Ohio plans to pay off $1.8 billion debt using federal funds

Ohio owes a debt of $1.8 billion to the federal government and Gov. DeWine wants to pay it down using funds directed to Ohio from the American Rescue Plan. 

The debt was accrued via an unemployment insurance loan from the federal government, received during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Leaders of both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate agree with DeWine on using federal relief funds to pay down the debt.

Counties and individual cities will also receive funding through the American Rescue Plan, though municipal leaders are awaiting guidance from the U.S. Treasury on how they can use the funds.