Economic Freedom 

Over the past 20+ years Ohio has removed tax brackets and lowered rates. Top 10 states, on the other hand, aren’t incremental, and we shouldn’t be either.

Despite major tax and education reform in the previous general assembly, The Buckeye State dropped six spots in the 17th edition of Rich States, Poor States. Ohioans need lawmakers in Columbus to go bigger and bolder if we are going to move Ohio from middle in the Midwest to #1 in the Nation.

Our state has a spending problem that inhibits our ability to get us to a 0% income tax and/or achieve transformational tax reform. This spending is unsustainable and, unfortunately, taxpayers are burdened with the bill. Implementing better state budget and appropriations rules can protect the taxpayer from reckless government spending and pave the way for transformational tax policy. In order to ensure responsible tax reform, we need policymakers to focus on prioritizing spending on core functions and reining in future growth.

Structural balance is a rule-of-law approach to managing the natural wax and wane of budgetary resources over the business cycle around a trend. It promotes policy stability within a dynamic economy. This reduces the opportunity costs of balance rules by letting policymakers focus more on adding value than on reactive tinkering.

Energy & Innovation

Corruption and cronyism have clouded Ohio’s energy policy landscape for too long. The notorious House Bill 6 saga, Ohio’s largest ever corruption case, epitomizes that. Insiders got preferential treatment in the energy
policymaking space over the last decade, but we can transform the way we do energy policy in the Buckeye state. Top down and intentionally-opaque environmental and climate policies constrain and replace consumer choice with politically-preferred, and sometimes, unreliable energy sources.

State governments play a large role in structuring and influencing energy and energy commodities which results in scarcity, higher prices, and less reliable access to energy. We believe in a free-market approach to make energy affordable, abundant, and reliable.

 

SCHOOL CHOICE: FUND FAMILIES, MAXIMIZE FLEXIBILITY, & INCREASE SUPPLY

SCHOOL CHOICE IN EDUCATION
Ohio needs to fund families, maximize flexibility, and expand the supply for educational choice as demand continues to increase. Despite the universal availability of EdChoice Vouchers, barriers still stand in the way of true education freedom in the Buckeye state.

ELIMINATE MEANS TESTING
The demand for EdChoice vouchers has skyrocketed since the implementation of a universal voucher system. However the means testing aspect of the program is
standing in the way of ensuring every single family in Ohio has access to EdChoice dollars to seek the educational model that works best for their child. We believe striking the wealth testing element will further eliminate barriers to educational freedom for all Ohio families.

UNIVERSAL PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS
High housing costs prohibit many students from attending schools that are a better fit because parents may not be able to afford the high rent or mortgage rates that are associated with higher-ranked school districts. Enacting universal open enrollment for public schools keeps public money in schools, diversifies the student population and creates greater opportunities, and forces public schools to be competitive and succeed. Universal open enrollment is a bipartisan-supported initiative. Three states that passed a universal open enrollment policy in 2023 saw 85% in support from both sides of the aisle.