizens and business travelers,” said Senate Transportation Chairman Tom Patton. “This is truly a forward looking, 21st Century budget that helps keep Ohio’s economy moving from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.”

Senate Transportation Chairman Tom Patton Delivers Floor Speech on Transportation Budget

The budget also helps smaller communities keep their roads clear and maintained through the help of ODOT. Villages can be snowed under, quite literally and could use some help from the Department of Transportation clearing snow to clearing debris from storm damage. HB 54 provides that at no cost to the village.

Pavement slips and landslides are dangerous to drivers in the eastern third of Ohio. Erosion and hillside runoff undermines the integrity of the pavement often leading to dangerous conditions and lane closures. The Transportation Budget allocates $15 million for emergency pavement repair.

"Here at home, the normal spring thaw brings more than the common pothole," said Senator Chavez. "Drivers often see the pavement cracking and falling away from hillside erosion or being damaged from falling boulders. This program is key to keeping our roads safe for residents and those we share the roads with, from the school bus driver to the truck driver."

ODOT Photo of Common Pavement Slip in Southeast Ohio

The Transportation Budget is free of any tax increase on gas or diesel.

“The Biden Administration has driven inflation and especially higher prices at the pump,” said Senate President Rob McColley. “It is important that we live within our means, much like the hard-working Ohioans who in the last several years have hoped that last quarter tank gets them to pay day.”

Senate Clerk Recording Votes on Bills as President McColley Presides Over Chamber

Also, rental car drivers are also protected from receiving a ticket if the registration is expired on their rental, and the ramps to closed rest areas will stay open for truckers who need to stop and park for their required rest periods.

The $11.5 billion budget also maintains the convenience of voter registration at the BMV as long as the applicant provides proof of U.S. citizenship which is required to vote in Ohio.