CARES Act Funding To Help Solon Schools, Politician Says

SOLON, OH — The Ohio House this week passed a collection of bills that will direct federal COVID-19 relief funds to schools and will provide utility and rent assistance to Ohioans.

House Bills 167, 168, 169 and 170 passed Thursday. Funding for the legislative package was included in the federal CARES Act, which was passed in March 2020, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed in December 2020.

State Rep. Phil Robinson, Democrat from Solon, expressed concern that the delay between the release of federal funds and their funneling to state interests may have slowed Ohio's recovery from the pandemic.

“Although it did not happen as quickly as I would have hoped, I’m glad we could finally pass this needed relief for Ohioans,” Robinson said. “The pandemic has brought new hardships and struggles to Ohioans on top of the inequities many were already facing before COVID-19. I hope the Senate moves quickly to pass our package so we can next address the policies that have hindered Ohioans for many years prior to the pandemic.”

Federal funding in the newly-passed legislative package includes:

• $683.1 million for Federal Coronavirus School Relief.
• $154.9 million emergency assistance funds to non-public schools.
• $19 million of federal funds to county boards of developmental disabilities serving school-age students, educational service centers, and joint vocational school districts.
• $465 million for emergency rental and utility assistance.
• $100 million for federal disaster assistance.
• $299.9 million for grants to businesses and child care providers impacted by COVID-19, and for local fairs and Ohio Veterans Homes.
• $135 million to provide grants to bars, restaurants, and lodging businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• $173 million to the Department of Health for Public Health Emergency Response.
• $8 million to the Adjutant General for coronavirus relief.