State Controlling Board increases OSHP spending

COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board approved an additional $2.5 million in spending today for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in the same line-item that covers security for Gov. John Kasich.

Of the total, $2.2 million will go to payroll, adding to $7.7 million already on the books. The remaining $300,000 will go for supplies and maintenance, according to documents.

A representative of the agency declined to offer specifics about how the money would be spent, citing security concerns.

Marla Gaskill of the Ohio Department of Public Safety did confirm that none of the funds would go toward law-enforcement costs related to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July – that event happens in the next state fiscal year, and the appropriation increase sought today was for the current fiscal year.