With the March 31 deadline looming, the state transportation budget is a step closer to becoming law. The House is expected to quickly approve the changes the Senate made when passing it last night.

The two year $8 billion transportation budget was approved unanimously.

Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) said it spends $5.4 billion on construction and maintenance for highways and bridges 鈥� and boosts public transit, which was .

鈥淭he Senate has further increased funding for public transit with an additional $13.85 million in GRF funding per year. This brings the total investment to over $70 million per year," Kunze said in a brief presentation of the budget on the Senate floor, after a recess of several hours while Senators discussed the changes to the House bill.

The Senate鈥檚 changes also include allowing an eight-year driver鈥檚 license and creating an electric vehicle charging station grant program with money from the .

But in DeWine鈥檚 initial proposal were not restored.

The House is expected to approve the changes without forcing the budget to go to a conference committee.

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