Oelslager, Ohio House Approve Bipartisan State Budget Bill

COLUMBUS – Recently, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the State Operating Budget, House Bill 33, for fiscal years 2024-25, announced State Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton). The budget bill includes school funding reform, tax relief for all Ohioans, investment into economic development projects, and several other initiatives.

House Bill 33 allocates more than $16 billion over the biennium to fund the Fair School Funding Plan, one of the House’s priority provisions. In addition, this budget increases the base salary for teachers, which will play a significant role in setting Ohio students up for success. 

Further educational items passed in the budget include: 

$258.4 million for early childhood education
$300 million over the biennium for Career-Technical Education
$8.4 million over the biennium to make reduced-price school meals free
 

The budget provides ample tax relief for all Ohioans by simplifying and flattening the state income tax into two brackets as follows:

2.75% for Ohioans making between $26,000 and $100,000.
3.5% for Ohioans making above $100,000.        
 

“I am pleased to see the budget cross the finish line with tax relief and funding that is truly beneficial, maybe even life-changing, for Ohioans,” said Oelslager.

Also secured is a $750 million investment over the biennium into the All Ohio Future Fund. This fund prepares locations throughout the state to be ready for large-scale development projects. These projects bring positive economic activity to our state by providing incentives to utility providers and creating jobs.

Additional appropriations highlighted by Oelslager are as follows:

$5 million in fiscal year 2024 for SPARK, a kindergarten-readiness program for preschool age children.
$500,000 over the biennium for the Stark Education Partnership. 
$3 million over the biennium for Junior Achievement, the Financial Literacy and Workforce Readiness Programming Initiative.
$70,000 in fiscal year 2024 for the Marlboro Volunteers.
 

The state operating budget is a two-year budget that funds the operation of state agencies and programs.