Major pro-family wins signed, but some protections for kids vetoed by DeWine
COLUMBUS—Governor Mike DeWine signed the biennial state budget last night, Monday, June 30. The approved bill gives Ohio a $60 billion budget for the next two years and includes numerous Center for Christian Virtue (CCV)-backed policies that strengthen families, protect children, and restore common sense in our state.
The Innocence Act was one of the most notable pieces of legislation included in the biennial budget. Children will be protected from the porn industry with the requirement that Ohioans must provide ID for age verification when accessing obscene websites. The Innocence Act also prohibits a person’s image from being used against their will to create sexual content, such as “deepfakes” made using artificial intelligence.
Unfortunately, Governor DeWine vetoed some important provisions in the budget that would have helped Ohio children. A new school choice program that made students attending non-chartered, non-public schools eligible for an Educational Savings Account (ESA) was vetoed, along with a provision requiring public libraries to keep LGBT materials out of the children's section.
The budget also includes policies and spending priorities that:
🛑 Protect Children
Distraction-free learning is a statewide priority with the requirement that public boards of education create policies to prohibit student cell phone use during school hours.
The state is now required to report and conduct research studies on the impacts of marijuana.
🧬 Stand for Truth and Biological Reality
Ohio now recognizes in state policy that there are only two sexes—male and female—which are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality, and are not changeable.
Common sense prevails in public buildings as menstrual products are prohibited in men’s restrooms.
👶 Promote Life & Strengthen Families
The Ohio Department of Health must expand abortion reporting transparency by maintaining a website that publishes monthly abortion data, as well as move up the release of its annual abortion report to March (from October).
Increased grant support for pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) includes $2.5 million per year for an ultrasound machine program and up to $20 million to the Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program for PRCs, ministries, and other groups that serve pregnant women.
The creation of a tax credit (up to $750 per year) for individuals who donate to a pregnancy resource center.
Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives received $20 million to encourage fathers to engage in their children’s lives and strengthen families across Ohio.
📚 Empower Education with Faith and Freedom
Public schools may now teach the Success Sequence—education, work, and marriage before children, a proven path to avoid poverty.
Students are guaranteed the opportunity to attend weekly released-time religious education.
Ohio Adolescent Health Centers received $15.6 million in funding for risk-avoidance education that promotes healthy decision-making in public schools.
A 5 percent increase in the value of Jon Peterson Special Needs and Autism Scholarships.
Expands the use of state auxiliary funds for mental health resources and school security officers at chartered non-public schools.
🏥 Stop Harmful Ideologies in Public Health
Medicaid funds may not be used for initiatives that push radical diversity, equity, and inclusion ideologies.
💵 Simplifies the Tax Code
Over the next two years, Ohio will phase down the state income tax to a flat rate of 2.75 percent.
🚫 Doesn't Exploit the Most Vulnerable
Most importantly, the expansion of predatory gambling (iGaming/video lottery terminals) was not included!
"The state budget passed by the General Assembly was one of the most pro-family budgets ever sent to the governor," said Aaron Baer, President of Center for Christian Virtue. "While we're disappointed in some of Governor DeWine's vetoes, there is no doubt that Ohio is in a better position today to address the marriage and family crisis, and to see our economy grow in the future.
"From requiring pornographic websites to verify users are at least 18 to creating a tax credit for donations to pregnancy centers to allocating $20,000,000 to support responsible fatherhood to the creation of the flat tax, there is so much to celebrate in this budget.
Photo courtesy of Governor Mike DeWine (via X).
"At the same time, the Governor's veto of the non-chartered ESA program leaves some Ohio children–and their taxpaying parents–out in the cold. The ESA programs in states like Iowa, Tennessee, and Florida are helping families find the best education environments that meet their needs. And his veto of the provision requiring libraries to keep LGBT propaganda out of kids' sections only emboldens those who want to target kids with obscene materials. CCV urges the General Assembly to override the Governor's veto of these two key provisions.
Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor DeWine. Lt. Governor Jim Tressel (left) and Governor Mike DeWine (right).
"Ultimately, I’m thankful for Governor DeWine's signature, and applaud Speaker Matt Huffman, Senate President Rob McColley, House Finance Chair Brian Stewart, and Senate Finance Chair Jerry Cirino—along with so many dedicated allies in the legislature—for courageously championing pro-family policies."
What's next?
Many provisions in the budget will take effect in 90 days, while others may take longer, depending on how the provisions were written in the bill.
Lawmakers are planning to meet again this fall.
