Senate Democrats are sounding off on the changes Republican leadership made in the House version of the state budget, which the GOP says will deal with a deficit that could be a billion dollars. Republicans say they boosted school spending and put $6 million more toward the opioid crisis. But Sen. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) said that money was placed in a special fund. "It really restricts what those dollars can be used for. The opiate crisis is impacting most Ohioans, and we need to make sure we have unrestricted ability to attack this problem,” Skindell said.The Senate budget cuts state agencies up to 4% and reduces Medicaid spending by $200 million. But Skindell says Republicans put the burden of balancing the budget on working Ohioans, and he’s calling for the elimination of a small business tax cut that’ll costs the state about a billion dollars this fiscal year. Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.
The Statehouse News Bureau provides educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations.
Senate Democrats Blast Leadership's Version Of Budget As Restrictive, Unfair
