Feb 9, 2023
Last week, OCSEA activists and leaders watched with interest as Governor Mike DeWine gave his State of the State speech, which broadly outlined his proposals for the State of Ohio budget. That budget will fund state and local government agencies and programs, including staffing, for the next two years.
As we wrote last week, there are still a lot of unknowns regarding how exactly money will be appropriated and where. As we also mentioned, DeWine did indicate that the State is in good financial health.
Stay on top of your agency budget hearings. You can watch budget testimony by committee at The Ohio Channel. Find Finance Committee hearings schedules and testimony HERE. Find the Finance Committee and Transportation Subcommittee hearing schedules and testimony HERE.
Gov outlines budget priorities, including possible new agency
Feb 1, 2023
Yesterday, OCSEA activists and leaders watched with interest as Governor Mike DeWine gave his State of the State speech, which broadly outlined his proposals for the State of Ohio budget. That budget will fund state and local government agencies and programs, including staffing, for the next two years.
While there is still much not known about how exactly money will be appropriated and where, DeWine did indicate that the State is in good financial health and that he will make key investments in the well-being of children and families and in mental health and addiction services.
Some of what the Governor specifically laid out could have immediate ramifications for OCSEA Bargaining Unit employees, including: the addition of a new cabinet level agency focused on children and youth that will combine the resources of six other state agencies; AND a focus on mental health that would include the expansion of a crisis care system and increased access to the state’s behavioral health system.
These proposals could impact OCSEA bargaining unit members in numerous agencies, including Job and Family Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services. The union will be pouring over upcoming budget language and talking to state agencies and leaders about what all of these proposals could mean for OCSEA bargaining unit members.
As anticipated, budget documents show reductions in federal COVID relief funds, however, most state agencies show increases in their operating budgets, which is typically good news. In addition, state budget carryover balances (the surplus of unspent funds) are quite large, and the Rainy Day Fund is at capacity.
While the Governor did not verbally address the hard work that OCSEA state bargaining unit employees have done doing more with fewer staff, in his initial budget documents he does recognize the importance of recruiting employees in agencies like the Department of Youth Services, Ohio Veteran’s Homes and the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
“Of course we are happy to see adequate funding, but we still have a big issue in state government, which is staffing. Unless the State invests in a major way in wages and staffing – and works with us to get those things done – this crisis isn’t going away,” said OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe.
In the days and weeks ahead, OCSEA staff and leaders will be pouring over the “Blue Book” that broadly outlines where the state budget money will go. Go here to see those documents or click right.
State agency directors are expected to testify about their budgets in front of the General Assembly beginning next week. To see their testimony, visit ohiochannel.org/live.