Rep. Lawson-Rowe Again Votes "NO" on House Bill 96

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg) today voted “NO”, once again, on the state operating budget, House Bill (HB) 96.

“Even after a conference committee, our state budget still makes it abundantly clear what we treasure most – billionaires and the wealthy,” said Rep. Lawson-Rowe. “Meanwhile, public schools and the working class in my district are once again being asked to do more with less. This budget is neither fair nor balanced. It’s neglectful.”

This budget chooses the wrong Ohioans in so many ways: 

• An Income Tax Scam for the Ultra-Wealthy: The s0-called “flat tax” passed in this budget is really a fat tax cut only for the wealthiest few. Four out of every five Ohioans will see $5 or less under the bill, while someone making $1M gets a $7K tax break. The choice to include this flat tax will cost the state $1.67B over the next two years.
• Gutting Public Schools: For decades, the state legislature has failed to uphold its share of responsibility to provide adequate state funding for public education. This budget continues to prioritize billions in vouchers for private schools over the investments we should be making in the public schools where 90% of students in the state go to school.
• Betraying Public Libraries: Eliminates the century-old commitment to consistent funding that has made Ohio’s libraries among the best in the nation and reduces state support compared to current law.
• Jeopardizing Healthcare Access: Almost 800K Ohioans will be at risk of immediately losing their health insurance and all Ohioans will see hospitals and providers in their communities at risk of closing if the federal government lowers its contribution by even a single dollar. 

HB 96 passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 58-39 Wednesday. It now heads to Governor DeWine’s desk for his signature.