Rep. Russo: Final budget falls short for working people and families

Ohio State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today voted in opposition to 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 budget falls short of restoring the Ohio Promise to working people and their families,” Russo said. “While this budget contains a number of our priorities, it does not provide a responsible framework for the future. Many of the provisions that purport to lower healthcare costs and improve the education of our children were added without testimony and public hearings, and this is not a responsible way to govern.”

Long-held Democratic tax fairness priorities, like lowering the LLC loophole threshold from $250,000 to $100,000, were cut from the final version of the bill. Democrats say the billion-dollar tax giveaway largely benefits the wealthiest Ohioans, and has not delivered on its promise to create more jobs for Ohio workers.

Democrats also opposed Republican changes to:

• Roll back charter school oversight;
• Increase funding for controversial Ed Choice vouchers that Dems say hurt Ohio’s public schools;
• Include additional funds for crisis pregnancy centers;
• Remove provisions to end the state’s failed school takeovers and restore control to local districts.

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