Ohio Jewish Caucus celebrates passage Campus Act

(The Center Square) – While waiting for Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature, Jewish leaders in the Ohio Legislature are praising passes of a bill that gives Ohio colleges and universities tools to promote student safety and inclusive environments.

On Friday, the Ohio Jewish Caucus celebrated the passage of the Campus Accountability and Modernization to Protect University Students act, which cleared by the House and Senate during a marathon session that ended in the early morning hours Thursday.

Members of the Jewish Caucus, Reps. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, and Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahana, joined with Reps. Dontavius Jarrells, R-Columbus and Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, to push the bill.

When signed by DeWine, the bill would provide emergency security efforts and grants to promote interfaith and community-building initiatives on campuses.

“Every student deserves to live, study, and grow in an environment where they feel safe and respected,” the members of the Jewish Caucus said in a release. “This year has brought tremendous turmoil on our campuses, and we spent months listening to diverse student voices share their fears, frustrations, and wishes. We are hopeful that the Campus Act will produce a healthier and safer environment when students return to school this fall.”

As previously reported by The Center Square, the act provides campus safety grants, intergroup and interfaith grants and implements anti-harassment policies at colleges and universities.

Also on Friday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state’s $4.2 billion in capital budget and spending for $700 million worth of community projects today.

The $700 in one-time spending comes from excess state tax collections.

As previously reported by The Center Square, the projects and capital budget include $600 million for schools to build new facilities and $200 million for the state fairgrounds.

SB292 contains $572 million for the Public Works Commission and $310 million for the Department of Natural Resources.

It also appropriates $8.5 million for Millikin interchange improvements, $20 million for the Cuyahoga County Northcoast Connecter, $8 million for Bedrock Riverfront Development and $7 million to expand and renovate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Other projects include $18.5 million for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, $10 million for the downtown Columbus Capital Line, $12 million for the Cedarville Opera House, and $16.3 million for the Ohio Library and Information Network.