Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Senator Jon Husted has outlined his support for recent federal budget legislation, emphasizing its impact on Ohio workers and families. In an op-ed, Husted explained his decision-making process: “Where I land on policy always depends on how it affects people in Ohio. That’s what I wrote earlier this year, and that’s why I supported the bill that extended the 2017 tax cuts and made urgent investments in our national defense and border security.”

Husted highlighted several financial benefits for Ohioans stemming from the new law. He stated, “Our work results in more take-home pay. Specifically, the tax cuts we cemented for workers and job creators will leave the average household in Ohio with an estimated $7,000 or more in take-home pay.” The legislation also eliminates taxes on tips and overtime income while increasing the child tax credit to $2,200 per child—a change Husted said would benefit 1.3 million families across the state.

He further noted that over five million Ohio families use the standard deduction, which was made permanent and increased under this law for both couples and single filers. Seniors were also considered through expanded annual deductions.

According to Husted, “The average American family of four earning $80,000 would have owed an extra $1,700 in federal taxes, but the savings we delivered for an Ohio household is even bigger: $2,140 on average.”

On business issues, Husted pointed out efforts to sustain small businesses by protecting a 20% deduction widely used by these entities in Ohio. He credited past policy changes during his time as House Speaker and lieutenant governor with helping make Ohio one of America’s top five states for business.

The senator emphasized manufacturing's importance to both state and national economies: “Manufacturing is important: A made-in-America economy isn’t possible without massive contributions that are made in Ohio. To that end, I made sure this legislation gave job creators the freedom to immediately expense investments in new factories, in capital investments, in machinery and equipment, and in research and development.” He said these provisions particularly help manufacturing-heavy states like Ohio.

Workforce development was another focus area. Husted mentioned supporting Pell Grant expansions so recipients can earn workforce credentials leading to better jobs—an approach he says aligns with other bills he has cosponsored.

Healthcare funding also received attention within the package: “This package is sending more Medicaid dollars and more support for rural hospitals to Ohio than ever before.” The senator stressed protections for vulnerable populations covered by Medicaid—children living in poverty, those with disabilities or chronic illnesses—as well as program sustainability into the future.

Finally, Husted referenced deficit reduction projections from the Congressional Budget Office: “We’re also safeguarding the future by lowering the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office reviewed the law and found that it would decrease deficits by $366 billion.”

Summing up his position on the legislation’s passage through Congress: “Ohio’s interests drove my work on and support for this bill from start to finish, and the results are clear: More jobs, lower taxes, higher wages, and more Medicaid dollars for Ohio means more confidence and certainty for everyone who calls our state home.”