Advocacy Update – 2.2.21 – Let the Budget Season Begin!

As required by law, Governor DeWine released his budget blue print, yesterday. The so-called budget blue book outlines generally the governor’s proposed budget for FY2022-2023. The governor has essentially flat-funded the education funding formula, leaving it unchanged from FY2020-2021. He increased funding for his signature policy initiative of wrap-around services. He also increased funding for school vouchers. You can view the blue book (education begins on page D124) at http://www.oagc.com/statebudget.asp under “Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Documents.” The House Finance Committee will meet this Thursday to receive an overview of the budget. Viewers can tune in at 10:00 AM on www.ohiochannel.org. It is very likely that the Ohio House will attempt to redo the education funding to include the Cupp-Patterson funding formula. The Ohio Senate will likely have other ideas about education funding. 

The House Finance Primary and Secondary Education Sub-Committee will hold hearings on the education portion of the education budget. Representative Tracy Richardson (R) will chair this subcommittee. Other committee members include former House Education chair Jamie Callender (R) and Brian Baldridge (R). House Democrats will announce their committee members this week. 

As we head into the budget season, OAGC has some homework for gifted advocates. If you have any ideas or issues that you would like us to include in our Legislative Position Statement for the 134th General Assembly, please send them to [email protected] . For reference, please view the OAGC position statement for the 133rdGeneral Assembly at http://www.oagc.com/files/Legislative_Positions_for_the_133rd_General_Assembly.2.25.19%20proofed.pdf.