Ohio Senate budget closes $1B gap, adds $6M for opiate crisis

COLUMBUS (AP) — Senate Republicans in Ohio said today they’ve been able to close a projected $1 billion state budget gap while preserving essential services and pumping more money into fighting the opiate crisis.

Senate President Larry Obhof and Finance Chairman Scott Oelslager said most savings were achieved through administrative streamlining and eliminating earmarks.

Of 610 school districts, 535 will see their funding retained or increased under the Senate’s plan. Senators deliver cuts of less than 1 percent to most of the remaining districts, many of which are shrinking.

The proposal spends $176 million on fighting the epidemic of addiction and death caused by heroin and prescription painkillers. That’s $6 million more than the House plan, with some spending re-prioritized.

Among other changes:

— Reduces Medicaid by $200 million while preserving coverages for populations considered most vulnerable.

— Restores money to food banks, breast and cervical cancer screening programs, initiatives involving clean water and food safety

— Adds $154 million in state aid for K-12 education next year, then $117 million the year after;

— Maintains increase in funding for early-childhood programs and expanded eligibility for low-income families that could extend access to some 3-year-olds.