Rep. Sweeney announces more than $100 million in funding for infrastructure projects, health and safety programs across Ohio

COLUMBUS – Today, Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) announced that the state Controlling Board approved more than $100 million in funding for infrastructure projects and programs to protect the health, safety and security of Ohioans, including $90 million for school building capital improvement projects to help districts  across the state with ongoing construction costs.

“Anthony Lemons spent 18 years of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit. While no amount of money will restore lost time, today the Controlling Board approved $1.8 million in restitution,” said Rep. Sweeney. “This is a failure of the justice system, and it shows why we must end the death penalty.”

The Controlling Board approved other measures Monday to support the health, safety and security of Ohioans, including:

·         $2.56 million in new disaster relief dollars, bringing the total funding for FEMA disaster recovery to $12.7 million;

·         $900,000 for medical testing equipment for the Ohio WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program;

·         $612,060 to ODJFS to take on fraudulent unemployment claims and improve the state’s outdated unemployment insurance system; 

·         $400,000 for COVID-19 vaccine distribution statewide as vaccine demand is expected to increase with more doses for children and boosters being administered;

·         $220,000 to the Ohio Department of Medicaid for tracking major unusual incidents where the health and welfare of a person may be adversely affected or placed at a likely risk of harm. The program will better protect the safety and security of Ohio’s Medicaid recipients;

·         $216,770 in each of the next two years to implement a data system within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to identify high risk child welfare cases to better protect against abuse and neglect.