Ohio Senate budget changes could make it harder for Amtrak to expand in Ohio, advocates say

CINCINNATI — Advocates for passenger rail in Ohio are pushing back against changes made by the Senate to the state budget, arguing it will make expanding passenger rail more difficult.

The Senate’s version of the state’s two-year budget was released earlier this week.

What does the budget say?

The Senate removed the following provision passed by the House:

Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact - Earmarks $25,000 in each fiscal year to pay for the cost for Ohio joining the Compact.

MIPRC brings together state leaders from across the region on a bipartisan basis to advocate for passenger rail improvements, according to its website.

MIPRC's current members are Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakot