DRC & DYS HB1 Legislative Alert-Potential budget cuts if the Senate Republicans fail to take action!

Greetings,

Governor Strickland recently proposed a budget framework to close the $3.2 billion hole in the FY10/FY11 budget.  His proposal called for $2.3 billion in cuts and $933 million in new revenue through the installation of Video Lottery Terminals (VLT's) in Ohio's seven race tracks.  The Senate is opposing legislative approval of VLT's, but has not offered a counter proposal to address Ohio's budget deficit.

The House Finance Committee has been holding hearings on the potential impact of budget cuts should the Senate fail to approve VLT's or find other methods of raising revenue.  In these hearings, Director Collins of the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) and Director Stickrath of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) have testified on the potential impact to these departments if an additional $933 million is cut from the General Revenue Fund (GRF) budget. See "What's At Stake" and take action by sending a letter to your state Senator.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your State Senator (if you live in Ohio)

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: HB1-Protect DRC & DYS Funding

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Budget cuts to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) and the Department of Youth Services (DYS) beyond Governor Strickland's budget framework must be avoided in order to maintain critical education services and prevent excessive facility closures. Both DRC and DYS indicate significant cuts will be necessary if another $933 million is cut from the budget.

Funding for DRC and DYS education services is a priority investment in Ohio's future that keeps communities safe by reducing recidivism and preparing inmates to return to society as productive, taxpaying citizens. The delivery of quality education services in DRC and DYS institutions should receive the same focus and protection as other public education services across Ohio.

I urge you to help end the current budget gridlock and pass a state budget with sufficient revenue to maintain critical education services in DRC and DYS facilities and keep facilities open. It is time to put students ahead of politics.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
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What's At Stake:

The POTENTIAL cuts are as follows:

Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections:

  • Additional department reductions of $311.6 million over FY10/FY11
  • Closure of as many as six prisons
  • Staff reduced by 2,850 employees
  • Elimination of Short Term Offender education services (10,000 students)
  • GED education programs to be cut by 33%
  • Reduction of the career enhancement program by 50 percent
  • Significant reductions to job skills and development training
  • Reductions in substance abuse and treatment services

Department of Youth Service:

  • Additional department reductions of $82 million over FY10/FY11
  • Immediate closure of a large facility in addition to a facility closure in FY11, resulting in a reduction in DYS facilities from 8 to 4 in 15 months


Campaign Expiration Date:
August 5, 2009