Mansfield Times

State Representative Melanie Miller of Ashland has voted in favor of Am. Sub. House Bill 96, the State Operating Budget for Ohio. This budget outlines funding for state programs and operations over the next two years and includes significant measures such as property tax relief, a flat tax rate, and increased funding for school districts.

Miller stated, "House Bill 96 is a thoughtful plan that reflects the values of the people we represent and creates more opportunity, security, and support for families across our state." She emphasized that the budget provides historic property tax relief and moves towards a flatter income tax system while increasing investments in public education.

The bill addresses rising property taxes by implementing a process where schools with excess cash carryovers will redistribute funds to provide property tax relief. It is estimated to save Ohioans over $2.5 billion starting in January 2026.

The legislation also introduces structural changes to promote transparency in property tax processes and offers direct relief through owner-occupancy tax credits and homestead exemptions.

The new budget plan reduces the top state income tax bracket from 3.5% to 3.125% in 2025 and further down to 2.75% in 2026, aiming to make Ohio's tax system more competitive.

Education funding is prioritized with nearly $700 million more allocated for public schools compared to FY’25. The bill also continues investment in various initiatives supporting local communities, including brownfield remediation and housing construction incentives.

House Bill 96 supports school choice by increasing scholarship awards for special needs students and establishing education savings accounts for non-chartered non-public school attendees.

In terms of law enforcement, the budget allocates $65 million for training local law enforcement officers, along with additional funds for emergency response programs.

Workforce readiness is another focus area with investments in higher education scholarships aimed at reducing costs for students at state institutions.

Healthcare transparency is addressed by introducing new reporting requirements within Medicaid to prevent fraud and wasteful spending.

The budget aligns with conservative values by enacting measures such as excluding sugar-sweetened beverages from SNAP purchases, removing certain proposed tax increases, prohibiting Medicaid funds from being used for DEI programs, and providing support for pregnancy resource centers.