by J.D. Davidson A comprehensive educational funding reform effort pushed by the Ohio General Assembly into the next legislative session would substantially reduce what economists called inequality throughout the state. Scioto Analysis, a Central Ohio-based economic and public policy analysis firm specializing in tax and budget policy at the state and local level, surveyed 30 economists from Ohio colleges and universities. All but four agreed the plan would reduce inequality in the coming decades, but many also agreed it needed to be teamed with broader investments and smarter uses of money. “While access to quality education is necessary for reducing in equality, it is unfortunately not sufficient,” Fadhel Kaboub, a Denison University professor, said. “Education must be coupled with investments in health, infrastructure, direct job creation and other public safety nets.” The bill, which calls for a six-year complete phase it, could mean $2 billion more for education in Ohio. However, according to State Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, actual costs remain unknown. While the plan passed the Ohio House, Dolan and Senate Republicans resisted calls for passage by the end of the year. Instead, opting to offer funding for studies called for…
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