Our Platform

The TransportationMATTERS Board and Policy Committee have developed policy platforms for federal reauthorization bills for both surface transportation and aviation. 

See TM on Surface Transp Fed Reauthorization_May 09 for detailed position papers.

Maximize Funding, because we face a financing crisis without it.

  • Ohio is the 7th largest state in population
  • The transportation industry employs more than 12 percent of Ohioans
  • The trucking industry ranks 4th among the 50 states based on total economic output of $5.2 billion
  • Ohio ranks 4th in rail miles (5,354 miles) and its rail industry ranks fourth in economic output of $1.3 billion. 
  • Ohio ranks 5th in waterborne domestic tonnage (102 million short tons) and has 716 miles of navigable waterways. 
  • And with 60 transit systems, Ohio ranks 12th in transit ridership.

Step 1: Increase overall funding for transportation investments by:

  • Current financing tools available to Ohioans are woefully inadequate and do not meet the 21st Century needs of the state’s economy and its citizens.
  • Support the reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Act, maximizing federal dollars returned to Ohio. Click here for full policy platform relating to federal transportation reauthorization bills.
  • Support full and creative transportation funding in the ODOT budget bill and Ohio General Revenue Fund budget that supports a strong public-private transportation network across the state.
  • New revenue sources, predictable and ample, must be developed and then aligned with state priorities
  • Support the Federal Economic Stimulus Bill to maximize federal dollars to Ohio.
  • Indexing the current gas tax so that revenues are not lost to inflating prices.
  • Promote a constitutional amendment for an increase in the gas tax that would address the needs of all transportation modes – waterway, public transportation, aviation and pedestrian/bikeways as well as highway. Use the proceeds of the tax increase to support a new bond financing program of at least $1 billion each year. Guarantee a specific share of these funds for both transit and highway modes. 
  • Promote legislation in the State of Ohio to allow Public-Private Partnerships (PPP); and support the implementation of PPP’s where appropriate.
  • Investigate other potential financing mechanisms.
  • Support tolling options, where appropriate.
  • Support an Ohio Transportation Finance Commission.
  • Obtain a USDOT grant so that Ohio can be a pilot state for study of the Vehicle Miles Traveled tax (VMT).