My colleagues and I in the Ohio House of Representatives recently voted on the state operating budget, House Bill 1. Touted as the most significant piece of legislation passed in a two-year General Assembly, the general operating budget is a blueprint for the use of your tax dollars.

It creates a plan for all state revenues and expenditures. It dictates the state’s daily spending, as well as establishes a long-term vision for the future of Ohio. The decisions made within the budget will affect each Ohioan on a personal level.

Two of the most important policy issues presented in the measure include job creation and training, and education. As I mentioned in my previous column, the budget continues to focus efforts on access to higher education as a way to attract businesses to Ohio through a skilled work force.

My colleagues and I are proud to see the continuation of the tuition freeze for all state colleges and universities. Making college more affordable and accessible is an important part of preparing our state to be competitive in the global economy.

Unfortunately, while we have seen a concentration on community colleges and universities, Ohio’s career colleges have been overlooked by this budget. Career colleges produce 40 percent of all two-year graduates, including many first-generation college students and minorities. This type of education and job training is important to Ohio since much of the training is in technology.

However, state aid for these schools was cut by $46 million in House Bill 1. As the budget continues to move through the General Assembly, I will continue to voice my support for our community colleges and speak to the positive impact that these schools create in our communities.

House Bill 1 contains many changes for Ohioans, but none as wide-sweeping as the proposed reforms to education. The House Finance and Appropriations Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee held 50 hours of testimony from 320 witnesses. Based on the governor’s “evidence-based” funding model, a few of the changes include the gradual addition of 20 school days to each school year, the elimination of district calamity days and the replacement of the Ohio Graduation Test with a comprehensive evaluation and the ACT.

As House Bill 1 moved through the House, there was much discussion over the use of about $2.2 billion in federal stimulus included in the budget to supplement state government services. A portion of these temporary resources has been included in education funding.

Prior to the vote on the budget, an amendment was offered that would have helped school districts distinguish which funds were state aid and which were temporary federal stimulus dollars. Many of my colleagues and I believe this would be helpful to school districts as they plan their own budgets. Unfortunately, the amendment did not make it into the House-passed version of the bill.

The budget is now being heard in the Ohio Senate, where additional changes will be made. While there were many important issues tackled by the House-passed version, I will advocate for further improvements. I will continue to work to ensure your tax dollars are spent with fiscal responsibility and in a manner that will set Ohio up for success in the future.

State Rep. Tim Derickson, R-Oxford, represents the Ohio House’s 53rd District. He can be reached at (614) 644-5094 or by mail at 77 S. High St., 11th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 
oh.us.