Impact of the 2012-13 state budget (HB 153)
Ohio’s budget for 2012 and 2013 cut local government aid by a billion dollars. This means cuts in services we depend on, from road repair and emergency services to crossing guards, senior transportation and child protective services. What are the implications for Washington County?
The state cut the Local Government Fund to the county, forcing Washington County to make cuts to jurisdictions within the county. The state also cut direct funding to municipalities, and slashed reimbursements for taxes it had eliminated, taxes that businesses and utilities had paid to local governments. School districts and the public library fund were also cut. Losses in calendar years 2012 and 2013, compared to 2010 and 2011, include, among others:
- Public Library Fund………………. -$126.0 thousand
- Schools……………………………. -$8.5 million
- County operations………………… -$3.2 million (including township LGF)
- Marietta……………………………. -$399.0 thousand
- Belpre City………………………… -$118.0 thousand
Loss to health and human service levies
- County mental health……………. -$551.0 thousand
- County senior services………….. -$143.0 thousand
Notes and Quotes
“People have given up trying to access services. They are becoming so much worse that it is nearly impossible to return to a functional state. Staff at the psychiatric hospital in Athens have said to me, ‘It’s been a long time since you have had people admitted this sick.’ The severity of the situation in Washington County is unprecedented.”
Lame duck is an opportunity for legislators to act on data centers (and more)