Legislative Tracker

Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, released this statement following the final passage of the House supplemental operating budget Feb. 29. The legislation, House Bill 2127, passed on a 53-45 vote. The 10th District lawmaker, assistant ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, helped unveil an alternative House Republican supplemental operating budget proposal at a news conference on Feb. 17. To learn more about the House Republican proposal click here, and to watch the news conference click here.

“For those of us who saw an opportunity to reform state government in meaningful ways and finally bring sustainability to our budget, this is a disappointing day. The budget passed today will break promises to our schools, place expectations on local governments to raise taxes, and lead to yet another major shortfall next year. Every state lawmaker knows this budget kicks the can down the road, newspapers have reported on its ‘gimmicks’ and taxpayers across our state will ultimately have to pay for this irresponsible approach.

“Sometimes I feel like a broken record. Year after year, I warn about the ramifications of budget gimmicks and a failure to set priorities. And year after year, we see massive budget shortfalls. The majority party will have you believe it is all the economy, but it is really their inability to adjust to economic realities and embrace reforms. We have a group of people in power that will defend the status quo at all costs. Until that changes, we will get more of the same.”