Ohio's future depends on getting fundamentals right

Ohio stands at an important crossroads this upcoming election. Decisions made by our state lawmakers and local officials will determine whether families can afford to live here, businesses can grow, schools can prepare students fand communities can maintain services.

These challenges are connected. Property taxes affect household budgets. Education influences workforce development. Government spending affects the resources available for tax relief and infrastructure. Housing costs influence whether young families stay in Ohio.

If I was running for Governor or state legislative position, these are the issues I’d laser focus on and provide realistic solutions.

For many Ohioans, the cost of living remains a persistent concern. The Buckeye state ranks 14th in the cost-of-living index. Property taxes, housing, insurance, utilities, groceries and transportation all compete for a family's paycheck.

Property taxes deserve particular attention because homeowners can face higher bills even when their incomes have not increased. Ohio needs a property tax system that is predictable and transparent. Homeowners should understand what they are paying, why their bills change and how state and local decisions affect the final amount. Tax relief must be sustainable, too. Reducing a tax bill without considering the consequences for schools and local services can simply transfer the financial burden elsewhere.

The Buckeye Institute, an Ohio-based policy organization, has argued that spending restraint and local government reform should be part of the answer. Its 2025 Piglet Book reported Ohio's all-funds spending had increased by more than 55% between 2018 and 2025. Spending was $105 billion in 2025 and will reach $110.7 billion in 2027. These figures raise a legitimate question: How can Ohio ensure spending growth produces lasting value for taxpayers? 

Ohio has a long manufacturing tradition and advantages in logistics, agriculture, health care and advanced industries. Attracting investment is only part of the equation. State officials should measure economic development by jobs actually created, wages paid, private investment delivered and opportunities available to Ohio residents.

Businesses need reliable infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a regulatory environment they can navigate. Workers need opportunities to develop skills translatable into stable employment. Career and technical education, apprenticeships and partnerships between employers and schools deserve serious attention. Not every student needs a four-year degree, but every student deserves a realistic path toward financial freedom.

Education and accountability belong in the same conversation. Ohio's schools play a central role in preparing the next generation, yet debates over school funding, property taxes, school choice and academic performance often becomearguments rather discussions about results.

Taxpayers deserve transparency about how education dollars are spent. Parents deserve clear information about student achievement. Teachers deserve the resources and support necessary to do their jobs. State leaders should examine funding formulas, academic performance, attendance and career readiness while ensuring funding decisions account for differences among communities.

Government spending needs examined. Medicaid illustrates the challenge. The Buckeye Institute's 2025 analysis projected that Medicaid would account for more than half of Ohio's General Revenue Fund spending and more than 45% of total state spending by fiscal 2027. It projected Medicaid spending growth of 9.6% in fiscal 2026 and 6.2% in fiscal 2027. These are projections published by the institute, not final expenditure results, but they demonstrate why lawmakers must carefully examine eligibility, program integrity and long-term costs while protecting access to essential care.

The state's official budget documents provide a critical resource. The Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) publishes enacted appropriations, fiscal analyses and revenue forecasts, allowing taxpayers to compare proposals with actual budget decisions. Lawmakers should use such information to evaluate programs, contracts, administrative costs and tax incentives.

Housing and health care affect Ohio's competitiveness. The ability to find affordable housing influences where families settle, where employers recruit and whether young adults can establish roots. Ohio should examine barriers to construction, development costs, local zoning requirements and the availability of homes at different price points.

Health care presents another challenge. Rural hospital access, behavioral health services, addiction treatment and rising medical costs affect communities across the state. Policymakers must consider both access and affordability, evaluate existing programs and be honest about the costs associated with proposed solutions.

Public safety remains a basic responsibility. Ohioans should be able to live, work and raise families without fear of crime. Effective policing, functioning courts, appropriate sentencing and meaningful rehabilitation play roles in a comprehensive justice system. Crime trends, repeat offending, case-processing times and incarceration costs should be evaluated.

The test of public policy should be whether it produces meaningful, measurable improvements in people's lives. Ohio has the resources, institutions and talent to remain a state where families can prosper and businesses can succeed. 

Rob Scott is the Kettering Clerk of Court, an attorney, and a small-business owner. Contact him at rob@robscott.us.