COLUMBUS — Even as he signed a bill containing $112 million to replace a mental health hospital, Gov. John Kasich worried aloud what would happen when he leaves office next year.

“At some point I will be gone, and it will be very easy to cut the programs that help people who need help,” he said, referring to his controversial decision to expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act.

“Don’t let it happen folks, because we won’t have the services for mental health, for drug addiction, to help the uninsured,” the Republican governor said.

Mr. Kasich’s latest two-year capital budget, signed Friday, includes money for dozens of northwest Ohio projects, such as Lucas County’s planned $40 million expansion of the SeaGate Convention Centre, which is to receive a $500,000 boost. The Toledo Museum of Art’s renovation project and the Imagination Station’s new large-screen theater will each receive $1 million.

The budget plan calls for $2.6 billion in borrowing to fuel construction, renovation, and equipment projects across Ohio — from walking trails and classrooms to expansion of facilities to help the state fight its opioid addiction crisis.

The governor signed House Bill 529 at the Twin Valley Behavioral Health Hospital in Columbus, which was originally built in 1977 as a long-term geriatric facility but now treats much younger patients.

This particular spending plan also includes $20 million for local “resiliency” infrastructure, such as community and youth centers, to engage with youths considered to be at the greatest risk.

The capital budget comes every two years, as long as the state’s finances and its constitutional debt service cap cooperate. The borrowing is backed by state tax revenues.

It includes $600 million for more renovation and construction of K-12 schools and $483 million for bricks, mortar, and hardware projects on the campuses of Ohio’s 37 public colleges and universities.

But much of the attention goes to the roughly $146 million for local community projects. Among the northwest Ohio projects are:

— Wood County Senior Center, $1.6 million.

— Ohio State Highway Patrol post improvements, Lucas County, $2 million.

— Ohio Partnership for Water, Industrial, and Cyber Security at Terra Community College, $1 million.

— Bowling Green State University / Cedar Fair for new tourism degree program, $800,000.

— Perrysburg Heights Community Center, $450,000.

— Danny Thomas Park Renovation, Toledo, $400,000.

— Valentine Theatre symphonic acoustical enhancement, Toledo, $400,000.

— Williams County MARCS Tower, $400,000.

— Cocoon Center for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Wood County, $375,000.

— Mazza Museum S.T.E.(A)M. exhibit gallery, Hancock County, $350,000.

— Montpelier Rails to Trails, $325,000.

— National Museum of the Great Lakes expansion, Toledo, $300,000.

— Chudzinski Johannsen Conservancy Park improvements, Sandusky County, $300,000.

— Tiffin Recreation, Arts and Learning Park, $300,000.

— Bowling Green State University, Erie County, hospital program, $250,000.

Mr. Kasich specifically pointed to $439 million for local infrastructure funded by the Ohio Public Works Commission. This includes funding for clean water, wastewater treatment, and storm water systems that Mr. Kasich related to Lake Erie’s annual toxic algae blooms.

“It’s not just the runoff from the farmers,” he said. “It’s also the problem with wastewater — dump all this crap into the lake and destroy our jewel. We’re working at it. Have we moved the needle great? No. But have we improved it? Yes.”

Contact Jim Provance at jprovance@theblade.com or 614-221-0496.

First Published March 30, 2018, 4:34 p.m.