Toledo Reporter

State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson has voiced strong opposition to House Bill 96, the state operating budget proposed by Senate Republicans. Hicks-Hudson criticized the budget as favoring wealthy individuals and corporations at the expense of essential services for Ohioans.

“This is not a budget for all Ohioans. This is a budget for the billionaires and the boardrooms," she stated. Hicks-Hudson expressed concern that cuts to essential agencies would affect every household in Ohio, contradicting claims that the budget would financially benefit citizens.

The bill, passed by the Senate, reportedly undermines bipartisan provisions aimed at supporting children and working families. It includes measures such as flattening income tax to 2.75% for wealthier residents and shifting public school funding towards vouchers for non-public schools. Additional concerns raised include $600 million allocated to Cleveland Browns' owners from unclaimed funds, potential health care coverage loss for 770,000 residents, censorship requirements in libraries, reduced local government support, lack of property tax relief, and funding cuts in environmental and food bank programs.

The legislation also proposes abolishing the Ohio Elections Commission and transferring its responsibilities to the Secretary of State's office while introducing political affiliations into educational board elections.

House Bill 96 will return to the Ohio House of Representatives for concurrence. Should there be disagreements with Senate amendments, it will proceed to a conference committee.