Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spent Thursday morning praising Ohio's General Assembly for its new budget. He had removed several items Wednesday night and signed it.DeWine, who was required by law to sign a balanced Budget by July 1, used his Veto to remove 14 items. These items were less than in previous years. He said that the governor should give the opportunity to the Legislature to make those decisions.DeWine described the budget as a success because it invests in skilled workers, health care, education and public safety. The $74 billion budget for two years also includes a 3% income tax cut across the board.We made difficult choices at the beginning of the pandemic. We reduced spending and frozen hiring. DeWine stated that we did what was necessary. Ohioans are strong, resilient, and tough. We have this budget now that invests in the future because of what Ohioans did early on.DeWine canceled the General Assembly's plan to cancel COVID-19 violations by businesses and refund any fines. He also removed an item that he claimed risks the Medicaid overhaul and puts lives in danger.DeWine stated that the standard is to give deference to the Legislature. He should also use the veto with care. If it's a close call, he should refer to the Legislature.Kim Murnieks, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, called the budget balanced and profitable after a fiscal year in which sales tax revenues exceeded estimates by $1.5billion.DeWine included a provision that stops public-private partnerships between the state and local elections boards in voter registration efforts. He also added another item that allows for health care professionals to refuse to care for individuals on moral grounds.Along with state Democrats and voter rights groups, the new law was called an attempt to suppress all voters in the state by state Democrats. DeWine and the Lt. Governor. Jon Husted called these claims unfounded.This is absurd. DeWine stated that this is absurd. Ohio's system is good. It has been in place for many years. Ohio has enjoyed extensive voting for a long time.Continue the storyThe governor stated that the practice of medical professionals refusing to provide care is common around the globe and that most situations are resolved by themselves.DeWine stated that we must respect the rights of people and their ability to make decisions.Two provisions that related to Medicaid were vetoed by DeWine. He said that the first restricted the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (ODD) and Ohio Department of Medicaid's ability to manage policies and costs. The second was about managed care procurement.Also, the governor removed an item that required that the State Controlling Board have its agenda ready 14-days before a meeting instead of seven days. He also removed a provision that created a court for claims to hear open meetings violations. These cases are currently heard by courts of common pleas.DeWine removed the General Assembly's power to intervene in executive-level litigation. He also deleted a provision that would have prevented the director of mental or addiction from being appointed to county boards.Four provisions relating to education were also vetoed, including one that he claimed treated public and community schools differently and added bureaucracy to community schools. He said that the other provisions would reduce accountability for community schools and eliminate non-public schools from the state's College Credit Plus program. Additionally, they would also remove an expedited process for EdChoice scholarships approval.Also, the governor vetoed the Ohio Department of Taxation budget being cut and nursing facilities being exempted from quality incentive payments.Washington Examiner VideosTags: Mike Dewine. States, News. Ohio BudgetOriginal Author: J.D. Original Author: J.D.Original Location: DeWine rejects 14 Ohio budget items before signing it
