While this was the first State of the State address for Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, and David Thomas, R-Jefferson, as Ohio House members, the two said they knew what to expect from Gov. Mike DeWine.

“The governor was going to emphasize education, workforce and career tech and try to sell for his budget plan,” Fischer said. “It’s part of the political process. He’s selling his budget.”

But Fischer said he and other Republicans in the Ohio House remain unmoved on DeWine’s budget proposals to increase taxes on sports betting, cigarettes and adult recreational marijuana.

Thomas, whose district includes portions of Trumbull County, said essentially the same thing.

“He didn’t give us much in the way of new initiatives,” Thomas said of DeWine, a fellow Republican.

Like Fischer, Thomas said DeWine’s tax increases are “not going to happen.”

He added: “I was not the biggest fan of all the spending he’s requesting.”

Thomas and Fischer are also on the same page when it comes to DeWine’s efforts to double the current 10% adult recreational marijuana tax and remove the revenue stream given to local communities with dispensaries and put it in the state’s general fund. Those communities get 36% of the current tax though, to date, not a penny of it has been distributed to them with the money being held by the state.

DeWine has been an opponent of the distribution saying it “is not good public policy.”

The state Senate last month passed a bill to overhaul the current marijuana bill, but removed a provision to increase the tax and take it away from local communities.

However, there is discussion that state senators and DeWine want to take the local revenue stream and move it to the state’s general fund in the biennial budget.

But Fischer and Thomas said the Ohio House opposes that plan.

It’s typical for governors to propose a lot in their budgets and for little of it to get approved by the state Legislature. As a well-seasoned politician, DeWine knows that and has experienced it a number of times during his six years as governor. But it’s not going to stop him from trying.

While Fischer and Thomas complimented DeWine for bringing up the economy, workforce and children in his address, they had other issues with his speech, primarily for what the governor didn’t discuss: property tax reform.

State Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, agreed.

“I was disappointed he didn’t mention property taxes,” Cutrona said. “I expected to hear about property taxes. I have a bill that will be dropped shortly on senior citizen property tax relief.”

Thomas said: “His focus is always on jobs, kids and the positives. But I was disappointed the governor didn’t mention property tax reform. It’s the priority of the Legislature so we’ll be taking strong action. He cares about it, but I can’t say why he didn’t at least mention it.”

Fischer said, “Property tax reform is a big topic in the Legislature. Some will be solved in the budget. The governor has deferred to the state Legislature on property tax reform. I’m not disappointed or surprised he didn’t mention it. But it is something I hear about from many property owners so I can understand why those listening to his speech would be disappointed it wasn’t mentioned.”

State Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, said he “was pleased to hear Gov. DeWine’s strong focus on workforce development,” and his “emphasis on manufacturing investment.”

But, Santucci said, “I would have liked to hear more about the governor’s vision for economic development, blight removal and revitalization of our neighborhoods. These issues are key to strengthening our communities and making Ohio an even better place to live and work.”

DeWine reiterated a number of items in his budget bill during the State of the State address that are likely to go nowhere in the General Assembly.

Among them is a $1,000 annual tax credit state tax credit for parents of children 6 years old and under that has met with resistance from his fellow Republicans who control the Legislature.

As he did last year in last year’s State of the State address, DeWine again called for a ban on cellphones in all Ohio schools. The state Legislature last year passed a law requiring school districts to develop policies addressing the use of cellphones in schools.

DeWine’s call again for a ban is unlikely to gain traction with legislators.

Skolnick covers politics for the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator.