COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Gov. Mike DeWine has introduced his final two-year state budget, a $218 billion plan that funds state programs and agencies while proposing tax increases on certain items to support new initiatives.
DeWine emphasized a focus on children and families in his proposal. One of the key tax changes includes nearly doubling the sales tax on a pack of cigarettes, increasing it from $1.60 to $3.10. The additional revenue would help working parents of young children afford childcare.
"In this budget, we provide a tax credit that will provide parents up to $1,000 per year for each child through the age of six," said Governor Mike DeWine, (R) Ohio.
He also proposed funding to help identify and assist young children with vision problems.
"We're going to solve this problem by creating the new Ohio See program. This program will ensure that all students in kindergarten through third grade who fail vision screenings at their school do, in fact, receive eye exams and, if needed, eyeglasses," DeWine said.
The governor also addressed an increase in fatal accidents involving 18- and 19-year-olds, which he attributed to teenagers waiting until they turn 18 to get their licenses, avoiding required driver education courses. DeWine wants to allocate funding to reinstate driver’s education in high schools.
"It is now time to put driver's training back in our high schools. This needs to be done. Schools are the logical and most accessible places for teens to learn how to drive," he said.
DeWine also proposed doubling the state’s sports betting tax from 20% to 40%, with the additional revenue helping fund new sports venues, including a proposed stadium for the Cleveland Browns in Brook Park. Some funds would also assist high school students in covering the costs of playing sports and participating in extracurricular activities.
"Sports gaming is extremely aggressive. Maybe it's just because I watch sports, but they’re in your face all the time," DeWine said. "They are getting Ohioans to give them, to lose, massive amounts of money every year. It seems to me only just and fair that some of the stadiums be paid for by them, or at least a portion of it. And it also seems fair that our young people—who they are targeting—get some benefit by being able to play sports."
The Ohio House and Senate will make their adjustments before a final budget must be signed by June 30.
