On March 27, 2025, the team at All Aboard Ohio began preparing for the release of Ohio’s state budget sub-bill HB96. Their mission was clear: rally Ohioans to support a $25,000 annual line item for Ohio to rejoin the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC) and protect the Ohio Rail Development Commission’s (ORDC) budget.

Over the past year, All Aboard Ohio has seen growing support for passenger rail. What began as a small newsletter mailing list has grown into thousands of engaged supporters, with social media buzz steadily increasing. “Passenger rail is a cause many Ohioans support—they just needed to know it was on the table,” said Ryan Pecaut, Communications Strategy Lead at All Aboard Ohio.

As the budget release approached, the team mobilized their network, reaching out to coalition partners, transit influencers, and preparing digital campaigns. At 1:45 AM on April 1, 2025, they posted: “Our team is starting to review the budget—hang tight, we’ll have answers soon.” Just 41 minutes later, the call to action was clear: MIPRC funding was absent from the budget, and immediate action was needed.

Within 36 hours, over 1,000 unique calls and emails flooded representatives’ offices, urging support for passenger rail. Legislative teams took notice, reaching out to All Aboard Ohio for details on the necessary budget language. One legislative aide praised the organization’s coordination, while another directed a caller to All Aboard Ohio’s website for updates.

Thanks to this advocacy by hundreds of Ohioans and dozens of in person meetings, an amendment was drafted to introduce MIPRC funding into the budget via the omnibus process. However, its fate now rests with the House majority. Reports suggest at least one Senate member opposes passenger rail funding and is pushing against its inclusion in the House.

Excluding MIPRC funding would be a mistake. Ohioans have demonstrated overwhelming support for passenger rail, with tens of thousands engaging online and hundreds making calls. The ask? Just $25,000—"less than the cost of a slightly used Honda Accord" or 0.0000543% of Ohio’s annual budget.

As the budget moves to the Senate, Ohioans are watching closely. “I believe they’ll be ready to call their Senators next,” Pecaut said.