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Local Governments Unlikely To See More Funds Under Senate Proposal

By Karen Kasler

Published June 18, 2019 at 9:39 PM EDT

Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) and President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) discuss the budget with reporters the day after it was introduced. [Karen Kasler / Statehouse News Bureau]] — Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) and President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) discuss the budget with reporters the day after it was introduced.

The final version of the Ohio Senate’s budget is expected Wednesday. While there will certainly be some proposals added in, some things are unlikely to change – such as the money that goes to a fund that’s been decimated over the last eight years.

The initial Senate budget would cut taxes by $700 million over two years, restore the $40 million film tax credit and put $172 million into the H2Ohio water quality fund. It also would provide a $5 million bump to Local Government Fund.

Senate Finance Chairman Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) said there would be more money going to specific separate local items, such as communications systems for first responders and court costs for low-income Ohioans.

“To me, it’s not the amount. It’s the recognition that we are partners in the distribution of government services," Dolan said.

Senate President Larry Obhof said there are no plans to bring the Local Government Fund back up to where it was eight years ago. Cities say that fund has been cut in half since then.