Columbus—State Representative Matt Huffman(R-Lima) today announced the passage of House Bill 318 by the Ohio Legislature. The measure will suspend the final installment of the income tax reductions set forth in 2005, obligating Ohio’s taxpayers to pay nearly $900 million in new taxes.
The Senate version of H.B. 318 is a better budget solution than the House Democrat version forced over to the Senate, because it includes measures to test construction reforms and reduce costly mandates on school districts. Among the Senate amendments were initiatives to waive all-day kindergarten mandates for districts that cannot afford it and a pilot project for construction rules. These amendments will reign in government spending and ease the burden on vulnerable school districts.
“One bright note on this budget language is that Ohio’s school districts will not be forced to provide all-day kindergarten,” Huffman stated. “Allen County schools do not need another unfunded mandate coming from Columbus to add to their current budget situations.”
House Republicans have maintained steadfast opposition to the tax increase included in the House version because it failed to accompany any cost-containment measures, thereby disproportionately growing the size of state government. Governor Strickland and House Democrats supported the retroactive 4.2 percent tax increase while disregarding all House Republican initiatives to reduce wasteful government spending.
Although House Republicans believe that the deficit and tax increases could have been avoided by responsible budgeting and enacting multiple cost-efficiency measures, they concur that the Senate bill strikes a better balance for Ohio’s immediate and long-term needs.
“I could not support this budget language because it is a tax increase on Ohio’s hard working families,” Huffman stated. “It is only a temporary solution and avoids the tough decisions that should have been made by the Governor and General Assembly.”
