Senate Passes Chavez Resolution Supporting Local Infrastructure

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 4, sponsored by State Senators Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus). 

This resolution is the first step in renewing the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) at the Ohio Public Works Commission. The SCIP provides grants and loans for local municipalities for infrastructure capital projects. 

"The SCIP has been a highly successful program for decades," said Chavez. "It has funded thousands of critical projects at the local level and Ohioans have seen improvement in public health, safety, and welfare. These projects also improve economic development as they create and preserve jobs and enhance employment opportunities. I look forward to seeing this program continue." 

This is the fifth iteration of the program and, if passed by the legislature, it will be included on Ohioans' ballots in May 2025. If approved by the voters, it will authorize a total of $2.5 billion for 10 years from fiscal years 2027-2036. 

“The projects funded by this popular program help maintain the most fundamental operations of our state and ensure that basic infrastructure needs are met for counties, cities, villages, townships, and water sanitary districts across the state,” said Craig. “I hope this essential bipartisan legislation continues to move swiftly to entrust voters with the ultimate responsibility to sustain this program just as they have done for the past 37 years.”

Senate Joint Resolution 4 now heads to the Ohio House for consideration.