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House releases substitute budget bill
Keeps much of governor's plan, but adds prison privatization rule, makes cuts to ODOT, PS, JFS

April 27, 2007 - The Ohio House yesterday released its substitute budget bill which some say keeps Gov. Ted Strickland's executive budget proposal mostly intact. As this article is published, OCSEA leaders and staff continue to review the House version and identify how it would impact union members and the services they deliver.

The House version, however, calls for major cuts to Health and Human Services, JFS, and Public Safety, a $13 million cut (of $50 million over the biennium) to the GRF of the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the reinstatement of  a requirement for the state to run two private prisons. OCSEA had fought off similar privatization language just months ago during the Ohio General Assembly's lame duck session.

For complete details, browse the Comparative Document (PDF), prepared by the Ohio Legislative Services Commission, to how the executive budget is different from the House Finance and Appropriations version. Original language and changes are noted.

The union anticipates that the OCSEA-supported amendment that would create a Blue Ribbon Commission will be adopted sometime before June 30. This working committee would make a commitment to action and helping the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections accomplish—in the most safe and efficient ways possible—the agency's goals.

Although the House did not adopt some of the OCSEA-supported amendments, union activists will continue in the Ohio Senate to seek changes that would address such issues as staffing levels in adult and juvenile prisons and the creation of an MRDD state-operated community program.

Union leaders will also continue to warn legislators about funding levels in agencies such as Rehabilitation Services Commission that saw a decrease and the Department of Natural Resources that was flat funded.

This substitute bill (PDF) would also provide:

• $4.5 million more over two years for local mental health services.
• A 2% reimbursement rate increase for intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.
• Additional funding for Rehabilitation Services Commission programs remains under consideration and could be the subject of a future amendment, the chairman said. 

House Democrats say most of Gov. Strickland's budget and TurnAround Ohio plan remains intact, however, The Gongwer reported additional changes worth noting:

• The reinstatement of a 0.75% discount for vendors on timely sales tax remissions to the state.
• $41 million over what the governor proposed for the Ohio Student Choice Grant program and expanded eligibility for the $900 grants used at private colleges.
• $30 million more in state and federal Medicaid funding for children's hospitals.
• $20 million in the K-12 budget for the development of so-called "STEM" academies specializing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, and $2 million for summer academy programs.
• $14.5 million in additional biennium funding for early childhood education.
• $500,000 over the biennium for Alzheimer's respite care.
• $1 million more for the OhioLINK library network.
• The reinstatement of voucher and charter school options, with some adjustments.
• The restoration of work requirements for welfare cash assistance payments.
• A delay until the second year in Medicaid coverage for chiropractic services.

See Related

Union Budget Resources

GOP budget takes millions from jobs pot (Columbus Dispatch - April 28, 2007)

Comparative Document - Shows executive budget next to House Finance and Appropriations version (PDF)

Spreadsheet (PDF)

Substitute HB 119 Budget Bill Text

House Republicans Summary of Substitute Budget Bill (PDF)