Ohio's proposed Mid-Biennium Review encompasses a broad spectrum of legislative changes, including a proposal to raise gas and oil drilling taxes on the oil and gas industry, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The drilling increases were removed from the budgetary review last week by the Ohio House of Representatives before hearings on the issue could take place. The mid-biennium review includes a $400 million for the construction of higher education facilities and $675 million for the Ohio School Facilities Commission, National Public Radio reports.
Here are some facts about the proposed gas and oil industry changes and the Mid-Biennium Review:
* Gov. Kasich said he is not "going to take no for an answer" from the Legislature on the drilling tax proposal during a Columbus Dispatch interview. Kasich also said "taxpayers deserve better than that, and we'll get there."
* The primary goals of Kasich's new plan include increased governmental efficiency, resource sharing, local decision-making capabilities and education reform. The creation of a new workforce development board and school district academic rating system are among the highlights of the pending legislation, NPR reports.
* The drilling income tax plan would increase taxes on gas and oil corporations using hydraulic fracturing to extract shale from the earth, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Elected officials in the House and Senate said a willingness to "revisit" the issue at a later date and plan to move forward with the multiple initiatives presented in the governor's proposal.
* A Learn to Earn program geared to aid unemployed Ohioans accrue job-seeking skills necessary to gain long-term career success. The program would permit individuals receiving unemployment compensation to train with a new employer without losing benefit, according to the County Commissioners Association of Ohio Statehouse Report.
* The Governor's Executive Workforce Board will also receive an overhaul in an effort to increase effectiveness and eliminate the "bureaucratic web of inefficiency" from the board, the Transforming Ohio for Growth report on the governor's website. The board is tasked with matching the needs of labor with training programs.
* $1.74 billion of "bricks-and-mortar" projects are also a part of the governor's plan, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
* The Office of Workforce Transformation will match military veteran skills with workforce demands in the civilian world. Earlier this month Gov. Kasich signed an executive order creating transformation program, Human Resources News reports.
* Kasich believes "every Ohioan" will benefit from the drilling tax increase, according to the Columbus Dispatch. OSU Political Science Professor Paul Beck agreed with the governor's assessment of the drilling industry revenue increase.
* The governor's plan also permits public school treasurers to serve as business managers. County auditors will also be allowed to act as fiscal agents for other public office and share workers "across county lines" the state website reports.
* Public school teacher performance will be evaluated by a "neutral third-party" if the proposal is approved. Educators who are unable to improve performance after completing development programs may be terminated, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
* Two Department of Natural Resources recycling and litter prevention and scrap tire regulation programs will be consolidated into the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, according to the Mid-Biennium Review report.
