State Reps. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Terrence Upchurch
(D-Cleveland) today held a Statehouse press conference announcing
legislation to increase state investments in public transportation. Ohio
currently ranks near the bottom among states for public transportation funding.
“Ohio currently ranks near the bottom of states when it comes to
investing in public transit. We cannot afford to fall further behind,”
said Rep. Skindell. “By reinvesting in our infrastructure, we attract
business and development, connect people to jobs and services and grow
our economy. This plan puts Ohio in the driver’s seat again.”
The legislation would increase General Revenue Fund (GRF) dollars
in the state budget to $100 million in Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. In
addition, their proposal would increase the use of federal flex funds in
the public transportation budget to $50 million in Fiscal Years 2020
and 2021.
“Inadequate public transportation options make it harder for many
Ohioans to get to work, attend classes and make it in to see their
doctor,” said Rep. Upchurch. “To grow our economy, we need to begin
investing in projects that will move us forward, and this includes
public transportation infrastructure built for the 21st century.”
The use of GRF dollars has radically decreased from $44 million
in 2000 to $6.5 million in both Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 in the last
biennium budget. Currently, the use of federal flex dollars for public
transportation is only at $33 million per year. Ohio currently spends
63 cents per person on mass transit.
“Ohio’s public transit systems have been in crisis for decades,” says Senior Researcher Amanda Woodrum of Policy Matters Ohio. “For far too long Ohio has underinvested in public transportation and other alternative transportation options. The state of Ohio ranks fortieth in the nation for per capita transit spending. We can and should do better.”