Buckeye Reporter

Rea S. Hederman Jr., who holds dual roles as executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, has expressed his views following the passage of House Bill 96 by the Ohio House. This bill, which is Ohio's biennial budget, is now awaiting consideration by the Ohio Senate.

Commenting on the House-approved budget, Hederman Jr. stated, "The budget passed by the Ohio House includes several good policies that prioritize the needs of Ohio’s K-12 students, improve Ohio’s higher education system, and put reasonable guardrails on the state’s ever-growing Medicaid program."

Hederman Jr. also cautioned lawmakers about the assumptions made in the budget. He noted, "However, this budget assumes a rosy financial picture that is not certain. In light of recent economic challenges, lawmakers would be wise to do more to constrain spending to protect Ohioans from future tax increases."

House Bill 96, as outlined by The Buckeye Institute, aims at addressing key state educational needs while proposing measures for Medicaid program oversight. It remains to be seen how the Ohio Senate will approach the bill in their deliberations.