Proposed State Budget Supported By Strongsville Politician

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio General Assembly passed the state's two-year operating budget this week. State Rep. Tom Patton, from Strongsville, threw his support behind the bill.

“This budget addresses many issues along with being quite comprehensive and structurally balanced,” Patton said. “Its focus is on our schools and students, businesses and workforce, supporting our public safety, and many other areas that puts Ohioans first.”

Patton touted several features of the budget, including the Fair School Funding Plan, which would alter the way public schools are funded in Ohio. The plan offers a more predictable, sustainable and transparent funding system, Patton said.

The bill also include a 3-percent personal income tax cut. The tax reform plan would also reduce the number of tax brackets from five to four, eliminates income tax for anyone make less than $25,000 annually and will reduce taxes $2 billion over the biennium, Patton said.

Additional provisions provide workforce development programs and training, support for veterans organizations, funding and training for police and firefighters, and creates the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant program and the Ohio Broadband Expansion Program Authority.

The budget did not receive universal support, however. Ohio Democrats have called on Gov. Mike DeWine to veto several measures, including:

• Proposed tax cuts benefiting Ohio's wealthiest residents;
• The expansion of EdChoice vouchers;
• Language allowing the Ohio House Speaker and Senate President to interview in redistricting lawsuits;
• Provisions allowing health care providers to refuse treatment to LGBTQ Ohioans and minorities;
• Facilitate oil and gas drilling in state parks;
• Impose a deadline to disenroll 3 million Ohioans from Medicaid rolls;
• Attacks on surgical abortion facilities.