The Ohio Statehouse on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus. The capitol houses the Ohio General Assembly, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
David Petkiewicz | cleveland.com
Ohio has already spent $3.5 billion of its total American Rescue Plan Dollars, with the largest portion of that going to repaying an unemployment loan, public safety, sewer grants and Intel.
Data released by advocacy organizations Ohio Poverty Law Center and Advocates for Ohio’s Future, show Ohio has only a third left of its $5.4 billion in ARPA funding.
The largest single expense is repaying a nearly $1.5 billion federal unemployment loan, which was intended to prevent increasing unemployment tax.
The second largest expense, aside from the $500 million in Appalachia community grants, was $401 million to support the Columbus-area Intel chip plant.
Other highlights included:
-$250 million for sewer grants
-$250 million for crime labs, first responder mental health, and other police expenses
-$152 million for parks and trails
-$100 million for school security
-$84 million for pediatric behavioral healthcare facilities
-$71.7 million on animal disease labs
In some ways, the projects listed in the report are as noteworthy as those that were not listed, Ohio Poverty Law Center Susan Jagers said during a press conference this week.
For example, Jagers said no state ARPA funding has been dedicated to broadband expansion, housing assistance nor food assistance. However, state general fund dollars have supported local, ARPA-funded broadband projects and many local governments are investing in these areas.
With the remaining money, Jagers said there is an “immediate” need to spend $138 million bolstering food banks, $100 million on service nonprofits, $25 million to county job and family services and $23.5 million on personnel to help state residents access government services like Medicaid, legal aid and health insurance.
“Cost for basic staples like milk and eggs are skyrocketing,” Jagers said. “Food banks are feeling the same increases.”
Gov. Mike DeWine has said he wants to spend the one-time money on one-time expenses, needs such as hunger are so dire officials may have to make an exception, said Kelsey Bergfeld, the Director of Advocates for Ohio’s Future.
“This is a crisis moment,” Bergfield said during the press conference.
