Rep. Thomas Announces Passage of Final State Capital Budget, Securing Transformative Community Investments in Hamilton County

COLUMBUS – State Rep Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) today announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, the state's biennial state capital budget, in both the Ohio House of Representatives & Senate. The record-setting $6.2B investment makes appropriations for state-owned infrastructure, colleges, universities, and school districts as well as other community projects. 

In addition to the $3.51B in traditional capital funds and a $1.98B appropriation for ongoing projects, HB 2 includes an additional $700M in state funds that will be directly invested into transformative community projects designed to generate further development & economic opportunity across the state. These state funds were able to be set aside due to the influx of federal relief dollars that helped to supplement the state’s balance sheet during the most recent state operating budget.

Rep. Thomas helped secure $100,000,000 for Hamilton County.  

“Thanks to the bipartisan collaboration of the Southwest Ohio Delegation, these funds will help galvanize transformational community projects in Hamilton County,” said Rep. Thomas. “HB 2 appropriates millions of dollars to our local universities, hospitals, and entertainment venues. I am thrilled that this bipartisan legislation will contribute to improved education, health, and recreation in the Southwest region. It is this type of collaboration Ohioans all over the state expect from their elected officials.”

The $100,000,000 of funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

• $16,750,000 to University of Cincinnati Health
• $250,000 to Northside’s Outdoor Community Entertainment Venue
• $210,000 to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Youth Mental Health Facility
• $200,000 to Hollywood Theatre

Additionally, HB 2 includes approximately $1.6B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

• $600M to provide funding for K-12 school classroom facility projects overseen by OFCC.
• $575M for the Public Works Commission to issue grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, fresh water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
• $415.7M for state-supported higher education institutions to conduct construction of new facilities, major renovations of existing facilities, or basic renovations at public universities and their regional campuses and community colleges.

HB 2 now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.