Rep. Romanchuk Votes To Send State Operating Budget To Governor

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 provides vital services, allows Ohioans to keep more of their money

June 28, 2013

 

[ Mark J. Romanchuk Home | Mark J. Romanchuk Press ]

 

 

State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today applauded the Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of Amended Substitute House Bill 59, the state operating budget designed to improve Ohio’s business climate, invest in schools, help Ohioans access the care and services they need, give Ohioans greater ability to obtain higher education, and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Ohioans.

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 makes comprehensive reforms to Ohio’s state government structure in an effort to create a more attractive and jobs-friendly environment for Ohioans. The budget builds upon Governor Kasich’s strategic vision that he proposed to the legislature in February.

“This budget plan makes the important changes that Richland County needs to get back on track and create a business-friendly environment for job creation,” Rep. Romanchuk said. “It includes increased funding to support career-technical education that will align how we train workers with the jobs employers are looking to fill.  It will also increase funding for all the school districts in Richland County, which I’m glad to see.”

The budget enacts reforms and efficiency measures in numerous components of state government, particularly in the following key areas:

Reducing the Ohioans’ Tax Burden Through Common-sense Reforms

Working with Governor Kasich and the Ohio Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives crafted a series of meaningful tax reforms to allow Ohioans to keep more of their hard-earned money and to make Ohio more conducive to business growth. To accomplish these goals, Am. Sub. H.B. 59:

• Provides nearly $2.7 billion in tax relief to small businesses and taxpayers by instituting a 50 percent small business tax cut for Ohio businesses and a 10 percent personal income tax reduction over the next three years.


• Moves Ohio away from the income tax—which punishes success—and toward consumption-based taxes by adjusting the base sales tax rate from 5.5 percent to 5.75 percent.


• Helps seniors remain in their homes by authorizing the Homestead Tax Exemption for low-income seniors as well as those who currently receive the exemption.

Strengthening Services that Ohioans Rely On

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 prioritizes community services and resources to help Ohioans with the unique circumstances they face. Members of the Ohio House believe in helping those who need assistance the most and giving families additional options for overcoming their personal challenges. Among other provisions, Am. Sub. H.B. 59:

• Allocates $33 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to assist the unemployed in getting back to work.


• Increases funding to local governments for addiction services by $20 million annually and for mental health by $30 million annually.


• Increases funding for the PASSPORT program, allowing more senior citizens to receive vital care within the comfort of their homes.

Providing Vital Resources and More Accessibility for  Education

Education has continued to be a priority for the Ohio House, and the biennial budget includes numerous provisions to provide a competitive education for Ohio’s students. Am. Sub. H.B. 59 provides per pupil funding for economically disadvantaged aid particularly to rural and lower wealth school districts and ensures that all of Ohio’s more than 600 school districts receive at least the same amount of state aid that they received in fiscal year 2013. Furthermore, more than 70 percent of school districts will receive an increase in state aid. Am. Sub. H.B. 59 also:

• Increases funding for special education, disadvantaged aide, and school transportation


• Provides additional funding for school districts for every child in grades K-3 to implement the Third Grade Reading Guarantee through the “K-3 Literacy” program.


• Increases funding for career-technical education by more than $200,000 over the biennium


• Creates the “Straight A Fund” to provide schools with grants to implement their best reform ideas

• Caps tuition increases at 2 percent annually for all state schools


• Permits schools to participate in a “cohort plan,” which allows universities to institute a stable, four-year cost of education, capped at a one-time increase of the tuition cap plus the five-year CPI average.

Am. Sub. H.B. 59 will now be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.