A Budget of Broken Promises: Senate Democrats Present Budget Amendments

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) held a press conference outlining their priorities and amendments for House Bill 96, the state operating budget.

“Senate Democrats submitted hundreds of amendments that fight to restore fairness, protect public services, require transparency and accountability, and ensure that the budget reflects prioritizing children, moms and their babies, and the hard-working families of Ohio, rather than billionaires and well-connected special interest groups,” said Antonio.  “We can do better—Ohioans deserve policymakers who keep their promises and respect the will of the people yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

“Despite what has been said, this is not actually a tight budget. These are choices and policy decisions. If we make good choices, then we can pass a truly ‘fiscally responsible’ budget that invests in our communities and improves the lives of Ohioans,” said Hicks-Hudson. “It’s not too late for the Senate to turn this budget into something that will actually provide relief to the nearly 12 million Ohioans that we are here to serve.”

Senate Democrats submitted over 400 unique amendments to the current budget proposal. Over the next several weeks, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus aim to develop a budget that supports working families and Ohioans, making sure it:

• provides property tax relief that does not undermine public school funding;
• protects Medicaid and the members of its expansion eligibility group;
• supports child care programs in the state; and,
• fully funds food banks and libraries for Ohio communities.

House Bill 96 will continue receiving hearings in Senate committees. The legislature must present a final budget bill to the governor by June 30.