Post by Logan on Apr 2, 2016 4:50:43 GMT -6
Lawmakers call for $26 million transfer to struggling communities
Two state lawmakers want to bolster local economies by funneling down money from the state "Rainy Day Fund" — a fund financed in part by cutting state money to local governments in the first place.
State Reps. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, and Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, spoke at a press conference today calling on the legislature to transfer part of the $2 billion state surplus into the hands of 31 local governments. Twenty-one of the communities under the proposed bill are considered under a state of "fiscal emergency." Two are under "fiscal watch" and eight under "fiscal caution" None of the communities on the list are in Franklin or neighboring counties.
"Drastic budget cuts overseen by Gov. Kasich have left local communities with fewer resources available to provide essential services such as police and fire, infrastructure investment and public education,” said Smith. “Although some might say the sun is shining for the state of Ohio, it has definitely been raining for many of these local communities."
Local community funding has been reduced about $1.7 billion in the past six years, covering three state budgets.
Read more: www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2016/04/04.01.2016-rainy-day.html
Two state lawmakers want to bolster local economies by funneling down money from the state "Rainy Day Fund" — a fund financed in part by cutting state money to local governments in the first place.
State Reps. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, and Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, spoke at a press conference today calling on the legislature to transfer part of the $2 billion state surplus into the hands of 31 local governments. Twenty-one of the communities under the proposed bill are considered under a state of "fiscal emergency." Two are under "fiscal watch" and eight under "fiscal caution" None of the communities on the list are in Franklin or neighboring counties.
"Drastic budget cuts overseen by Gov. Kasich have left local communities with fewer resources available to provide essential services such as police and fire, infrastructure investment and public education,” said Smith. “Although some might say the sun is shining for the state of Ohio, it has definitely been raining for many of these local communities."
Local community funding has been reduced about $1.7 billion in the past six years, covering three state budgets.
Read more: www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2016/04/04.01.2016-rainy-day.html