Buckeye Reporter

The Ohio General Assembly has approved House Bill 96, sending the state's main operating budget to Governor Mike DeWine. State Representative Jamie Callender announced that the Ohio House passed the bill with a vote of 59-38, while the Senate's vote was 23-10. The budget process involved six months of hearings and amendments, resulting in a $200 billion biennial budget.

Originally proposed by the Governor at $102 billion for fiscal year 2026 and $104 billion for fiscal year 2027, adjustments were made during negotiations. The final version presented to the Governor totals $99.5 billion for FY '26 and $101 billion for FY '27 across all fund groups. This includes $45.6 billion in FY '26 and $46 billion in FY '27 from the General Revenue Fund.

Key elements of the budget include consolidating Ohio’s income tax brackets into a single flat rate of 2.75%, effective in FY '27. This change is expected to save taxpayers approximately $529 million in FY '26 and $1.146 billion in FY '27.

House Bill 96 also introduces property tax relief measures, allowing county leaders more control over property taxes and enabling local budget commissions to lower school district taxes if they carry over more than 40% of their annual operating costs.

Permanent law changes are included to limit government regulation growth, expanding powers of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) to scrutinize agency rules with significant fiscal impacts.

Specific allocations were restored during conference committee discussions that impact Lake County, including funding for local programs such as the Alliance for Working Together Foundation’s STEAM initiative and sidewalk repairs in Grand River Village.

Teresa Simons from AWT Foundation expressed gratitude for Representative Callender's leadership: “On behalf of our Board, Leadership, and the students that we serve... commitments like his are more critical than ever.”

Mary Mervar from Grand River Village Council thanked Callender: “A special thanks to Representative Callender for being as excited as we are about the potential for Grand River.”

Additional funds have been allocated to programs benefiting greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio areas, including support for youth rowing initiatives by The Foundry and healthcare training through NewBridge Cleveland.

Gina Trebilcock from The Foundry highlighted: “Representative Jamie Callender’s support through Ohio’s operating budget has helped secure vital funding... reinforcing the importance of outdoor education.”

Bethany Friedlander from NewBridge Cleveland acknowledged legislative support: “We are grateful...for their support of at-risk adult learners who fill critical demand jobs in our healthcare industry.”

Jazmin Long from Birthing Beautiful Communities emphasized ongoing efforts against infant mortality rates: “Progress is being made through these efforts.”

Representative Callender commented on the overall impact: “Through regulatory reduction, the creation of a flat income tax, and real property tax relief this budget makes meaningful impacts on the lives of Ohioans."

Governor DeWine now has ten days excluding Sundays to review or veto this legislation.