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Opponents and local boards warn House Bill 309 could let budget commissions override voter levies; health departments ask for presentation rights
Summary
Witnesses testifying on House Bill 309 said provisions could allow county budget commissions to reduce or overturn voter-approved renewal levies and urged safeguards; health and developmental-disability boards sought guaranteed opportunity to present evidence and requested protections for restricted funds and five-year projections.
Zach Schiller, research director at Policy Matters Ohio, testified in opposition to Substitute House Bill 309, telling the Senate Local Government Committee that the bill—while amended from earlier versions—"remains flawed" and that it could allow county budget commissions to override voter-approved renewal levies. Schiller called that outcome "fundamentally undemocratic" and said the bill places the burden of proof on taxing jurisdictions rather than the budget commission.
"If the general assembly respects the voters,…
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