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Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze; Iowa town halls find 'empty chairs'; California groups bring generations together to work on society's biggest problems; and Pennsylvania works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks.

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Lawmakers from both parties face angry constituents. Some decide to skip town halls rather than address concerned voters and Kentucky considers mandatory Medicaid work requirements.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Ohio's domestic-violence advocates struggle amid DeWine's proposed budget

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025   

Gov. Mike DeWine's recently released biennial budget keeps funding for domestic violence services at $20 million, maintaining the same level as the previous budget cycle.

Lisa DeGeeter, senior director for policy and prevention for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said while it prevents cuts, it falls short of addressing the growing demands they have seen over the past three years for crisis services.

"If five people showed up at the door, there was space for four and one was turned away," DeGeeter pointed out. "Two years ago, that number became one in three. Last year, it was nearly one out of every two. It was about 45% were turned away."

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network requested double the current funding to keep up with rising demand. While the level funding avoids cuts, federal reductions could mean fewer available services. She stressed shelters and crisis programs are already struggling to meet the need.

Some Ohio cities are adopting new approaches to combat domestic violence. Cleveland, for example, has implemented a fatality review and lethality risk-assessment program aimed at preventing homicides.

"If the offender has access to a weapon, if they've made threats, histories of mental health issues, there are things that law enforcement officers can screen for," DeGeeter noted. "Targeting those kinds of things so that additional services can get out to folks who are at greater risk."

DeGeeter added advocates plan to ask for the level funding to remain as the state Legislature reviews the budget. They argued without sufficient resources, more survivors may be left without the support they need to escape dangerous situations.

Disclosure: The Ohio Domestic Violence Network contributes to our fund for reporting on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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