Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
November 19, 2021 | Portman Difference
Public and private-sector leaders across Ohio are praising Monday’s enactment of Senator Portman’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, landmark legislation to invest in repairing, upgrading, and expanding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure. This legislation, which passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, will improve our nation’s productivity, grow the economy, and create good-paying jobs. Ohio will benefit from this long-overdue investment in our roads, bridges, and other core infrastructure assets in a number of ways.
Here’s what they are saying about Portman’s historic infrastructure legislation:
“Infrastructure funding has been a priority in Congress over the past five years—including under two presidential administrations. I am extremely proud of Senator Portman’s unwavering leadership to get this across the finish line. Doing so is yet another shining example of his legacy of transcending political lines to do what is best for our state and nation.” – Pat Tiberi, President & CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable
“We want to thank Senator Portman for his efforts to guide the infrastructure package through Congress. Ohio’s economy is dependent on the ability to deliver goods and services to customers in a timely fashion, and this investment will help maintain the roads and bridges critical to that success. It will also bolster investment in broadband infrastructure to keep Ohio’s businesses connected in an increasingly global economy.” – Keith Lake, VP of Government Affairs, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
“As the leader of the Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council I applaud Senator Portman’s tenacity, common sense and courage in working steadily to help pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Through this bill, Senator Portman and his colleagues in the Senate and House will strengthen Ohio for generations. From the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati to clean drinking water across the state, Senator Portman’s legacy will now include one of his greatest achievements in negotiating and passing a once-in-a-lifetime investment in Ohio’s infrastructure. Thank you, Senator Portman, for securing a prosperous future for our Ohio communities.” – Mike Knisley, Executive Secretary – Treasurer, Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council
“Senator Portman’s leadership on the bipartisan infrastructure bill helped make sure that we can make a once-in-a-generation investment into transportation, ensuring we can develop the connected region we need to grow and thrive here in Cincinnati. Without his work and influence, this critical legislation wouldn’t have gotten across the finish line.” – Jill Meyer, President & CEO, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce
“Senator Portman is a thoughtful, pragmatic leader who was instrumental in negotiating the infrastructure bill and advancing it through Congress. Thanks to his bipartisan leadership, Cincinnati now has access to a record amount of funding for transformational transportation projects like the Brent Spence Bridge. Senator Portman’s ability to impact the legislation exemplifies his decades-long leadership in both Cincinnati and Washington.” – Bob Castellini, Chairman, Castellini Company
“Washington D.C. has been talking about an infrastructure bill for years, and thanks to Senator Rob Portman, we finally have one. This bill provides major investment in the nation’s critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports and much more. Simply put, it wouldn’t have happened without the determined leadership of Rob Portman. For our OKI region, the bill will help us reach the next level of service to our 2 million citizens, and for this we are deeply grateful to the Senator.” – David Painter, OKI Board President and Clermont County Commissioner
“I want to congratulate and thank Senator Rob Portman for his leadership in crafting and successfully passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Senator Portman knows that transportation investments enable people to connect with jobs. Infrastructure projects, particularly those at airports that will be supported in the coming years by this legislation, will further spur economic recovery and growth coming out of the pandemic. I am grateful for Senator Portman’s commitment to finding common ground with his colleagues to deliver this historic legislative win.” – Candace McGraw, CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, CVG
“Infrastructure drives economic growth. The business community is thankful for the efforts of Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who led the charge for a negotiation and compromise. Advancement of this bill without a direct tax increase on the business community is good news for job creators.” – Chris Kershner, President & CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
“Ohio Senator Rob Portman and his Democratic and Republican colleagues have accomplished something we’ve long needed – a historic $542 billion proposed investment in fixing our roads and bridges and other infrastructure. This will have a positive economic impact for our state and the country. Our kids and our grandkids will thank us for the down payment we are making on constructing the high-quality American infrastructure we need for today and tomorrow.” – Commissioner Judy Dodge, Montgomery County
“We are excited about the opportunities presented by this generational investment in our Nation’s infrastructure. Moreover, we applaud the steadfast efforts of Senator Portman in leading bi-partisan efforts to insure this necessary investment in our ports, roads and bridges became reality.” – Will Friedman, President & CEO, Port of Cleveland
“We are thrilled the infrastructure bill was signed into law. For communities like Sandusky, with more than 11 million visitors attracting $2.1 billion in annual sales to the area every year, this legislation will provide opportunities to improve our infrastructure and create jobs. It will also improve our community by investing in our heavily traveled roads and bridges, expand transit and broadband access and improve our water quality.” – Eric Wobser, City Manager, Sandusky
“The mayors of Cuyahoga County are grateful for Senator Portman’s leadership on this critical issue. Repairing our crumbling roads and bridges is vital for the economic future and quality of life in our local communities. Passage of this legislation was desperately needed to address these issues.” – Tom Perciak, Mayor of Strongsville and President of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association.
“The bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will create hundreds of jobs in central Ohio to modernize our infrastructure, close the digital divide and fight the impact of climate change in our neighborhoods. I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for this bold vision and to Senators Brown and Portman and Congresswoman Beatty for the persistence to see the bill pass the house and the Senate.” – Andrew Ginther, Mayor, City of Columbus
“We thank Senator Portman for his leadership in making today possible. National politics can be polarizing, but that is not reflective of the greater Central Ohio community. The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act will help address critical transportation and development issues in our region, but it is also a reminder that we are stronger when we work together. This bill will impact the lives of residents for generations to come and MORPC stands ready to assist communities in bringing this needed investment back to Ohio.” – William Murdock, Executive Director, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
“Due to Senator Portman’s leadership in developing a compromise on the infrastructure bill, funding for critical infrastructure in Toledo and across Ohio is now a reality. This investment in physical infrastructure for the region will contribute to our efforts in the manufacturing and movement of goods that benefit the entire country.” – Brian Dicken, VP of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
“We are extremely appreciative of the leadership of President Biden and Sen. Portman in providing long-needed federal investment in America’s aging infrastructure. This bipartisan initiative will put TMACOG on the front lines of administering many of these dollars that will have a critical impact on our communities, jobs, and our regional economy.” – Tim W. Brown, President, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG)
“I would like to commend Senator Portman for his leadership on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that is being signed into law. This bill will have a huge impact in Southeast Ohio and includes a much needed $65 billion to increase access to broadband.” – Steve Patterson, Mayor, City of Athens
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