The two-year election cycle has come back around. While there may not be anything on the ballot that screams “TRANSPORTATION!” this go-around, this year’s election will impact future transportation matters. All 99 members of the Ohio House of Representatives will be on the ballot along with 15 Ohio Senate seats. All 15 of Ohio’s representatives to Congress will be elected. And we can’t forget the battle for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat between Senator Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno, one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate races in the nation. Need I mention there is this whole presidential thing going on? Finally, a statewide issue will ask you to decide how Ohio’s legislative districts should be drawn.
We are two years away from identifying the successor to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or IIJA depending on which name you prefer) on the federal side. Before then, we’ll be discussing the next biennial ODOT Budget Bill. In short, the legislators you are electing will determine state and federal transportation funding and policy initiatives for years to come.
The last boost to state transportation revenue came in 2019. Just as it was beginning to show dividends, COVID took the wind out of the sails for that enhanced-funding stream. The winds have returned, along with federal increases, but inflation in all components of project costs have eaten into what public and private sector owners must pay to maintain what the citizens of Ohio already have and address the growth occurring in our state.
The key message in all of this is: GET OUT AND VOTE! When given the opportunity, ask your legislative candidates where they stand on transportation matters. If you don’t get that direct opportunity, try to ascertain how they work with the other party; are they open to understanding multiple points of view, and can they articulate why transportation is critical to how we live, work, and play? The article in this edition of OC magazine will help you make that decision for the Ohio U.S. Senate candidates.
Transportation funding always works through cycles. In the recent past, we have seen commitments to transportation funding being increased. However, it is inevitable that the natural inflationary cycle will see the effectiveness of current funding degrade, along with the condition of pavement and bridges. To combat the negative impacts of this cyclic nature, wouldn’t it be great to see the state’s motor-fuel revenue be indexed for inflation? In this era of hyperinflation that we just experienced, we will once again find ourselves in catch-up mode. A legislature that recognizes this will be important as early as this election cycle. Your voice will be heard only if you get out and express it through the ballot box. Get out and help democracy work!
