Solon Rep Explains Why He Voted For State Budget

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio House passed the state's two-year operating budget this month.

While the legislation will need to be further hashed out by the Ohio Senate, Solon-based state Rep. Phil Robinson was one of a dozen Democrats to vote in favor of the budget. He said the bill's proposed reform to education funding motivated his support.

"The main reason I voted yes on HB 110 was because of the historic fair school funding plan, HB 1, the Cupp-Patterson Plan, which made it into the budget. There are other provisions I appreciated in HB 110, but if HB 1 had not made it into the bill, I would have voted no," Robinson said.

Read more: 'Fair School Funding' Praised In Education Budget, Other Parts In Need Of Second Look

Robinson critiqued the legislation's tax giveaways for wealthier Ohioans, saying that money should instead be going to struggling Ohioans.

"In its current form, this budget is a missed opportunity to invest in Ohio’s future. However, there is still time for HB 110 to move Ohio significantly in the right direction to address the needs of working people and families. As HB 110 continues in the process, I will be advocating for needed changes," he said.

Policy Matters Ohio determined the proposed budget would cut income taxes by 2 percent, which could lead to big funding cuts for crucial state programs.

"The tax cuts could cost the state double the $380 million legislative staff have estimated over the next two years because the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) approved by Congress last month requires that states adopting net tax cuts pay back an equal amount of ARPA funds," Policy Matters said.