Congressman Tim Ryan Outlines Ohio's Infrastructure Needs and How the American Jobs Plan Will Help Ohio

Press Release

Today, Congressman Tim Ryan highlights the urgent needs of Ohio's infrastructure and how the President's infrastructure plan will help Ohio address those needs. Information provided by the White House details the number of bridges and miles of road in Ohio that are in poor condition, the percentage of households without access to broadband, and the billions of dollars needed to upgrade the state's water infrastructure. These deficiencies underscore the importance of the American Jobs Plan, which will make historic investments in improving the nation's infrastructure and put millions of people back to work.

Ohio received a C- grade on its Infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, facing many deficiencies that require immediate attention. In Ohio, 4,925 miles of road and 1,377 bridges are in need of repair, 16% of trains and other transit vehicles in the state are past their useful life, and 14% of households are without access to broadband.

"I am in full support of the President's agenda to address the critical infrastructure needs of Ohio and the country," said Congressman Ryan. "As we work to transform our economy in Ohio, this initiative will not only help us lead the way in clean energy manufacturing and battery storage, but also ensure every American has access to clean drinking water in our homes, safe roads and bridges, broadband coverage, and better schools for our children. This investment will lead to more jobs, increased wages, and a revitalization of American manufacturing."

Current infrastructure shortcomings not only relate to the systems that connect Ohioans to their daily lives, but also to the everyday needs of Ohioans. An average low-income family in Ohio currently pays 8-10% of their income toward energy bills because their home has not been sufficiently weatherized, and 681,000 renters in Ohio pay more than 30% of their income in rent due to shortages in affordable housing units. Additionally, 70,000 Ohio veterans rely on chronically underfunded VA facilities, and 39% of families in their communities have few or no childcare options in their communities which prevents them from joining the workforce. Ohio also needs an investment of $13.4 billion in modernization costs to ensure every person has access to clean drinking water.

The American Jobs plan targets these needs and more -- creating an estimated 2.7 million new American jobs in the coming year. Not only will this initiative reenergize our stagnant economy as we begin to recover from the pandemic and the recession, it will lay the foundation for future economic growth and ensure our nation is competitive in the global economy for decades to come.

Source