GOVERNOR SIGNS CAPITAL BILL
COLUMBUS (December 28, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today signed into law the state's Capital Appropriations Bill (House Bill 699), sponsored by state Representative Charles Calvert (R - Medina), which contains $1.77 billion in capital and infrastructure investments to build new school facilities and promote Ohio's economy by funding research collaborations and community-based public works projects.
"This bricks and mortar bill contains investments that are important to the future of Ohio and its ability to compete in the 21st century economy," Taft said. "I commend the Ohio General Assembly for passing legislation that prioritizes our human capital by building new schools for our students. I am pleased that the capital budget also enhances Ohio's state's ability to create and attract jobs by supporting research and commercialization projects as well as the construction of roads and bridges for our communities."
The appropriations in H.B. 699 include:
· Rebuilding Ohio's Schools - $698.6 million for the construction and
renovation of Ohio schools through the Ohio School Facilities Commission;
· Supporting Higher Education - $529.6 million for the facilities needs
of Ohio's public higher education institutions through the Ohio Board of Regents;
· Funding for Community Projects - $145.1 million to support local infrastructure
projects such as roads, bridges and sewers through the Public Works Commission;
· Protecting and Preserving Ohio's Natural Resources - $76.5 million
to purchase land, renovate facilities at Ohio state parks and for grants to
community preservation projects through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources;
and
· Investing in Research - $50 million to support another round of capital
funding for research and commercialization collaborations through the Third
Frontier Project.
In addition, the bill contains a series of corrective and budget-related adjustments that include:
· Pandemic Preparedness - $17.5 million to the Ohio Department of Health
(ODH) for the purchase of 1.2 million doses of antiviral vaccines for pandemic
influenza preparedness;
· Continued Clean Ohio Funding - Provisions to allow future Ohio General
Assemblies to authorize the issuance of additional bonds for the Clean Ohio
programs as outstanding obligations are retired; and
· Increased Oversight - Provisions intended to strengthen legislative
and executive oversight of the Ohio Turnpike Commission (OTC).
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Media Contacts: Mark Rickel, Office of the Governor, (614) 644-0957,
or Tim Keen, Office of Budget Management, (614) 752-2579.