COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new proposal in the Ohio Senate would eliminate local school levies and overhaul how education is funded statewide.
Senate Bill 93, introduced by Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), would replace property and income tax levies with a statewide 20-mill property tax and raise the state sales tax by 1.75%, bringing it to 7.5%. All new revenue would go directly to schools.
Funding would be distributed per student — about $11,535 each — following them to public or charter schools. Brenner said the plan would eliminate the need for voucher programs like EdChoice and simplify Ohio’s long-disputed funding system.
The proposal also shifts student transportation duties to regional Educational Service Centers and allows voluntary school district consolidation.
A companion resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 4, would let the state assume school district debt if approved by lawmakers and voters.
Senate Bill 93 had its first hearing last week before the Senate Finance Committee.
