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Senate Dems Pledge Fight For Health Care, Education

Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), minority caucus leader, with Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus) to discuss legislative priorities for 2017.
Andy Chow
Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), minority caucus leader, with Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus) to discuss legislative priorities for 2017.

A group of lawmakers say it wants to tap into the energy behind the recent demonstrations and marches against the new federal agenda. 

Democrats in the Ohio Senate say they want to be the voice of the women and progressives who have been demonstrating against President Donald Trump.

Senate Dems are pledging to push for legislation that protects health care and supports education.

Gov. John Kasich is warning lawmakers this year’s budget will be tight. But Minority Caucus Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman says Kasich has brought this problem on himself because of aggressive tax cuts.

“You have to invest first and if there’s money left over and you want to do a tax cut, do a tax cut but don’t shift everything around,” said Schiavoni.

The Senate Dems go into the budget with even smaller numbers than last time. They have nine votes in the 33-person chamber.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.