Mansfield Times

State Representative Melanie Miller, representing Ashland, voted in favor of House Bill 96, the Ohio House of Representatives' version of the State Operating Budget. The bill aims to provide more than $4 billion in property tax relief for Ohioans and increase funding for every school district in the state in the upcoming fiscal years.

Miller expressed satisfaction with the bill, stating, "I am extremely pleased that the House Budget will positively impact Ohioans as it provides historic property tax relief for homeowners." She added, "Ohio’s public schools will remain strong as well, receiving increased funding for every single school district in Ohio."

Key elements of the House Budget include specific allocations such as $935,000 for Ashland University's Military and Veterans Services program, $100,000 for civics education training and student learning through Ashbrook Center, and an increase in funding for Tourism Ohio by $10 million in fiscal year 2026 and $12 million in fiscal year 2027.

Regarding school funding, the bill proposes a $555.2 million increase in state aid over the coming biennium, ensuring additional per-pupil funding across all Ohio school districts. Compared to fiscal year 2025, funding will increase by $207.6 million in fiscal year 2026 and by $347.6 million in fiscal year 2027.

The bill also includes a mechanism to offer property tax relief, totaling more than $4 billion. This relief will be funded by redistributing unspent cash from schools, especially those with carryovers exceeding 30% of their expenditures at the end of the fiscal year.

Other measures in the bill seek to enhance community initiatives, tackle housing shortages, and support families in need of child care assistance. The Child Care Choice program is allocated $100 million annually, and funding is increased for the Help Me Grow program, which assists pregnant women and families with young children.

Further provisions include new personal income tax deductions, increased funding for parenting and pregnancy programs, and required agreements between hospitals and nearby birthing centers.

House Bill 96 also emphasizes workforce readiness, with investments in scholarships and higher education funding, along with support for the TechCred program, which helps employers upskill workers.

The bill maintains a focus on school choice with increased scholarship maximums and the establishment of education savings accounts for non-chartered non-public school attendees. Additionally, it introduces Medicaid transparency measures, mandating detailed reporting by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.

House Bill 96 is now forwarded to the Ohio Senate for further review.