Mr. Brinkman, however, is convinced budget cuts can help reduce state income tax rates at least 5 percent. You can do it. Forty-two new lawmakers will take their oaths of office in the Ohio General Assembly. Those costs are expected to continue to rise over the next two years. Lawmakers face a June 15 deadline to meet an Ohio Supreme Court order to improve school funding.
Republicans continue to hold substantial majorities in both chambers.
This kind of rhetoric between the GOP-run House and Senate could become common this year. The seeds were planted in 1992 when voters approved a constitutional amendment that put eight-year term limits on all lawmakers. The law's impact was felt last year when a regiment of veteran legislators could not run for re-election. Though a few in the House successfully ran for seats in the Senate, the most senior House lawmakers this year were first elected in 1994 or appointed in 1993. Forty-two lawmakers have yet to cast their first votes.