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Committee OKs plan to keep Twin Valley facility open
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
COLUMBUS — Defying Gov. Ted Strickland's veto threat, the Senate is expected to go along with a House plan to keep Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Dayton open for six more months.
The $1.3 billion capital improvements budget scheduled for a Senate vote on today, May 28, includes the delay plus a second provision that Strickland would veto — earmarking $6.3 million for a mental health crisis care center in Dayton.
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"The House thought it was important," Sen. John Carey, R-Wellston, chairman of the Finance Committee, said of the Twin Valley provisions after his committee approved the capital budget on Tuesday, May 27. "We respect that."
There are "ongoing" discussions with legislators about a smaller earmark for Dayton, said Keith Dailey, Strickland's spokesman. The $6.3 million would come from $8 million to be used statewide for crisis centers.
However, Bryan Bucklew, president of the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, said $6.3 million is the "bare minimum" Dayton needs.
Closing Twin Valley by June 30 and closing a second mental hospital in Cambridge is part of Strickland's plan to plug a potential $733 million hole in the budget.
Also Tuesday, the Finance Committee added a provision to the capital budget to extend the exemption from the state income tax for military pensions to include surviving spouses of veterans as well as veterans.
"We have to make Ohio a more attractive place for the military to be able to retire," said Sen. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek.
The capital budget includes $16.3 million for Dayton-area projects with the potential for creating 1,400 jobs.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608
or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
