Rep. Anita Somani Votes "No" on State Budget That Hurts Ohio Families

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) released the following statement after voting against the House Bill 33, the Ohio State Operating Budget:

“The budget passed today is not a budget for Ohioans. The supermajority favored school vouchers, tax breaks for the wealthy and cuts to child care over investing in and protecting public education, health care and Ohio’s families,” said Rep. Somani.

Rep. Somani voted in favor of the House version of the State Operating Budget in April. This bipartisan budget was well-balanced and benefited all Ohioans through funds for expansion of health and dental care, money for public schools, libraries and food banks, along with a host of other programs. 

Rep. Somani opposed the final State Budget for a number of provisions that included:

• Expanding universal school vouchers, costing taxpayers over $1 billion per year while robbing funding from public schools
• Decreased funding for public schools by $245.6 million in FY 24 and $295.8 million in FY 25.
• Cut the Medicaid Services line item by almost $1.5 billion over the biennium
• Removes Medicaid continuous enrollment for children from birth through age 3.
• Flattens Ohio's income tax bracket, disproportionally favoring special interest while doing very little to help working and middle class families.

HB 33 now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature. He may still line-item veto provisions.