Rep. Bryant Bailey Votes NO on HB 730, A Bill That Will Harm Hamilton County Families & SNAP Services

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Ashley Bryant Bailey (D-Cincinnati) Wednesday voted “NO” on House Bill (HB) 730, legislation that passed the Ohio House with a vote of 66–29, citing serious concerns about its impact on Hamilton County families and the sustainability of SNAP services across Ohio.

"This bill asks our largest counties, including Hamilton County, to do more with less, while families are already struggling to afford necessities like food, utilities, and gas," said Rep. Bryant Bailey.

HB 730 includes a $12.5M appropriation intended to offset federal cuts to SNAP funding. However, those funds are disbursed at a near-flat rate that does not reflect actual need or caseload size:

• Over 70% of SNAP recipients in Ohio live in the state's 10 largest counties, yet those counties receive only about 18% of the funding under this bill; and
• Counties with the highest demand for services face funding gaps ranging from $1.5M to $7.5M.

In Hamilton County alone:

• 96,142 residents rely on SNAP benefits; and
• $14.6M in monthly support that uplifts local families and the regional economy.

In House District 26, 10,311 residents depend on SNAP, which provides over $1.5M in monthly support.

"This is not abstract policy. This is food on the table for more than 10,000 people in my district alone. When administrative systems are underfunded, it doesn't just strain county agencies; it delays benefits, increases errors, and puts families at risk. We had an opportunity to fix a real problem,” added Rep. Bryant Bailey. "Instead, this bill shifts the burden onto the very counties serving the most Ohioans in need."

Underfunding caseworkers also risks costly errors that could jeopardize federal SNAP dollars and make groceries even less affordable for Ohio families. If error rates rise, Ohio could face hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties annually.

A more equitable approach would allocate resources based on actual SNAP caseloads and funding losses, ensuring counties with the greatest need receive adequate support.

"I will always stand for policies that reflect reality and protect working families," concluded Rep. Bryant Bailey. "This bill falls short of that standard."