On Monday, February 1, Governor Mike DeWine released his biennial budget proposal for fiscal years (FY) 2022 and 2023. The proposal maintains foundation funding at FY19 levels and does not implement a school-funding formula. DeWine told reporters it was a “specific decision not to change the funding formula” and acknowledged the General Assembly’s efforts to develop a new formula. Yesterday, Reps. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) and Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) introduced House Bill (HB) 1, which would enact the Fair School Funding Plan, or HB 305 from the last legislative session.
Testimony on the governor’s budget proposal began yesterday in the House Finance Committee and will continue over the next several weeks. We will notify members of opportunities to testify during the budget process. Once bill text becomes available, our organizations will provide a webinar to members to provide an overview of the proposal.
Click here to access district-by-district simulations produced by the Office of Budget and Management (Student Wellness and Success Funds section). You can also view the simulations in the Advocacy Hub Library by clicking here.
The proposal includes:
- Student Wellness and Success Fund – provides $1.1 billion over the biennium with $500 million being proposed for FY22 and $600 million proposed for FY23. This represents a $300 million increase over the biennium.
- “Investing in Ohio” Initiative – provides $16 million to support 70,000 students earning industry-recognized credentials and $290 million to expand access to broadband services;
- Charter Schools – $20.6 million for charter school facilities and $54 million per year, up from the current $30 million per year, for an incentive fund for charter schools that meet certain quality criteria;
- EdChoice Expansion (i.e., Income-based EdChoice Vouchers) – $92.18 million per year, a $7.1 million increase per year, for the EdChoice expansion program, which has increased from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 250 percent.
Click here to read more about the proposal.
Please feel free to contact us with questions.
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