Ohio GOP Calls School Funding Plan a ‘Fantasy,’ Moves to Slash Budget

Source: http://www.wcpo.com
Ohio Republican leadership is doubling down on its threat to cut public school funding, with new House Speaker Matt Huffman calling the continuation of the current funding plan a “fantasy.” This statement has reignited controversy around Ohio’s fraught history with school funding. In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court declared the state’s reliance on property taxes for funding schools unconstitutional. Despite bipartisan efforts over decades, lawmakers continue to grapple with reform.
The Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Plan, signed into law in 2021, was designed to address these long-standing issues. Sponsored by Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Jamie Callender (R-Concord), the plan allocates $333 million annually—about $2 billion overall—toward K-12 education over six years, reducing reliance on property taxes.
While the plan has been partially or fully funded for its first four years, the remaining two years are now in jeopardy. Huffman recently signaled the GOP leadership’s intention to halt the funding increases, describing the next phase of Cupp-Patterson as “unsustainable.”
“The General Assembly from four years ago shouldn’t bind what future lawmakers can do,” Huffman stated. He also suggested some school districts are not using resources “wisely.” The remarks sparked outrage among parents, educators, and lawmakers. Some Republican legislators have broken ranks, vowing to prioritize public education. At least 15 GOP lawmakers have expressed support for K-12 schools, with six reaching out directly to affirm their commitment.
“This isn’t just about funding—it’s about the future of Ohio’s children,” one legislator emphasized.
The controversy highlights deep divisions within Ohio’s Republican Party and underscores the ongoing struggle to ensure equitable, constitutional school funding.
Read more of the story here: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/ohio-gop-continues-with-plan-to-slash-public-school-budget-denounces-current-funding-as-fantasy/
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