Gov. Kasich signs $2.6B capital budget bill

COLUMBUS — Gov. John Kasich has signed into law a $2.6 billion capital budget, paving the way for road and bridge construction, school renovations and a variety of local building projects.

The governor opted not to use his line-item veto authority, leaving the legislation in the same form as it was introduced by lawmakers about month ago.

The spending plan, which will stretch over a fiscal biennium that ends in mid-2018 and which was approved on lopsided votes in the Ohio House and Senate, includes $650 million for school repairs, renovations and maintenance; $428 million for public colleges and universities; $500 million for roads, bridges, waste and sewer systems and other infrastructure; $323 million for improvements at state parks, forests and dams; nearly $151 million for upgrades at state prisons and related institutions; and $160 million for community projects.

The funds involved are borrowed, via long-term bonds that are covered in future biennial budgets.

Kasich signed the bill and several others behind closed doors today, without comment.