COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire, announced that the State Controlling Board voted in support of releasing funds through the State Disaster Relief Program to meet the local government’s obligation for disaster relief. The funding is necessary in order to pull down the Federal Emergency Management Agency funds needed for cleanup.

“I appreciate the bipartisan effort made by legislators from eastern and southeastern Ohio to help our local governments which do not have the resources to match the FEMA money. Hopefully the numerous projects will move forward,” Cera said.

The SDRP is a reimbursement program that provides state financial assistance to local governments that have incurred damages due to natural disasters. In February of this year, severe storms caused excessive damage throughout eastern Ohio. Funding for the local government’s share was included in the recently passed state budget. The action by the Controlling Board releases those funds so that repairs can continue to move forward.

Many eastern and southeastern counties experienced heavy rainfall causing road closures and road slips. Counties in the 96th House District have experienced problems on numerous roads and other flooding is still occurring. Cera worked with members of the majority party to secure the state’s share of financial recovery costs.