Ohio Governor John Kasich announced a plan for highway funding that he says will generate $3 billion for construction projects without leasing the Ohio Turnpike and without laying off any Turnpike employees.

The Ohio Jobs and Transportation Plan is Kasich’s approach to filling Ohio’s $1.6 billion highway funding deficit.

He made the announcement at the Dayton Convention Center on Fifth Street as part of a state wide tour.

Kasich won’t lease the turnpike for upfront cash. Instead, the Republican wants to issue new debt or spend toll revenue on non-turnpike projects, which would require legislative approval.

During his Dayton speech Kasich said his plan will keep existing jobs, allow for better maintenance and rebuilding of the crumbling turnpike and create new jobs.

“We anticipate that we will create 65,000 jobs over the course of the next six years. And they will be shovel-ready jobs,” he said.