EC Ohio News

State Representative Ron Ferguson, a Republican from Wintersville, has voted against the recently passed state budget. He expressed concerns over several key aspects of the budget.

"There are strong, pro-family policies in this budget that I fully support—programs that reflect values I fight for every day," Ferguson stated. However, he opposed what he described as wasteful spending and a lack of adequate tax relief for families.

A significant point of contention was the allocation of $600 million in public funding for the Cleveland Browns. Ferguson voiced his opposition to this provision, reflecting his constituents' sentiments. "Government should not spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on sports stadiums," he said.

Ferguson also criticized the proposed tax relief measures within the budget, which he believes favor wealthier individuals. "This tax change doesn’t provide real relief to working-class families—it lowers the tax liability for those making over $100,000 per year while doing little for everyone else," he commented.

Additionally, Ferguson raised concerns about how education funding is addressed in the budget and its impact on his district. "Our children’s education is the bedrock of a strong Ohio, and with property taxes at astronomical levels, we shouldn’t be putting the burden on our residents to fund our local school districts," Ferguson remarked.

The budget now awaits the Governor's signature to become law.