Governor DeWine’s second budget establishes his priorities for the next two years as Ohioans wrestle with racial justice, a global pandemic, other health issues - like hunger, addiction, and infant mortality - and a school funding structure that has been unconstitutional for decades.
Sadly, his budget is extremely ordinary when we are in extraordinary times. Governor DeWine proposed, for example, a $50 million investment into ‘telling Ohio’s story. A somewhat normal investment every few years for a state to make, but is a marketing campaign needed with nearly 1 in 5 families are wondering where their next meal will come from?
In ordinary times, a new $50 million marketing campaign to promote our beautiful lakes and rivers, our entertainment districts, and cultural landmarks might be a worthwhile endeavor - but we are in extraordinary times and need to start acting like it.
Outside of one time spending, (discussed below) this budget largely maintains the status quo across the board. The Governor continues to invest in wrap around services for students through his student wellness fund and environmental improvements through his H2Ohio plan. Otherwise, there are very few new ideas in this budget to address living wage jobs, hunger, or poverty in our communities.
$1 billion of new, one-time spending largely misses the mark:
The Governor began his budget rollout announcing the use of one time money for different one time projects. This money is available because the state has reduced its workforce and required unpaid furlough days. The state unnecessarily cut $775 million in May of 2020 from healthcare, schools, colleges, and other community services. The state has also received federal money as part of this $1 billion.
This is how it will be spent:
$460 million for businesses: These funds will increase business loans and grants to help during the pandemic. It remains to be seen whether there will be any requirements to maintain or increase workforce a condition of this public assistance.
Analysis: We can keep throwing money at businesses and the business owners can pocket it unless they have customers returning to their stores and restaurants. Instead of throwing money toward unaccountable businesses, we should provide targeted relief that maintains employees, and invest to end this pandemic quickly so that customers can return safely.
$450million for communities: The State will invest into key infrastructure in local communities. The most notable part of this money will be invested into expanding internet access - more than $250 million - will go toward broadband.
Analysis: State decisions over the past decade have cost local communities $1 billion a year. So the $450 million is nice, but still leaves communities struggling financially. The $250 million toward broadband is the most exciting part of the entire budget, however the devil is in the details. We need to make sure that the implementation of this will not focus on rural and white areas at the expense of Black and Latinx communities around the state that also struggle with the digital divide. However, we applaud the Governor for making broadband a priority in this budget.
$70 million workforce development- The state wants to invest $70 million into developing a skilled workforce.
Analysis: We have a system already in place for developing a skilled workforce - our colleges and universities. Sadly, the investments into these - including our community colleges - have been reduced by a billion dollars over the past 15 or so years. New investments into Higher Ed barely maintain the inflationary adjustments needed in this budget. Investing into our community colleges now will strengthen economic opportunities, job training, and career readiness in the most cost effective and efficient manner.
$50 million ad campaign to tell Ohio’s story: Governor DeWine wants to promote Ohio as a place for children of the state to come back to.
Analysis: In ordinary times, a new $50 million marketing campaign to promote our beautiful lakes and rivers, our entertainment districts, and cultural landmarks might be a worthwhile endeavor - but we are in extraordinary times and need to start acting like it.