Gavarone Announces Passage of Ohio's New Operating Budget

COLUMBUS—State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) today announced strong, bipartisan passage of Am. Sub. HB 166, the state’s two-year operating budget. The Senate voted 29-1 in favor of the conference committee report approved yesterday. Major provisions of the budget include:

• Funding for the H2Ohio program designed to improve water quality in Lake Erie.
• A 4% across-the-board income tax cut.
• Increases in funding for primary, secondary, and higher education.
• Additional money to help support Ohio's public libraries and local governments.

“I am proud that we could come together in a bipartisan way to pass a balanced budget that provides crucial services for the people of Ohio,” said Gavarone. “As a result of our work, we will see improvements to the water quality in Lake Erie, better funding for schools, more take-home pay for Ohioans, and numerous other reforms that continue to make Ohio a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Am. Sub. House Bill 166 will now be sent to the Governor for his signature. When signed, the new operating budget will become effective immediately.