Buckeye Reporter

On June 6, the Ohio Senate introduced its version of the budget bill, which includes reforms for education and tax policy. Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said the bill expands school choice opportunities so parents can determine the best option for their children.

“Challenging the status quo is difficult,” said Huffman, according to a press release. “Now is the time to make the bold changes necessary to focus on the results our taxpayers should demand, the results our parents should expect for their children’s education and the results our state desperately needs to revitalize crumbling neighborhoods in our city centers.”

The Senate's plan for school funding utilizes the same methodology used in 2022 to determine base costs, according to the press release. The plan would increase funding for students in public schools to $9.3 billion in FY24 and almost $9.6 billion in FY25.

“Overall, the Senate plan provides more state aid to public schools than any other time in state history,” said Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), according to the press release. “We increase the minimum state share from 5% to 10% to ensure that all districts are getting adequate state support.”

The plan would also make an Ed Choice Scholarship available to every student in the state, using a sliding scale of income eligibility, according to the release. “Parents know what is best for their children,” said President Huffman. “Every parent wants the best for their son or daughter, and where they go to school can make all the difference.”

Corey DeAngelis, executive director of the Educational Freedom Institute, highlighted the school choice portion of the bill in a June 6 tweet, saying, "Ohio Senate's budget includes UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE."

The bill also includes tax reforms that would lower the number of income tax brackets from 4 to 2, as well as incentives to encourage home ownership, according to the press release.