Rep. McClain Announces Funding for Local Community through House Passage of Capital Budget

COLUMBUS—State Representative Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) has announced that the Ohio House has passed the state capital budget, which invests $2.62 billion statewide, including $700,000 in funding for projects in Ohio’s 87th House District.

The capital budget, House Bill 529, contains funding for needed improvements to public services and facilities across the state, including schools, roads and bridges, waterways and parks. The bill also increases investments in mental health and addiction services facilities.

Rep. McClain worked with local government and community leaders in District 87 to understand their needs and priorities.

Local projects include:
• Creation of an ADA accessible playground at Upper Sandusky’s Bicentennial Park ($50,000)
• Creation of a recreation facility at Crawford Commons ($500,000)
• Building of a stage at Bucyrus’ Schines Park ($125,000)
• Bucyrus Bicentennial Arch Project ($25,000)

“I am extremely pleased with the impact the capital budget will have for District 87 and Ohio at large. Statewide, we provided resources for mental health and drug issues that will help many Ohioans, and locally in our district I'm very proud of the four projects that I was able to successfully promote,” said McClain. “Those four projects will provide Upper Sandusky’s first ADA accessible playground at Bicentennial Park, the REC at Crawford Common Facility, which builds an athletic facility that will bring jobs, visitors and revenue to our district, a stage to be built at Schines Park in Bucyrus, and additional efforts towards the Bucyrus Bicentennial Arch Project. I feel these funds from the capital budget will have a positive impact on our district and provide both immediate and long-term benefits.”

Ensuring a commitment to Ohio’s students and preparing them for the workforce, the bill makes a statewide investment of $600 million in school construction, including repairs, renovations and maintenance, as well as $483 million for projects supporting Ohio’s public colleges and universities.

The bill also features $514 million to repair roads, bridges, water-supply systems and storm sewers. This includes $100 million to support the Clean Ohio program, which funds the preservation of green space, farmland, open spaces and expanded recreational opportunities.

The state continues to promote policies aimed at stemming the tide of addiction, and the capital budget works to help local communities in this effort. Nearly $222 million was invested for critical health and human services funding for youth services, developmental disabilities, mental health, addiction treatment and women’s health initiatives.

House Bill 529 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

For more information, visit http://www.obm.ohio.gov/budget/capital/.