Carruthers Supports Local COVID-19 Relief Funding
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) today announced the General Assembly approved House Bill 614, which provides $650 million of federal CARES Act funding to local communities across Ohio for COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses.
“Our local government are the frontlines combatting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carruthers. “This financial support will help keep their important services running for our communities.”
The funding will be made available to counties, municipalities, and townships for expenses incurred between March 1st and the end of 2020. The aid is being distributed on a per-capita basis.
According to the legislation, local communities are eligible for up to the following amounts:
- Fairfield City (Part) – $1,533,609
- Hamilton City – $2,237,171
- Fairfield Township – $822,732
- Ross Township – $300,898
H.B. 614 will also improve Ohio’s unemployment compensation system by creating the Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council to evaluate the claim filing process and technological infrastructure.
Under the bill, the Auditor of State is required to examine and make recommendations on the efficiency of the process, and the Director of Job and Family Services is required to create a constituent referral system and strategic staffing plan to better serve Ohioans.
The legislation contains an emergency clause and will be effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.