Click, General Assembly Approve State Budget Bill

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and the General Assembly passed House Bill 110, known as the two-year state operating budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023. The legislation highlights include a new school funding reform plan, tax relief, jobs and economic support and several other initiatives.

“This budget renews our commitment to the Ohio taxpayer by making thoughtful investments in public services that support our education system and public safety,” said Click. “I’m proud to vote yes a new state budget that invests in our children and teachers, cuts taxes, implements pro-business policies, and supports public safety.”

House Bill 110 creates the Fair School Funding plan, a fair plan to all of Ohio’s public schools. The Fair School Funding Plan is the result of more than three years of work by educators and policymakers with a formula that is predictable, sustainable and transparent.

The bill includes a three percent across the board personal income tax cut. The tax reform plan reduces the number of tax brackets from five to four, and eliminates the income tax for anyone making less than $25,000 per year. Overall, these and other tax changes in the budget reduce taxes $2 billion over the biennium. 

The budget also makes an historic commitment to expanding broadband in Ohio by committing $250 million to support grants under the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program and the Ohio Broadband Expansion Program Authority. The plan, which previously passed the House in House Bill 2, targets the problem of last mile connectivity to households where it remains cost-prohibitive for private providers to otherwise extend their service.

Additionally, the bill supports jobs and Ohio’s economy through targeted investments to support job retention and creation, workforce training and economic development efforts. 

The legislation further supports businesses by vacating violations of orders by businesses for COVID-19. It also requires the Liquor Control Commission to reinstate a liquor permit holder's permit if the holder's permit has been revoked as a result of a violation of certain rules governing COVID-19 and the holder paid a fine of $2,500. 

The bill supports law enforcement, firefighters and public safety by funding a series of initiatives to support those who protect and serve Ohioans every day. Some of these initiatives include the following:

•  $26 million for Recovery Ohio Law Enforcement to support anti-narcotics efforts
• $24 million for safety grants for schools
• $15 million for a one-year police training pilot program to assist law enforcement agencies with training costs
• $13 million for grants to small fire departments for equipment and training
• $10 million for grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to implement or enhance body-worn camera programs

A priority of Click’s the legislation restores compensation for lost funds to The Rutherford B. Hayes Library and Museum with a 12 percent increase in funding.

The budget plan, under House Bill 110, now heads to the governor for further action.