Ohio Union Leaders Criticize Rep. Carey for Supporting Budget Cuts

Public Service Advocates Raise Concerns Over Budget Cuts Impacting Ohio Families

In a recent gathering in Columbus, public service leaders expressed deep concerns about the potential impacts of a new budget bill on Ohio's communities. Lois Carson, a seasoned secretary with Columbus City Schools and current president of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4), spoke passionately about the challenges the bill poses. Representing over 30,000 public service workers, OAPSE is at the forefront of advocating for the state's working families.

Carson, who is also a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, highlighted how essential programs like Medicaid and federal food assistance are for Ohio's families. She voiced her disapproval of Rep. Mike Carey's support for the budget bill, warning it could significantly harm the 15^th Congressional District.

"Congressman Mike Carey has made a choice, and it's the wrong one," Carson stated. "He chose to side with billionaires and CEOs over the working people in Columbus, in Zanesville, in Lancaster, in Circleville, and across the 15^th District who are just trying to take care of their families."

AFSCME President Lee Saunders echoed Carson's sentiments, labeling the bill as a betrayal to working families nationwide.

The budget was expedited through Congress by the Fourth of July, yet critics argue it offers little relief for millions concerned about healthcare, food security, and retirement. Instead, it introduces sweeping cuts to vital services, jeopardizing the well-being of many to benefit the wealthiest Americans.

In Ohio alone, the ramifications are stark. Over 400,000 residents risk losing crucial healthcare, while 263,000 could lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, potential job losses from SNAP and Medicaid cuts threaten over 44,600 positions in the state.

Union leaders from diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and construction, joined the outcry, emphasizing the bill's adverse effects on families, children, and seniors. Carson painted a dire picture of the future, stating, "Congressman Mike Carey's vote means that students in my schools, who already face numerous barriers, will come to class hungry, sick, or without the stability they need to succeed. And the same is true for schools in small towns across Ohio." She added, "I've seen firsthand how poverty and lack of health care hold back our children. When families struggle, our schools, our communities, and our entire state suffer."