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Work is well underway by the Ohio General Assembly on the state operating budget, which is responsible for funding all state agencies and programs and a broad number of key priorities and initiatives that benefit the State of Ohio. Included within the introduced version of the state operating budget, which broadly reflects the policy priorities of the DeWine Administration, there are several key funding items important to the GAC related to economic and workforce development, innovation, K-12 and higher education, child care, and much more. The as-introduced version of the budget has led many advocates to be optimistic about the potential support key initiatives stand to receive after a better-than-expected two years in terms of Ohio’s tax revenues, but much work remains.
Following the Governor’s recommendation(s) and the introduction of House Bill 33 by Rep. Jay Edwards, the House Finance Committee is considering a number of amendments to the proposed appropriations and will soon introduce a substitute bill that will include edits and further emphasis on the House’s priorities. Once the House completes its work on the legislation, the Senate will have its turn to do the same and then a Conference Committee consisting of leaders from the House, Senate, and Administration will wrap things up and send a final bill to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Per Ohio’s Constitution, a final state operating budget must be completed by June 30th.
If you and your organization have specific areas of interest and/or concern within the state operating budget, the GAC can help you connect with relevant lawmakers and Finance Committee staff if you would like to communicate your position. Alternatively, we can separately help promote your cause within our own efforts if/when you alert us to what your priorities are, and they align with our broader Public Policy Agenda’s goals and objectives. As additional information comes out on the upcoming substitute bill, we will surely keep you in the loop.
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