BUDGET UPDATE
This past weekend, Ohio House Speaker-designee Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and probable Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) appeared on “Capitol Square” on the Ohio News Network. During an interview on the next state budget, Batchelder and Niehaus indicated the probability of a 15-20% cut in state spending for a variety of state expenditures, including primary and secondary education. It is unclear at this point how the federal stimulus money figures into any such calculation, and both legislative leaders indicated that they are not in favor of any across-the-board cuts, but instead favor an analysis by department and agency.
OSBA, BASA and OASBO are committed to keeping their members as informed as possible during these difficult times. In passing along this information, it is important to note that we are very early in the process. Governor-elect John Kasich, Batchelder and Niehaus have not even taken office. However, it is important that they are working on this issue early. We are very aware that many districts must make May ballot decisions by early February and the amount of state funding is a key element in that decision. Therefore, we will continue to monitor the situation and make you aware of key information.