COLUMBUS, Ohio — State lawmakers have approved an operating budget for the next two years.

But a temporary budget is in place until the governor can look over the permanent one before signing it.

What You Need To Know

  • A temporary budget is in place until the governor can look over the permanent one before signing it

  • State House and Senate lawmakers agreed to nearly a $191 billion budget

  • Ohioans can expect major income tax cuts for the bottom tax bracket all the way up to $100,000 dollars

  • The two-year budget passed along party lines in the Senate and received bipartisan support in the House

State House and Senate lawmakers agreed to nearly a $191 billion budget. The budget includes universal vouchers for K-12 students, tax cuts for individuals and businesses, and 1.5 billion for public schools.

Senate Bill 1 has been included in the final budget. It would give the governor more power over K through 12 education. Plus, a plan establishing learning centers at various universities in Ohio for expanding what the Senate calls “intellectual diversity” is a part of the proposal. 

Meanwhile, Ohioans can expect major income tax cuts for the bottom tax bracket all the way up to $100,000 dollars.The budget also expands commercial activity tax cuts, dollars to snap benefits, and housing. 

“I think what we’re what we’re striving to do is take the hard earned money of Ohioans and apply it to them to the priority needs that we have,” said Sen. Matt Huffman, (R-Lima) Senate President. “Making sure that our children are educated. Making sure that the community is protected. That the cities and townships and villages have the assets they need for the services that they provide and making sure that those who aren’t able to take care of themselves through medical programs, through the whether it’s the aged, the disabled, all of those different programs, this is the most money we’ve ever spent in the history of the state of Ohio on all of those programs.”

The budget removes a senate bill that bans alleged liberal bias in public universities.

Leaders of the House and Senate are confident the budget is what’s best for Ohio.

“I respect everybody’s opinion when it comes to a budget,” said State Rep. Jason Stephens, (R) Speaker of the House. “It’s a huge document... It touches every aspect of Ohio from every level of government for the next two years.” 

The two-year budget passed along party lines in the Senate and received bipartisan support in the House. A three-day extension has been filed to give the governor time to look at the bill. Gov. Mike DeWine has until July 3, 2023 to review the budget and use his line-item veto power to remove parts of the budget before signing it.