Democratic Priorities Shape Budget as Bill Clears Ohio House
Bill Includes Tax Cut for Working People and Families
House Democratic lawmakers
last week voted in favor of the state budget, House Bill
166, which includes a number of key Democratic priorities,
including a significant tax cut for working people and
families.
"I am proud of our
Democratic members and their work to make this budget a more
realistic blueprint for our state's future by including a
number of our key priorities," said Democratic Leader Emilia
Strong Sykes (D-Akron). "Democrats were able to deliver real
results for taxpayers by closing some costly tax loopholes
and passing a working families tax cut, which will put money
back in the pockets of everyday Ohioans. We kept our promise
to the taxpayers of Ohio-we work for you."
The budget includes historic
tax cuts for working people and families, reducing the
middle two income tax brackets and eliminating the bottom
two altogether.
"We have an obligation to
taxpayers to pass a fiscally responsible budget, and
Democratic changes made this a balanced plan that invests in
our future," said Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire), the lead
Democrat on the House budget panel. "Democrats were able to
move this budget in the right direction to benefit small
businesses, working people and families."
Long-held Democratic
priorities of closing tax loopholes, like lowering the LLC
loophole threshold from $250,000 to $100,000 and eliminating
the corporate jet timeshare exemption, also made it into the
budget. In addition, lawmakers included a provision to level
the playing field for Ohio small businesses by administering
online-sales tax collection for large corporations.
Democrats fought to remove a
controversial, GOP-backed provision to limit healthcare
access for low-income Ohioans that would have charged
monthly premiums for Medicaid coverage, a practice that
would have jeopardized care for thousands of Ohioans.
"The budget is a promise for
a better, more secure future, and the work we were able to
do to invest in working people and communities is a step in
the right direction," said Assistant Minority Whip Rep.
Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo). "Good government comes
through compromise, and the only way we can keep our promise
to taxpayers and restore the promise of better lives and
brighter futures is by working together."
Additional key Democratic
amendments added to the budget include making college more
affordable for low-income students by increasing funding for
the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.
The bill also includes
provisions outlined in recently-passed HB 154, which would
end controversial state takeovers and restore control to
local school districts.
A $32 million increase in
home visitation funding to combat infant mortality and a
minimum wage increase for direct service employees were also
included.
"Improving access to
healthcare and investing in children's services, education
and workers begins to restore Ohio's promise as a place
where people want to move again to find a good job, go to
school and raise a family," said Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper
Arlington). "This budget shows that Democrats are here,
working together to deliver real results for Ohio
taxpayers."
The bipartisan bill passed
the House and now heads to the state Senate for further
consideration.
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