Ohio Bill Centralizes School Funding, Ends EdChoice Vouchers

Sen. Andrew Brenner's Senate Bill 93 would eliminate local school levies and Ohio's EdChoice vouchers, replacing them with a statewide 20-mill school property tax and a 1.75 percentage-point sales tax increase dedicated to education. The plan would centralize collection and distribution at the state level and set per-pupil funding at about $11,535 that would "follow" students to public or charter schools, while making open enrollment mandatory and creating countywide busing systems and eased district mergers. Supporters say the change would stabilize funding and distribute tax burdens more evenly, potentially providing relief in high-tax suburbs. Opponents warn it removes local control, risks privatization, and could cut funding for many rural districts — roughly 67% of which are already at the 20-mill floor. Analysts estimate the proposal would raise homeowner costs by about $700 annually on a $100,000 home, and the measure faces significant political and legal hurdles as it moves through the legislature.