Columbus, Ohio- Earlier this week, Ohio Republicans moved a budget forward that is packed with freebies for billionaires while gutting public education and ripping healthcare from Ohio families. The rigged Republican supermajority that presided over Ohio’s slip down the rankings is back with a budget that leaves working Ohioans behind while making sure to take care of their billionaire donors.
Check out what Ohioans are reading about the billionaire-first Ohio budget as it moves into conference committee:
Signal Ohio: Near-final version of Ohio budget will knock adults and babies off Medicaid, experts and analysts say
- Lawmakers are close to finalizing a state budget that includes changes to Medicaid that could cause a significant number of Ohioans, including children and babies under three, to lose health care coverage.
- The state budgeting process began in January and is due to be completed at the end of June. But looming on the horizon are federal changes to Medicaid that could have the potential to cost Ohio billions regardless of changes it makes to the state program.
Cleveland.com: Ohio Republicans’ state budget priorities: Helping the rich while aiming to cut spending for the poor
- While lawmakers are still crafting the enormous budget plan, many of their current proposals would generally favor wealthier individuals while potentially creating difficulties for many struggling Ohioans. The Ohio Senate’s draft budget plan, unveiled last week, would offer a $1.4 billion state income tax cut, only for taxpayers making more than $100,000 per year.
- GOP lawmakers also generally agree that two billionaires, in particular, should get an additional $600 million: Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who want the state money to help them pay for a new $2.4 billion stadium in suburban Brook Park.
- To balance the budget, GOP lawmakers have taken aim at a variety of programs and services at various points in the budget process, including cutting funding to public libraries (a proposal that has since been removed) and programs that address lead poisoning, which particularly affects impoverished children.
Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio Senate GOP moves to give wealthiest Ohioans tax cut
- Ohio Republican senators have proposed a flat income tax for the state’s top earners, which would result in a projected $1 billion loss in the general revenue fund.
- Many cuts for programs that benefit lower-income families have already been proposed in the budget. Funding for schools, Medicaid, libraries, lead abatement, food banks and child care face funding decreases from the current status or from the governor’s budget.
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