Ohio Senate OKs Voucher Expansion in Budget Bill Push

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate approved legislation Tuesday to dramatically expand the EdChoice Scholarship Program, transforming it into a universal voucher system available to every K-12 student regardless of income or district. Initially reported by ABC6 on Yourside, the bill increases maximum awards to $6,165 for grades K-8 and $8,407 for high schoolers from families at or below 450% of the federal poverty level. Higher earners qualify on a sliding scale, down to $650 for K-8 and $950 for grades 9-12 above 750% FPL.[1] Gov. Mike DeWine signed the parent budget bill HB 33 into law on July 3, 2025, embedding these changes effective FY 2026. The expansion eliminates income caps from the prior EdChoice Expansion program and phases out the dormant Cleveland Scholarship Program, which provided tutoring grants for Cleveland Municipal School District students. State fiscal estimates project up to $528 million in added annual expenditures starting FY 2024, assuming all 90,500 nonpublic school students claim vouchers — though actual uptake may vary.[1][2] Lawmakers like primary sponsor Sen. Rob O’Brien frame the overhaul as empowerment for families in urban hubs like Cleveland and rural areas alike, allowing public dollars to follow students to nonpublic schools. But opposition mounts from districts fearing enrollment drops and budget shortfalls; a recent push by Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) to escrow funds from suing schools was shelved amid backlash. Meanwhile, House Bill 715 seeks report cards for voucher-accepting private schools, addressing transparency gaps as Ohio nears $1.1 billion yearly voucher spending.[3][4] The universal program shifts from district-specific eligibility to a 'family gross adjusted income' formula, broadening access amid Ohio's push for school choice. With 1.8 million public students and growing private enrollment, the policy tests commitments to local control in places like Columbus City Schools, where property tax reliance could intensify.