Rep. Lett Joins Bipartisan Group of State Legislators Opposing Plan That Could Politicize More Than $1.1 Trillion in Federal Grants

COLUMBUS - Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Hilliard) joined a bipartisan coalition of state legislators from all 50 states urging the Trump administration to withdraw a proposal that would shift decisions about more than $1.1 trillion in annual federal funding away from community needs and toward political priorities.

Under the proposed rule from the federal government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), organizations seeking federal grants would have to show their programs align with the President's priorities in order to receive funding. Representative Lett and over 150 other state legislators from across the nation say the change could jeopardize investments in programs that people depend on, including public health, infrastructure improvements, housing, and public safety.

“State legislators are tasked with knowing the specific needs of our constituents, and—based on this rule—if those needs somehow don’t align with the political agenda of the President, vital funding and resources could be prevented from reaching our communities. Ohio utilizes federal grant funding for several initiatives, such as Brownfield Assistance, rural hospital funding, maternal health services, and overdose prevention,” said Rep. Lett.

To read the full letter, click here.