Callender Supports Coronavirus-Relief Funding at State Controlling Board Meeting

State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) attended his second State Controlling Board meeting since being appointed, and several coronavirus-relief measures were passed. At the April 13 meeting, Callender supported and passed measures on the agenda that related to the CARES Act, SNAP, and food distribution in an effort to properly fund communities and individuals as they continue to face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measure two on the agenda, which was approved, provided the Board create the new Ohio Coronavirus Relief Fund in order for state agencies to use federal funds under the CARES Act. This funding will provide relief pertaining to the coronavirus, from the measure, here were the approximate allocations:

• $76 million to the Ohio Department of Administrative Service (DAS) to purchase 2,000 ventilators and five million N-95 masks;
• $50 million to the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) for PPE, dispersed to County EMA (Emergency Management Agency) hospitals and other medical facilities;
• $39 million to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for supplies for specimen collections, different testing kit materials, and lab equipment for testing; and
• $8.8 million to the Ohio Adjutant General of the National Guard to pay for operating costs for temporary medical facilities and 600 National Guard and service members across the state.

“I see this funding as essential for all of our communities across the state,” said Callender. “This is not something either our state or our nation has dealt with in many decades, we must ensure that our medical facilities and patients across Ohio can have access to the proper equipment and care they need in order for us to save lives.”

In order to further help the lives of Ohioans and their families, two other measures were implemented that focused on SNAP and food distribution. Specifically, the Controlling Board approved the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ (ODJFS) request appropriation of $20 million for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 for SNAP. Additionally, the Controlling Board approved ODJFS’ request for Emergency Food Distribution of $4 million for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020 and $5.5 million for SFY 2021. Also, $25 million were approved to support the federal Summer Food Service Program.  These dollars will be used to support school lunch programs throughout the state and help to make sure children at home due to the coronavirus continue to receive regular meals. 

“As our state faces shortages and families are confronted with financial hardships, we need to make sure low-income families are not going hungry,” said Callender. “By increasing funding for both SNAP and food distribution, this will provide families with more opportunities to get a decent meal and allow for quicker distribution to these individuals at food banks and pantries throughout Ohio.”

The State Controlling Board provides legislative oversight over certain capital and operating expenditures by state agencies and has approval authority over various other state fiscal activities including:

• Waivers of competitive selection to agencies when an agency's purchases or leases from a specific vendor exceed the amounts specified in law;
• Appropriation releases for capital construction projects;
• Loans and grants made through the Department of Development;
• Loans and subsidies made through the Department of Education to local school districts
• The transfer of appropriation authority between line items within a fund in an agency and increases in appropriation authority in some funds; and
• The Board meets approximately every two weeks to consider and vote on requests for action that are submitted by state agencies.

Meetings take place every two weeks, with the next one scheduled for April 27.