NEWS

A Snapshot Of What You Need To Know

The Ohio Budget. The state of Ohio enacted its two-year transportation budget, effective July 1st, which appropriates $13.5 billion in state and federal revenue to infrastructure investments for fiscal years 2024-2025. Provisions include $198 million allocated to public transportation, $964 million for local government programs and projects, $2.9 billion for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project in Hamilton County, and a $10 million statewide transportation systems needs analysis. A controversial change impacting local decision making on bike lane infrastructure was removed. Despite opposition, the final transportation budget did include a mandate for Interstate highway interchange construction under certain circumstances. The parameters would require an interchange be constructed on I-71 between Medina and Cuyahoga Counties.

The APA Ohio Legislative Committee is made up of a volunteer group of APA Ohio board members and APA Ohio members. If you have an interest in policy and advocacy and would like to hear more/join the committee, please email info@ohioplanning.org.

The main operating budget remains in negotiation between House and Senate versions and needs to be signed and enacted by midnight June 30. More information on the budget, including line item comparisons, can be found on the Legislative Service Commission’s website: https://www.lsc.ohio.gov/budget

Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 2. The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation requiring at least 60% voter approval of constitutional amendments, rather than the current 50% threshold. Because the measure was passed as a joint resolution, it does not require the Governor’s signature for passage, but will instead appear before the public in a special election in August. If approved by the voters, future constitutional amendments would need to reach the new 60% approval threshold to amend the Ohio Constitution.

Legislative Action on Behalf of Planners. We continue to monitor several other pieces of legislation as guided by our policy platform, including changes to eminent domain law, affordable housing, economic development tools, and more. APA Ohio remains actively engaged in collaboration with our partner, Greater Ohio Policy Center, on developing a program to provide financial and technical support for zoning code reform across the state. The issue is currently under consideration as part of the operating budget process through the Housing Technical Assistance Fund appropriations. The Legislative Committee is also planning APA Ohio’s first legislative advocacy day as part of the statewide planning conference in September. Stay tuned for details on how you can get involved in the legislative process!

Learn more at www.ohioplanning.org/policy

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