House Finance Committee
The committee held testimony on the executive budget proposal for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Testifying on the executive budget included:
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the executive budget recommendations during the annual State of the State address. The following education-related items were highlighted:
- Continue the phase-in of the Fair School Funding Plan;
- Provide all public and private schools funding for school resource officers;
- Provide $100 million to launch new in-demand career-tech programs and industry-recognized credential programs across the state;
- Increase the…
House Leadership
The Ohio House voted 62-34 to elect the remaining House majority leadership positions. The following members will join Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and speaker pro tempore Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton):
- Majority floor leader: Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati)
- Assistant majority floor leader: Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton)
- Majority whip: Rep. James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon)
- Assistant majority whip: Rep. Sharon A. Ray (R-Wadsworth)
Bills Introduced
The following bills were…
Senate Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), which would rename the Department of Education as the Department of Education and Workforce and would create the position of Director of Education and Workforce. The bill also would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 into law. The bill eliminates the August special election, except in instances when the August special election is to nominate or elect candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives or if a school district is under a fiscal emergency. The bill also allows a school district whose entire territory is located within the congressional district that is on the August ballot to put certain levies on the August ballot. The bill also makes…
House activity
The Ohio House voted to elect Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) as Speaker of the House by a vote of 54-43. Rep. C. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) was re-elected as minority leader by a vote of 73-14. Additional leadership positions elected include:
- Speaker pro tempore: Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton)
- Assistant minority leader: Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus)
- Minority whip: Rep. Jessica D. Miranda (D-Forest Park)
- …
General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent the following bills to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature:
House Bill (HB) 45- sponsored by Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield). The bill would allow the state tax commissioner to administer a two-month amnesty program in 2023 with respect to delinquent state, local sales and use taxes and also certain fees. Earlier in the week, the bill was amended in the Senate Finance committee and included…
Senate activity
The Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 178, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), by a 22-7 vote. The bill would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education (SBOE), the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), and would implement the following provisions:
- create a Department of Education and Workforce with a…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the list of schools receiving funds from the K-12 School Safety Grant Program. A total of 708 schools will receive $57.8 million in grant funding to enhance student and staff safety. Click here for the list of schools. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will administer the funds using procedures determined by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of…
House Leadership
The House Republican caucus met and selected Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) to be the speaker in the upcoming General Assembly that begins January 3, 2023. In addition, the other majority leadership members selected are as follows:
- Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) as speaker pro tempore;
- Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) as majority floor leader;
- Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) as assistant majority floor leader;
- Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) as majority whip;
- Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) as…