Currently, legislators in Columbus are debating on whether or not to raise gas taxes in Ohio and to invest that money in our freeways, bridges, and transport systems. Well constructed roads and transport systems provide a healthy economy, and boost the morale of the people. The last major bill passed to address this problem was 14 years ago, and it was to raise gas taxes by 58 cents; only around 39 cents in today’s money due to inflation.

Investing in these projects will also provide people with well paying construction-related jobs in the short term.

Ohio has been needing to update its infrastructure for many years now. For nearly three-quarters of a decade, Ohio has under-invested its money on keeping its infrastructure up to date, and per person only about 60 cents of the taxes paid to Ohio is being used for its infrastructure. Research done by the American Society of Civil Engineers shows that these roads and bridges are costing people an average of 545 dollars every year on repairs. Eighteen percent of Ohio’s roads, which measures in close to 123, 000 miles, is either in poor or critical condition.

Governor Mike DeWine has requested for an increase of 18-cents per gallon on the gas tax to maintain and repair Ohio’s infrastructure. DeWine announced this request on Cleveland Newsradio WTAM 1100′s “The Triv Show,” on February 20 of this year.

“We have to raise the gas tax to maintain our roads. We also need to set aside some of that revenue for public transit. That way we can reduce wear and tear on our roads while helping people get to work and cutting our carbon emissions,” said Policy Matters Senior Researcher Amanda Woodrum.