COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio House of Representatives Thursday afternoon passed the state biennial budget bill, House Bill 166, which makes significant and much-appreciated investments into Ohio’s counties. The budget bill should fully fund indigent defense reimbursement to counties beginning in FY 2021. Full funding of indigent defense reimbursement is CCAO’s No. 1 budget priority.

“CCAO sincerely thanks House Speaker Larry Householder and the Ohio House of Representatives for their tremendous support in rebuilding the state-county partnership,” said CCAO President Julie Ehemann. “The budget’s investment in Ohio’s counties lays a strong foundation for a meaningful state-county partnership that will serve Ohio well and improve the quality of life for the residents of our great state.”

The House’s actions build upon Gov. Mike DeWine’s significant increase in indigent defense reimbursement to counties and compliment the governor’s sizable initial investment into children’s services.

The County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) advances effective county government for Ohio through legislative advocacy, education and training, technical assistance and research, quality enterprise service programs, and greater citizen awareness and understanding of county government.

Ehemann is also a Shelby County commissioner.