2012 Budget Quick Breakdown

This document contains preliminary information regarding Governor's Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year (F Y) 2012 and 2013. General Revenue Fund (Foundation) dollars. Information on policy proposals below is all that is available at this time. There is no legislative language yet available .

Category*	Current FY 2011	Proposed FY 2012	% from FY 2011	Proposed FY 2013	% from FY 2011
K-12 Education	$11.5 billion	$10.2 billion	(11.5%)	$9.7 billion	(15.9%)
Higher Education	$2.57 billion	$2.3 billion	(10.5%)	$2.4 billion	(7.2%)
Private School Vouchers (Education Improvement Grants)	$305,000	$3 million	884%	$3 million	884%
Charter Schools	Exact dollars not available for two weeks
Federal stimulus funds	$457 million	0	(100%)	0	N/A
Property tax replacement	$1.15 billion	$722 million	(37%)	$475 million	(59%)
*Data based on Kasich administration budget figures and OEA analysis as of March 15, 2011, subject to revision.

 

2012 Budget Talking Points

• In a tough economy, with Ohio facing a major budget deficit, we must focus on the essentials. Nothing is more essential than giving our children a quality education that prepares them for good jobs.
• We do not believe the people of Ohio elected leaders with a mandate to cut funding for public schools and colleges, but that is exactly what this budget proposes to do.
• The Kasich budget leaves Ohio schools with $3.1 billion less in resources over two years and nearly $400 million in cuts to higher education.
• The budget as proposed represents a shell game, not an increase in funding for public education. Only by looking at part of the school budget is there a small increase. Looking at all sources of funding – and the result of reduced revenues – this is an overall 11% cut for schools and a 10% cut for higher education, not restructuring or reform.
• Taking away collective bargaining, sharing school services and other so-called restructurings and reforms cannot resolve Ohio’s budget crisis without deepening turmoil in already strapped public school districts.
• This isn’t kicking the can of budget problems into the future. It is kicking the can of crisis out to every community and school district in Ohio, leading to divisive community crises.
• We need to focus on the essentials, making sure Ohio students have the courses, textbooks, facilities and highly qualified teachers to help them prepare for the jobs and careers of the 21st century.

Attack PAC - "Stop Public Unions Now" Spotted!

The Sunlight Foundation reports alarming news that millionaires money, funneled through a shady organization, is going to be used to attack public employees in the coming months.

A new Super PAC has launched with the very timely name Stop Public Unions Now. This political committee launches as Republican governors across the country launch broadsides against public employee unions, often meeting with powerful reactions from unions and negative reactions from the public.

The new PAC has ties to one of those governors. Oxford Communications CEO William O. Black is listed as Treasurer of Stop Public Unions Now and the direct market agency has touted its work for Governor John Kasich's 2010 campaign.

Kasich, along with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, have led the way for governors going after public employee unions. Kasich has proposed limiting public employee unions collective bargaining rights to only cover wages. This has provoked a sharp reaction from the unions and the public. Kasich's poll numbers have plummeted and the public now says they would support former Governor Ted Strickland, defeated by Kasich, by a fifteen point margin. In Wisconsin, Walker has also seen his public standing fall after his very public battle with the state's public employee unions and Democratic senators.

Oxford Communications has operated as treasurer for numerous political action committees over the years. They have also provided services for a number of campaigns, many of which are in Ohio.

The creation of this PAC may be to bring some money into the PR battle. The PAC will be able to raise unlimited funds under the SpeechNow clause.

Super PACs were created after the SpeechNow.org vs. FEC court ruling expanded on the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling by allowing political action committees to raise unlimited funds provided that they only spend that money on political activities.

S.B.5 Rally in Newark

S.B.5 Rally in Newark, Ohio on Saturday 19th March 2011.

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News for March 21th, 2011

The week starts with a lot of coverage of S.B.5, and the reckless budget that takes a $3.1 billion axe to education in Ohio. Starting with the Dispatch

Dove, the Worthington teacher and Ohio's reigning teacher of the year, opposes Kasich's education agenda. He said the only benefit for teachers and schoolchildren is that the debate itself is making the public realize changes are needed.

"The downside is, when we get these short, quick answers and proposals on a subject that's incredibly complex," Dove said.

A Plain Dealer columnist writes

The manner in which Gov. John Kasich and his political allies are trying to ram this legislation through and their dismissive attitude toward public employees tell me that the voice of working people in this state doesn't matter to the politicians who support Senate Bill 5.

As public employees, we are the nurses, teachers, firefighters, librarians, cops and first responders who provide critical services every day for our fellow Ohioans. We are not to blame for the current financial crisis, but we are willing to do our part to fix this broken economy.

The Dispatch goes on to provide some limited coverage of the radical plan to privatize Ohio Schools

"Resources are extremely limited, and we think we should focus those resources on the schools that 90 percent of our children attend," said Matthew Dotson, of the Ohio Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

Under Kasich's plan, tuition vouchers - 28,000 this year and 56,000 in 2013 - would be available to students in schools ranked in academic watch or academic emergency for two of the previous three years. That would be about 200 schools this year.

An article discusses where the current attar of play is with S.B.5. It's clear that the Republicans in the House are having some problems crafting a bill that can garner the votes needed

"The last thing we want to have happen to this bill is have it go to a conference committee," Blessing said. "It will really turn into a circus then."

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, said last week that there are a great number of potential amendments to the bill.

The pressure of rallies all across the state, like this one in Newark on Saturday is clearly having an effect.

Sample Letter

Dear Elected Official,

I am writing today to urge to you vote against Senate Bill 5. In today's difficult economy, we need to focus on providing Ohio's children with a quality education. We all know that a solid education will make them more valuable and attractive to employers in this tough job market. Senate Bill 5 seeks to undermine the quality preparation students receive in our schools.

Children need teachers to focus on them and their classrooms. Allowing the union to represent teachers frees them to do what they do best: TEACH.

Collective bargaining allows educators to have a voice in improving opportunities for Ohio's students, better classroom resources, and improved teaching and learning conditions.

Like all public employees, educators are an integral part of the fabric of Ohio's communities. Senate Bill 5 weakens Ohio. Rather than creating jobs, this legislation will hurt local communities, weakening Ohio's economic outlook.

I am proud to be an educator in state of Ohio. Please ensure that Ohio continues to attract well-qualified, dedicated teachers by voting against Senate Bill 5.

Sincerely,