Manning Named Chair of Senate Transportation Committee

Manning now in committee's top position

State Senator Gayle Manning (R–North Ridgeville) was named to serve as the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation by  Senate President Keith Faber on Jan. 9.  Now in the committee’s top position, Manning will oversee the direction of state funds for construction and improvement of the state’s roads and highways.   “Transportation is one area of state government that affects every Ohioan on a daily basis,” Manning said. “I am honored to have been chosen to oversee the state’s transportation policies and I look forward to using this position for the good of Ohio jobs and the betterment of travelling in our state. With major state roads and interchanges in my district, including the Ohio Turnpike, I am proud to lead this …

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Eye on Columbus

Lundy: Use Caution When Bonding for Non-Turnpike Projects

Similar approach has caused Pennsylvania's debt to grow by billions

The Ohio Turnpike, one of our greatest assets in the state, will not end up in the hands of private ownership. The governor has wisely backed away from his extreme plan for the turnpike. I want to thank all of you who worked together with me in our fight to keep the turnpike under public control. The governor is pushing the results of a new study in which he wants to raise $1.5 billion with a bond issue backed by turnpike tolls. This amount would be combined with local and federal matches to yield nearly $3 billion for road projects away from the turnpike. Tolls would rise only at the rate of inflation. We all want to see road projects in Lorain County move forward at a faster pace. However, bonding means borrowing money and adding more …

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Lundy Pleased Turnpike Not Being Privatized, Concerned Over New Plan

Gov. John Kasich's new plan calls for $1.5 billion in new bonds being issued.

State Rep. Matt Lundy (D-57) responded to Gov. Kasich’s plan to forego privatization of the Ohio Turnpike today and instead issue $1.5 million in new bonds for road, bridge and waterway projects, primarily in northern Ohio. Gov. John Kasich wants to issue $1.5 billion in new bonds through the Ohio Turnpike for road, bridge and waterway projects, mostly in northern Ohio, he announced at a press conference Dec. 13. Lundy had been a vocal opponent of privatizing the toll road.  “I am pleased the governor realized his extreme idea to privatize the Turnpike was not reasonable or responsible,” Lundy said. “I don't believe taxpayers want us to be so quick to add $1.5 billion dollars in new debt that our children will be forced to pay long after …

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Matt Lundy Talks Redistricting, Turnpike

Democrat will no longer represent Avon in state house after this year.

The new Ohio legislative maps mean change is coming for Avon. After this year, Matt Lundy will no longer represent Avon in the Ohio House of Representatives. Lundy explained the new districts at his "Lundy Listens" town hall meeting at Avon Branch Library on Saturday. Avon will be in the new 57th district, which will be represented by Terry Boose. The new district will go east from the border of Huron and Ottawa Counties across southern Lorain County, cut through part of North Ridgevile and go into Avon. There is a legal challenge to the redistricting, Lundy said, as communities and wards are supposed to be kept intact. Grafton and Eaton Townships are split up, he said, and the third ward in North Ridgeville is also split. Boose was a …

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Turnpike Rates Higher in 2012

Make sure you have a little extra change in the cup holder before you hop on any of Ohio's turnpikes.

For some travelers, it costs a little more to travel Ohio's toll roads this new year. New Ohio Turnpike toll rates took effect Jan. 1. The new rates, which were approved by the Ohio Turnpike Commission in March 2009, will continue to provide an E-ZPass incentive, where E-ZPass customers pay a lower toll than customers who pay with cash or a credit card.  Some customers who travel between only one or two interchanges may not experience any change in their toll fare. For example, customers traveling from the Strongsville/Cleveland Interchange (TP 161) to the Akron Interchange (TP 180) currently pay 75 cents with E-ZPass or $1.25 without E-ZPass. On Jan. 1, customers traveling that same route will pay the same rate.  Under the new rates, the …

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Eye on Columbus

Privatizing the Ohio Turnpike: Learn from Indiana

Matt Lundy says selling the Ohio Turnpike could be a bad move.

Recently I wrote about how Lake Erie is one of our greatest resources in Ohio. Other states would love to have a fresh water supply like Lake Erie. I also believe that another one of our great resources is The Ohio Turnpike. Many of us have utilized and have invested in the turnpike over the years. I often travel the road over to I-71 for my weekly trips to and from Columbus. The toll road is kept in good shape and plowed very well in the winter making it a safe driving experience. I hate to report that Governor Kasich is still moving forward with plans to sell or lease the turnpike. I strongly oppose this plan and offered several amendments to the budget bill to stop any such action from taking place. Unfortunately, my amendments to stop …

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State Budget Bill Could Result in Sale or Lease of Ohio Turnpike

Rep. Lundy objects to potential selling of state prisons in Lorain County

As your State Representative, I continue to be very fiscally conservative in my decisions to best utilize your tax dollars. I do believe that we must identify priorities and fund those important priorities needed for our economic future. I voted against the budget bill because we shouldn’t cut funding to public education, while increasing funding for the for-profit charter schools. Our schools are performing well, but now feel unappreciated for the success they have demonstrated. We should not put the safety of our residents at risk by substantially cutting local government funds. The budget approved in the Ohio House was balanced mostly on the backs of schools and local government. Wording in the bill will still make it possible for the …

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