Statement from Legislative Leaders on Tax Reform Proposals

Today, Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) released the following statement on the tax proposals currently before the House Finance and Appropriations Committee in House Bill 59, the biennial operating budget:

“We applaud Governor Kasich for starting the discussion on broad, overall tax reform to make Ohio a more business-friendly state. We share common goals and principles with the Governor, some of which we intend to achieve in the short-term, while others will require a more deliberative approach.

It is the goal of the majority leadership in the House and the Senate to achieve a variety of primary goals throughout the budgetary and legislative processes, including:

• Protecting working families and job creators by lowering their income tax burden;
• Simplifying the state’s cumbersome tax code;
• Maintaining a commitment to continuing a longer-term process of major tax reform

As we continue this dialogue on how to achieve these goals, a wide range of approaches are on the table. Our process will seek outside expertise and opportunity for a variety of means for participation by affected parties who are committed to our objectives.

After extensive review of the budget in its entirety, it is our shared goal to propose a broad path forward to have meaningful discussions on the various impacts of the Governor’s tax proposals. The window for initial action in the House is rapidly narrowing. Therefore, we strongly encourage all affected parties, particularly job creators and those in the business community who would be most affected by these proposals, to share their views with members of the legislature quickly.

The majority caucuses in both houses will continue to work on these broad principles throughout the next several months so that we can continue to develop a stronger economic path towards prosperity for Ohio and our working families.”