The state has just days left to get a budget for Ohio's new fiscal year in order.
The Ohio House and Senate have yet to agree on a budget with three days left before their deadline to have it on Governor Mike DeWine's desk. The budget was originally due by June 30 but the Republican-controlled bodies could not come to a compromise in time. Despite that, State Senator Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) says he is optimistic a solution will be found in time.
"It is my understanding that there is a deal that is very close to being reached and that the hope and the plan is that we will pass a biennial budget here this week coming up," said McColley. "No final deal has been reached but I'm fully anticipating there will not be another extension."
DeWine says he has been assured by the Senate president and the speaker of the house that the budget will be passed, and he is excited about its contents.
"The money for us to tackle the Lake Erie algae bloom problems is in this budget," said DeWine. "Money for early childhood education, money for home visiting programs for at-risk mothers, money for drug prevention education, all tied into this budget so I'm looking forward to signing that bill next week and looking forward to moving forward."
The State has until July 17 to reach a consensus.
