Buckeye Reporter

The Buckeye Institute presented its views on Ohio's biennial budget during a testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at the institute, highlighted concerns over increased spending in Medicaid and education, which he believes could threaten the state's long-term fiscal health and hinder pro-growth tax policies.

Lawson commended the Ohio House for implementing measures to manage Medicaid costs and urged the Senate to enforce Ohio’s Medicaid work requirement waiver while monitoring federal actions that may affect hospital franchise fees. He also suggested examining the new dispensing fee for pharmacies to prevent price hikes for consumers.

Regarding education, Lawson advocated for expanding access to Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid for scholarship recipients and enhancing transportation programs for charter and private school students. He cautioned against incentivizing districts to spend surpluses rather than providing local tax relief and recommended measures to ensure fiscal prudence.

In higher education, Lawson supported outcome-based funding metrics but criticized broad restrictions on online program managers, urging amendments for reasonable treatment of such partnerships.

On taxes, Lawson praised the retention of pro-growth policies from 2023 and advised using revenue triggers if further income tax reductions are considered. Additionally, he supported reforms in local government operations to address inefficiencies.

The Buckeye Institute emphasized the need for a budget that prioritizes spending effectively without relying on accounting maneuvers that contribute to excessive expenditures.