Capital budget advances local projects, invests in job creation
State Senator Bob Peterson, R–Washington Court House, has announced that the 2014 Ohio Capital Budget has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly and will now be delivered to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
The bill funds needed improvements to public facilities across the state including schools, colleges and universities, and parks. The Legislature generally approves a capital budget every two years in order to fund pressing construction and maintenance projects around the state.
House Bill 497 is expected to create up to 31,000 jobs over the next two years.
“I am glad to finish up this piece of legislation”, said Peterson. “It was my great pleasure to work not only with my fellow legislators, but also with the community to learn more about and support our local projects.
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"County by county, we began the conversation back in the late fall; it has been a truly great experience to see the worthwhile projects that are going to be funded, moving our local communities and our state forward”.
The capital budget includes:
• $675 million for local school construction, including repairs, renovations and new primary and secondary education facilities;
• $454.5 million for Ohio’s 37 public colleges and universities;
• $369 million for local infrastructure projects administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission, including upgrades, replacement and new construction of local roads and bridges, storm and sanitary sewers, water lines and other vital infrastructure;
• $100 million for the Clean Ohio program to improve outdoor recreational opportunities and fund the preservation of open spaces and farmlands;
• $574.3 million for maintenance and renovations at state-owned facilities including Ohio State Parks, state prisons, mental health facilities and other public facilities.
Details of the Capital Budget Bill can be found at: www.obm.ohio.gov/SectionPages/Budget/Capital.aspx
Senator Bob Peterson represents the 17th District in the Ohio Senate, which encompasses all or part of Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Vinton counties. He is the chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on General Government.