COLUMBUS – A $75 billion two-year state budget is on its way to the desk of Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature after lawmakers worked late into the night at the Statehouse Monday.
The budget for the 2022-23 fiscal years includes a restored bipartisan plan to overhaul how schools are funded in Ohio and a 3% income tax cut.
The Republican-controlled House had included the so-called Fair School Funding Plan in its budget plan but the Senate rejected it. The new budget restores the House version but keeps a Senate plan to directly fund charter schools.
“We are extremely pleased that the Fair School Funding Plan will be our school funding system during this biennium and appreciate the House negotiators for providing a convincing argument that our kids are worth the investment,” Ohio Education Association president Scott DiMauro said.
“This budget has always been about investing in the Ohio citizen. Quality education, economic opportunities, preserving our natural resources and job growth remain our top priorities, and these things are reflected throughout this budget,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) said.
A joint House-Senate conference committee also restored funding for broadband access, putting the amount at $250 million over two years. The committee voted on the changes Monday ahead of consideration by the full House and Senate
Even Democrats who voted for the budget admitted it was not without its flaws and they indicated they Would send DeWine a list of requested budget line-item vetoes to address a number of their concerns.
“While we didn’t get everything we wanted, Democrats were able to make this budget better, delivering on long-held priorities to reform our broken public school funding formula and expand broadband access to unserved households,” House Finance Committee Ranking Member Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) said.
“[The budget] includes a regressive tax cut and allows Republican legislative leaders to use taxpayer dollars in redistricting lawsuits. However, this budget still represents a substantial investment in the people of Ohio and will be of great benefit to our state” Sen. Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) said.
The spending plan extends Medicaid coverage for women for a year after they give birth and maintains the requirement that a licensed child care center stays in Step Up to Quality to be eligible for public dollars.
“Today, the Ohio Senate passed a budget that prioritizes the working men and women of Ohio, as well as our state’s at risk children and new mothers. Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard
Another provision in the bill makes Juneteenth a paid state holiday.