Phillips: State budget brings schools closer to constitutional system
Pomeroy Daily Sentinel · Brian J. Reed · July 15 2009
POMEROY — State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Athens, said Wednesday the state operating budget approved Monday evening comes the closest yet to funding public schools in a sufficient manner.
The vote of 54-44 follows weeks of bipartisan discussions as lawmakers grappled with the impacts of a serious national economic downturn that affected state budgets all across the country, Phillips said.
"This is a balanced, responsible two-year budget," said Phillips. "We faced unprecedented challenges along the way, and emerged with a budget that reduces spending, protects vital services, and prioritizes education and job creation."
"There are painful cuts in this budget, but given the national economic downturn we were faced with tough decisions. Our investment in education will be a key factor in improving Ohio’s economic recovery."
According to Phillips, the budget enacts a comprehensive education reform plan and includes tools that will incentivize job creation and economic recovery, such as the new markets tax credit, film tax credit, sporting event incentive, technology investment tax credit, and an expansion of the job creation and job retention tax credit.
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