Obhof Announces Bill to Support Schools and Job Creators

Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof announced today that Ohio Governor John Kasich has signed Senate Bill 8, a bill that increases options for school districts to fund technology and security infrastructure improvements.

Senate Bill 8, which was co-sponsored by Obhof, creates a new one-to-one match program for schools that have not yet received state support or entered into an agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which is approximately 229 districts.

"This legislation will help us more quickly fund technology and security upgrades at our local schools," said Obhof.

Similar language was adopted as part of the state’s biennial budget bill, House Bill 49, which passed the legislature in June.  However, Senate Bill 8 was used by the legislature this fall to make additional changes to the Revised Code touching on several other issues, including some that had been part of the budget bill but were initially vetoed by Governor Kasich.  The bill’s new provisions include key tax reforms, additional funding for some school districts, and funding for agricultural education programs in urban school districts.

Key additions to the bill include, among others:  Increasing state aid for school districts disproportionately affected by the elimination of the tangible personal property tax.  The bill allocates roughly $7.4 million over the biennium for nearly two dozen school districts to help offset their loss of TPP revenue.

Providing additional funding for Vocational Agriculture and elementary 4-H programs in Cleveland and Cincinnati school districts.

Ensuring that small businesses which use a professional employer organization to handle their human resources are eligible for small business tax deductions, like other Ohio small businesses.

Authorizing tax credits to incentivize job creation and economic development in rural, underserved areas of the state (also known as the “Rural Jobs Act”).

Exempting corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses from sales and use taxes, beginning July 1, 2019.

“The changes made in this bill will help Ohio’s families across the state,” said Obhof.  “The inclusion of the Rural Jobs Act will boost investment and development in areas of the state that need it the most.  I am glad that we were able to work together, in bipartisan fashion, to get these key changes done.”