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When Governor Strickland introduced his proposed budget earlier this year, OAPSE members were pleased that education was his top priority and was funded as such. The governor had removed privatization and RIF language passed in House Bill 66 by Republicans in the state legislature and former Governor Bob Taft. And Governor Strickland had addressed problems with charter schools, voucher programs and on-line e-schools.
Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives improved on the proposed budget. However, once the plan reached the Republican-dominated Ohio Senate, changes were made "that are simply unacceptable," said OAPSE Director of Political Action and Legislative Affairs Randy Weston.
Senate Republicans restored the House Bill 66 privatization and RIF language and eliminated stricter rules for charter schools.
"Now, the proposed budget is in conference committee. Three House and three Senate members and the governor's office are trying to hammer out a balanced budget, and they have until July 1 to do it," Weston said. The Ohio constitution mandates that the budget be balanced.
Weston is working with the Governor and the House Democrats to get language in the budget bill that fully funds education, restores library funding, eliminates the proposal to use PERS pension funds to help fill the budget hole, eliminates HB 66 language dealing with RIF and privatization, and addresses other issues affecting OAPSE members.
For the latest updates on House Bill 1, the state budget bill, check your email inbox!
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