Ohio State Controlling Board Splits $90 Million in Federal Funds: 10 Percent to Ohio Department of Health and 90 Percent to ‘Rural Transportation’

The state Controlling Board voted to split $90 million of federal taxpayer money aimed to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic between the Ohio Health Department – which will receive $8.5 million – and rural transportation departments across the state, which will receive the balance of $81.5 million to “aid for rural transportation systems,” according to a statement released by Democrats Monday.

“We need to ensure health care workers and officials on the ground have the tools they need to detect, track and contain this virus before we begin to reopen our state. This funding is a step in the right direction to get us where we need to be, but we’re not there yet,” said Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron).

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House Approves $68.9 Billion, Two-Year State Spending Plan, but Sykes Warns Senate Will ‘Mess It Up’

by Todd DeFeo   The Ohio House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a nearly $68.9 billion, two-year state spending plan, one that garnered bipartisan praise for school spending and a reduction of the income tax on Ohio’s lowest earners. The measure includes a pay increase for direct service providers, eliminates a…

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Taxpayer Support of New Columbus Crew Stadium Could Reach $115 Million

The Columbus City Council approved a pledge of $50 million Monday to help build a new Columbus Crew stadium, and now state lawmakers want to provide an additional $15 million in taxpayer support. As The Cincinnati Enquirer noted Tuesday, state lawmakers dismissed plans to provide FC Cincinnati $10 million in…

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