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Ohio Senate Democrats Offer Budget Amendments

ohiodems.org

Minority Democrats in the Ohio Senate have offered more than 500 amendments to the chamber's version of the two year state budget - more than twice the number they proposed two years ago. Ohio Public Radio's  Andy Chow reports.

Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of the Youngstown area says a lot of his caucus’ amendments deal with accomplishing their priorities which include developing well-paying jobs, safe communities and good schools.  
 
He says another 100 amendments deal with Medicaid, to tweak eligibility and expanded access.  
 
The rest, according to Schiavoni, are a lot of changes that influence each senator’s district in a more specific way. For example, Schiavoni says he’s offering amendments to address developmental center closings and racino payments.  
 
“So when you see that large number it seems like it’s a ton of amendments but a lot of them are very specific amendments that are one or two line amendments,” said Schiavoni.  
 
The Senate is expected to introduce a revised budget bill next week.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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