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Gov. Kasich signs $2.4B plan
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Gov. John Kasich has signed into law a $2.4 billion plan for new or improved roads, bridges, state parks, recreational trails and public buildings.
The governor officially inked House Bill 497 late Tuesday, hours after the Ohio Senate gave its approval, ensuring that funding for planned projects will be available July 1, the start of the new state fiscal year.
On Wednesday, Kasich joined local officials and lawmakers in a ceremonial signing at a former Columbus elementary school that is set to become a community center, with a Boys and Girls Club, job training and other services for residents. The center was among projects to receive backing through the capital budget.
HB 497 includes about $675 million for school repairs, about $450 million for colleges and universities, $369 million for road, bridge and related public-works projects, $100 million in Clean Ohio funding for farmland, open spaces and related projects and $574 million for state agencies’ capital needs.
Sen. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, who serves as chairman of the Senate finance committee, said the legislation includes $160 million for community projects. It’s the first time in half a dozen years that such projects were funded, he said.
The new capital budget is up from about $1.8 billion approved for 2013-14, and most of the projects are backed by long-term debt issued by the state.
Most of the work on the bill came before its formal introduction two weeks ago, with colleges and universities, business and arts groups and state agencies prioritizing spending plans for maintenance and new building needs.
There was little public opposition to the capital budget, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers touting its contents.