Cutrona Supports State Budget Bringing Back Over $6 Million for the 33rd District

June 26, 2025

State Senator Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) and his colleagues in the Ohio Senate approved the the state's new Biennial Operating Budget maintaining the Upper Chamber's commitment of fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

"This is a transformative and fiscally responsible operating budget," said Senator Cutrona. "The financial impact for projects and organizations across the 33rd District from funds included in this budget will provide necessary relief and support to the hardworking men and women of Ohio. This is a budget that The Valley and Eastern Ohio can be proud of."

Ensuring proper maintenance and support for regional civilian and military airports, Senator Cutrona secured $2 million in Fiscal Year 2026 for the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission. This funding will be used to assist in construction and repair projects at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, and the Camp James A. Garfield Military Training Center.

Providing increased support health programs, Senator Cutrona was able to secure a requirement for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to establish and administer the Ohio Student Eye Exam Program (OhioSEE Program). This provides $5 million each fiscal year for vision care services to be provided to kindergarten through third grade students who fail vision screenings and lack access to follow-up care. It also requires ODH to focus on improving the percentage of vision care referrals completed, increasing access to eye examinations, and provide necessary eyewear to eligible students.

Additionally, Senator Cutrona included within the budget, funding for a number of projects throughout The Valley and Eastern Ohio, including:

$500k for the expansion of U.S. Route 30 in Carroll, Stark, and Columbiana Counties.
$300,000 for the Transplant House of Cleveland to support organ transplant recipients and caregivers. Mahoning County residents overwhelmingly utilize Transplant House's services.
$185k appropriation to the Village of Poland
$625k for the Youngstown State University Excellence Training Center
$500k for stadium maintenance and improvement for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Restored $210k per fiscal year in funding directed to Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
$250k directed to Eastgate Regional Council of Governments in FY26 to support the study and construction of an oil and natural gas pipeline within Ashtabula, Columubiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.
$10,000 for the Salem Worlds War Memorial Building Association to support the development of a job training center.
$400,000 per fiscal year for Workforce Development Grants directed towards career technical centers which include the Mahoning Career and Technical Center.
Secured $2.5 million in funding over the biennium for for Junior Achievement, which includes Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio.

To support areas of higher education and their impact on their surrounding communities, Senator Cutrona restored $150k to support the Youngstown State University Initiative for Community and Regional Developments. Additionally, Senator Cutrona secured $200k to support the Kent State University Rising Scholars program. This program provides scholarships for children in Columbiana County to attend the KSU regional campus in the county.

Senator Cutrona restored funding for the Rural Transportation Grant Program through Ohio's Department of Education and Workforce that provides support for students across The Valley and Eastern Ohio. The grant program gives financial support for dropout prevention and recovery community schools to provide student transportation when the school meets the following requirements:

More than 75% of students attending the school are economically disadvantaged.
The school's territory is located in three counties and contains more than 12 school districts.

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