Reps. Troy, Oelslager's HJR 8 Extending the $2.5B State Capital Improvement Program Passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) and Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) this week thanked their colleagues in the Ohio House of Representatives for favorable passage of legislation they introduced November 12th. House Joint Resolution 8 (HJR) proposes a constitutional amendment to be voted upon on May 6, 2025 to continue the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), under the Ohio Public Works Commission, with the issuance of an additional $2.5B of general obligation bonds to fund local infrastructure capital improvements.

“As original co-sponsors of the legislation that created this very popular program, often referred to as the Issue 2 Public Works Program, we are grateful to our colleagues for favorable passage. This is too important and beneficial of a program to allow it to miss its reauthorization date. This is one of the best ideas the State of Ohio ever had, and we need to continue its positive benefits,” said Rep. Troy.

Since 1987, 19,000 grants and loans have been distributed for critical infrastructure benefiting all 88 Ohio counties. If renewed, the State Capital Improvement Program would create approximately 35,000 construction jobs across Ohio.

“As we are all aware, labor and material costs have increased, so the $200 million a year for 10 Years ($2 billion total) provided in the current expiring program doesn't cover as much as it previously did,” said Rep. Troy. “Therefore, and as a result of consultation and agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission, this proposed resolution will ask for $250 million per year, for a total of $2.5 billion over the 10-year period. No tax increase is involved here, as the repayment of the bonds issued will come out of existing state revenues.”

A state-local government partnership, SCIP was renewed by voters three times in 1995, 2005 and 2014. It will exhaust its current, ten-year constitutional bonding authority on July 1, 2025, jeopardizing future rounds of funding. The capital improvement projects funded by these bonds include roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, and storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities. Local governments own 212,500 road lane miles, 29,000 bridges, 4,400 public water systems, 1,000 plus wastewater treatment plants, more than 100 stormwater utilities, and countless miles of water main and sewers.

“It has been an honor to watch the State Capital Improvement Program grow, flourish, and positively impact all four corners of our great state over the past 37 years. Investing in critical infrastructure spurs economic development and continues to make Ohio the best place to work, live, and raise a family,” said Rep. Oelslager.

Of the current ten-year authorization period, $2.3B has been awarded for 4,490 projects have in 1,084 local governments, benefitting cities, counties, townships, and other subdivisions across the state in all 88 counties. Every $1 in funds has been matched with double to nearly triple from other sources.

HJR 8 passed 84-4 on the House Floor Wednesday. Companion legislation in the Ohio Senate, SJR 4, passed the Senate 30-1. Resolutions do not require the approval of the Governor. HJR 8 now heads to the Senate.