Advocates say Ohio's children need more than what they鈥檙e getting from Gov. Mike DeWine鈥檚 first budget, but they鈥檙e praising what they see so far. The advocates are also cautioning lawmakers who may decide to cut the budget based on forecasts of economic growth.
Fifteen children鈥檚 advocacy organizations put together what they鈥檝e called a children鈥檚 budget agenda, building off the money in DeWine鈥檚 budget for children services, home visits, lead paint abatement and other children鈥檚 initiatives.
Tracy Najera with the Children鈥檚 Defense Fund of Ohio says lawmakers need to consider the future if they plan to make cuts to these programs.
鈥淲e all owe it to our children. Others took care of us, generations ago. And they set the groundwork. It鈥檚 our turn now to do the same,鈥� Najera said.
The Ohio Children鈥檚 Budget coalition also wants more money for anti-hunger programs, an increase in eligibility for public child care, paid family leave, changes to the earned income tax credit and outreach efforts to make sure the U.S. Census count next year is accurate.
