State Fiscal Analysis of Issue 1 Doubts Touted Savings

Gongwer News Service reports that while the proponents of Issue 1, the ballot issue on sentencing reductions for certain drug crimes, have touted its potential to save the state money as lower-level offenders are diverted from prison into treatment programs, an analysis performed by Gov. John Kasich’s administration questions that key assumption.

Gongwer wrote: “The fiscal analysis of Issue 1, developed under a requirement that the Office of Budget and Management assess state budgetary impacts of statewide ballot issues, found that the presumed savings for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction would likely not materialize as expected and the changes could, in fact, result in additional costs into the “tens of millions.”” 10/11/2018