House Dems announce $310 million in COVID-19 relief

Federal funds will help offset costs incurred by frontline healthcare providers during the pandemic

July 28, 2020

House Democrats announced Monday the state Controlling Board approved another round of funding to support Ohio’s efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Ohio’s nurses and home healthcare providers have been heroically working long hours with limited resources,” said House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “I applaud the Controlling Board for approving funding to help these frontline healthcare providers offset their unexpected costs during the pandemic.”

The Controlling Board Monday approved federal funds from the CARES Act to the following agencies and program to respond to the COVID-19 crisis:

$192 million to skilled nursing facilities, behavioral health, assisted living, and home health care providers;
$50 million to create the BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant Program, which will expand high-speed internet access for Ohio students utilizing remote learning during COVID crisis;
$18.3 million to Ohio’s public libraries;
$8.7 million to Ohio Attorney General’s office to assist rape and domestic violence crisis centers and $1 million for consumer protection efforts;
$3 million to Ohio Veterans Posts and $1 million to Ohio Veterans Homes;
$4.7 million to Deputy Registrars and Driver Test Centers;
$7.2 million to the Ohio Department of Health;
$25 million to various state agencies including the Departments of Education, Natural Resources, Public Safety, and others.

“We’re grateful to have access to these federal dollars to make sure the state is able to adequately respond to the ongoing pandemic,” said Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire), who sits on the Controlling Board.