Antonio Announces Vote Against Senate's Version of State Budget
June 9, 2021
Nickie J. Antonio News
Today, state Senator and Assistant Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) announced that she voted against House Bill 110, the state operating budget. All members of the Democratic Caucus joined in opposition.
“My main priority throughout this budget process has been Ohio’s recovery in the aftermath of a global pandemic,” said Antonio. “Ohioans demand and deserve properly funded public schools and quality child care for their children, support for small businesses, increased resources for mental health and addiction services, as well as investment in the health of mothers and babies. As it stands, this budget under-delivers for Ohioans.”
The budget passed by the Senate replaces the House-passed Fair School Funding Plan with a plan that:
H. B. 110 also includes a 5% income tax cut, which will primarily benefit the wealthiest Ohioans. It makes retroactive changes to the municipal income tax, which will have a devastating impact on cities across Ohio. While well intentioned, allowing those who worked remotely in a different jurisdiction than their primary workplace to file for refunds for both 2020 and 2021 presents cities with significant financial and administrative challenges.
The bill also does not provide any new funding for broadband access and lowers the standards for childcare facilities in Ohio, removing the requirement that publicly funded childcare centers be rated by Step Up to Quality. Additionally, H. B. 110 includes a provision that would allow health care and insurance providers to decline to perform or pay for services based on their moral, ethical or religious beliefs – a change that could endanger lives and allow for discrimination against LGBTQ+ patients.
However, Antonio praised the inclusion of a number of beneficial provisions in the bill, such as expanded Medicaid eligibility for postpartum coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months. The state budget also allots $500,000 per year for Birthing Beautiful Communities – a Cleveland-based African American doula collective that provides culturally sensitive education, advocacy, and emotional support for women during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. Additionally, H. B. 110 secures $500,000 per year for the Ohio Aerospace Institute’s Space Grant Consortium, and increased funding for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Domestic Violence programs. Finally, the budget passed by the Senate maintains the Public Library Fund at 1.7%.
“There are some items we worked together across the aisle to include, which we collectively identified as priorities that will move Ohio forward in a positive direction,” said Antonio. “However, the failures of this budget far outweigh the positives.”
Senate Democrats believe that more work needs to be done during the conference committee to improve education, tax and childcare policies.
“My main priority throughout this budget process has been Ohio’s recovery in the aftermath of a global pandemic,” said Antonio. “Ohioans demand and deserve properly funded public schools and quality child care for their children, support for small businesses, increased resources for mental health and addiction services, as well as investment in the health of mothers and babies. As it stands, this budget under-delivers for Ohioans.”
The budget passed by the Senate replaces the House-passed Fair School Funding Plan with a plan that:
- Provides less on average for per-pupil funding;
- Significantly expands private school voucher eligibility;
- Disadvantages areas with high property wealth compared to residents’ income;
- Allows a change in one district’s property values to impact the state share for every other district in the state.
H. B. 110 also includes a 5% income tax cut, which will primarily benefit the wealthiest Ohioans. It makes retroactive changes to the municipal income tax, which will have a devastating impact on cities across Ohio. While well intentioned, allowing those who worked remotely in a different jurisdiction than their primary workplace to file for refunds for both 2020 and 2021 presents cities with significant financial and administrative challenges.
The bill also does not provide any new funding for broadband access and lowers the standards for childcare facilities in Ohio, removing the requirement that publicly funded childcare centers be rated by Step Up to Quality. Additionally, H. B. 110 includes a provision that would allow health care and insurance providers to decline to perform or pay for services based on their moral, ethical or religious beliefs – a change that could endanger lives and allow for discrimination against LGBTQ+ patients.
However, Antonio praised the inclusion of a number of beneficial provisions in the bill, such as expanded Medicaid eligibility for postpartum coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months. The state budget also allots $500,000 per year for Birthing Beautiful Communities – a Cleveland-based African American doula collective that provides culturally sensitive education, advocacy, and emotional support for women during pregnancy and up to a year after birth. Additionally, H. B. 110 secures $500,000 per year for the Ohio Aerospace Institute’s Space Grant Consortium, and increased funding for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Domestic Violence programs. Finally, the budget passed by the Senate maintains the Public Library Fund at 1.7%.
“There are some items we worked together across the aisle to include, which we collectively identified as priorities that will move Ohio forward in a positive direction,” said Antonio. “However, the failures of this budget far outweigh the positives.”
Senate Democrats believe that more work needs to be done during the conference committee to improve education, tax and childcare policies.