Robert Sprague

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Treasurer Sprague Announces OMAP Savings for the City of Euclid

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the City of Euclid (Cuyahoga County) enter the market and save an estimated $5,670 in interest costs.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the City of Euclid (Cuyahoga County) enter the market and save an estimated $5,670 in interest costs.“Investing in Ohio’s local governments is essential for the growth and success of our state. OMAP allows local communities to leverage Ohio’s high short-term credit rating and borrow at a lower cost when funding improvements,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the City of Euclid and help them save over $47,000 on borrowing costs.”The city’s notes were issued to fund road improvements, IT improvements, service vehicle purchases, and municipal recreation improvements, including pool house renovations. This issuance marks the sixth time the City of Euclid has utilized OMAP, and the previous deals saved the city an estimated $42,206 over the last decade. The most recent deal will save the city an estimated $5,670 in interest costs.OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments. Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 425 deals, ranging from $365,000 to over $100 million. There have been no defaults, and to date, OMAP has generated more than $9.1 million in estimated savings for local governments.Any government subdivision in good fiscal standing, including cities, villages, school districts, counties, townships, and special districts, issuing short-term debt is eligible to participate. For more information, visit https://omap.ohio.gov/.

“Investing in Ohio’s local governments is essential for the growth and success of our state. OMAP allows local communities to leverage Ohio’s high short-term credit rating and borrow at a lower cost when funding improvements,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the City of Euclid and help them save over $47,000 on borrowing costs.”

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Treasurer Sprague Announces OMAP Savings in 2026 for the Village of Jackson Center

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the Village of Jackson Center (Shelby County) enter the market and save an estimated $1,710 in interest costs.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the Village of Jackson Center (Shelby County) enter the market and save an estimated $1,710 in interest costs.“Over the years, OMAP has been helping Ohio’s local governments to drive down costs and save taxpayer dollars when funding improvements in their communities,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Village of Jackson Center and help them save more than $140,000 in interest costs.”The village’s notes were issued to continue to fund the construction of a new electric substation. This issuance marks the ninth time the Village of Jackson Center has utilized OMAP, and the previous deals saved the village an estimated $138,662 in interest expenses. The most recent deal will save the village an estimated $1,710 in interest costs.OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments. Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 425 deals, ranging from $365,000 to over $100 million. There have been no defaults, and to date, OMAP has generated more than $9.1 million in estimated savings for local governments.Any government subdivision in good fiscal standing, including cities, villages, school districts, counties, townships, and special districts, issuing short-term debt is eligible to participate. For more information, visit https://omap.ohio.gov/.

“Over the years, OMAP has been helping Ohio’s local governments to drive down costs and save taxpayer dollars when funding improvements in their communities,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Village of Jackson Center and help them save more than $140,000 in interest costs.”

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Treasurer Sprague Applauds Passage of Legislation in Ohio House to Expand, Enhance Ohio Checkbook

COLUMBUS – Today, House Bill 413, which expands and enhances the Ohio Checkbook program, passed the Ohio House of Representatives with a 91-5 vote in support of the bill. The passage of the bill marks meaningful progress towards increased transparency of how taxpayer dollars are spent around the Buckeye State.

COLUMBUS – Today, House Bill 413, which expands and enhances the Ohio Checkbook program, passed the Ohio House of Representatives with a 91-5 vote in support of the bill. The passage of the bill marks meaningful progress towards increased transparency of how taxpayer dollars are spent around the Buckeye State. “House Bill 413 reinforces Ohio as a trailblazer and leader in financial transparency, prioritizing the protection of taxpayer dollars through increasing access to government revenue and expenditure information,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Our office is grateful to the Ohio General Assembly for their continued support of the Ohio Checkbook program. While over 1,000 local governments have voluntarily participated in the Ohio Checkbook program over the last decade, these updates will give constituents of thousands of other local governments insight into the use of their tax dollars.”The current version of the Ohio Checkbook was launched in June 2020 to create a single transparency resource for Ohioans, building upon past transparency efforts by combining resources of the Office of the Ohio Treasurer and Office of Budget and Management (OBM). The new Ohio Checkbook system became a single transparency resource and provided Ohioans with significant cost-savings, consistent real-time state transactional data, and increased efficiency by reducing duplication of efforts between the two agencies. To access the Ohio Checkbook, please visit https://checkbook.ohio.gov/.

“House Bill 413 reinforces Ohio as a trailblazer and leader in financial transparency, prioritizing the protection of taxpayer dollars through increasing access to government revenue and expenditure information,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Our office is grateful to the Ohio General Assembly for their continued support of the Ohio Checkbook program. While over 1,000 local governments have voluntarily participated in the Ohio Checkbook program over the last decade, these updates will give constituents of thousands of other local governments insight into the use of their tax dollars.”

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Treasurer Sprague Announces 2026 Compass Award Honorees

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced the latest round of Compass Award honorees for 2026. The annual recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced the latest round of Compass Award honorees for 2026. The recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.

“Quality financial education is essential for people of all ages and backgrounds to take control of their financial futures,” said Treasurer Sprague. “This year’s Compass Award honorees have shown dedication in their efforts to teaching Ohioans about the value of money, how to use it, and ways to plan for the future. We are excited to recognize these two organizations and the work they do to support financial education in Ohio.”

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Ohio Treasurer Announces Bond Deal Savings of More Than $5.5 Million

COLUMBUS – Last week, the Ohio Treasurer’s office closed a two-series, $325.625 million Highway Capital Improvement (HCAP) bond issuance, with $255.665 million funding major Department of Transportation projects (Series Z), and $69.960 million refunding outstanding HCAP bonds (Series AA).

Download High Resolution GraphicCOLUMBUS – Last week, the Ohio Treasurer’s office closed a two-series, $325.625 million Highway Capital Improvement (HCAP) bond issuance, with $255.665 million funding major Department of Transportation projects (Series Z), and $69.960 million refunding outstanding HCAP bonds (Series AA). This refinancing transaction allowed the state to achieve over $5.5 million in present value savings on debt service.These HCAP bonds will finance construction on major ODOT projects, including interstate replacement and rehabilitation, bridge replacements, and more. The construction will include the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and a new companion bridge in Cincinnati/Hamilton County, the third and fourth phases of the Mill Creek Expressway project to widen the expressway for additional lanes and bridge rehabilitation, and the reconstruction and widening of Interstate 75 and State Route 562 in southern Ohio, among many others. For a full list of projects financed through these bonds, click here.“We’re happy to help advance construction and infrastructure improvements while generating significant savings through strategic bond issuance,” said Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague. “By leveraging market conditions, our team was able to achieve immediate savings as well as decrease risk for the State’s debt portfolio.Debt service on the bonds is paid from Highway User Receipts, with a secondary pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The Highway User Receipts include motor fuel taxes, fuel use taxes, registration and license fees, and permit revenues. The HCAP bonds are rated AAA from four national rating agencies, which is the highest rating possible.Investors in the State of Ohio receive priority in orders placed for Ohio bonds, and those individual investors purchased over $22 million of the HCAP Bonds, which amounts to almost 7% of the total par. Municipal bonds issued by the Ohio Treasurer’s office are generally tax exempt, which means investors do not have to pay federal, and sometimes state, taxes on their interest income. Buying tax exempt bonds can be advantageous to bondholders depending on their income tax brackets.

“We’re happy to help advance construction and infrastructure improvements while generating significant savings through strategic bond issuance,” said Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague.

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Treasurer Sprague Announces 2025 Compass Award Honorees

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced the latest round of Compass Award honorees for 2025. The annual recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced the latest round of Compass Award honorees for 2025. The annual recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment. “Financial literacy is a lifelong skill that’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Treasurer Sprague. “This year’s Compass Award honorees have shown dedication and success when it comes to teaching Ohioans about the value of money, how to use it, and ways to plan for their financial futures. We are honored to recognize these three exemplary organizations and the work each of the programs is doing in their communities.”The 2025 Compass Award honorees are:

“Financial literacy is a lifelong skill that’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Treasurer Sprague. “This year’s Compass Award honorees have shown dedication and success when it comes to teaching Ohioans about the value of money, how to use it, and ways to plan for their financial futures. We are honored to recognize these three exemplary organizations and the work each of the programs is doing in their communities.”

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Sprague, LaRose Call on State Board of Deposit to Authorize Cryptocurrency Payments

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose called today on the State Board of Deposit to authorize the use of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to pay for state fees and services.

COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose called today on the State Board of Deposit to authorize the use of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to pay for state fees and services.“The United States is becoming a global leader in the use of cryptocurrency and digital asset technology, and Ohio should be at the forefront of this emerging economy,” said Secretary LaRose. “My office processes millions of dollars in business incorporation fees every year, and we should be able to accept payment for those services in cryptocurrency.”Under the proposal, state agencies would be given the authority to accept cryptocurrency through a payment processor as designated by the Treasurer’s office. Cryptocurrency would be designated as an authorized “financial transaction device” by the State Board of Deposit, a three-member regulatory board made up of the Treasurer of State, Auditor of State and State Attorney General. Treasurer of State Robert Sprague, who serves as chair of the Board of Deposit, has agreed to call a meeting of the board to adopt an authorizing resolution.“Since the start of my administration, we’ve been working to modernize the Treasurer’s office and lay the groundwork for the future of public finance in Ohio,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Authorizing the use of cryptocurrency is just another way to keep up with current practices and we’re doing it the right way by bringing the matter before the Board of Deposit.”A 2019 opinion issued by Attorney General Dave Yost found that a cryptocurrency payment program allowing Ohio businesses to pay taxes through a service called OhioCrypto.com did not follow the proper process to be authorized as a “financial transaction device” by the State Board of Deposit. The program retained a third-party vendor to convert the crypto payment to U.S. dollars for a fee charged to the payer. The vendor also guaranteed the payment against any fluctuation of the cryptocurrency’s value during the transaction. However, the Attorney General determined that cryptocurrency was not formally approved as a “financial transaction device” by the State Board of Deposit and the program was suspended. “Ohio had the right goals at the time but the wrong process,” said Secretary LaRose. “We now have guidance from the Attorney General on how to do this the right way, and we’re calling on the Board of Deposit to adopt a resolution that allows the state to set this policy in motion. I’ve long been a proponent of digital asset technologies, and my office stands ready to implement a cryptocurrency policy and begin accepting these payments immediately.” Treasurer Sprague added, “I look forward to adopting a cryptocurrency payment policy that not only complies with Ohio law but also positions our state as a leader and innovator in the global economy. If we’re marketing our state as the place to do business, we need to be ready to do business at the pace of today’s technology.” You can watch today's press conference here.###

“Since the start of my administration, we’ve been working to modernize the Treasurer’s office and lay the groundwork for the future of public finance in Ohio,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Authorizing the use of cryptocurrency is just another way to keep up with current practices and we’re doing it the right way by bringing the matter before the Board of Deposit.”

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Treasurer Sprague Recognizes October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month

COLUMBUS –October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a perfect time to highlight the themes of independence and inclusion in the workplace. Through its STABLE Account program, the Ohio Treasurer’s office is proud to help thousands of individuals thrive in the workforce while being able to save and invest their earnings.

In April, Treasurer Sprague announced the launch of the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive to encourage more eligible Ohioans to open an account. Through the incentive, STABLE Account will match the first $25 that an eligible Ohioan contributes when opening a new account. This matched contribution provides new accountholders with an instantaneous boost toward growing their money and beginning their investment journey.