COLUMBUS, Ohio — In many people's minds, government and red tape go hand-in-hand. It always seems to take forever to turn an idea into law, but at the Ohio Statehouse this week the opposite is happening.

The Ohio House has sent Gov. Mike DeWine a bill he asked for earlier this week, which calls for $250 million in federal money to go toward supporting state and local law enforcement efforts.​​

"This is a real win for Ohio and it's going to allow for us to really take care of the work shortages that we have and of course back our brave men and women of law enforcement," said Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, who co-sponsored the bill.

The bill includes $175 million to help police departments prevent and solve crime. The other $75 million addresses the mental and emotional toll police officers, firefighters and EMTs have faced due to the pandemic, by offering wellness resources.

​"They've seen things that the rest of us don't have to see and don't have to deal with on an everyday basis, and they keep our communities safe, so we're happy to help that them in that regard," said Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, the other co-sponsor.

However, as Republicans tout their leadership on the bill, the irony of the situation is the funding came from President Biden's American Rescue Plan, which the GOP did not support at the federal, state or local level.

Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, D-Akron,​ said she is glad Republicans are finally seeing its benefits too.

"I don't blame them for wanting to go around the state saying Joe Biden, Kamala Harris have provided some great things for the state of Ohio, because I'd be happy to join them cause they have done such great work for us here in the state of Ohio and throughout the country," said Sykes.

Sykes believes this money could also help make a difference in the relationship between the police and the community.

"We know that many law enforcement officers would like to be out in the community if they had the ability to,” Sykes said. “And again, because of these funds that the Democrats have been providing for them, they'll now be able to do it.”

The bill now goes to DeWine who is likely to sign the bill in the coming days.

“I applaud the legislature’s swift action to pass this important bill as we work together to protect our citizens and first responders, keep qualified Ohioans on the job, and help those who have been hit hard as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio is already coming out of this pandemic stronger than before, and by strategically using these funds we will continue our resurgence."

The police reform measure is part of a bigger bill worth more than $4 billion. It also includes $2.5 billion dollars for K-12 schools and $1 billion to help health care providers hire and retain employees.​