Sen. Voinovich Votes In Favor Of Transportation Funding

Press Release

As Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today voted in favor of cloture on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE Act). Sen. Voinovich understands that transportation investments are one of the few areas where federal spending is guaranteed to yield near-term economic gains, and he supports the temporary extension of the transportation reauthorization bill included in the HIRE Act.

"I am pleased that this bill sends the message to struggling states like Ohio that they can move forward with shovel-ready transportation projects -- projects that will put people back to work quickly and, the results of which, will contribute to economic growth," Sen. Voinovich said. "The state of Ohio could lose $300 million in vital job-creation funds without passage of this bill.

"I spoke to Majority Leader Reid prior to this vote and he assured me that he understands the importance of a surface transportation reauthorization bill," Sen. Voinovich continued. "I reiterated that it is the best way to create jobs, provide an immediate stimulus to the economy, rebuild our nation's infrastructure and reduce our carbon footprint. Leader Reid gave me his commitment that he will bring the reauthorization of a multi-year surface transportation bill to the floor for a vote this year. I look forward to working with Senator Reid, Senator Boxer and others to do so as soon as possible so we can put Americans back to work."

Many state transportation programs have declined over the past several years, victims of program cuts precipitated by the recession's impact on state revenues. As a result, most states have been operating under capacity. With the inability to plan for either the short or long term, the transportation construction industry is suffering its worst construction cycle since World War II, and is currently experiencing an 18.7 percent unemployment rate, the highest of any industry in America. Ohio alone lost 35,200 construction jobs in 2009, a 17 percent decrease.

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