For the first time in a decade, Ohio’s legislature failed to meet the June 30 statutory deadline to pass its two-year operating budget and were forced to take the unusual step of suspending the state constitution to pass an interim budget. As a stopgap measure, the legislature passed a bill to fund the state government for an additional seventeen (17) days. The bill was signed by Governor Mike DeWine late Sunday night to avoid any interruption in state services as the state’s new fiscal year begins today. The seventeen (17) day funding will be kept at Fiscal Year 2019 levels. The main points of contention between the House and Senate in the nearly $69 billion two-year operating budget include policies on taxation, school funding and health care.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation budget was also delayed and temporarily funded for thirty (30) days because of outstanding House and Senate disagreements such as whether or not to include coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder for first responders.
Today also marks the first day of Ohio's new gas tax rate, which is expected to generate $865 million in additional revenue each year. Ohioans will now pay a state tax rate of 38.5 cents per gallon on gas and 47 cents a gallon on diesel fuel.
As state budget negotiations continue, Roetzel will keep you apprised of the latest developments.