Abrams Applauds State Budget Investing in Public Safety

COLUMBUS – Public safety grants, tax relief, and investments to help Ohio keep and create jobs are among the highlights of the state budget plan approved by state lawmakers yesterday, announced State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison). 

“Under this budget plan, Ohio will proudly fund our brave first responders and implement policies the will promote job creation and workforce development in our state,” said Abrams. “I’m proud to support this balanced, responsible budget and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes.” 

Among the highlights in a robust education reform package is the Fair School Funding Plan, which is the result of more than three years of work by educators and policymakers. This historic collaboration has produced a comprehensive funding formula that is rational, predictable and sustainable.

The bill also includes a 3 percent across the board personal income tax cut. The tax reform plan reduces the number of tax brackets from five to four, and eliminates the income tax for anyone making less than $25,000 per year. Overall, these and other tax changes in the budget reduce taxes $2 billion over the biennium. 

Abrams also applauded the following investments in public safety and law enforcement:

• $8.5 million or grants to non-profit groups, churches, chartered non-public schools, and licensed preschools to improve security
• $15 million for a one-year police training pilot program to assist law enforcement agencies with training costs 
• $26 million for Recovery Ohio Law Enforcement to support anti-narcotics efforts
• $24 million for school safety grants, educational service centers, local law enforcement agencies, and schools operated by county boards of developmental disabilities
• $10 million for law enforcement agencies to implement or enhance body-worn camera programs
• $1 million for the Ohio Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
• $13 million for grants to small fire departments for equipment and training, as well as grants to enhance local emergency communication networks
• $1 million for grants to conduct investigations on sexual assault kit testing results
• $4 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies for crime reduction initiatives

The budget now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.