For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Senate Bill 240 Will Harm Low-Income Ohioans
Advocates for Ohio’s Future responds to proponent testimony this morning
(Columbus) This morning, an out-of-state lobbyist, who lives in Virginia and works for a Florida-based conservative think tank and its 501(c)(4) arm, was the sole proponent of Senate Bill 240 (Senator Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster), a bill that would make it harder for families across Ohio to access food and medical assistance.
The provisions in SB240 are recycled from previous conversations in the General Assembly, including from House Bill 200 from the 133rd General Assembly, Senate Bill 17 and House Bill 651 from the 134th General Assembly, Senate Substitute House Bill 110 from the 134th General Assembly, Senate Substitute House Bill 33 in the 135th General Assembly, and the Public Assistance Benefits Accountability Task Force, to name just a few.
Time and time again, Ohio advocates have rejected these cookie-cutter ideas that are introduced in states across the nation because we know that these tired ideas are rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the challenges faced by low-income families and will simply not work for Ohio – and would cause harm if implemented.
"Health and human service providers, staff, and volunteers work hard everyday to serve our neighbors in need. The last thing struggling Ohioans need is out-of-state interest groups taking a sledgehammer to our public benefits systems," said Deacon Nick Bates, Director of the Hunger Network in Ohio and Co-Chair of Advocates for Ohio’s Future (AOF).
AOF stands in firm opposition to the creation of any additional barriers and bureaucratic red tape that would prevent Ohioans from seeking and receiving help in times of financial crisis. AOF, our members, and our partners stand ready to provide solutions to the very real challenges faced by low-income Ohioans on the verge of crisis, none of which are addressed in SB240.
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Advocates for Ohio’s Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of health and human services policy, advocacy and provider organizations seeking to protect Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens through a responsible state budget that adequately funds vital services.
Contact:
Sarah Hudacek, 567-207-5565
shudacek@communitysolutions.com