Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ohio Senate Passes State Budget That Imposes Devastating Cuts on Schools and Local Governments


Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus today voted “no” on the final version of the biennial state budget (HB 153). The budget imposes massive and devastating cuts on Ohio’s public schools and local governments and gives the Governor broad powers to privatize valuable state assets.

“The state of Ohio has effectively balanced its budget by unbalancing the budgets for school districts and local governments across the state,” said Senator Cafaro. “It’s pass the buck budgeting that sticks local tax payers with the bill. I fear the result will be more layoffs, reduced public services and higher local taxes.”

The budget plan slashes the local government fund by 50% in fiscal year 2013 and cuts funding for local schools by an estimated $2.8 billion over the next two years according to a coalition of school officials.

Senate Democrats offered an amendment in the budget conference committee that would allocate school funding on a fairer and broader basis. However, majority Republicans rejected the amendment and chose to give additional money to wealthy school districts at the expense of urban and poor districts.

The budget (HB 153) also permits the sale of six prisons, sets the stage for leasing the Ohio Turnpike and gives cities the authority to sell or lease their parking meters to private companies.

“I am deeply concerned this rush to privatize valuable public assets will end up being a bad deal for taxpayers,” said Senator Cafaro. “These assets belong to the citizens of Ohio and they should not be sold off at rock bottom prices.”

Senator Cafaro also expressed concern about the continued assault on workers’ rights that began with Senate Bill 5. A provision of HB 153 specifically prohibits collective bargaining for employees of charter schools.

The Caucus


Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney - Cincinnati - 9th District
Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni - Canfield - 33rd District
Minority Whip Nina Turner - Cleveland - 25th District
Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown - Toledo - 11th District
Senator Tom Sawyer - Akron - 28th District
Senator Charleta B. Tavares - Columbus - 15th District
Senator Shirley Smith - Cleveland - 21st District
Senator Michael J. Skindell - Cleveland - 23rd District
Senator Lou Gentile - Steubenville - 30th District
Senator Capri S. Cafaro - Hubbard - 32nd District

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