Ohio GOP Lawmaker Moves to Narrow Bill Targeting Districts Suing Over Vouchers

Overview

• Rep. Jamie Callender says he will amend HB 671 so only amounts equal to districts’ lawsuit spending are escrowed instead of their full state aid.
• Public-school coalitions and legal advocates condemn the proposal as punitive and unconstitutional, signaling plans to seek an injunction if it advances.
• More than 300 districts in the Vouchers Hurt Ohio coalition are suing over the EdChoice expansion, which a Franklin County judge ruled unconstitutional in June 2025; the state’s appeal is pending in the 10th District Court of Appeals.
• Republican backers argue districts should not use taxpayer dollars to sue the state, with leaders like Sen. Jerry Cirino and Senate President Rob McColley voicing support for restrictions.
• Voucher spending topped $1 billion in FY2025 and is projected to rise, a shift critics say drains resources from public schools as districts report budget strains.