One of the recommendations that came to me in 2012 while working on the third edition of Follow the Money was to go beyond the mechanics of budget process and focus on the substance of the policies addressed in those budgets. This suggestion came from no less than a mentor of mine, William J. Shkurti, a former director of the Office of Budget and Management and Senior Vice President for Business and Finance at The Ohio State University. Certainly, the significance of the state budget to both Ohio policy and politics cannot be overestimated. Unfortunately, time did not permit me to take up this worthy idea in time for inclusion in the third edition, but I never forgot the notion.

Given some extra time and resources to develop the fourth edition of Follow the Money: State Budgeting and Public Policy in Ohio, I believe that we were able to be true to Shkurti’s vision, as well as make other updates and improvements. The fourth edition takes a deep dive into three critical areas of public policy that comprise most state spending, Medicaid, health and human services and primary and secondary education. We also touch on corrections and higher education policy, as these areas comprise much of the remaining investment of state dollars; Ohio spends comparatively little on the operations of state government itself.

The fourth edition takes a deep dive into three critical areas of public policy that comprise most state spending, Medicaid, health and human services and primary and secondary education.

I could not have achieved this expanded vision of Follow the Money without the considerable policy expertise of two capable staff members of The Center for Community Solutions. In this edition, Loren Anthes tackled significant recent Medicaid policy developments, while Tara Britton examined the wide-ranging array of other health and human services matters. I authored a chapter on education issues as I have more comfort and recent relevant experience with this area.

Whether you are a policymaker, a “number-cruncher,” an advocate, or simply a student of state government, I hope this fourth edition of Follow the Money will be a valuable resource for you and provide new insights into the complexities of Ohio budgeting.

In addition to budget process, previous editions of Follow the Money touched briefly on important historical trends in state budgeting in a single chapter. Now, in six full chapters, this fourth edition details Ohio budget history starting with its origins more than a century ago, and also focuses on 1971. In that pivotal year, the individual and corporate franchise taxes were enacted under the dogged, if not terribly popular, leadership of Governor John Gilligan. This forever changed the Ohio budgeting landscape. The trials of each succeeding Ohio governor, James Rhodes, for a second time, Richard Celeste, George Voinovich, Bob Taft, and Ted Strickland, are examined, as each faced and responded to periods of stability and economic slowdowns in an ever-evolving political environment. Finally, the administration of Governor John Kasich, with all of its successes and contradictions, is scrutinized in great detail. An afterword briefly looks at two fundamental truths that incoming Governor Mike DeWine and his successors will face, a changing economy and an aging population.

Now, in six full chapters, this fourth edition details Ohio budget history starting with its origins more than a century ago, and also focuses on 1971.

The original focus of Follow the Money is in no way compromised or diminished in this expanded focus on history and public policy. Quite the contrary, the fundamentals of state budgeting in Ohio are laid out in detail in the book’s initial eight chapters. the balance of the book gives these fundamental truths meaning and context.

Whether you are a policymaker, a “number-cruncher,” an advocate, or simply a student of state government, I hope this fourth edition of Follow the Money will be a valuable resource for you and provide new insights into the complexities of Ohio budgeting.