Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, introduced the Governor’s 2,833 page “Mid Term Biennium Review” (MBR) bill, (HB 487), March 16 and immediately separated its elements into “bite sized pieces” for consideration by a variety of House Committees.  

 The MBR proposal to merge the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) with the State Architect’s Office (SAO) into a new Facilities Construction Commission (FCC) will be vetted by the House State Government Committee.  That Committee will hear MBR proposals that deal with Agencies and Topics:  Department of Administrative Services, state government agency efficiencies and consolidations and land conveyances.  According to Committee Chairman, Rep. Ron Maag, the Committee will hold its first hearing on these subjects March 21 at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 116 of the Statehouse.  

 Kasich administration spokesmen have said the SAO/OSFC merger will “reduce costs and align related authority and resources within a single, responsive commission with oversight responsibility for all state non-transportation construction.”