2010-2011 Initiative 7:
Legislative Strategy
Pursue a comprehensive Federal and State legislative agenda to support the department’s initiatives and goals.
During the Biennium, ODOT will:
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Advocate passage of a multi-year federal transportation authorization bill that provides sufficient funding for ODOT to invest in priority projects and programs that ensure Ohio’s transportation system is safe and reliable for the state’s businesses and travelling public. This authorization should allow the department flexibility in spending federal funds and provide sufficient funding for a robust multi-modal system. Additionally, we will seek the federal appropriations necessary to fund these transportation priorities.
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Pursue passage of state legislation to establish Transportation Innovation Authorities (TIAs) which would give the state’s local transportation partners a tool to capture the value of transportation investments and offer a greater ability to leverage state funding for locally and regionally significant projects.
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Collaborate with ODOT’s national and multi-state transportation partners – including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Public Transit Association (APTA), and others – to advance a federal legislative agenda that focuses on reliable funding for all modes of travel and shipping, as well as federal policies affecting project delivery, environmental stewardship, and prohibitions that block innovation.
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Support legislative initiatives that enhance Ohio’s economy by improving infrastructure and transportation systems, and creating jobs.
Longer term, the department will champion efforts to improve federal support of Ohio’s transit agencies, including an improvement on the state’s donor statues (only a 51 percent return) to the Mass Transit Account and new flexibility for using federal dollars for operating support; pursue additional federal funding to advance high speed passenger rail service in Ohio, building on the 3C “Quick Start” service and the development of the Ohio Hub; coordinate with Ohio’s Congressional delegation on the passage of the Jobs for Main Street Act which provides additional federal stimulus funding for multi-modal transportation investments; open new dialogue with U.S. DOT on modernizing federal regulations – including the Highway Beautification Act – which limit a state’s ability to address the needs of local communities and industries; and pursue an expanded use of the design build project delivery, based on the success of pilot project during the current biennium.