Cleveland, OH

Ohio House Republicans, facing fury over attacking libraries, add a pittance to the budget

Published

11 months ago

April 10, 2025

Ohio House Republicans, facing fury over attacking libraries, add a pittance to the budget

After intense public backlash against proposed cuts to Ohio’s libraries, House Republicans have offered what Today in Ohio podcast host Chris Quinn describes as “a tiny bit more” funding—but the adjustment falls far short of restoring the century-old funding formula that has sustained libraries across the state.

In the latest episode of cleveland.com’s news podcast discussion, Laura Johnston explained that Republicans restored a bit of the money they cut from the budget for libraries, they “aren’t backing down on this plan to end the century-old system that gives libraries guaranteed money.”

At issue is the state’s longstanding commitment to allocate 1.75 percent of state tax revenue to public libraries—a formula that has provided stable, predictable funding for a hundred years. The House budget proposal would abolish that system and, for the next two years, provide amounts well below that percentage:: $490 million in fiscal year 2026 and $500 million in 2027.

Johnston pointed out the figures are significantly less than what Governor Mike DeWine’s budget proposed: $531 million and $549 million respectively. The difference amounts to tens of millions of dollars that Ohio libraries won’t receive.

“This feels like a little pittance saying, ‘oh, pat you on the head. We heard your concerns, we’re giving you more money, but it still means the legislature is in charge and those libraries would have to come every two years and beg for their supper,‘” Johnston said.

Quinn was even more blunt: “They gave a tiny bit more, but it is not anywhere near the increase that is part of the formula. We’ve had a formula for a century that says libraries get a percentage of the total spending… They cut that. Seriously cut that.”

The attempt to slightly increase the proposed funding seems designed to generate positive headlines while still fundamentally changing how libraries are funded. “They’re getting the headlines they want: They’re restoring library funding. No, they’re not,” Quinn said.

The change from a percentage-based system to a fixed dollar amount creates significant uncertainty for libraries. As Johnston pointed out, “We’ve seen the way that these Republicans just slash out budget ideas… there’s no guarantee that they would give this money every year and they could just as quickly slash that.”

DeWine himself seemed to offer a puzzling defense of the change, suggesting it was related to the end of pandemic funding and the need to return to pre-pandemic budgeting. Quinn called this justification “complete hokum coming from the governor,” noting that the library funding formula was in place for a century, not just during the pandemic.

The podcast hosts predicted the controversy would continue, with Quinn suggesting it could become “a campaign problem for Republicans in 2026 if they don’t resolve it in 2025.”

The budget bill now heads to the State Senate, where libraries and their supporters hope the century-old funding formula might be restored. For now, Ohio’s libraries face an uncertain future under a funding model that requires them to repeatedly justify their existence rather than receiving their traditional share of state revenue.

Listen to the full discussion here.

Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.

Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with impact editor Leila Atassi and content director Laura Johnston.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Liberation Center and nearly 100 other organizations rallied in Cleveland Sunday to protest the U.S. strikes on Iran, demonstrating significant grassroots opposition to the military action.

The recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have ignited passionate discussions across the nation, and Northeast Ohio is no exception.

While state political leaders express support for President Donald Trump’s actions, local activists are raising urgent questions about the impact on American communities.

Dallas Eckman, a public school teacher and volunteer coordinator with the Cleveland Liberation Center, is taking a clear stance against the recent attacks.

“We need to step up as Americans and say violence is not going to be the way we solve out world’s problems,” Eckman said.

The frustration runs deeper for Eckman, who sees a disconnect between military spending and domestic priorities.

“It’s absurd that for me as a public-school teacher I am struggling to get funding for chrome books and books. I can wake up one morning and see we have spent millions and millions of dollars to bomb another country,” he explained.

Eckman questions whether these military actions actually benefit working people in Cleveland.

“Which does nothing for the working people here in Cleveland. It does nothing to make my schools safer. It does nothing to improve the road right outside the liberation center,” Eckman said.

Eckman’s concerns are shared by many in the region.

Despite local opposition, several Ohio’s political leaders are backing the Trump administration’s decision.

Senator Bernie Moreno released a statement expressing his support, stating, “President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision.”

Secretary of State John Husted also voiced his approval.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community — instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies,” Husted said.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

17 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.