Craig Commends Passage of Public Works Resolution

Today, state Senator Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) celebrated the Ohio Legislature’s passage of House Joint Resolution 8, a constitutional amendment that would ask voters to reauthorize the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) at the Ohio Public Works Commission. H.J.R. 8 is identical to Senate Joint Resolution 4, which passed out of the Senate in November and was sponsored by Senator Craig and state Senator Brian Chavez (R-Marietta). 

“I am thankful that the General Assembly has moved swiftly to pass this vital legislation,” said Craig. “In May, voters will have the opportunity to reauthorize this popular program, as they have for the last 37 years. The funding from this program helps ensure that municipalities and water sanitary districts across Ohio are able to maintain their basic infrastructure needs.”

SCIP provides low-interest loans and grants to local governments for projects involving roads and bridges, freshwater treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities. SCIP was created in 1987 and renewed in 1995, 2005, and 2014 by voters with broad bipartisan support. 

H.J.R. 8 must now be filed with the Secretary of State before appearing on the ballot in May 2025. If approved by voters, it would authorize $250 million per year, totaling $2.5 billion over the 10-year period from fiscal year 2027-2036.