Governor Ted Strickland unveiled a $1.7 billion economic stimulus plan during his second State of the State address Wednesday.
The bill would call for the selling of $1.7 billion in state bonds to create public works projects that would result in 80,000 jobs in the next five years.
Some of the finer details would see $250 million used on advanced and renewable energy like solar and wind, $200 to establish an Ohio Main Streets Renewal initiative to spur redevelopment in downtowns, and $400 million for the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Also on the governor’s agenda was education, including a plan to send high school seniors to college for free. For seniors meeting certain academic requirements, they will be given the opportunity to spend their senior year in a state college, tuition free.