State Senator Nickie J. Antonio Applauds State Budget

Last week in Columbus, I voted yes on House Bill 166, the state’s two-year, $69 billion budget bill.

Ultimately, I was pleased to vote in favor of this budget. Some concerns remain, especially regarding education measures that were not sufficiently addressed in this budget, including academic distress commissions, state report cards and graduation requirements. Overall, this budget makes real investments in our communities. It also shows our commitment to the people of Ohio, as we continue working to make our state the best place for people to choose to live and raise their families.

I helped secure several critical investments in the bill, including:

• $1 million per year for the Cleveland Lead Safe Coalition to reduce lead-poisoning in rental homes across the city
• Increased money for programs supporting children with severe mental health issues who utilize multiple state services, known as multi-system youth
• Public health initiatives, including resources to curb the opioid epidemic through harm reduction such as syringe exchange services and increased access to Naloxone
• Increased funding for our public libraries
• Adult protective services initiatives and funding to help vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves
• Arts and culture funding by increasing money for the Arts Council and continuing the motion picture tax credit which brings business to Ohio
• Strengthened initiatives to lower infant mortality through home visiting programs
• Expanded wrap around services for our schools so students can reach their highest potential

The bipartisan budget includes longstanding Democratic priorities. HB 166 increases funding for affordable housing programs through the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. It includes various measures aimed at supporting Ohio’s children and families, like additional funding for children’s services and home-living programs for low income and elderly Ohioans. It also funds the H2Ohio water quality initiative through the next two years.