Ohio's $86 billion budget passes with universal school vouchers and tax breaks

The Ohio legislature has reached an agreement on an $86.1 billion general fund budget, which includes income and business tax cuts, expanded school choice, and changes to property valuations. However, an initiative from Butler County lawmakers to change property valuation rules was removed from the final budget. The budget also includes provisions for education, such as using the House's K-12 funding formula and expanding school vouchers, as well as reducing commercial activity taxes for businesses. Social programs, including child care funding, received mixed support, and billion-dollar set-aside funds proposed by the Senate were reduced. The final budget will be signed by Governor Mike DeWine on Monday.