John, General Assembly Approve State Budget Bill

State Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County) and the General Assembly passed House Bill 110, known as the two-year state operating budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023. The legislation highlights include a new school funding reform plan, tax relief, jobs and economic support, and several other initiatives.

“It’s crucial we provide targeted investments in essential public services to support Ohio jobs, businesses, and our economy,” said John. “This is a thoughtful, balanced budget that will help get Ohio back on track.”

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 three 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. 

Additionally, the budget bill includes targeted investments to support Ohio jobs, businesses and the economy. This portion of the bill focuses on expanding procurement law to give preference to American and Ohio products. The legislation also focuses on workforce development through a committee to study workforce training and several programs to support employment opportunities.

House Bill 110 also includes a series of provisions in support of law enforcement, firefighters and public safety. Some of the initiatives include security grants, school safety grants, body cameras, law enforcement training investment, firefighter grants, and funding for the Ohio Cyber Reserve.

The budget makes an historic commitment to expanding broadband in Ohio by committing $250 million to support grants under the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program and the Ohio Broadband Expansion Program Authority. The plan, which previously passed the House in House Bill 2, targets the problem of last mile connectivity to households where it remains cost-prohibitive for private providers to otherwise extend their service.

Another pertinent issue John fought for was to significantly change provisions within the budget that originally would have forced consolidation or shutdown of local health departments, including Shelby City Health Department within the 2nd House District. John worked diligently behind the scenes and with other members to ensure these provisions were diminished within the final budget bill.

The budget plan, House Bill 110, now heads to Governor DeWine for further action.