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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > April > 02 > Entry
Strickland signs $9.2 billion transportation budget
Gov. Ted Strickland signed the $9.2 billion state transportation budget at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, his office announced.
“A 21st Century, sustainable transportation system will help to save and create Ohio jobs,” Strickland said in a press release. “This comprehensive bill is the product of thoughtful bipartisan compromise. Ohioans are best served when we seek common ground, and Speaker Armond Budish and Senate President Bill Harris deserve great credit for achieving a bipartisan agreement.”
The House and Senate passed House Bill 2, the two-year spending plan, earlier Wednesday. See earlier story for details. The budget provides $935.7 billion in federal stimulus money for transportation projects, supports the restoration of passenger rail service and increases the speed limit for trucks on interstates from 55 mph to 65 mph.
Strickland also issued 13 line-item vetoes, including one that would have required state and local governments to reimburse utilities for relocating facilities as the result of construction paid for with federal stimulus money.
“This veto continues current Ohio law and ensures that funding received through (the federal stimulus program) is used to its fullest potential in constructing infrastructure and creating jobs,” Strickland said in his veto message.
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Comments
By Alice
April 3, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
“Rapid transit is ideal for lower/middle class…but having rapid transit in Ohio between the 3 C’s would only be useful to people who could afford it”. D, that doesn’t even make sense. Stick to your car, other people can ride a train. There, it’s settled. Why do some people see every issue as either/or as if one option is exclusive to the other? Did I miss something, Wordell? Does it say somewhere that if they build a passenger rail that our cars will be confiscated????? I guess since a democrat governor is behind this it must be some kind of socialist muslim train and I will be FORCED to ride on my way to the tea party. Down with the railroads!By D
April 2, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Yeah, and then you’ll have to memorize bus schedules of other cities or have to spend more than a tank of gas on taxis due to fares. Look, I understand it would create jobs, but don’t go building something when many people, people that would have a use for it wouldn’t use it. Unless there are a lot of services and conveniences that are met in destination cities like Akron, the C’s, Toledo, etc., this doesn’t make much sense. If they are, I’ll be presently surprised. I’ll be sticking with my car though.By Maurice
April 2, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
Another step closer for Ohio to get back into the game. This is GREAT!!! More jobs and Now I don’t have to drive. I can take the train and then when I reach my destination I can take a bus or taxicab around the city. Don’t have to worry about parking, gas, traffic, or soming happening to my car. Keep it up Ohio, keep it up.By michael thomas
April 2, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
When I take a train to Columbus or Cleveland and Cincinnati, I would have to rent a car when I get there. Also what if my schedule does not fit the trains schedule and the last train leaves too soon? NO THANKS TO THE TRAIN! I will drive. Another hair brained idea by our leaders! (and i use the term leasders, loosley)By Skeptic
April 2, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
When gas gets back up to 4 or 5 dollars a gallon, we will be thankful that passenger rail is available. It will create jobs, too! Ohio is back on the right track, so to speak. Ha!By Wordell
April 2, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this
Karon: I’m with you 100% (one hundred percent!!) if your train has a bar car!!! I gotta’ drink if I’m forced to become a loser, occupying space & time with other losers who don’t have a choice of going by private (IE: freedom) automobile. Alcohol will lessen my shock of being among your supporters. We all have a “crutch”…your crutch is trains…mine is alcohol, having to be forced to ride your crutch when you, and your mob mentality psycho’s, force us to abandon chioce.By Ethel S
April 2, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
It was just a few weeks when the Directors of Children s Services wrote a letter to the Gov about the lack of funding and would be unable to serve many of these neglected and vulnerable children and their families. Very sad how we set our priorities.By Karon
April 2, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
D, mass transit is NOT a stupid idea. Ohio has 7 MAJOR CITIES , THAT IS MORE THAN ANY STATE OF THE UNION HAS. OHIO USE TO HAVE PASSENGER TRAINS THREW THE STATE UNTILL GM AND FORD PAID TO HAVE THEM TAKEN UP.The passenger trains can be made at the moraine plant! Trains are jobs and a investment in the State Of OHIO!By Wordell
April 2, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mike: your written eloquence in explaining your situation is really enlightening. I understand your frustration in not having a car. Having a car is a learning experience. Having a car is an exercise in responsibility. Having a car shows that you are able to be like everyone else…but in your case, the “priveledge” hasn’t been granted to you. I share your pain, buddy. Wish I could help you out, but I’m busy bailing out Gov’t ineptitude with the “change” I have left. Sorry.By mike
April 2, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
im so tired of people saying rta busses are running empty.this is not true.i invite there pig faces to ride a bus ,on differentroutes for 6 months.i been riding rta for 26 years,and never been in a empty bus.theres always beeen at least 3 people in them.try getting in routes 7-8-9- x5 14-16-17-19-22-23-24 during the 1st 10-12 days of the month,you will see about 40-45 people on the bus.ive rode on busses(rta) where there was 50 people in it!!!by the way,im not PRIVLADGED to have a car.i depend on rta,and would love to be able to ride a train to cincy,to see a reds or bengals game.im not privldged to have a car.having a car is not a right,its a privilage!!!a persons life IS NOT more valuable than mine,because theey have a car and i dont!!excuses are like *holes—everyones got one,,and they all—tes—they all stink!! lolBy the Truth
April 2, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
The people of Montgomery County are so sick and tired of the RTA complaining they need more money. Why??? Mark Donaghy the RTA Director is lost, according to the employees. I agree. All I see is empty brand new buses in the southern suburbs. Quit trying to shove this mass transportation crap down our throat. They already get a half percent sales tax in Montgomery Cty to subsidize the piece of crap sandwich!!!!!!!!!!!!By gunther
April 2, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
There’s a reason the people in office are there and not you people that can’t see the forest for the trees. Ignorance is bliss, keep your heads in the sand, your best end is up!By D
April 2, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
Mass transit is a stupid idea and should not be pursued or have any money put towards it. It works in some areas, like large, compact cities, but not Ohio. We’re too used to cars. Would I rather take my car when going to columbus or cleveland, leave and arrive on my own terms, not have to adhere to a transit schedule, and maybe spend a few dollars more for gas over a ticket on a train/rapid transit system… or have to organize my time around when a train leaves and comes. So I miss a train in Columbus because an important business lunch goes over 20 minutes, so I have to wait another 30 mintues for the next train coming from Springfield or Akron? Rediculous. Rapid transit is ideal for lower/middle class or tight compact cities, but having rapid transit in Ohio between the 3 C’s would only be useful to people who could afford it. Problem is, the people who can afford it, like me, won’t want to use it because it will turn out to be more of an inconvenience than a convenience.By Patty
April 2, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this
742,000 job losses for March. Government created War on Business, War on Prosperity. Government hates private business. Government will take care of you. If there are no private jobs and we all work for the government, where will the money come from?By Wordell
April 2, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this
Hey!!! Let’s repair/change I-75 near downtown over the Miami River. After it’s finished, let’s do it again! Then…let’s do it again…then, let’s do it again…so we can start passenger rail service (?), and raise the speed limit for trucks? Damn, glad we got 9.2 billion to raise the speed limit, provide trains no one will use, and repair roads that are never repaired correctly in the first place!! Sure can be expensive!! I’ll enjoy watching the Ohio DOT workers, leaning on their shovels near all of these projects, as the 9.2 billion is pissed away.By Carl
April 2, 2009 6:57 AM | Link to this
Spend Spend Spend Spend Spend Spend Its not real money just goverment money and now theres plenty of it. Good thing we don’t have to pay it back. O wait a mintue we do have to pay it back someday, but who cares as long theres someone still willing to work. But those people are few and far between. Maybe we can start taxing welfare checks. But who cares we got the money now.