Informational Links
Below: a clip of SEIU's Ohio Legislative Director addressing the current situation with the State of Ohio budget.
Ohio Senate To Pass Seven-Day Interim Budget Monday
Gongwer News Service Special Update
June 29, 2009, 10:50 am - excerpt:
The Senate is expected Monday approve a seven-day interim budget that funds state government operations into the new fiscal year.
The interim spending plan - to be adopted as an amendment to the Industrial Commission’s budget (HB 16) – will fund programs at 70% of actual fiscal year 2009 spending, the Senate Republican Caucus said...
The development comes as the GOP-controlled Senate maintained its opposition to the installation of slot machines at Ohio’s horse tracks without a vote of the people. Instead, the chamber’s majority has argued that Gov. Ted Strickland, who proposed VLTs as a new revenue source, should authorize the expansion himself.
June 9 State of Ohio Budget Update
Ohio Gov. Strickland's "State of the State" Address
Click here to read the full speech, which includes the following excerpts:
"Our budget leverages 3.4 billion dollars in federal stimulus funds specifically designated for state fiscal relief. Without the infusion of federal resources, we would have had to impose far more substantial cuts to balance our budget. I am grateful for the leadership of Ohio's congressional delegation on this issue and fully support their efforts to move forward quickly on the federal stimulus package."
"We will strengthen Ohio by expanding access to health care coverage.
We have finally gained federal approval to offer coverage to Ohio children from families with incomes up to 300 percent of the poverty line. With funding provided in this budget, we will soon be able to say that health care coverage is available to every child in Ohio.
At the same time, we are taking innovative steps to expand health care access for adult Ohioans. Ohioans with employer-provided insurance will be able to buy coverage for their dependents up to the age of 29. Small business employees who lose their jobs will be able to purchase continuation coverage for up to 12 months. We will reform the open enrollment program to provide more affordable options for people who have pre-existing health conditions. And, we will allow more uninsured workers to purchase health care coverage with pre-tax dollars. Taken together, these steps will bring more than 110,000 adult Ohioans under the protection of health care coverage.
We will also provide more choices to Ohioans in need of long term care. People want care in the least restrictive environment possible. But state policies have almost pushed seniors and the disabled out the door of their homes and away from their communities. With a unified long-term care budget, we begin to balance services and funding, allowing our elderly and disabled Ohioans more choices."
Families of Two District 1199 Members Receive SEIU Scholarships
This summer SEIU awarded two $1,500 scholarships to families of SEIU District 1199 members from the public division.
Ashley McConnell won on behalf of member Diane MCConnell from Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Lauren Monroe also won on behalf of member Helen Monroe of Youngstown Public LIbrary. Congratulations!