COLUMBUS, Ohio – State senators have passed a resolution to renew a public works program that funds improvements to Ohio roads, bridges and other local infrastructure needs.
The resolution would ask voters to approve a 10-year renewal of the State Capital Improvement Program, a partnership with the Ohio Public Works Commission that finances public capital improvements
“The resources will be allocated locally to ensure the people of each community can decide what is best,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kevin Bacon (R–Minerva Park), said.
A total of $1.875 billion of investments will go to local governments. The proposal would increase the bond funding levels to $175 million annually for the first five years and then $200 million each year for the remaining five years.
“This program has a history of creating jobs, improving the quality of life, and in many cases, ensuring public health and safety,” Sen. Tim Schaffer (R–Lancaster) said.
Supporters hope the measure will clear the Legislature by the end of this month, so it can appear before voters on May ballots. The SCIP was originally approved by voters in 1987 and again in 1995 and 2005.
A Democratic amendment to authorize additional money for the program failed to gain Senate support. But the measure passed on a 31-0 vote and now goes to the House