ODOT director's message to employees sheds light on state budget crisis

July 1, 2009 - Ohio Department of Transportation Dir. Molitoris sends a weekly Monday Message to workers, updating them on what is happening around the agency. This week, the director discusses the budget for the agency, and OCSEA has decided to re-print it for the information of our members.

"Hello Team ODOT,
       
There is a great quote that says, "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." We are truly facing some challenging times in Ohio. The team at the Governor's Office and our partners in the state legislature continue to work tirelessly on what has become one of the toughest budgets in state history. A continuing resolution (interim budget) has been introduced and is expected to be passed by the Ohio Senate today and Ohio House tomorrow.
       
With general revenue funds at 2002 levels, most state agencies will have a smaller pool of resources to direct toward programs. In line with the state's shrinking economy, the Governor is working to resize state government, while prioritizing and protecting critical health and safety services to provide for the greatest number of vulnerable Ohioans. Just as important, he wants the new budget to position Ohio for the job creation needed for near-term recovery and for long-term economic growth after the recovery.
       
At many of our colleague state agencies, there will also be painful cuts. Worthwhile and critically needed programs and services will be reduced, and additional staff reductions will shrink the state's workforce beyond the more than 3000 employees who have left state government since 2007. Every state agency is sharing in this sacrifice, being asked to cut or further control central administration costs.
       
When talking about these efforts by state employees to balance the budget and still provide the best public service to Ohioans, the Governor recently said, "To be clear, these cuts were painful. But never, not once, did my cabinet hesitate to join me in making hard choices. We met each challenge head on and we are prepared to do the same again. Ohioans are a proud people and to shrink in the face of challenges would betray our better nature - our spirit of innovation, creativity and determination."
       
It will be your spirit of innovation, creativity and determination that will make a difference here at ODOT. I know this because it already is.
       
Today, we join all 49 other states (and five U.S. territories) who have met the June 29 deadline for obligating and authorizing at least half of the transportation infrastructure funds in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said meeting this benchmark is evidence that the stimulus is putting more people back to work ahead of schedule. (In case you were wondering, Hawaii was the final state). Across the county, $19 billion is locked down for more than 5,300 FHWA-authorized transportation projects.
       
Also, the first stimulus grants for ODOT's Rural Transit program were awarded by FTA late last week, representing the obligation of more than 30% of Ohio's rural transit funds 60 days ahead of the September 1 deadline. The projects include facility renovations, purchase of light transit buses and vans, preventive maintenance for rural transit fleets, bus shelters, shop equipment, 2-way communications systems for vehicles and dispatchers, and safety and security equipment.
       
And just last week, I met with many of you from the District Offices, as well as contractors and local transportation partners, for the ARRA Requirements Training put on here at Central Office. I could not agree more with the title of the training: "Transportation's Opportunity to Shine." As I told the crowd, ODOT has awarded more than $83.9 million in contracts for work on 52 projects - a combination of interstate, local roadway and bridge modernization projects. As contracts are awarded, construction companies begin to mobilize workers for these jobs.
       
Your innovation, creativity and determination to make the Recovery Act successful in Ohio are making a difference for Ohioans. While the impact of the state budget will affect all of us in state government and all of Ohio's citizens, your work with the stimulus will help us put people to work, stimulate our state's economic recovery, modernize our infrastructure, and transform Ohio's transportation system for the 21st Century and beyond. Be proud of these efforts.
       
Finally this morning, I close my weekly messengers with an encouragement to "have a safe, productive, and happy week." I know that our busy schedules often keep us from exercising, eating well, and doing the things that keep us healthy. So for the month of July, I suggest we put some of that same innovation, creativity and determination into looking for ways at work to improve our health and well being. There are 31 days in this month. so let's find 31 ways to live a healthier life. Begin an exercise regimen, walk during lunch, take the stairs instead of the elevator, make healthy food choices, or participate in the kickoff of ODOT's Take Charge Live Well Health Screenings.
       
Each district and Central Office has a Wellness Coordinator. I encourage you to contact them for more information on healthy living and on ODOT's Take Charge Live Well program, which pays employees up to $100 for participating.
       
        Have a safe, productive, and happy week.
       
        Director Molitoris"

See Related

ODOT Toolbox

What's at Stake? Continue calling, writing state legislators on state budget cuts

OCSEA kicks BWC privatization to the curb