Lawmakers negotiating the details of Ohio’s FY 2022-23 budget (House Bill 110) were told this week that the state’s revenue estimate for the next two years is $3.3 billion higher than previous forecasts. The development improves the odds that key OMA-supported provisions — such as repeal of the sales tax on employment services and workforce development priorities — will be included in the final budget. Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks told lawmakers that despite the positive outlook — fueled largely by one-time federal spending — a significant portion of the surplus should be set aside as a “buffer” due to uncertainties moving forward. The OMA joined other major Ohio business groups in support of the DeWine administration’s call for fiscal restraint. 6/17/2021