Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Senator Jon Husted has issued a statement supporting a new budget bill, highlighting its impact on tax relief, job growth, and national security. According to Husted, the legislation will allow Ohioans to retain more of their earnings, improve access to employment opportunities, and strengthen local communities through enhanced border security.

“Today is good news for Ohioans who want to keep more of the money they earn, have access to good jobs, run successful small businesses, live in communities that are protected by a secure border and see America reassert itself as the most confident nation with the strongest military in the world. This bill will make America safer, stronger and more prosperous," Husted said.

He noted that without this bill’s passage, “the average Ohio household would see their taxes increase by $2,140. Families who would have seen their child tax credit sliced by $1,000 will instead see it rise to $2,200.”

Husted warned of broader consequences if the legislation had failed: “If Democrats had killed this bill, America’s military would be unable to modernize in response to urgent threats from adversaries like Iran, China and Russia. Law enforcement would lack critical resources to take dangerous illegal criminals out of Ohio communities and off U.S. soil.”

The senator also pointed out provisions aimed at economic growth and fiscal responsibility: “By prioritizing working Americans, fueling jobs and economic growth, preserving benefits for those in need and making historic spending cuts, this bill gets us on a path toward a more successful, sustainable future.”

The budget includes measures designed to improve community safety by providing funding for identifying individuals illegally present in the United States who have committed crimes so they can be removed from communities.

Other components target program integrity within Medicaid. The bill seeks to prevent deceased individuals from being enrolled in Medicaid and aims to reduce cases where people receive benefits across multiple states. It also introduces work or volunteer requirements—20 hours per week—for able-bodied adults without young children receiving Medicaid.

Citing an editorial board opinion from The Wall Street Journal included in his statement—“Republicans are doing the country a fiscal and cultural favor by shoring up the program for the poor and disabled”—Husted underscored Republican support for these reforms.

He claimed that Democratic opposition could have resulted in significant negative impacts: jeopardizing 208,000 jobs in Ohio; halving standard deductions for 5.3 million families; affecting death tax relief for over 76,000 family farms; and risking future job creation projections of up to 2.4 million annually after ten years.

Further details about enhancements related to national defense and energy policy were referenced but not specified in his statement.