Ohio stimulus sign critic backed 74 other namings

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio state senator who’s leading a charge to stamp out road signs touting stimulus spending has routinely supported memorial highway and bridge namings paid for with tax dollars.

Legislative records show state Sen. Tim Grendell, a Chester Township Republican, has co-sponsored bills backing the honorary naming of 74 highway segments or bridges since he joined the Legislature in 2001.

The most recent bill passed just last week, days after Grendell gained national attention with his bill banning stimulus-funded signs in Recovery Act project areas. Grendell estimates Ohio has spent $1 million of its stimulus money on the signs.

Grendell says the highway namings he’s supported are primarily for fallen soldiers and state troopers.