COLUMBUS — The Ohio legislature has given final approval and sent to Gov. Ted Strickland the $1.3 billion capital improvements budget.

The final version of the brick and mortar spending plan, approved by both chambers on Tuesday, June 10, includes two provisions Strickland plans to veto – delaying for six months the June 30 closing of Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Dayton and earmarking $6.3 million for a mental health care crisis center in Dayton to help the community cope with the closing of Twin Valley, the area's only public mental hospital.

House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, said on Monday, June 9, that the Strickland administration's plan, offered last week, to help the community adjust to Twin Valley's closing was "light."

"It doesn't solve the broader need," Husted said.

The plan called for giving ownership of Twin Valley to the local mental health board and providing up to $4.5 million for a "crisis stabilization center" for the mentally ill after Twin Valley closes.

Husted said he knows that Strickland has vowed to veto the two Twin Valley related provisions but said he hoped the governor would continue to work with the community for a plan acceptable to the community. If not, Husted said Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, has agreed to work with him to reopen the Twin Valley issue in the fall when the legislature returns.

Keith Dailey, Strickland's spokesman, had no reaction to Husted's comments but said that "the goal is to work in good faith with greater Dayton community to provide assistance to meet the needs but there has not been consensus" on the plan the administration offered last week.

Overall, the capital budget provides $16.3 million for Dayton-area projects with the potential of creating 1,400 jobs, plus millions more for projects at area colleges and universities.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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