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Health & Fitness

Anielski's Vote Punishes Local Communities

State Representative Marlene Anielski's vote last week in the House Finance and Appropriations Committee to authorize another cut to local government funds (this time by an additional 10%) was fortunately scrapped by the Ohio House leadership.

The amendment, one of dozens her committee passed as part of the mid-biennium budget review, was designed as a political payback, punishing counties who challenged a new state law (supported by Anielski) prohibiting the mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications to registered voters. And to be clear, we’re not talking about the ballot, but rather the blank application for one.

These sorts of games are exactly why so many Ohioans are fed up with our state government. After three years of cutting budgets to the bone, the last thing our mayors need are more holes in their finances while they try to fill the holes in their roads.

As someone who has held many political jobs, Marlene Anielski should know how devastating these types of cuts can be to our neighborhoods. Our mayors and community leaders must be wondering how they ever made it to the top of her retribution list. Punishing Cuyahoga County communities yet again, after two unreasonable budgets, isn't helping anyone in this district or region. If Anielski is serious about helping Northeast Ohio, she should consider standing up for her constituents instead of leaning on them.

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