Local projects could get state funds

With the state budget appearing to have $700 million left over, state Rep. Jon Cross invited the Hancock County commissioners on Thursday to submit projects for funding.

In addition, fallout from Ohio voters’ decision to legalize recreational marijuana was discussed.

The commissioners expressed interest in funding sooner or later for a new jail or improvements to the existing one.

“As we look forward to planning for a future jail or modifications … just keep in mind that due to our I-75 flowing through the middle of our county, we’re picking up a lot more people who are not residents of Hancock County on behalf of the state of Ohio,” Commissioner Timothy Bechtol said to Cross.

 Cross agreed, saying that’s part of the reason the Legislature continues to invest in the State Highway Patrol and state highways. Bechtol then underscored that many people from elsewhere get arrested and charged here and then wind up in Hancock County’s jail and court system.

“As we are considering any new (jail) construction we want to partner with the state of Ohio in that because of how much we are doing on behalf of the state of Ohio,” he said.

Cross, R-Findlay, continued to encourage the commissioners to submit to his office projects big and small. Of course, the $700 million is available statewide, so Hancock County would get only a slice of the pie.

“My goal is to make sure that that $700 million just doesn’t go to Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati projects,” Cross said after the meeting. “Need to make sure that some of that money gets to the rural parts of Ohio.”

Whatever funding the state would contribute would not pay for an entire project, he said.

“We’re not the first dollar in, we’re not necessarily the last dollar in. And we’re certainly not here to fund it all,” Cross said. “But we try to do our best to help with funding.”

More funds could be coming for jails across the state since Issue 2 legalizing recreational marijuana was approved by Ohio voters.

Cross and other lawmakers are considering channeling tax revenue from cannabis sales into jail funding.

“We think some of those dollars should be reinvested into law enforcement, particularly jails,” he said.

But don’t get your hopes too high, Cross cautioned the commissioners. The black market for marijuana will still exist, selling marijuana tax-free.

“If you think this is going to be a cash cow for local governments you are incorrect, because it will only increase the street market value of drugs and will make the back alleys of Hancock County more dangerous with people selling drugs where they shouldn’t be,” he said.

Cross and other lawmakers are working on rules for the sales and marketing of cannabis to protect children and public safety. He likened it to Ohio’s Liquor Control Department, ensuring children cannot buy beer or liquor.

“We have to have the same process so you can’t buy weed or gummies or anything of that kind. We have to make sure it is contained within those stores,” Cross said. “We have to do our best to provide safety. This is not about circumventing the will of voters. This is about making sure that we have safe rules and regulations in place.”

“We still have prevention. We still have education. There’s nothing wrong with educating kids: ‘Drugs are bad,’” he said. “You’re an adult. You can make those adult decisions. But we still need to educate kids that drugs are bad.”

Cross said he and other lawmakers are studying the experience of other states which have legalized marijuana.