COLUMBUS — The Ohio House recently passed its version of the state’s fiscal operating budget. However, Senate Democrats are not completely happy with the House’s version of House Bill 33. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio Senate Democratic lawmakers voiced their opinion on the House's version of the operating budget for FY 2024-2025 

  • HB 33 is continuing to be discussed in various committee hearings

  • Senate Democrats want to change taxation, childcare, education and the EDChoice Scholarship program 

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, stated that Senate Democrats look to support fair tax policies. Sen. Antonio said the way tax cuts currently work could disproportionately impact low-income residents.

Sen. Antonio mentioned the possibility of further tax cuts for higher-income individuals, adding, “I want to make sure that we’re talking about the lowest-income folks getting that refundable EITC credit.”

John Fortney, the director of communications for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus, said Senate Republicans have decreased the number of tax brackets in recent years — dropping from nine tax brackets in Ohio to four. Fortney said this ensures people making $26,000 or less do not pay state income taxes.

He said the current budget aims to further collapse the remaining middle brackets, allowing taxpayers to keep more of their earnings.

“Fundamentally, we believe it is your money first and not the government’s money,” said Fortney.

Greg Lawson, a research fellow at the conservative Buckeye Institute, said he agreed with many of the House’s provisions but called for even more tax cuts. He argued for a flat tax.

“We think we need to go a little bit bigger — more towards a flat tax — a full flat tax in the budget than what the House did,” Lawson said.

Lawson also expressed support for the House’s education provisions, praising the expansion of school choice options in Ohio. Right now, students are eligible for the Educational Choice Scholarship Program if their family's income is no more than 250% of the federal poverty level. 

The  EDChoice Scholarship Program helps students from public schools get a chance to attend participating private schools through vouchers. The program also provides scholarship opportunities to low-income students entering kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s the largest voucher program in the state.

Gov. Mike DeWine had recommended raising the threshold to 400%. The House increased eligibility EDChoice Scholarship Program to 450%.

Sen. Catherine Ingram, D-Cincinnati, said she believes the increased categorical spending could harm Ohio’s children, citing the education gap from rural areas to urban areas. 

“As I spoke to the folks in the House as to why they did what they did — especially moving from 400%, which was a huge increase in its sales to 400% of the poverty level to 450% — the response was, ‘We can’t make everybody happy on everything,”’ said Ingram. 

As the budget negotiations continue, Senate Democrats said they want to prioritize fair funding, promote transparency and accountability in education, support business growth, improve the workforce sector and enhance access to quality, affordable health care. They argued that many of these areas have been cut or altered by the House’s version of the budget.

In the coming weeks, the Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee will hold meetings to finalize its draft.

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