Ohio governor set to unveil state’s 2-year spending plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Funding for schools and public colleges and universities, health care for poor children and families, and spending on the state’s public health system amid the coronavirus pandemic are expected to dominate Gov. Mike DeWine’s upcoming state budget plan.

The Republican governor planned to introduce his two-year spending proposal Monday, the second of his administration but the first to reflect priorities spurred by the coronavirus as well as revenue shortfalls caused by the pandemic.

Last month DeWine ordered $390 million across-the-board budget cuts for the rest of the fiscal year, citing the ongoing economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. But DeWine also released $260 million for schools and universities, noting the revenue shortfall this year wasn’t as bad as last year.

The two-year budget pays for a vast chunk of Ohio government programs, from funding for schools and universities, the cost of running parks and prisons, and the price tag of Medicaid, the joint state-federal health care system for poor children and families.

House lawmakers will consider the plan first and produce their own proposal. The Senate comes next, and a final plan approved by the House, Senate and DeWine must be signed into law by July 1.