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Senate panel hears bill allowing counties to put pre‑K funding to local voters
Summary
Senate Bill 141 would permit local jurisdictions to let voters decide whether to fund prekindergarten programs; sponsor and committee discussed example in Lucas County and nonprofit-led models such as HOPE Toledo’s proposal to present a program to voters without creating a new tax requirement in statute.
The Senate Local Government Committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 141, which would authorize local governments and voters to decide whether to fund prekindergarten programs at the county level.
Senator Hicks Hudson, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure would “allow for the local, county citizens to decide whether or not how they will fund a universal pre k program” and cited an example in Lucas County where a nonprofit similar to COSI brought a proposal to voters.
The sponsor identified HOPE Toledo as a local nonprofit seeking authority to present a pre‑K funding proposal to voters; she said the bill “is not authorizing an increase in taxes” but would enable voters to consider a levy or funding mechanism proposed locally by nonprofits or local governments.
Ranking Member Smith asked whether the budget had removed this type of levy; Hicks Hudson said she would follow up to confirm whether the recent budget affected levy authority and that the bill would create new authority for a voter‑approved levy rather than a renewal.
No committee vote was taken. The sponsor asked for the committee’s support to move the bill to the Senate floor and offered to provide follow‑up information about levy mechanics.
