President Steele,
A quick report on early efforts to achieve a successful state budget outcome.
Through use of our chief lobbyist Mike Toman , numerous meetings with both administration and state legislators has been occurring.
Using yesterday as an example, Mr. Toman set up meetings with Reps. Butler, Roemer, Romachuk, and West.
We were joined by Director Davis in our meeting with Rep. West.
With Speaker Householder receiving votes from the Democratic minority in the House for his Speaker selection, Rep. West(a leading Democrat) and other Democrats will be important for many of our issues.
Remembering that for the most part,  OPRA is in agreement with Director Davis’s proposed 2 year budget request and his funding of certain initiatives that assist private providers such as wage increases, correcting OSOC lagging reimbursement funding to minimum wage growth and running the ICFIID formula. We are also appreciative of Director Davis assisting in securing county board’s funding assistance for wage increase in second year of state budget. Most of the changes in NMT but still have some wrinkles to be worked out.
OPRA will strongly advocate for wage increase in all direct support positions including Day Services.
Today many OPRA members are in the audience to support both Director Davis and ODM Director Corcoran budget proposals to the Ohio House Finance Committee.
We have numerous legislators hoping to increase funding for direct support wages. We want to point out not just Rep. West but also Reps. Lipps and Romachuk.
If you are in any of their voting districts, please give them a shout out and support.
We now are in the season of influencing as much as possible, the keeping of all aspects of the DODD budget proposals and advocating for additional increases for our workforce. We will also be assisting in the OOD budget requests.
OPRA was also front and center in an important meeting with Director Corcoran on EVV implementation. We received clarification on the process and how ODM will attempt to reduce utilization risk as much as possible as we become system’s compliant with federal requirements.
I’m proud of the OPRA staff, OPRA members, our various lobbying partners( including Mike Toman/Nick Blazer)and Associations partner to make this the best state budget ever for our customers, individuals with disabilities, and our highly valued but underpaid direct support staff.
Thank you
Than

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Than Johnson
Chief Executive Officer, CRSI
Phone: 937-653-1307
Fax: 937-653-1321
Mobile: 937-776-5515
www.crsi-oh.com