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

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) Wednesday 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. 

“I voted to not concurrence for the Senate’s version of the operating budget because, like the House version, it fundamentally fails Ohioans. Any budget that cuts funding for essential programs like public education and social safety nets to instead provide tax breaks and payouts to the wealthy few clearly reveals the true priorities of the governing Majority. Ohio is falling behind in every key area that impacts our lives — from education and health outcomes to economic opportunity and community growth. Our state has seen unchecked one-party rule for almost three decades and budgets like this are a result of that. One that fights for the wants of the few and not the needs of the many,” said Rep. Robinson. 

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.