State Senator Jay Hottinger

Once again lawmakers are gearing up to tackle a new state operating budget. As we approach this process, we are beginning to hear from representatives of many groups and agencies that are concerned about how our state will prioritize the services and duties the state provides with taxpayer dollars. As these discussions are held, differing opinions often come to light about how public funds should be divided and it's not until the final vote is taken that the decisions will ultimately be made. In the meantime, the process can be very interesting and I wanted to take a few moments to explain the long and winding road that the budget bill takes before it's signed into law.

Although budget considerations are always an underlying issue, the discussion is officially opened when the governor gives his State of the State Address at the beginning of a budget year. This year, Governor Taft delivered his speech on February 8th. In it he highlighted the need to update Ohio's existing tax code as a means of creating a more competitive business climate and growing our economy. He also outlined a plan to cut personal income taxes by as much as 21 percent over the next five years while eliminating some cumbersome business taxes that are hindering job growth in our state. In addition, Taft described his plan to make higher education more affordable for Ohio students by increasing loan opportunities, expanding grant programs and growing the Ohio College Access Network that provides young people and their families with information and financing options to help pay for college.

Taft's budget plan was drafted into bill form and introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives where the Finance Committee is currently debating it. Once the committee has finished reviewing the bill, it will be placed before the full House of Representatives for a vote. Next, the bill will come to the Ohio Senate where it will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further review and debate. Based on the testimony, members of the committee can offer amendments that they believe will improve upon the bill before recommending that the bill be placed before the full Senate for a vote. If any changes have been made to the bill since it was passed by the House, it must then go back to the House for a concurrence vote. If members of the House vote not to concur, the bill is sent to conference committee. In a conference committee, members from both the House and Senate are selected to work out an agreement that both chambers can approve.

After the differences are worked out between the House and the Senate, the bill must then go Governor Taft for his approval. At this point, the governor can sign the bill outright, veto it, or use the line-item veto to take out portions of the budget he doesn't approve of, without killing the entire bill. If the legislature agrees with the governor's changes, the bill becomes law.

As you can see, we are still in the beginning stages of the budget process and many changes are still likely to take place between now and the final steps. Yet, throughout this journey, I am committed to continuing my work to protect the hard-earned tax dollars of Ohioans. I have long believed that smaller government, lower taxes and responsible state spending are keys to good government. This budget process is critical to the future of our state. I want to assure you that throughout this process I will continue to monitor the developments that take place and I will keep working on behalf of the Ohio taxpayers whose interests must be our foremost concern.

As always, I hope that you will continue to feel free to contact me by mail (State Senator Jay Hottinger, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, OH 43215), by email (sd31@mailr.sen.state.oh.us) or by phone (614-466-5838).