Ohio House Passes Operating Budget

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) voted to support the Ohio House state operating budget bill which passed during session Wednesday. The House-led budget commits substantial resources to economic and workforce development, family enrichment, and education for Ohioans of all ages. House Bill 33 is a fiscally responsible balanced budget that supports everyday Ohioans. 

This biennium budget includes tax relief for all Ohioans. The state income tax will be reduced to a flat 2.75% for those earning up to $92,000 a year. Individuals in higher tax brackets will see partial income tax reductions. Other noteworthy tax-related provisions include inflation adjustments to the homestead exemption, tax deductions to support the growth of businesses, increased tax credits for dependents, and sales tax exemptions for certain baby products.

“This balanced budget puts a focus on keeping money in the pockets of hardworking Ohioans. These reductions are the House’s first step towards eliminating the personal income tax,” Richardson said. “In this demanding economy we want to support those who are working to make ends meet. I am proud of the provisions in this budget that help our farmers, seniors, business owners, children, veterans, and law enforcement.”

Highlights of the budget include support for Ohio’s vulnerable seniors and those with developmental disabilities.  To ensure they are receiving the quality care they need, the budget provides greater reimbursements for individuals who provide direct services for seniors and those with developmental disabilities. Healthy Aging Grants and the PACE Program are two initiatives that will also assist seniors in remaining independent. 

To help out Ohio’s veteran community, $65 million will be allocated to the Veterans Homes Modernization Fund. This fund will provide financial assistance to veterans’ homes in need of healthier environments and major renovations. Four of Ohio’s statewide Veterans’ Organizations will receive additional funding in the budget to support increasing service demands. 

To protect Ohioans, the House budget package includes a plan for the implementation of the next generation statewide 9-1-1 system, significantly funds law enforcement training by $80 million, and adds $200 million for upgrades at county jails. 

As chairwoman of the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education, Richardson had a focus on education reforms and funding within the operating budget.

“As the leader of the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education I had a goal of finding meaningful and impactful education funding solutions that would set our children and state on a path for success,” Richardson said during the Ohio House of Representatives session on Wednesday. 

To meet that goal, Richardson focused her subcommittee on four key areas of education: fair school funding formula, school choice, career-technical education, and early childhood education. 

The fair school funding formula is updated in this budget to reflect 2022 data and move the state toward full-implementation of the historic fair school funding law. 

According to the budget, Ed Choice Vouchers increase to 450% of the Federal Poverty Line making an Ohio family of four with an annual household income of $135,000 or less eligible for the voucher. This increase will result in ~75% of all Ohio children ages 6-17 qualifying for the program and able to make a choice of schools.  

“There is more work to be done to ensure every child in Ohio is eligible for universal choice,” said Richardson. “However, this House budget takes a big step in the right direction.”  

The budget features a $300 million investment in career-technical schools for facilities and equipment and a phase-in of career awareness funds so students will be ready for the workforce.

The House budget also includes increases over the biennium to address concerns about early childhood education shortcomings. This investment will allow for more than 11,500 additional young children to enter early education programs. 

Throughout the three month budgeting process, Richardson worked to reduce unnecessary spending and only supported meaningful increases for her district and residents of Ohio. She also had several additions to the operating budget approved: 

• Creates the Month of the Military Child and sets the month as April each year.
• Dedicates substantial funding for the Ohio State University Multispecies Animal Learning Center.
• Removes the requirement for FAFSA completion as a graduation requirement and requires schools to teach FAFSA as part of financial literacy classes.
• Require a non-profit with fewer than four employees that is exempt for Unemployment Compensation Law to notify employees upon hiring that the organization is exempt.
• Requires the Ohio Department of Education to reduce funding within 180 days for noncompliance of gifted student funding. Also requires the ODE to perform audits and to list expenditures on their website.
• Preserves the legal authority of the Division of Wildlife and Wildlife Officers to protect game species and the safety of sportsmen and women. 

The budget bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.