Rep. Russo announces $19 billion for Ohio's schools and other projects to support Ohioans

COLUMBUS –Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of more than $19 billion to be distributed over the next two years to support education in Ohio under the new Fair School Funding formula.

“I am so pleased the Controlling Board approved the allocation of critical funds to our schools through the new Fair School Funding formula,” said Rep. Russo.  “So many of our schools in Ohio were inadequately funded for too long—implementing this formula will allow our schools to finally receive adequate funds for our children to learn and thrive.  I am also pleased to see vital funds go towards maintaining natural resources and supporting our elderly, thereby allowing our communities to grow.”

The Controlling Board approved a number of other measures on Monday, including:

· $921,600 for regionally-based COVID-19 Rapid Response Teams to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Ohio in congregate care settings like nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult care facilities, adult day centers, senior centers and low-income senior housing facilities;

· $49,000 for the Department of Aging to implement its Strategic Action Plan on Aging in conjunction with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio;

·  $357,588 for the Department of Natural Resources to aid in ongoing forest management, water protection, public road maintenance, recreational facilities development and other services statewide.