1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

This proposed budget from the Ohio House GOP is highly concerning for the future of public education in our state. Slashing school funding by over $400 million from the amount needed for full implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan is unacceptable and will have devastating impacts on students, teachers, and communities. It is unconscionable that the same lawmakers who claim we cannot afford to properly fund our schools are willing to take on $600 million in debt to fund a new stadium for the private Cleveland Browns organization. Public education should be the top priority, not corporate giveaways. The deep cuts outlined in this budget proposal will force many districts to make agonizing decisions - increasing class sizes, cutting staff and programs, or going back to voters for more tax levies. This will exacerbate inequality and deprive too many Ohio children of the quality education they deserve. We cannot afford to shortchange our future workforce and economic competitiveness in this way. I urge you to reject this misguided proposal and instead fully fund Ohio's public schools based on the Fair School Funding Plan formula. Our children's futures depend on prioritizing their education over private interests.