Cross Stands by Announcement of Grants While Mathews Accuses Him of Not Being Forthcoming

Hancock, Hardin and northern part of Logan Counties in Ohio’s 83rd District

There has been some confusion concerning the grant money announced last week by Representative Jon Cross.

The incumbent announced that over 9 million dollars will be awarded for numerous grants in Hancock, Hardin and Logan Counties that make up the 83rd District.

The money is a result of a surplus and is included in House Bill 2 passed by the House last week.

HB 2 still needs to be passed by the Ohio Senate and be signed by the Governor, which Cross acknowledges, “That’s right, the legislation has to go through its process, and when we announced all this stuff, I know my opponent and a lot of people out there are saying Jon Cross is lying to people, that is 100% false. We didn’t lie to anybody. The bill has money ready to go in House Bill 2.”

Cross blames the confusion on Senate President Matt Huffman,  “And so he’s trying to scare people into we’re going to cut the funding the House announced, so we’ve made it very clear that this is a commitment from the House. The Senate has their $350 million to spend, and I’m not so sure why the senate  would cut ours, but we believe that the Senate can only add to our projects.”

His opponent in the March 19 primary, Ty Mathews, accused Cross of not being forthcoming about the announcements, “I think that dishonestly from our elected officials and their willingness to lead us astray just for their benefit must stop, and just don’t just take me for my word on this right, don’t take my word for it, don’t even take my opponent’s word for it. I really strongly suggest everyone reach out to their State Senator, do some research, look at the process, look at the statement that the State Senate has put out saying there was no agreement, and you know truth will come out.”

A spokesperson for Senator Rob McColley’s office told WKTN that McColley is not saying the projects which were approved by the House will not be funded as announced, but rather the Senators have yet to see them come across their desks, which won’t happen until after April 8. The bottom line, according to Sen. McColley’s Office is the projects are not official until the Senate takes a vote.

For his part, Rep. Cross maintains that the projects he announced will be okay and the checks will be ready to go after 90 days, if and when the bill is signed by Governor DeWine.