The following statement was issued today by PCSAO Executive Director Angela Sausser regarding Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoes in HB 96 and on the overall final budget:
“Gov. Mike DeWine once again is doing what’s right for kids in Ohio’s county child protection system. By vetoing the General Assembly’s elimination of replacement property tax levies, the Governor allows county government to retain a critical tool to help it meet its responsibility to pay nearly half of all children services costs with locally generated revenue. We support the Governor’s plan to establish a working group to consider comprehensive property tax reform.
“Thanks to the Governor and the General Assembly, this budget makes historic investments in children services, including a significant increase in the State Child Protection Allocation and the creation of regional child wellness campuses, an innovative solution to Ohio’s crippling placement crisis. Policy approved in the final budget will bring predictability and transparency to foster care placement costs.
“County children services leaders also applaud budget priorities that will expand home-visiting services, community mental health supports such as Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, school-based health centers and other upstream prevention efforts proven to reduce reliance on our system.
“Finally, PCSAO expresses its deep gratitude to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, a key partner throughout the budget process, and to our active and engaged membership for their on-the-ground advocacy.”