Hicks-Hudson Condemns State Budget

Today, state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to accept conference committee changes to House Bill 33, the state operating budget.

“While the majority insists this budget works for ‘us,’ it does not reflect the needs and desires of so many hardworking Ohioans,” said Hicks-Hudson. “Though I am thrilled that support for doulas and urban agriculture initiatives have been included, we are not done advocating for funding to fight food insecurity, protection of our natural resources and projects that positively impact all Ohioans moving forward.”

House Bill 33 creates universal school vouchers, slashes nearly $1 billion from Medicaid, and cuts taxes to the benefit of Ohio’s wealthiest residents. Additionally, it contains a number of controversial policy provisions, including Senate Bill 1 to transfer almost all the powers of the state Board of Education, which is comprised primarily of elected members, to a new executive agency, as well as Senate Bill 117 to create new centers for “intellectual diversity” at five state universities.

House Bill 33 now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature. He may still line-item veto provisions of the budget.