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07/19/2018

Message from Beth--July 19, 2018

Candidates for Governor share ideas for infrastructure funding; ACEC Ohio becomes founding member of the FOR Ohio Coalition

DewineACEC Ohio was proud to be a program sponsor of the 2018 Candidate Forum held last week in Columbus.  This forum included both Gubernatorial Candidates separately spending an hour of time discussing issues such as infrastructure funding, economic development, health care, education and workforce development.  As a program sponsor, ACEC Ohio participated in the development of the questions the candidates received, along with sponsor recognition and an update from me about ACEC Ohio to the broad audience.

As you may have seen in the news, infrastructure funding was addressed in different ways by each candidate.  Mike DeWine would establish a blue-ribbon commission to study how to best pay for infrastructure needs, with the commission reporting recommendations very quickly. Rich Cordray would seek a bond financing package for road and bridge repairs, transit, improving the grid and expanding broadband. A bond package has to be voted on by the citizens of Ohio.Cordray

Both candidates stated they want to work with interested parties to craft such solutions admitting they don’t have all the answers.  In preparation for working with the candidates for Governor and the Ohio General Assembly on the issue of transportation funding, ACEC Ohio has become a founding member of the Fix Our Roads–Ohio (FOR Ohio) Coalition.

The FOR Ohio Coalition has been started by a group of transportation-centric associations, companies and organizations, such as the Ohio Contractor’s Association, the County Engineers, County Commissioners, Municipal League, Ohio Truckers Associations, Flexible Pavements of Ohio and Economic Development groups.  The idea behind FOR Ohio is to educate and champion a funding package that will be sustainable for the future of infrastructure. While the gas tax is a short-term fix, the funding package will need to consider how new technologies, fuel efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles to name a few will impact the traditional revenue structure and recommend different sources of funding. (see ACEC Ohio TRANSPORTATION FUNDING HAND-OUT)   The coalition is currently creating a website which will be launched soon and seeking additional broad based members such as the Farm Bureau and Business groups.  As the coalition continues its work, I will keep you informed.

For more information on what each candidate said at the forum, please see the following links:

http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180710/cordray-dewine-would-let-voters-make-call-on-infrastructure-fixes

https://www.10tv.com/article/candidates-ohio-governor-square-same-event

http://wosu2.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/dewine-and-cordray-differ-plans-fund-infrastructure#stream/0 

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

~Beth

 FOR OHIO

 

 

 

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