Region's US congressmen seek different routes on highway trust fund

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. representatives serving the Mahoning Valley and Ohio’s U.S. senators acknowledge the country’s roads and bridges need improvement, but their stated positions either lack specificity or wander all over the map concerning long-term strategies for achieving that result.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, R-6th, said they support the concept of a long-term bill to keep the federal Highway Trust Fund solvent.

“Our country has serious infrastructure needs, and, without action, the American people and businesses will rapidly feel the negative economic impact,” Ryan said.

“Many of our highways and bridges are in need of repair. ... We need creative, bipartisan solutions,” Johnson said.

Both congressmen voted in favor of the recent two-month extension of the Highway Trust Fund through July 31, but Ryan called the short-term reprieve “a clear dereliction of duty.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com