Week in Review: Dec. 18, 2022

FY22-23 BUDGET

The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation providing more than $6 billion in spending on various programs and projects on Tuesday night, setting the bill up for a floor vote on Wednesday. The money -- most of which comes from federal pandemic relief bills -- was added into tax amnesty bill HB45 (RoemerWest) via one omnibus amendment and two stand-alone amendments. The committee also accepted a sub bill before the amendments were added, with Senate Finance Committee Chair Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) saying it instructs the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) director to determine if a tax amnesty program needs to be triggered in in 2023. Highlights of the omnibus amendment, AM4298, include the following:

- More than $1.1 billion that Dolan said is "necessary to true up both the Medicaid and the DD line items."

- $1.75 billion for schools.

- $161 million for emergency rental assistance.

- $499 million for federally-funded child care.

- $749 million will go into the Budget Stabilization Fund, which Dolan said is necessary to meet statutory requirements.

- $85 million is going to a program to help ensure Ohio has more mental health workers.

- Beginning in 2023, there will be a one-time $10,000 grant for adoptions to replace the current adoption tax credit. The grant is $10,000 for most adoptions, $15,000 for adopting a foster child and $20,000 for adopting a child with disabilities.

- A one-time $2,500 higher education grant program will be created for any adopted child in Ohio.

- $3 million for Ohio parenting and pregnancy programs.

- $75 million for infrastructure related to the recently-announced Honda project.

- $250 million for water quality programs.

- $90 million for crisis care facilities around the state.

- $50 million for arts organizations and museums.

- $150 million for lead mitigation projects.

- $350 million for skilled nursing facilities.

- $50 million for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

- $50 million for the Ohio State Fair, and $4.5 million for county fairs, with each county fair getting $50,000.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The DeWine administration and JobsOhio announced Thursday that Abbott had selected a Bowling Green site for a new manufacturing facility to produce specialty and metabolic powder nutritional products, with an investment of $536 million and 450 permanent new jobs expected. The facility will expand the domestic supply of essential formulas, some of which serve as the only source of nutrition for people with extreme allergies to most food products and other dietary and metabolic conditions. The project is contingent on the approval of state and local incentives and JobsOhio will also provide assistance once a final agreement is completed

ELECTIONS 2022

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced certification of Nov. 8 election results Friday, including statewide offices, U.S. Senate and House, the General Assembly, State Board of Education, Ohio Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Election data provided by LaRose's office noted that 4,201,368 ballots were counted, the second-most for a gubernatorial election year. There was a 94% absentee ballot return rate and a 0.4% rejection rate. LaRose also reported 423,902 page views for the VoteOhio.gov website from the start of early voting through election day.

GAMING/GAMBLING

Ohio's gambling revenues were higher in November 2022 compared to November 2021, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) and the Ohio Lottery Commission (OLC). The state's four casinos took in $78.7 million in November 2022, slightly more than the $78.1 million they made in November 2021. Ohio's seven racinos pulled in $105 million in November 2022, up from $100.7 million in November 2021. Traditional Ohio Lottery ticket sales were $396.2 million, up from $341.1 million in November 2021.

Penn Sports Interactive (PSI), more commonly known as "Barstool", has been fined $250,000 by the Ohio Casino Control Commission for violating a state rule against advertising sports gambling services on a college or university campus.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

The House Technology and Innovation Committee accepted one amendment to SB302 (Hackett-Reineke) Tuesday that improves the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission appeals process, while tabling seven amendments from Ranking Member Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville). The bill was then reported out on an 11-1 vote of those present with Rep. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) opposed.

This feature was provided by Hannah New Service and selected for you by OSCPA Government Relations Staff.