Abrams Highlights Key Budget Items

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) today announced the Ohio House has approved House Bill 110, the state’s two-year operating budget that invests in essential public services in Ohio while providing tax relief. 

“I’m proud we are able to deliver on our commitment to Ohioans through this budget,” said Abrams. “We are making substantial investments in key priorities, such as education and public safety, while putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Ohioans.”

The budget includes a two percent across the board personal income tax cut, which will reduce taxes and withholding amounts by approximately $380 million over the biennium. 

H.B. 110 also creates the Fair School Funding Plan, a historic initiative that is the result of collaboration among educators and policymakers for the past three years. The plan begins a six-year phase-in, starting with the 2021-2022 school year and is designed to ensure a hold harmless period during the transition to the new formula, which is sustainable, predictable and fair to all Ohio’s public schools. 

As a former Cincinnati police officer, Abrams also applauded the following investments in public safety and law enforcement:

• $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
• $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
• $10 million for grants to small fire departments for equipment and training, as well as grants to enhance local emergency communication networks 

The budget now heads to the Senate for consideration.