Rep. Sweeney: Budget compromise a step in the right direction to restore Ohio promise of better lives, brighter futures

Ohio State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement in support of the finalized version of the state budget, House Bill (HB) 166. Today’s vote follows more than two weeks of Republican dysfunction and gridlock, which forced lawmakers to pass a short-term funding extension before finally compromising on a long-term deal late Tuesday.

“This isn’t the budget that Democrats wanted, but Ohioans cannot afford another interim budget. Compromise is an important part of keeping our promise to taxpayer and making government work for its people. One of the key components to my yes vote was the historic investment in higher education. Education is the great equalizer and we are expanding the opportunity to give Ohioans a better life, better job, and brighter future,” said Sweeney.

Democrats noted a number of their key priorities were added to HB 166, including:

• Passing a tax cut targeting working people and middle class families.
• Investing in education, including wraparound services, and making college more affordable by increasing funding for Ohio’s College Opportunity Grants for low-income students.
• Improving access to healthcare and investing in children’s services, including millions of dollars in additional funding for the Kinship Care Navigators Program.
• Passing a moratorium on Ohio’s failed state-takeovers.
• Raising minimum wage for direct service employees.
• Restoring increased wage and hour protections to ensure fair pay for Ohio workers.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.