Budget and More
Jane Lanier, JD, RN Liaison, Public Policy Committee
The Ohio Senate adopted its version of the state budget (HB 33) June 16th in a partisan vote, with all democrats opposing and all voting republicans in support. (Senator Antani and Schuring were absent.) The Bill now goes to the house for concurrence this week. It remains uncertain whether the house republicans will agree... Read more
BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
Jan Lanier JD RN Liaison, Public Policy Committee
The Ohio General Assembly is facing a deadline that is rapidly approaching –enactment of the state’s biennial budget (HB 33) by midnight June 30th. The house passed its version of the mammoth bill on April 26, 2023, with “yes” votes from both republicans and democrats. The bill then went to the senate where the finance committee, after a series of public hearings, accepted a substitute bill in June. The initial senate version received mixed reviews, and a second amended version is expected this week. Read More
Action and reaction mark contentious week at the Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio General Assembly, particularly the Ohio House of Representatives, was the center of the state's legislative world this week as it filled two vacant republican sears and approved controversial joint resolutions (SJR 2) that places a constitutional amendment proposal before voters in a special August election. The senate continued its scrutiny of the House-passed state budget bill (HB 33) hearing testimony from interested parties seeking additional funding for mental health initiatives, long term care needs, and other social services programs. The week ended with opponents fo SJR2 filing a writ of mandamus... Read more
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The state budget bill (HB 33) was approved by the Ohio House of Representatives 78-19 with minimal additional action when it was facing a floor vote in the House. Two democrats, representatives Elliot Forhan (S. Euclid) and Joseph Miller (Lorain) joined 17 republicans in opposing the bill. The republican opposition came from backers of Derek Merrin (Monclovia), whose bid to become Speaker of the House was upended unexpectedly by Jason Stephens (Kitts Hill) earlier this year. That battle continues to create a rift within the house republicans that was evident in the floor vote on HB 33. The Speaker declined to recognize some republicans for the purpose of offering budget amendments dealing with universal school education choice vouchers and transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports. After showing their displeasure, the Merrin backers left the house chamber after the HB 33 vote.
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By Jan Lanier JD, RN Liaison Public Policy Committee
General Assembly moving full speed ahead after two-week spring break. Usually at this time of year, all legislative eyes are focused on the state budget bill (HB 33 for the 135th General Assembly) as the deadline for passing a balanced budget by July 1st looms. However, this year other time sensitive issues are also taking legislators’ attention (HJR 1; SJR 2; HB 144 & SB 92) all of which relate to efforts to increase the percentage of votes needed to approve a ballot initiative to amend Ohio’s Constitution.
What’s happening in the Ohio General Assembly? HB 33, the state’s budget bill, will be the focus for the Ohio House of Representatives as the Finance Committee’s subcommittees have completed their hearings.
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The business of legislating was on full display in mid-February as multiple bills were introduced in the Ohio house. The early bills have typically been seen as signaling the legislative priorities of both the majority and minority parties; however, whether that will hold true this session is not totally clear at this point. Regardless, the subject matter is telling in some respects and runs the gamut from seemingly easy wins (HB 22 dealing with the collection of stroke care data & recognition of thrombectomy capable stroke centers) to clearly very controversial proposals dealing with reconfiguration of the Department of Education (HB 12) to tax law modifications (HB 1, & HB 3), the Save Women’s Sports Act (HB 6) teacher loan repayments (HB 9), a parental bill of rights proposal (HB 8), continued phasing in of school funding reforms enacted by the previous General Assembly (HB 10) and changes to Ohio’s ethics and financial disclosure laws (HB 16). On day one of business following the protracted leadership battle, a total of 52 bills were introduced in the house, and one joint resolution (House Joint Resolution [HJR]) 1 sponsored by Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) was also proposed.
House Leadership ChangesMost of the news from the statehousein January centeredon the surprise election of Rep.Jason Stephens as the new Speaker of the Ohio Housewhen the 135thGeneral Assembly convened for the first timein early January. Although the republican caucus had voted in November for its leadership team, those decisions changed whenthe full Housevotedon the Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore positions.
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By Jan Lanier, JD, RN Liaison Public Policy Committee
While the Ohio Senate has engaged in business as usual, the House of Representatives remains mired in the fallout from the unexpected election of Representative Jason Stephens as the new Speaker rather than the republican caucus choice Representative Derek Merrin. A coalition of 22 republican representatives and all 32 house democrats voted for Stephens thereby giving him what has long been seen as one of the most powerful leadership positions in the state.
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