During our first year of the 127th General Assembly, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus has worked to advance several pieces of legislation. From these successes, we can see how well things work when all of us — legislative leaders, the Governor, local elected officials and a host of other public and private partners — focus on making our government more responsive and responsible to the needs of all Ohioans. When we work in a smarter way to achieve real results for everyone in our state, we rise above the political divide and invest in those areas which matter most: energy and economic development; education and economic prosperity; accessible and affordable health care; family safety and security; and responsive and responsible government. 

For the first time in nearly half a century, Ohio’s budget is the slowest-growing ever with an annual increase of just 2.2 percent.  The less money the government spends, the more you get to keep investing in what matters most — family, health and job security....

The budget adopts the Governor’s new local government funding formula and increases funding to local governments by 1.5 percent starting in the 2008 calendar year. This move finally ends the recent “freeze” imposed on counties and other local governments. It also boosts the county subsidy funding for child support enforcement administration, increasing it by $17.2 million per year to minimize the impact of the federal Deficit Reduction Act.  The money provided in the bill saves counties approximately $60 million per year.

Health care for children is more affordable and accessible under this budget.  Earlier this year we ensured health care access for all children in Ohio by expanding eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to 300 percent of poverty during the budget process. The federal program, founded in 1997, is designed to cover children whose families earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid, yet too little income to purchase private health insurance....   

SCHIP is currently flat-funded and operates under a federal continuing resolution.  Thanks to the innovative ideas of Governor Strickland, Ohio is likely to move forward with SCHIP expansion unless Medicaid rolls significantly increase in the near future....

With this executive action, Governor Strickland has reaffirmed his commitment to provide access to health insurance for all children.

This budget also provided the largest increase in higher education funding in more than a decade. For the next two years, tuition in Ohio will be frozen, while accessibility and affordability will be expanded. Additionally, the budget established a new scholarship program and research program. These resources will provide more opportunities for Ohioans to achieve a college degree while expanding our state’s research and development capabilities.

Through unprecedented collaboration, Senate Democrats protected the Governor’s vision of sound management practices. As a result, households with seniors and those with disabilities will receive an average tax cut of $400, benefiting one in four Ohioans.     

The budget was only the beginning of more achievements to come in this new era of Ohio’s history. In October, the Senate unanimously passed Substitute Senate Bill 221, Governor Strickland’s Energy, Jobs and Progress Plan for Ohio. The goal of this comprehensive measure was simple: Assure an adequate supply of affordable energy service to all Ohioans. It is the starting point for a boom in industry, a launch pad for jobs of the future, and a path toward a safer, cleaner and healthier environment....

We in the Senate Democratic Caucus remain committed to building upon the many successes of this year to achieve more progress for the future of Ohio. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to achieve prosperity for every Ohioan in a new era of responsive and responsible government.

–Sue Morano

Ohio State Senator, 13th District