OHP Budget Cuts Go Into Effect Today

Budget cuts in the state are digging deeper, this time affecting the Highway Patrol as travel restrictions for troopers go into effect today.

Troopers will be limited to 100 miles each day and patrol aircraft will be practically grounded with flying hours reduced to only urgent needs. That's on top of previous cuts that eliminated a new trooper academy and stopped the modernization of their radio system.

The public can expect to see longer wait times for non-emergency calls. Troopers now say they will be limited in their ability to do routine patrols.

According to the Department of Public Safety, there are 805 troopers statewide who are responsible for patrolling nearly 112,000 miles of roadway.