State Representative Dan Dodd

Something historic happened in Columbus recently. The last time something like this happened, Dwight Eisenhower was President, most people had never heard of John F. Kennedy, and the Soviet Union was our biggest foreign threat.

Until this year, a biennial operating budget had not passed the Ohio House of Representatives with a unanimous vote since 1955. For this to happen on the heels of the 2006 election that brought significant change to Columbus is a testament to the leaders involved in this process.

The cornerstone of this biennial budget is the proposal by Governor Strickland to exempt the first $25,000 of a home's value from taxation for anyone who is either disabled or over the age of 65. In recent years, the old leadership in Ohio passed many bills dealing with tax reform and tax cuts, but the needs of the elderly and disabled were largely ignored and these folks needed tax relief more than anyone else. Governor Strickland recognized this and proposed a progressive tax cut that gives the most help to people who desperately need it. Ohio wins when our elderly are able to afford to stay in their homes and contribute their experiences and strengths to our communities.

Hand in hand with property tax relief for seniors is the changes we approved for long term care. Governor Strickland eliminated the PASSPORT waiting list before the budget, and added 5,600 new PASSPORT slots this biennium. Additionally, this budget grants a 3% per year increase for PASSPORT nursing services, which will provide better care for seniors who need assistance in order to continue living in their homes. This budget also creates a uniform long-term care grant that implements a system where the money for health services follows the person so that people have the best chance of getting the type of care that best meets their needs.

For younger Ohioans and their parents, the cost of higher education has made college unaffordable for many people who want a college degree but cannot afford the tuition. That is why the Ohio House voted for funding increases for colleges from the state for the next two years in exchange for a 3% increase tuition cap in 2008 and a 0% increase tuition cap in 2009. Considering the fact that college tuition increased an average of 9% in past years, this budget is a good first step in making college more affordable for all Ohioans.

I'm proud to say I voted for all of these things, but I am most proud of the fact that overall spending will increase less than 2% per year. That is lower than any budget in the last 42 years. Governor Strickland promised in his State of the State address that, under his administration, Ohio would live within its means and invest in what matters. Our budget is an accurate reflection of that philosophy and I'm proud to have given it my vote.