Ohio Senate passes $7B transportation budget

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate passed a $7 billion-plus transportation budget that would allow all drivers on portions of rural highways and the Turnpike to drive 75 mph.

But that and other provisions remain in question, as the bill heads to a conference committee of the Senate and House to haggle over differences.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, told reporters today his members had questions about the higher speed-limit proposal.

The transportation budget outlines spending for the next two fiscal years for the Ohio Department of Transportation and related agencies.

Among other provisions, it would require bureaus of motor vehicles to accept debit or credit cards for in-person license renewals and other transactions by July 2016, abbreviated driver training for anyone 18 or older who fails a road test while seeking a first driver's license, and increased coursework for operators of driver training schools.