The General Assembly recently took up the Mid-Biennium Review, which in the past

has served as a measure to correct budget mistakes from the previous year. And,
while Democratic colleagues and I believed there was plenty to correct from the 2013
budget, in our view, the MBR unfortunately not only failed to remedy glaring mistakes,
but also contributed further to regular Ohioans falling behind.

Among the measures included by Republicans was an amendment that serves to
reverse a campaign finance rule that regulated the process of corporate campaign
contributions. This reversal to me raises certain questions as to how corporate
contributions will now play a role in state contracts and funding, especially in relation
to the states economic development agency, JobsOhio, which is not subject to the
same public scrutiny as other state agencies. Democrats offered an amendment
renewing their efforts to increase public accountability and transparency at JobsOhio,
yet the amendment was dismissed by the GOP majority.

Other provisions added by Republican members included an amendment that served
to reinforce student athletes non-employee status in an effort to prevent any effort to
unionize and a measure to cut local funding for any local government entity that sent
out absentee ballots to voters, which was removed at the last minute.

In contrast, Democrats offered amendments throughout the MBR process that we felt
made strides towards correcting mistakes in last years budget and promoted policies
that reflected the priorities of regular Ohioans. Proposed amendments included
measures that would restore $1 billion in recent cuts to local government funding,
reinstate funding for womens healthcare organizations and end restrictions on food
access by restoring the SNAP waiver to individuals in all 88 Ohio counties.

Nearly all amendments offered by Democrats throughout the MBR process were left
out of the final piece of legislation.

With 377,000 Ohioans unemployed and an economy that is still struggling to recover,
this budget process offered the legislature an opportunity to make important
corrections that would benefit middle-class Ohioans.
1
For me, however, it seems as
though the MBR reflects continuing down the wrong path rather than a much-needed
course correction.

It is my sincere hope that in the remaining months of the 130
th
General Assembly,
both parties can reach across the aisle and work together to ensure that all Ohioans
benefit from the policies coming out of Columbus and not just a select few. Please feel
free to reach out to my office with any concerns or questions you may have.

Sincerely,


Dear Constituents,
Ohio House Dems
Are Now On:
Follow Us Today!
Nick Barborak
State Representative
In This Issue
In an effort to keep you more connected to your government and whats happening
at your Statehouse, I have compiled a list of recently introduced bills. I started with
bills I have introduced, then added some from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

The list is not comprehensive, and simply introducing legislation does not guarantee
it will move through the legislative process. But, whether right or wrong here is
whats on some of your elected officials minds.

Click here to read more.

May Legislative Update
Are you one of the nearly 150,000 Ohioans who will celebrate their 65th birthdays this year?
If so, you will become eligible for Medicare and will likely have questions about your health
care benefits. You will face a dizzying array of choices: Which prescription drug plan is right for
you? Should you choose traditional Medicare coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan? Do you
need a Medicare supplemental plan, or "gap" coverage?

Click here to read more.
State Resources Available to Help Navigate Medicare Options
Columbus
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-8022 Phone
(614) 719-6971 Fax


State Representative
Nick Barborak
Contact Information
Send me an e-mail! rep05@ohiohouse.gov
On the Web: http://www.ohiohouse.gov
If you no longer wish to receive our eNewsletters, please send an email to this address:
News-district05-leave@lists.ohr.state.oh.us with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

2014 State Representative Nick Barborak
Click here to view newsletter in a different format.
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, March 21, 2014