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On June 12, the Ohio Senate unveiled its initial version of the state’s biennial operating budget, improving upon the House of Representatives’ version, House Bill 49. The Senate’s solid first effort goes further than the House in some key areas—including administrative agency cuts, Medicaid reductions, municipal tax reform, criminal justice, and healthcare—but more work remains to be done, especially with recurring revenue shortfalls looming on the horizon.

Winston Churchill once wrote, “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” There is great wisdom in Sir Winston’s statement. Fortunately, Ohio policymakers have largely embraced this wisdom over the last decade with state tax reforms that have positively impacted Ohio’s economy. However, much more is needed to keep Ohio moving forward, including broader reforms to Ohio’s local tax structure.