COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVG) – A program that has funded billions of dollars in local infrastructure projects expires next year and Ohio voters will likely decide if it gets renewed.
Ohio voters first approved the State Capital Improvement Project (SCIP) in 1987. It’s been approved three more times since, including most recently in 2014, when it secured the support of 65% of voters.
The project provides grants and loans to counties, cities, villages, townships, and water and sanitary districts. They can use the money to improve roads, bridges, wastewater systems, and other local improvement projects.
State lawmakers are working to ask voters to approve the fifth iteration of the program in the May 2025 election. It proposes increasing the program by $625 million dollars to $2.5 billion for a ten-year period.
The increase is due to rising labor, construction, and material costs, according to Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta). He said taxes won’t increase because the SCIP is built into state budget planning.
“This program has proven over decades to be a crucial resource for municipalities across the state and especially in rural areas,” Chavez said. “I have heard from many local officials whose counties have benefited from these funds for the improvement of roads, bridges, and more in their communities. Necessary infrastructure projects simply could not be undertaken without this funding source.”
It’s drawn support from elected officials on both sides of the political aisle at the state and local levels.
Sarah Biehl, the policy director for the Ohio Mayors Alliance, said local government leaders rely on the SCIP to support critical infrastructure projects.
“There is no Republican way to fill a pothole. There’s no Democratic way to resurface a street. These projects, as a result, are pretty easy wins both for our mayors and for the communities that they serve,” Biehl said.
On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate approved the resolution sending the proposal to voters. The House is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.
“It is crucial that we find ways to support local public works projects in Ohio that will not only improve the quality of our communities but also create economic growth and provide new job opportunities for Ohio workers,” said Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus). “Although this program is not new, reauthorizing its funding is crucial for maintaining the vital public infrastructure and water systems that we rely on every day.”
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