Columbus, OH – Yesterday, the Ohio House released their version of the state budget, Substitute House Bill 96. Americans for Prosperity-Ohio (AFP-OH) applauds the educational opportunity and economic freedom components of the proposal, noting that overall, the House version of the budget is a better product than the initial proposal from the executive branch.

AFP-OH notes that while Sub H.B. 96 increases spending by approx. $10 billion over the biennium, down from $14.6 billion in growth requested by the executive, for the first time in recent history, the House is proposing a Sub Budget Bill that would reduce the spending requested by the executive. This is monumental, as it positions this budget to be a fiscally restrained and responsible product overall.

AFP-OH State Director Donovan O’Neil released the following statement:

“We are pleased with the progress we see in the Sub House Bill 96 budget proposal. As we’ve addressed in our Buckeye Blueprint policy agenda, educational opportunity is one of our top priorities, and this proposal creates ESAs (education savings accounts) for non-charter non-public schools, increases the home school tax credit, and continues to fund EdChoice vouchers. These funding propositions support solutions that put students and parents first to ensure that every child in Ohio has access to the quality education they deserve.

“Additionally, we are thrilled to see property tax reform for school districts with a high cash fund balance and elimination of the proposed tax increases on cannabis, gambling, and tobacco.

“While we find concern with the increased spending in the budget, we are encouraged that, for the first time in recent history, the House is proposing a sub budget bill that would reduce the spending requested by the executive. The $4.5 billion reduction from the House proposal is an early sign of culture change in Columbus by leadership in the Ohio House. While Ohio still retains a higher cost-per-capita in state spending compared to economically prosperous states, we see this as a sign of a positive shift in how Columbus appropriates money.

“We are encouraged by the progress we see in this proposal, and we believe the state budget is the best place to move Ohio to a flat tax and set the trajectory for a 0% income tax in the future. Income tax elimination is key for a successful Ohio, we urge the Ohio House to lead the way.”