There is already a federal tax deduction for up to $250 for qualified educators. This bill would cover an additional $250 for educators in Ohio.
Scott DiMauro, the president of the Ohio Education Association, said last month that the bill will help alleviate the burden that many educators feel when using money from their own pockets. The Ohio Education Association is the state’s largest teachers union.
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Sen. Stephanie Kunze R-Hilliard, who introduced the legislation, testified before the House Finance Committee that teachers spend an average of $600 of their own money each year on basic school supplies. Nearly all educators, 94%, spend some amount of money of school supplies out of pocket, DiMauro said, citing a 2018 U.S. Department of Education study.
“This bill would essentially cover the gap from $251 to $500 for teachers in Ohio,” DiMauro said. “And while we welcome this support for educators, schools need to meet the needs of their students and that still needs to be addressed in the Legislature.”
Ohio will join five other states and Washington, D.C., in offering an income tax credit or deduction for school supplies, if this bill passes.
“No teacher should have to buy their own school supplies. We need to equip our schools with the necessary resources so teachers don’t bear the burden,” Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, said. “This bill is a step in the right direction, but we have more work to do.”
State Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, said the bill is good for teachers and students.
“This is a fair bill that will help teachers and students across the state of Ohio,” Lehner said.
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