As Ohio continues to work its way through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, State Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake) has announced that the state Controlling Board has approved a number of relief measures.
Included in the new funding is a relief for libraries, veterans services and K-12 broadband access across the state. In a release, Greenspan noted his support for the funding.
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"It's important that during these tenuous times that we can still support schools, local libraries and our heroes," Greenspan said. "I appreciate the Controlling Board's approval of these measures, it will truly make a difference in assisting our communities within the 16th District when it comes to combatting the effects COVID-19 has had on all of us."
Per a release, the following funding initiatives have been approved:
- COVID Response Multiple Agencies - Office of Budget and Management - $25,000,000
- Coronavirus Relief - Department of Health - $7,138,702
- COVID Safety - Public Libraries - $18,300,000 (Allocation provides a $25,000 grant to each Ohio public library and branch location.)
- COVID Safety - Veterans Posts - $3,000,000 (Allocation provides a $5,000 grant to Congressionally-chartered veterans service organizations in Ohio with an active post location.)
- COVID Safety - Crisis Centers - $8,750,000 (Allocation provides a $50,000 grant to Ohio Rape Crisis Centers and Domestic Violence Shelters in Ohio.)
- COVID Consumer Protection - $1,000,000 (Allocation will be used by the Ohio Attorney General to provide public outreach to Ohio consumers, including older Ohioans, to prevent COVID pandemic-related scams and fraudulent schemes, and to investigate coronavirus-related consumer complaints.);
- COVID Safety - Deputy Registrars and Driver Test Centers - $4,660,000 (Allocation provides a $20,000 grant to Ohio Deputy Registrar and Driver Exam Station locations.);
- COVID Safety - Ohio Veterans Homes - $1,000,000
- $403,667 to the State Library Board for supporting software services that assist 95 library systems throughout Ohio; and
- $50 million for the BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant Program