The Ohio state legislature is set to have a busy session as they will have to craft a biennial budget with new Governor Mike DeWine. A gas tax hike proposal is being pushed heavily by some interests. Criminal sentencing reform, K-12 funding, a possible framework for legalizing sports betting, and addressing Lake Erie runoff also promise to be key issues.
Senate President Larry Obhof on Tuesday addressed the 133rd General Assembly to lay out his own legislative priorities. Speaking on these priorities, he said, “Our focus here in the Senate over the next two years will be to continue to create an environment in this state that opens up opportunities for every Ohioan.” The following is what he covered in his address:
- Criminal Justice Reform – Criminal Sentencing
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- Following the failure of State Issue 1 in 2018, Obhof expects the Senate to produce a plan to reform criminal sentencing in Ohio based on previous proposals made by Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien. They include:
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- The reduction of fourth and fifth-degree felony drug possession offenses to first-degree misdemeanors
- A presumption against jail time for “technical” probation violations
- Record-sealing eligibility for drug possession
- Elimination of mandatory minimums for drug sentences except major drug offenses
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- Regulations
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- Obhof is supporting various pieces of legislation that support his goal of reducing state regulations by 30% over the next three years.
- Heart Beat Bill
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- One of Obhof’s earliest priorities will be a bill banning abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. House Republicans have expressed similar interest in prioritizing a heartbeat bill. Unlike John Kasich, who vetoed similar legislation twice, Governor Mike DeWine has promised to sign the bill should it pass both chambers.
- School Facilities Construction and Renovation
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- Obhof is advocating for the Senate to approve $100 million in funding ahead of the next capital budget to be used for already-planned school facilities construction projects. Rick Savors, spokesman for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, said all funding through June 2020 has been committed to ongoing projects – but there are eight districts that, if money was available, are ready to begin their construction projects.
- Lake Erie Cleanup
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- Senators Bob Peterson (Sabina), Brian Hill (Zanesville), and Matt Dolan (Chagrin Falls) will be working on legislation this session to mitigate the causes of toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie. Among these is a $1 billion bond issue which Governor DeWine has already voiced support for.
Following his address, Obhof and a few of his Senate colleagues introduced 10 priority senate bills with the aim of addressing the above issues. As he pursues his agenda the Senate President and the entire Ohio legislature must keep the interests of Buckeye taxpayers at the forefront of their minds. Ohioans reaped the rewards of federal tax reform in 2018. Proposals that would undermine these benefits, such as the proposed gas tax hike, are bad policy for the Buckeye state.