Rep. Brown: Budget a mixed bag, delivering for some but leaving many others behind

COLUMBUS—Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) issued a statement Tuesday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110. Democrats expressed concerns about a number of provisions within the bill, including a more than $1.64 billion tax giveaway to largely benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and an increase in funding for the state’s EdChoice Voucher Program, which undermines public education in Ohio.

“While I do applaud the Republicans in the House and Senate for making this budget less draconian, it still contains far too many deficiencies and ignores the needs of too many Ohioans,” said Rep. Brown, “Of particular concern was yet another tax cut for the wealthiest Ohioans, which will only lead to further reductions in services for the rest of us. In the end, I ultimately could not support this budget”.  

Additionally, Democrats opposed several public policy measures within the budget, including attacks on healthcare access for LGBTQ Ohioans and abortion care, as well as undermining police accountability measures and Ohio’s new redistricting reforms.

Democrats, however, did applaud the inclusion of $250 million for broadband development in underserved areas as well as the reinstatement of the Fair School Funding Plan, an improved public school funding formula that better addresses the needs of Ohio students, teachers and communities.

Democrats indicated they will send to the governor a list of requested budget line-item vetoes.