Loychik's Bipartisan Investment Bill Signed into Law

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) announces that House Bill 168 has been signed into law by the governor. The legislation appropriates important funding for infrastructure improvements, water and sewer quality, unemployment insurance trust fund repayments, and for local community COVID-19 relief. Loychik is a joint sponsor of the bill.

“We’re putting these recovery funds to great use as our state has the capacity to truly capitalize on these dollars to provide great investments for the people of Ohio,” said Loychik. “I’m thankful for the governor’s signature on this bill today as this will directly help our communities and assist businesses with their federal unemployment payroll taxes.” 

The funding dollars within the bill derive from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The legislation includes the following allocations:

• Infrastructure Improvements: Invests $84 million in a pediatric behavioral health initiative to increase Ohio's capacity for youth behavioral health services, access, and quality of care across all regions of the state. 
• Water and Sewer Quality: Invests $250 million to establish a water and sewer quality program. The program will provide grants in Ohio's most critical infrastructure needs.
• Local Governments: Invests $422 million in more than 2,000 local governments in Ohio that have yet to receive direct funding from the federal government to support recovery from the pandemic. 
• Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund: Repays a loan of approximately $1.5 billion to the Fund needed during the pandemic to pay unemployment benefits. The efficient repayment of this loan will prevent Ohio businesses from experiencing large increases in their federal unemployment payroll taxes.

House Bill 168 passed within the General Assembly last week before being signed into law today.