Ohio Senate Unveils Budget Plan

This week, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee unveiled its substitute version of the state’s two-year operating budget (House Bill 33).

For manufacturers, the Senate’s $85.7 billion spending plan is a mixed bag. There are helpful provisions, such as tax relief, economic development funding, and K-12 education reform. But there are provisions that counter manufacturers’ policy goals — such as workforce funding that falls short of the governor’s recommendations, and utility-related provisions that would increase customer costs and weaken consumer protections. (See related stories.)

The Senate plan provides $1 billion for the DeWine-Husted administration’s All Ohio Future Fund, which would ensure more shovel-ready industrial sites. It also authorizes a $1 billion one-time Strategic Community Investments Fund, while nixing the House’s $1 billion earmark for rural highway projects.

See this 28-page summary of the Senate budget, as well as this document comparing the budget plans of the Senate, House, and governor.

Once the full Senate passes its version of the budget — expected to occur in mid-June — House and Senate leaders, along with the governor, will have until June 30 to sign off on a final plan. The state’s new fiscal year begins July 1. 6/7/2023