Week in Review: June 4, 2023

FY24-25 BUDGET

The Senate version of biennial budget bill HB33 (Edwards) is expected to be introduced Tuesday, June 6 according to Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima), with a floor vote held by Thursday, June 15. Huffman told reporters passing the budget on that date should give lawmakers plenty of time to hammer out differences before sending the bill to the governor by the end of the month.

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT

Ohio is the 20th-best state or district for remote work and second-best among its neighbors, according to a report from personal finance site WalletHub released recently. The report relied on 12 key metrics and ranked Ohio 21st in the "work environment" subranking and 29th in "living environment." It also noted that 12.7% of full-time employees work entirely from home and 28.2% have a hybrid model. The top five states overall were Delaware, Utah, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey, with the District of Columbia ranked sixth. Among neighbors, Pennsylvania was 18th, followed by Kentucky, 23rd; Indiana, 32nd; Michigan, 34th; and West Virginia, 42nd.

GAMING/GAMBLING

Ohio Lottery revenues were lower in April 2023 when compared to April 2022, according to data provided by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Traditional Ohio Lottery ticket sales were $356.3 million in April 2023, down from $374.8 million in April 2022. Draw-based game sales for April 2023 were $157.6 million, down from $175.3 million in April 2022. However, Scratch-off ticket sales for April 2023 were $198.7 million, up from $197.9 million in April 2022. Operating transfers to the Lottery Profits Education Fund (LPEF) were $121.2 million. Through April 2023, transfers to the LPEF are up over last year by $58 million.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Ohio saw 22 crashes resulting in 23 deaths on state roadways during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported Tuesday. The patrol said the number of traffic fatalities is the highest since the 2020 Memorial Day weekend, when 20 individuals were killed. The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 26 and ran through Monday, May 29. During the reporting period, state troopers made 19,980 traffic enforcement contacts, including 399 impaired driving arrests, 233 drug arrests and 2,797 safety belt citations. The number was down 23.5% from 2022, the patrol said. In addition, the patrol made 10,463 non-enforcement contacts, including 2,107 motorist assists, it said.