House Democrats to Governor DeWine: Don't Sign Away Our Schools, Our Health, and Our Future. Veto This Budget for Billionaires.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House Democratic Caucus today called on Governor Mike DeWine to veto key provisions in the state operating budget that risk our healthcare, cut our public schools, and give huge handouts to billionaires. House Democrats ask DeWine to use his authority during his final budget as governor to protect the people of Ohio. 

“The architects of the budget choose to prioritize countless provisions that do not represent the values and best interest of Ohio’s working families, senior citizens, and children. Despite the constant cry of constituents, this budget chooses gimmicks instead of targeted, need-based, state-funded property tax relief,” said House Democrats in the letter to Governor DeWine. “Instead of funding our public schools or helping parents afford childcare or healthcare or pay for groceries, diapers, rent, and any other costs, this budget prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthiest few and Medicaid cuts for babies and the elderly…If we really want to make Ohio the best place to live, work, and raise a family, as you said during your State of the State address, we have to make sure that the policies passed and implemented by the State of Ohio allow for that to happen.” 

The letter sent Friday to the governor lays out dozens of provisions included in the budget, some snuck in during the middle of the night in the Conference Committee, that go completely against the governor’s own vision for Ohio and its citizens. Therefore, House Democrats requested the governor line-item veto those provisions. This budget, the first without any bipartisan support in more than a decade, cannot be fixed with vetoes but many harmful provisions can be removed if the governor chooses to act. 

You can view the full veto letter here.