Passenger rail, unemployment and COBRA changes included in transportation budget.

PositionAdvocacy & Lobbying

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gov. Strickland signed the state's $9.2 billion transportation budget, vetoing 13 provisions from the bill that had emerged from the General Assembly.

One of the more controversial provisions relates to Amtrak intercity rail passenger service. House Bill 2 clears the way for the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission to apply for a share of $9 billion in federal stimulus funds for passenger rail development. Approval by a 5-2 supermajority of the state's Controlling Board will be required to release funds received from the federal government for rail infrastructure Improvements.

Among the vetoed provisions are:

* A proposal requiring local governments using economic stimulus money for construction projects to reimburse utilities for the cost of relocating service lines

* A freeze of permit fees that the Department of Transportation charges...

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