#AdvocacyMatters: A Budget for Better

February 14, 2025 / #AdvocacyMatters

Budgets are moral documents, and every other year Ohio’s governor is required to submit a two-year budget proposal that outlines the state’s spending goal and policy priorities. Earlier this month Governor DeWine announced his budget proposal, which focuses on eight key themes: kids, economy, workforce, higher education, natural resources, health, mental health, and public safety. He says the goal of this budget is to give Ohioans a chance to live up to their potential in the “Heart of it All.”

Budgets provide an insight into what that state is prioritizing. This budget continues investments into direct care worker wages, continues to use the full federal funding available for vocational rehabilitation services to ensure disabled Ohioans can obtain and retain employment, centers people with developmental disabilities in taking leadership roles with their local boards of developmental disabilities, and focuses on expanding crisis services and supports for children and adults with mental health diagnoses.

"Governor DeWine’s final budget proposal continues the needed investments made in the previous state budget and prioritizes the disability service systems. We eagerly wait to see the entire legislative language to fully understand the various proposals and impacts on disabled Ohioans."

-Jordan Ballinger, DRO Policy Director

Throughout this budget cycle our team will be hosting a weekly virtual check-in for advocates, outlining developments and coming opportunities. You can learn more about our budget advocacy and view recorded versions of these updates at disabilityrightsohio.org/ohbudget

#AdvocacyMatters