DeWine makes case for more highway money, possibly from gas-tax increase

While not COLUMBUS — explicitly endorsing an increase in Ohio’s gasoline tax to replenish highway construction and maintenance dollars, Gov. Mike DeWine says the state has no choice but to find the money somewhere.

A study committee appointed by DeWine quickly concluded Wednesday that the state needs to increase its gas tax, but has not yet recommended an amount.

The 28-cents-per-gallon state gas tax last increased in 2005. The pending state transportation budget is expected to contain much less money for state and local road paving and maintenance work — and no money for additional major proj- ects — without more money.

Asked if he supports the committee’s call for Ohio- ans to pay higher taxes at the pump, DeWine replied, “This is a discussion we’re going to continue to have with the people of Ohio.” The governor also said he is continuing to talk with the leadership of the House and Senate.

“Unless there is a change in revenue, we’re not going to building anything,” DeWine said Thursday. The state needs an additional $1.5 billion a year in new revenue “just to keep the status quo,” he said. “Clearly, we’re going to have to have additional sources of revenue.”

DeWine said the highway money accessed by selling bonds associated with Ohio Turnpike revenue is no more.

“That really has masked the problem for the past few years ... Now, that money is going away. What is going to happen? We’re going to have this huge shortfall.”

Ohio must step up its game to continue state and local road maintenance and construction to promote eco- nomic development and improve road safety for Ohioans, the governor said.

DeWine said the state cannot await a long-promised, but never-delivered, federal infrastructure bill to help fix crumbling roads and bridges.

“We would love to have the federal government come in and do wonderful things, but that is simply not going to happen,” he said. “We can’t wait for that. This is a pending crisis now. We have to step up and deal with it now.”

State Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks said the revenue hole is about $500 million for maintenance, $250 million for safety projects and $250 million for major projects. Each penny increase in the gas tax would raise about $67 million a year. Gas tax money is split 60-40 between the state and local governments.