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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > April > 14 > Entry
Monday vote set on $25M for train plan despite GOP objection
Gov. Ted Strickland’s administration plans to go ahead with a Controlling Board vote on Monday, April 19, on the release of the first $25 million for Ohio passenger train service, despite an objection from state Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, a board member.
Winning approval on a party line 4-3 vote - four Democrats “yes” and three Republicans “no” - “will only poison the well for future discussion,” Hottinger said in a letter on Wednesday, April 14, to Jolene Molitoris, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation. The $25 million is part of the $400 million in federal funds that Ohio has qualified for to set up passenger rail service linking Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
While the release of money by the Controlling Board for train construction work requires a bipartisan supermajority, only simple majority approval for the $25 million for planning purposes is needed, the Strickland administration has contended. Hottinger disagreed. He said if the Monday vote proceeds “it will make finding supermajority support all the more difficult when that time comes.”
Scott Varner, Molitoris’ spokesman, said it’s important to move ahead Monday.
“To delay moving forward on this transformational project is to delay the creation of jobs and economic opportunity for our states - especially the Dayton area which stands to uniquely benefit from this investment in the downtown and Riverside areas,” Varner said in an email.
“The study and data collected to date is very solid and compelling. ODOT has been working with all the members of the Controlling Board to demonstrate that by releasing this initial $25 million, Ohio will be able to complete the final environmental study, engineering, and detailed design - required by federal law - needed to make the most informed determination about the project.”
In his letter Hottinger said there are too many unanswered questions about the plan to take the Monday vote. He is expected to vote “no” along with the two other GOP board members, Sens. John Carey of Wellston and David Goodman of New Albany.
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Comments
By Norak
April 21, 2010 6:08 PM | Link to this
Jon, Who will ride the trains? Section 8ers wannabe gang members hood rats and Karon. Snort, snort. Puff, puff. Rah, rah. We need a choo-choo.
By jon
April 21, 2010 7:00 AM | Link to this
For starters Take the taxes from RTA and put it into train’s, No one uses the RTA except section 8 re’s Wannabe Gang members Hood rats and everyone that Receives Govt Handouts so they can ride the RTA Downtown and stand around and signafie, you know be cool. Snort snort Puff puff
By Jon
April 21, 2010 6:58 AM | Link to this
For starters Take the taxes from RTA and put it into train’s, No one uses the RTA except section 8 re’s Wannabe Gang members Hood rats and everyone that Receives Govt Handouts so they can ride the RTA Downtown and stand around and signafie, you know be cool. Snort snort Puff puff
By Narok
April 19, 2010 6:42 PM | Link to this
Karon: Please answer my previous requests. Are you able? Your new silliness also needs some facts. Norak, “With gas prices rising this country can no longer depend on just cars and highways for 21st century transportation!” Oh yeah - PROVE IT! SHOW US THE CALCULATIONS TO BACK THAT RIDICULOUS CLAIM! “Ohio people need jobs and these trains will create them!” AGAIN, PROVE IT! SHOW US THE CALCULATIONS! I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! And please, either answer all my requests for facts or stop these ridiculous posts. Thank you.
By ooooh
April 16, 2010 10:43 PM | Link to this
Highways are a big bankruptcy that’s already happening, because cars are getting more fuel efficient and nobody wants a gas tax hike.
By American Yankee
April 16, 2010 10:39 PM | Link to this
“Do you really think the people who make such decisions actually ride a train?” Given that a lot of those people live in the New York City area (which is still America’s financial hub, last I looked), probably so! Besides, they go to Europe and see Europe with high speed rail; they go to China (a poor country per capita) and they sea THAT country building high speed rail, and they go to Japan (which built the Shinkansen). Plus, why be confined to a limousine when you can stretch out? (Sure, they also fly, but I’m willing to bet some of those movers and shakers show up on a train sometimes.)
By J
April 16, 2010 7:19 PM | Link to this
Trains would attract business people to Ohio???? What are you smoking? Do you really think the people who make such decisions actually ride a train? These trains will be nothing but a huge bankruptcy waiting to happen. Use the money to help people get stable jobs not to appease the left.
By open mind
April 16, 2010 3:17 PM | Link to this
Open mind for a different view. 1970’s railroads were DEAD,bankrupt, no one wants or needs those old things. Silently they went about their work, improving growing and oh did I forget? making money. It is to the point now where they are all but out of the public’s mindset. The funny part is most if not anyone out there with a 401K owns part of at least one railroad. Except for the one railroad someone like Warren Buffet bought? Maybe he knows something about fuel prices and the fact things are going to be different in the future. Fuel Prices will go up. and up. Face it!I’ll bet your grandparents never thought it would get to .75 cents a gallon. The bottom line is until something replaces oil as a fuel source railroads will always be more fuel efficent!
By American Yankee
April 16, 2010 12:16 PM | Link to this
The GOP needs to look past ridership estimates and claims of unaffordability (Ohio CAN afford the thing, it’s, like, what, the cost of a drink bottle a year per Ohio resident to maintain?…), and look at the bigger picture. What if there was a disaster? What about freedom of choice? If gas prices were to hit the roof someday, what choice would people have in getting around? And what about people who can’t drive to begin with? Moreover, high speed rail would attract businesspeople to Ohio, and high speed rail (or ANY rail for that matter) is an insurance policy - it would be a good backup in case things go wrong in the air or on the road. Build the thing.
By karon
April 16, 2010 12:00 PM | Link to this
Norak, With gas prices rising this country can no longer depend on just cars and highways for 21st century transportation! Ohio people need jobs and these trains will create them!
By YankeeMan
April 16, 2010 8:39 AM | Link to this
$17-million a year to help underwrite the cost of passenger rail in the 3C (which is less than .5% of the total ODOT budget…. vs. $1.2-BILION a year to maintain Ohio’s highways. I’d rather pay for and ride a train.
By RWE
April 16, 2010 8:05 AM | Link to this
RAIL: How do you define success? * Profitability: Do rail fares cover operating costs? * Ridership: Do new rail lines significantly increase transit ridership? * Cost-Effectiveness: Are new rail lines less expensive to operate than buses providing service at similar frequencies and speeds? * The Economic Development Test: Do new rail lines truly stimulate economic development? * The Transportation Network Test: Do rail lines add to or place stresses upon existing transportation networks? No rail system passes all of these tests, and in fact few of them pass any of the tests at all.
By Narok
April 16, 2010 6:31 AM | Link to this
REALLY, KARON, WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR STATISTICS? —— “Actually it is alot cheaper to maintain passenger trains and streetcars than highways and roads!” - - REALLY? PROVE THAT! __— “That is why alot of states are moving back into trains than building new highways!” — REALLY? WHICH STATES? Come on! Where is this happening? WHERE? We anxiously await your reply!
By Narok
April 16, 2010 6:25 AM | Link to this
Missouri’s highway construction is declining after an expansion. Its in the middle of a front-loaded 5-year bond program. That has nothing to do with rail construction. Passenger rail traffic is <4% of all Missouri rail traffic and consists largely of the Arkansas & Missouri Line - an antique steam train providing guided historic tours.
By karon
April 15, 2010 11:14 PM | Link to this
Missouri is one state that has declined in highway construction!
By Narok
April 15, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this
Karon - what is it with you and this train? Are you thinking you are going to be in the upper-level of managing the system? Why all the mindless cheerleading? What drives you? How will you profit from it? Your “facts” are gross misrepresentations of reality. Who are you and what is this about?
By djc
April 15, 2010 7:25 PM | Link to this
At $400M it would take over 25 years to pay back this rail project if each passenger paid $32 a ticket. Private industry would laugh you out of their board rooms. However, only government would cut you a check and then go print money to cover it.
By Norak
April 15, 2010 7:02 PM | Link to this
REALLY, KARON, WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR STATISTICS? —— “Actually it is alot cheaper to maintain passenger trains and streetcars than highways and roads!” - - REALLY? PROVE THAT! __— “That is why alot of states are moving back into trains than building new highways!” — REALLY? WHICH STATES? — We anxiously await your reply!
By djc
April 15, 2010 6:34 PM | Link to this
I-75, I-70, & I-71 averaage 150,000 vpd with 250,000 passengers at 1.5 persons per car. The trains will carry only 1,200 per day. The rails will not put a dent in pollution, fuel savings, or road congestion. Do the math. On a per passenger mile, roads are much much more economical to maintain.
By djc
April 15, 2010 6:23 PM | Link to this
This will not be anything close to high-speed rail. Avg speed 48 mph. To run passenger trains above 78 MPH would require more right-of-ways and infrastructure than $400M can buy, tens of billions. This is not green. Pulling a 720 ton train with only 300 people on it burns more fuel than 200 Hybrids with 2 passengers each. Waste of money!!!
By karon
April 15, 2010 4:51 PM | Link to this
Actually it is alot cheaper to maintain passenger trains and streetcars than highways and roads! That is why alot of states are moving back into trains than building new highways! Support this stimulus money for passenger trains in Ohio, if Ohio doesnt another state will GLADLY take the money, such as Michigan , Florida and Virginia for trains and jobs for their people!
By karon
April 15, 2010 4:39 PM | Link to this
That bridge in Cleveland and this was One bridge cost 450 million dollars to fix! The money for the bridge cost more than this train that would cover the cities of Ohio! Support passenger trains and new Jobs for Ohio!
By Frank
April 15, 2010 4:31 PM | Link to this
Hey Karon- Guessing you’re celebrating with a big party tonight - this being tax day and all. Where is the party tonight? Somewhere you can get drinks for free while someone else picks up the tab?
By karon
April 15, 2010 4:28 PM | Link to this
This money will be spent in another state for trains and jobs for their state! Ohio was lucky to get this money other states such as Virginia wanted this money Ohio received! Support these trains and the jobs they will create for the people of Ohio!
By The Lib Master
April 15, 2010 4:19 PM | Link to this
I am a Democrat. I write ridiculous things on these message boards. I will support building rail in Ohio even if it keeps Ohio in even greater debt in the future. I don’t care if no one rides it, at least the homeless can move with greater convenience from city to city. I don’t care if the schedules won’t line up with Amtrak, so it will be useless for those purposes. I don’t care if the schedules won’t work around sporting event schedules. I don’t care that it will take longer and cost more money to take the train than to simply drive. I don’t care about economics, if it feels good we should do it. I don’t worry about economic obligations. I don’t care about massive debt. I don’t care about what makes the most sense, I will believe what I believe because it feels good. Won’t you join me?
By Linda
April 15, 2010 4:13 PM | Link to this
Hey See the Light, They are federal dollars, but Ohio has to pay them back to the federal government in the future.
By see the light
April 15, 2010 3:53 PM | Link to this
Can we all agree that ohio has a failing infastructure when it come to rail and correct me if i’m wrong but these are federally approprated dollars. If they are going to go to the States why not accept them in Ohio, what are you all saying that we should send the money to another state. Spend it in Ohio and create jobs for Ohio, we need all the help we can get right now.
By mark landersl
April 15, 2010 2:50 PM | Link to this
the trains are the beginning of bringing ohio into compliance with what its neighbors offer regarding transportation options.Sen harris needs to wake up and do what is best for ohioians and not just rebublicans
By Harold
April 15, 2010 12:50 PM | Link to this
We need to keep up the pressure! This is a boondoggle. I know Senaator Jones down here has been fighting it. We need to help her in any way we can to make sure this train never gets off the ground!
By karon
April 15, 2010 12:01 PM | Link to this
Remember people America soldiers are risking there lives and they are in extreme danger just so you can put gas in your car and drive on a highway to nowhere! American people have to go to an alternative ways of transportation , this will create less wars and less dependence on foreign oil!
By JAMES CLEARE
April 15, 2010 10:12 AM | Link to this
YES WE NEED A RAILROAD DONT WE WHO NEEDS JOBS.IF ITS A FREE RIDE I CAN USE IT WHAT ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS WE NEED A RAILROAD LIKE WE NEED A HOLE IN THE HEAD
By mort
April 15, 2010 9:58 AM | Link to this
Strickland inherited a budget deficit from the GOP Taft, Husted, Blackwell and the rest of them. Police have been LAID off..FIREFIGHTETS have been cut in many areas..because tax reciepts have dropped. This rail system is a MONEY MAKER for this state. Build it and THEY WILL COME…..even the GOPers/Tea party folk who are having a hissy fit
By mort
April 15, 2010 9:49 AM | Link to this
Go ahead Gov Strickland an take the GOVT money and build that rail system before some OTHER state takes the money. This RAIL system is a WORTHWHILE investment in our state…it will produce jobs, tax income…and produce an alternative to HIGH OIL PRICES. Heck, during Bush eight years WHAT DID HE do for Ohio…NOT A THING. The GOP whines and complain about spending..yet for eight years they gave OUR MONEY to Halliburton and Big Oil..WHAT ABOUT US??
By Eli Jones
April 15, 2010 7:20 AM | Link to this
Three Presidents did it, yet we never hear about it I FOUND THIS TO BE VERY INTERESTING. I WONDER WHY IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP. What did Hoover, Truman, and Eisenhower have in common? Here is something that should be of great interest for you to pass around. I didn’t know of this until it was pointed out to me. Back during The Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover ordered the deportation of ALL illegal aliens in order to make jobs available to American citizens that desperately needed work.. Harry Truman deported over two million Illegal’s after WWII to create jobs for returning veterans. And then again in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower deported 13 million Mexican Nationals! The program was called ‘Operation Wetback’. It was done so WWII and Korean Veterans would have a better chance at jobs. It took 2 Years, but they deported them! Now…if they could deport the illegal’s back then - they could sure do it today. lf you have doubts about the veracity of this information, enter Operation Wetback into your favorite search engine and confirm it for yourself.. Reminder: Don’t forget to pay your taxes… 12 million Illegal Aliens are depending on you!
By Eli Jones
April 15, 2010 7:18 AM | Link to this
BARACK OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATS PLAN TO LEGALIZE AND ADD MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS TO HIS COMMIECARE HEALTH BOONDOGGLE TO BUY THEIR DEMOCRAT VOTES! THIS IN ADDITION TO WHAT THEY ALREADY COST US NOW. $ 338.3 BILLION DOLLARS OF YOUR USA TAX MONEY GOES TO SUPPORT ILLEGALS EVERY YEAR! THIS DOES NOT COVER OTHER COSTS SUCH AS CRIME OR THE LOSS OF JOBS TO AMERICAN’S! AMERICA TAKES IN ONE MILLION “LEGAL IMMIGRANTS” A YEAR. THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE ILLEGALS HERE AND THEY ARE DRAINING OUR NATION OF BADLY NEEDED RESOURCES THAT SHOULD GO TO AMERICANS. THE SITE BELOW IS VERY INFORMATIVE ON THIS. READ AND BE ILLUMINATED. http://www.numbersusa.com/content/resources/video/recommended/immigration-gumballs.html
By The REAL original, Bill!
April 15, 2010 6:44 AM | Link to this
That’s right, Billy, the “party of no said, “no.” When you tell someone, “no,” and they force themsleves on you - that’s called rape, Billy. Rape.What part of NO don’t you understand?
By The REAL original, Bill!
April 15, 2010 6:43 AM | Link to this
That’s right, Billy, the “party of no said, “no.” When you tell someone, “no,” and they force themsleves on you - that’s called rape, Billy. Rape.What part of NO don’t you understand?
By She Said What?
April 15, 2010 6:00 AM | Link to this
Karon wrote, “…Ohio can no longer depend on cars!” I hereby challenge Karon to prove that position. Tell us why we cannot depend on cars. I have one with 204,000 miles on it, another with 187,000. I have a motorcycle with 115,000 on the third odometer. I can depend on all of them because of proper maintenance. Tell me why you think Ohioans cannot depend on cars. Please!
By Thomas the Tank Engine
April 15, 2010 5:51 AM | Link to this
What would we do without a $25M amusement train? Heck, I’ll bet 5, maybe 6, people will be riding it at any given time. The posting proponents on here won’t ride it more than a couple of times, just to say they did. Then what? It will end up at Jungle Jim’s? in a museum? in a park? This is a perfect example of liberals selling their pork projects to people who form opinions soley on their emotions.
By Concerned
April 15, 2010 1:48 AM | Link to this
ANYONE who thinks this is a good idea should immediately seek shelter at the nearest mental hospital. Oh wait, they closed them BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY!!!
By jimmie
April 15, 2010 12:40 AM | Link to this
Nothing like spending a few mil for a high speed rail. Let’s see at 39MPH it will take how long to get to Cleveland? Yup - nearly 6 hours. Mapquest says you can drive it in 3.5. Just another government boondoggle.
By karon
April 14, 2010 11:08 PM | Link to this
Plenty of people will be riding the passenger train! Senior citizens , college students, young professionals , tourist and those that want to go places without having to drive! Gas prices are on the rise , Ohio can no longer depend on cars!
By Jerry
April 14, 2010 9:54 PM | Link to this
Slow speed rail - high speed spending $
By Horny for a train....
April 14, 2010 9:39 PM | Link to this
Karon: When you start making your point in capitals I get excited! Hey…as the train is moving, is it you…or the train??? You be hot!!! I be the black guy (the only person) who’ll be roding the train.
By Bacillus
April 14, 2010 8:04 PM | Link to this
Whats most disturbing, is that a 4-3 vote will poison the controlling board. What will happen if a Republican governor gets elected in Nov? Then the Dems will always vote 3 no’s on GOP projects and nothing will ever get built or improved
By Big E
April 14, 2010 7:37 PM | Link to this
Waste of money and Strickland knows it. As Gov. hasn’t done terribly but will be gone in 7 months along with the rest of the Dems.
By Original Bill
April 14, 2010 6:07 PM | Link to this
And the Party of “NO” is again heard from…
By karon
April 14, 2010 5:54 PM | Link to this
Build this train NOW, WE NEED JOBS AND THIS PASSENGER TRAIN WILL CREATE THOUSANDS! With gas prices rising we can no longer depend on a car only policy! This train will be an alternative!
By xlt
April 14, 2010 5:46 PM | Link to this
The GOP is currently impotent. They have no plan, no leadership and no positive direction.
By mort
April 14, 2010 5:41 PM | Link to this
I vote YES!!! We need to QUIT waiting and waiting AND WAITING for some corporation to move to Ohio and save us. Ohioians NEED this federal govt. money to build this rail system. This is an INVESTMENT in our state it will be a hedge against oil future oil prices increases, put Ohioians to work and save on the wear & tear of our roads. I have been to many cities, states and other nations who had these rail systems and it was GREAT!!
By John Q Public
April 14, 2010 5:00 PM | Link to this
Sounds like $25 million ODOT gets to spend on themselves for bogus surveys, studies and fine dining to talk about the 39mph train. I vote no.