Gavarone introduces clean water bond issue

SANDUSKY — State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, introduced a new Senate bill to create an Ohio Clean Water Bond Issue of up to $1 billion over 10 years.The bill represents the latest attempt by area lawmakers to provide long term funding for projects to benefit Lake Erie. Gavarone said she acted after the Ohio House passed a budget Thursday that didn't include full funding for Gov. Mike DeWine's H2Ohio proposal, which would have used general revenue funding.Gavarone said her bond issue bill, which calls for up to $100 million a year for 10 years, would require voter approval. It's similar to the bond issue proposed in 2018 by state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, and former state Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green.Gavarone said the measure would allow the state to issue bonds to support projects such as improved water treatment, reduction of open lake dumping of dredged materials and support for nutrient management that reduces harmful runoff into Lake Erie."Improving the water quality in Lake Erie is one of my top priorities for the General Assembly," Gavarone said.Gardner and Arndt's bond issue proposal didn't pass last year after former Gov. John Kasich refused to get behind it. DeWine, however, pledged support when he campaigned for governor.After taking office, DeWine said he favored creating the H2Ohio Fund instead, spending general revenue money to create a long term capital improvements program for water quality, rather than issuing a bond issue.The House budget approved Thursday only funds the first two years of H2Ohio, and House Speaker Larry Householder said he'd prefer to take care of additional years with a bond issue, Arndt said Friday.The bond issue is an attempt to make sure money will be in place for years to provide improvements for water quality, Arndt said.The goal is to move quickly to try to get a bond issue before the voters in November, Arndt said."We want to try and get this legislation passed before we break for the summer," Arndt said.Arndt said he also wants to get it done before he leaves. Arndt has announced plans to retire, effective July 31.Sen. Theresa Gavarone talks with reporter Tom Jackson during "Between the Lines" on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019.State Rep. Steve Arndt