June 26, 2025
Dear Governor DeWine,
We appreciate the time and attention you have given to the budget process, and as it arrives at your desk, The Center for Community Solutions would like to address several areas of concern and request that you use your veto authority on the following provisions.
OBMCD32 Federal medical assistance percentage for expansion eligibility group — VETO this language
This language is unnecessary to include in the budget given that any change in federal funding levels is addressed through OBMCD41 (Allows state programs to be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if the federal government reduces, suspends, or discontinues any corresponding federal program which provides funds for the state program). Given the uncertainty with the current federal budgeting process, we understand the state’s need to potentially reassess federally supported programs, while at the same time it must leave itself flexibility to address said changes. The OBMCD41 language allows for flexibility; OBMCD32 does not.
MCDCD41 Continuous Medicaid enrollment for children — VETO the repeal of ORC 5166.45
Continuous Medicaid enrollment for young children was passed through the budget in the 135th General Assembly and is in the implementation process at the Department of Medicaid. Continuous coverage means that once a child, ages zero to their 4th birthday, is enrolled in Medicaid, they would stay enrolled without an annual redetermination, until the age the continuous coverage ends. It is our collective responsibility to keep Ohio’s children safe and healthy, and we know a key principle of your administration. It is critical that children have access to health coverage.
TAXCD103 State income tax — VETO the language establishing a flat income tax
A major shift in tax policy requires more time for analysis and debate than the last few weeks of a state budget process. This policy change comes at a cost to the state of nearly $1.7 billion over the biennium at a time of uncertainty, about the economy generally, but more specifically, the ongoing debate in Congress over potential cost-shifting to states on an unprecedented scale. We encourage a veto of this provision to allow for more analysis, as well as more nimbleness within the state’s budget.
JFSCD40 Exclusion of sugar-sweetened beverages from purchase under SNAP — VETO this language
While we understand the stated goal of this policy is to improve the health of Ohioans, the real impact of limiting what SNAP dollars can purchase will be limiting access overall to retailers who accept SNAP as a form of payment. This will particularly impact urban and rural areas of the state, evidenced by the lack of WIC (which limits food items) retailers in these areas compared to SNAP retailers. We encourage a more thorough assessment of this policy and a veto of this language in the budget.
DOHCD42 Center for Community Health Worker Excellence — VETO the repeal of ORC 3701.0212
As members of the advisory board of the Center for Community Health Worker Excellence, we encourage a veto of its repeal. The center aims to support and invest in the growth of community health workers across the state, ultimately hoping to build the field in a way where more Ohioans can benefit from community health work. Building the infrastructure to fully support CHWs across the state takes time and attention from the center, and ending it prematurely would be a disappointment.
In conclusion, we thank you and your team for taking this information into consideration as it moves toward finalization. We stand ready to help in any way to fulfill your promise to make Ohio the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Thank you,
Emily Campbell Tara Britton
President and CEO Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
