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

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Twp.) 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. 

“This budget fundamentally undermines the well-being of Ohioans. Public libraries and schools are cornerstones of a thriving society, and every citizen deserves access to vital information and quality educational opportunities that drive economic mobility. Slashing funding for childcare and putting Medicaid access at risk is not just reckless, it disproportionately harms working families who rely on these essential services. My office has heard an overwhelming number of stories from our constituents about skyrocketing property taxes, and the lack of relief this budget fails in meeting the voiced needs of the people in Ohio’s 41st District. When we budget, we must be mindful that we are budgeting on behalf of real people who will face the real effects of a budget such as this,” said Rep. White.  

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 $7K. 

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 for working families and hindering economic growth;
• Threaten Medicaid expansion for nearly 800K 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.