Rep. Synenberg Votes Against Concurrence on Senate Operating Budget Amid Ongoing Concerns for Ohioans

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) today voted against concurrence with the Ohio Senate’s version of the state operating budget, House Bill (HB) 96. House Democrats remain deeply concerned about the budget’s failure to fully fund public education, healthcare, childcare, and property tax relief.

“Ohioans work hard and expect their leaders to have their backs, but this budget continues to fall short,” said Rep. Synenberg. “Budgets reflect our values, and this one sends a troubling message about who and what our state chooses to prioritize. While families across Ohio are asking for support, including better schools, accessible healthcare, and reliable childcare, this budget delivers cuts and hurts communities. The Senate’s version only makes matters worse. As we head into conference committee, we must push for a budget that truly meets the needs of Ohioans. That means investing in our children’s education, expanding access to childcare, ensuring equitable healthcare, and creating pathways to homeownership. Ohioans deserve more than short-sighted cuts and payouts to professional sports teams. They deserve a future we can all believe in.” 

The Senate’s budget also lowers the top income tax rate from 3.5% to 2.75% over the biennium, resulting in a $1.4B cut to state revenue. Under the proposal, the overwhelming majority of Ohioans who make less than $100,000/year won’t see a change to their tax bill. Meanwhile, someone who takes home at least $1M next year will get an additional $7,000.

The Senate budget continues to:

• Undermine the bipartisan, constitutional fair school funding formula;
• Limit school district financial reserves, forcing more local tax levies;
• Increase taxpayer-funded vouchers for private and charter schools without adequate accountability;
• Fail to provide targeted and state-funded property tax relief for Ohio homeowners;
• Slash childcare funding, fails to invest in working families and hinder economic growth;
• Threaten Medicaid expansion for nearly 800,000 Ohioans;
• Upends Ohio’s best in the nation system for funding public libraries and cuts funding for important environmental programs;
• Include policies harmful to LGBTQ+ Ohioans, minority-owned businesses, and workers’ collective bargaining rights; and
• Allocate $600M in unclaimed funds for a new Browns stadium opposed by local leaders.

By a vote of 84-1 Wednesday the Ohio House of Representatives voted against concurrence of HB 96. The budget will now head to conference committee.