Statement by Blake Thompson, vice president for government affairs, on state budget

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Topography (left) and a shaded relief map (right) of the rock deep beneath the Tibetan Plateau. Color indicates kilometers below Earth's surface. Image by Younghong Shin of the Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resource, courtesy of The Ohio State University.

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[300 dpi] Topography (left) and a shaded relief map (right) of the rock deep beneath the Tibetan Plateau. Color indicates kilometers below Earth's surface. Image by Younghong Shin of the Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resource, courtesy of The Ohio State University.

“I want to thank Governor Kasich and legislative leaders for making higher education a significant priority in this budget bill. I appreciate their willingness to partner with Ohio State and other public institutions throughout the budget process. This budget supports quality and excellence while holding colleges and universities accountable for keeping costs in check.

“President Drake’s bold plan to freeze the total cost of attendance for in-state undergraduates signaled Ohio State’s commitment to reducing student debt, which helped frame the conversation about state support for education. Increases in funding for the State Share of Instruction and the Ohio College Opportunity Grants reflect our shared goal to keep college affordable without sacrificing academic excellence.”