Ohio Policy Experts Speak Out Against Dangerous Cuts to Clean Energy Investment, Manufacturing Job Growth, Public Schools, Health Care
Union leaders, labor advocates, and climate champions from Ohio held a press conference today about what is at risk under the Republican budget bill expected to be voted on in the U.S. Senate in the next few days.
The bill threatens clean energy and manufacturing investments and tax credits revitalizing local economies around the state.
“Our clean energy future is on the line,” said Joe Flarida, Executive Director, Power a Clean Future Ohio. “The Inflation Reduction Act has created thousands of jobs and sparked the economic boost Ohio families need. Our representatives in Congress should be securing better energy solutions for our state, not attacking them for the sake of politics and profit.”
Clean energy and manufacturing tax credits support $27.5 billion in private investment in Ohio for over 100 new clean energy projects and manufacturing facilities. Eliminating these tax credits jeopardizes 91,000 jobs across the state and would hinder progress toward relieving an overtaxed electric grid, decarbonizing heavy industry, and reshoring the manufacturing supply chains we need to make things in America again.
“The Clean Vehicle Tax Credit is changing the game for automakers around the country,” said David Green, Region 2B Director, United Auto Workers. “That means more facilities for American made cars, more jobs for autoworkers to support their families, and less pollution on the roads. Ohio needs lawmakers who care about our communities, not more tax breaks for billionaires.”
“This budget bill is one big failure for our schools, families, and workers,” said Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers. “In addition to jeopardizing our economy, this Congress is trying to strip away lifesaving benefits and programs that millions of Americans depend on. That money isn’t going back into your pocket—it’s going to the ultra-wealthy while we all struggle.”
The bill kicks millions of people off Medicaid, only to balloon the national debt and increase interest rates. The budget package also includes an unprecedented school voucher handout that will siphon billions of public funds to private schools attended mostly by wealthy students.
Across the country, an estimated two million jobs are at risk, including nearly 300,000 direct manufacturing jobs, with losses concentrated in clean energy and electric vehicle industries.
“This isn’t just about upgrading our overused and aging electrical grid, it’s about creating good-paying jobs and forging real economic opportunity right here in Ohio and across the nation,” said Aaron Brown, IBEW 4th District Representative. “We have an opportunity to solve both. We need Congress to prioritize the opportunities critical to job creation and meeting infrastructure improvements and energy demand.”
“The GOP continues to prove they are only in politics for themselves and their billionaire buddies,” said Lee Geisse, BlueGreen Alliance Ohio Senior State Policy Manager. “We need leaders who will fight for their constituents’ jobs, for their families, and for their health. Call your senators and demand they save these critical programs and investments. Lives depend on them.”