State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) recently sent a letter to Richard Hodges, Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike Commission, asking him to take action on noise mitigation along the toll road running through Berea, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, and Strongsville.

“Several neighborhoods throughout the 18th House District are subjected to constant noise and vibration after the construction of two additional lanes with no consideration of noise barriers,” said Dovilla. “This not only impacts the quality of life for residents who have lived here for decades, but also has the potential to decrease property values.”

In 2009, the Ohio Turnpike Commission received an analysis of the most cost-effective barrier to reduce noise levels for residential neighborhoods adjacent to the turnpike. Since the receipt of this report over two years ago, no action has been taken on implementing the findings.

“I urge the Ohio Turnpike Commission take immediate action to place appropriate signage banning the use of the ‘Jake brake,’ along the suburban corridors,” stated Dovilla. “In addition, I request that in the next budget cycle, a line item dedicated to the construction of noise barriers be approved.”

The text of the letter follows:

January 17, 2012

Mr. Richard Hodges

Executive Director

Ohio Turnpike Commission

682 Prospect Street

Berea, OH 44017-2799

Dear Executive Director Hodges:

Thank you for the opportunity to visit with you shortly after your appointment with the Ohio Turnpike Commission (OTC). We appreciate your leadership of our state’s toll road, a transportation asset of particular importance to northern Ohio.

As you know, the Turnpike traverses each city and township in the 18th House District – Olmsted Township, Olmsted Falls, Berea, Strongsville, and North Royalton – and includes a key interchange, exit 161 at Interstate 71, which provides access to Cleveland’s southwestern suburbs.

While the addition of a third lane in each direction on the toll road over the past several years has been a beneficial investment in terms of supporting our state’s trucking industry and broader concerns related to economic development, it has not come without a price. The construction of substantial concrete wall in what used to be a grassy median today serves as a noise reflector that has a significantly detrimental impact on the quality of life in neighborhoods and subdivisions that lie adjacent to the Turnpike.

Several of the communities in the district I represent are now subjected to persistent noise and vibration of their residences from the toll road. This situation not only creates an unpleasant living environment for my constituents, but also has the potential to drive down property values at a time when many northeast Ohioans have already experienced a precipitous drop in the value of their houses.

I have reviewed the November 2009 TranSystems report to the OTC, which detailed the results of two noise barrier pilot projects in noise sensitive areas, a “T”-Top concrete noise barrier wall along the perimeter of the road in Berea near Sprague Road, and median-mounted acoustic panels near West 130th Street, the Strongsville-North Royalton municipal boundary. It is my understanding that the “T”-Top walls proved a “cost-effective and viable option for future noise mitigation.” Yet, this solution has not been implemented beyond the testing phase, which was concluded over two years ago.

I write, therefore, to request that the Ohio Turnpike Commission take under consideration in its next budget cycle the pressing need to fund a specific line item dedicated to erecting appropriate noise mitigation technology in suburban areas where such devices are deemed necessary.

I further request that the Commission take immediate action to place appropriate signage along sections of the toll road in my legislative district and similar suburban areas that ban the use of the compression release engine brake, commonly called a “Jake brake,” which is a specific cause of loud noise emanating from the Turnpike. Local ordinances in several locations already prohibit their use, and additional notification to truck drivers will help ensure compliance.

Thank you for your prompt attention to these requests. I look forward to continuing our work together on the Commission.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL D. DOVILLA

State Representative

18th House District

cc: Speaker William G. Batchelder

Senator Thomas F. Patton

Mayor Cyril M. Kleem & Berea City Council

Mayor Robert A. Stefanik & North Royalton City Council

Mayor Robert G. Blomquist & Olmsted Falls City Council

Mayor Thomas P. Perciak & Strongsville City Council

Olmsted Township Trustees

State Representative Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) today announced that, according to a release from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), the PUCO approved authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) directing CSX to install flashing lights and gates at a grade crossing in Hardin County.

Specifically, CSX will install lights and gates at the South Wayne Street (513-768N) grade crossing in Kenton. Funding for the upgrades will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and the railroad will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrades by October 4, 2012.

“Our region boasts inherent logistics and distribution advantages for companies, and our rail and road infrastructure will be a key driver of Northwest Ohio's regional economy in the years ahead. I am pleased to see that we are enhancing safety for residents of Kenton in addition to keeping these economic assets working well for our district,” Representative Sprague said.

The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devises. For more information on Ohio’s grade crossings, please visit http://gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov/.

State Representative Lou Terhar (R-Green Township) today announced that Ohio Department of Transportation will release $500,000 to help fund the widening of North Bend Road in Green Township, which will accommodate the opening of Mercy Hospital.

Construction of the hospital, which is set to open in 2013, will bring approximately 2,000 jobs to Green Township. The hospital will be approximately 550,000 square feet with 250 beds, and it will include new services for—among other things— heart surgery, cancer treatment and maternity care.

“I want to express my gratitude for the $500,000 in ODOT assistance to ensure a safe and efficient traffic situation on North Bend Road in Green Township,” Representative Terhar said. “The addition of Mercy Hospital West and its creation of 2,000 high-end jobs will be greatly facilitated by the North Bend Road improvements. Additional medical related jobs will follow because the traffic issues will be alleviated by the road improvements that this money will enable.”

JMA Engineering has been working on the project for the past several months, with Green Township already committing $5 million to the project.

During each General Assembly, many important budget decisions must be made, which usually determines funding and finance appropriations for the state over the next two years. Part of this process involves passing and implementing the transportation budget for the state. As the chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee, I was able to see this process play out first-hand, and I believe the decisions and provisions laid out in the transportation budget will lead to many positive changes.

The transportation budget, or House Bill 114, allocates $7 billion for transportation-related projects throughout the state. One of the most revolutionary components of the bill was to permit the state and private groups to collaborate to complete road work, which will enable the state to benefit from the ingenuity and efficiency of the private sector. This has the potential to both increase the amount of resources available to complete a project, as well as cut costs for the state.

Additionally, the budget establishes a system that allows companies to renew commercial vehicle registrations online using a credit card, as opposed to carving out time during the day to visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The resources are obviously available to do more work online, so I think we should continue looking for ways to harbor the added efficiency that comes with using them.

A hot topic floating around Ohio recently, especially in the northern portion of the state is the potential privatization of the turnpike. Although the transportation budget bill did not address this issue, we have discussed it thoroughly in committee and will continue debating the merits of the idea. Some estimates have suggested that privatizing the turnpike, which has already been done in Indiana, could save the state up to $2.5 billion. Conserving tax dollars is always an important priority, so that is certainly an investment worth looking into. But again, at this time, nothing has been settled regarding the matter.

What the transportation budget does accomplish, however, is provide greater flexibility over public revenue by using resources that have been available to us for a very long time, namely the private sector and the Internet. As we move into next year, I will continue working with my fellow legislators to look for additional ways to put taxpayer dollars to smarter use, and I am always more than willing to discuss state-related issues with my constituents in the 72nd District.

State Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Al Landis (R-Dover) have recently introduced House Bill 316, which would legalize motorcycle handlebars higher than 15 inches from the ground.

House Bill 316 changes the current statute, which limits motorcycle handlebars to 15 inches from the ground, and changes the limitation to a more functional measure. The new law would allow handlebars, which have the ability to rotate forty-five degrees in both directions, to ensure the safe maneuverability of the bike.

“House Bill 316 is an important piece of legislation not only for the safety of our riders, but also for the wellness of the motorcycle economy,” Representative Rosenberger said. “Currently, one of the most prolific bikes in recent times is technically illegal to ride. Amending the law to a measure of functionality, rather than a measure of aesthetics, will continue to keep the riders safe and legal.”

“I have been very active in the sport of motorcycling for years and feel that this legislation will not only benefit the motorcycle industry, but the riders as well,” Representative Landis said. “Safety on the bikes is of the utmost importance, and this legislation ensures that while also increasing the types of motorcycles that are able to be sold in Ohio.”

House Bill 316 has been assigned to the House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

At a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) today unveiled legislation that will require teenagers to complete CPR training prior to obtaining an Ohio driver’s license.

Specifically, House Bill 283 will require an individual less than 18 years of age who is applying for a driver’s license to first complete a first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course. He or she would have to present evidence of having successfully completed a first-aid and CPR course approved by the registrar within one year preceding the date the person first applies for a driver’s license.

“The American Heart Association recently called for mandatory CPR training for teenagers before graduating from high school,” Grossman said. “This training will allow young people to practice proper technique and give them a skill for a lifetime to put to use saving people’s lives.”

The rules governing the training of CPR and first-aid courses will be in accordance with training courses certified by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or other nationally recognized first-aid and CPR standards.

The registrar will also make available a list of organizations that offer the approved first-aid and CPR classes. These new required classes may be offered by driver’s education schools, high schools, firefighters, private classes, or others as long as they are certified courses.

House Bill 283 has received the support of the Fire Chief’s Association, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

State Representative Ron Young (R-Leroy) has proposed legislation to reform Ohio’s E-check testing regulations.

Young’s legislation will decentralize E-check car inspections and allow vehicle owners to have their vehicles E-check tested when they obtain an oil change or other vehicle maintenance.

“Over the past 15 years, E-check has proved to be an unfortunate waste of time and money,” Rep. Young said. “If we cannot eliminate E-check, I at least want to make it more convenient for vehicle owners in Ohio and less expensive to the state by decentralizing E-check inspections.”

Starting next year, vehicle owners in Ohio would be able to go to an approved oil change provider or service garage and have their vehicles’ emissions tested. The owner still will not have to pay for the cost of the E-check test, but the cost to the state for the test will be less than the current cost. “All Ohioans win under my legislation,” Young added.

Rep. Young said he looks forward to working with his legislative colleagues in the House as this bill is assigned to committee and hearings commence on the legislation.

Being a state representative, I have a lot of responsibilities as I serve as your voice in Columbus. Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, like much of the state, have seen difficult times the past few years. The Ohio House has worked hard to pass measures that will create jobs, grow business and reduce government waste. At the same time that we’ve worked on legislation to aide our economy, we’ve also been looking at issues that just make common sense, such as the recently passed bill I introduced that restores our schools’ calamity days.

Taking a close look at bill after bill—with spirited debate and a lot of time-consuming work—I’ve continually sought out ways of meshing together the many pressing needs of those in the 99th House District. It’s my goal to take whatever bill lands on my desk and ensure that it will benefit the people I represent, like you.

While much of our focus at the Ohio House of Representatives is now shifting to the Ohio operating budget with a structural imbalance of $8 billion, I want to point out another budget that we have just finished our work on—Ohio’s transportation budget. The House made many changes to this budget that outlines appropriations of $7 billion, and I think the people in our communities will have a great appreciation for the final product.

With the many places we go in our day-to-day lives, we all benefit from the construction and maintenance of Ohio’s roadways. The transportation budget, which was House Bill 114, allocates more than $2 billion annually for this purpose. Furthermore, this budget appropriates money for the Public Works Commission, including $150 million for the state capital improvement program and $49 million for the revolving loan fund. Not only does this appropriation increase the amount provided to our local governments, but it’s expected to retain and protect as many as 30,000 jobs in Ohio.

As we looked at the budget, we aimed for measures that would focus on jobs and help our local businesses. One of the ways we accomplished this is by creating an online titling program for commercial motor vehicles. This will streamline the registration process and help to make Ohio more competitive with states that have already implemented similar programs. It will especially help our area trucking businesses.

There are also many other great aspects of the transportation budget. For instance, the late fees for drivers’ license will be entirely eliminated. This is in addition to the elimination of the late registration fee on seasonal and farm vehicles, ensuring Ohioans do not have to pay extra for their renewals because of an innocent mistake.

Another aspect of the bill that I’m proud of is that it will ensure the voluntary next-of-kin form at the BMV be extended to all license renewals. Should something happen to you or a loved one, it’s very important that the next of kin can be contacted easily. Our lives could depend on it. This measure ensures that Ohioans will be more easily capable of benefitting from this precautionary system that is available to us.

I’m very pleased that the House of Representatives was able to make such a difference with this budget, and I’m even more pleased that the changes we made will improve the lives of those in the 99th House District. I want to continue searching for ways you can benefit from the legislation being considered at the Statehouse, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. Making the necessary changes in Ohio is best done with your guidance.