budget
Let’s make Ohio work for working-class families
Every family in Ohio should be able to put food on the table and have a roof over their heads. But today, too many children go to bed hungry and too many working people are underpaid. Over the last two decades, corporate-backed politicians have prioritized tax giveaways to the wealthiest Ohioans over the economic security […]
What changes do Ohio budget drafters have in mind for sports betting?
Sports betting went live in Ohio just five months ago. But lawmakers are already wrangling over small tweaks and big changes for the industry in the state budget. Ohio established its sports gaming system in late 2021, but it didn’t go live until Jan. 1 this year. One of the chief questions lawmakers had to […]
Child care advocates, chamber of commerce urge reconsideration of budget
Policy and business advocates alike are hoping the Ohio legislature will reconsider changes to the state budget with regard to the child care workforce and scholarships. The House revised the budget bill last week, eliminating $150 million in American Rescue Plan funds that were a part of the governor’s executive budget proposal to establish a […]
DeWine signs budget, blocks erasure of COVID-19 health violations
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the $74 billion, two-year state budget into law, keeping in place nearly all of its signature policy positions and spending priorities while once again nixing an effort by Republican lawmakers to counter his administration’s methods of handling the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The governor also vetoed an attempt by Republican lawmakers to […]
SNAP “asset tests” removed from state budget
State lawmakers removed two provisions from the state budget that would have made food stamps more difficult to access for poor Ohioans. Senate Republicans earlier this month proposed two changes to how the state administers benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. One would impose an “asset test” on recipients, which eliminates their benefits if […]
State budget blocks cities from taxing grocery bags
A budget proposal passed by both chambers of the legislature on Monday would prohibit cities from applying taxes to single-use, plastic grocery bags. The budget, passed Monday night by both the House and Senate, makes permanent a temporary ban on cities from applying the taxes, which are designed to cut down on the 14.5 million […]
Senate budget calls for “asset tests” for poor Ohioans seeking food stamps
The Ohio Senate added to its budget proposal a provision requiring the state to cut off food stamp assistance for poor Ohioans if their households save up $2,250 or more. It also imposes a requirement known as “change reporting.” This forces Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program clients to report every fluctuation in income — things like […]
Relief funding will make big difference in Ohio cities, leaders say
Every incorporated community in Ohio, from Aberdeen to Zoar, is set to receive at least some relief funding through the American Rescue Plan. The largest chunks are headed to metropolitan areas, whose leaders say the relief will play a major role in helping big cities navigate the pandemic recovery while dealing with other crises such […]
Ohio Transportation Budget: What to know and how it impacts you
Ohio lawmakers recently approved a two-year transportation budget ahead of schedule and without much drama, sending the $8.3 billion package to Gov. Mike DeWine for a signature. Legislators agreed to allocate billions of dollars toward maintaining and improving Ohio’s transportation infrastructure, including highways, roads and bridges. Despite the governor having proposed major cuts to public […]
Education budget debate begins as Jan. budget shows declines in higher ed, K-12
Subcommittees on K-12 and higher education are beginning their discussions on the new operating budget this week, and they have plenty of budgetary information to look at, including declines shown in the January budget report. The Ohio House Finance subcommittee on higher education will take their first look at the pieces of the state operating […]
Mailbag: What’s up with the proposed $50 million ad campaign for Ohio?
Welcome back to another installment of the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag, the only column that is single-handedly driving coastal millennials to relocate to the Buckeye State. Let’s get to it: Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. I’m curious what the $50 million ad campaign […]
Advocates, legislators want more from governor’s education budget
With no changes planned for the state education funding formula included in Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed budget, education advocates and some state legislators are left wanting more. “The devil is always in the details,” said Scott DiMauro, head of the Ohio Education Association, in a statement after the release of the budget. “Education spending must […]