Rep. Abrams Votes in Support of House Budget Bill

COLUMBUS – State Representative Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) today voted in support of Am. Sub. House Bill 96 – the House’s version of the State Operating Budget. 

“Without public safety, we have nothing,” said Abrams. “I’m proud to support a budget that champions our law enforcement and makes our communities safer.”

PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY

House Bill 96 continues to support our law enforcement and public safety efforts across the State of Ohio. The bill maintains funding for law enforcement continued professional training, ensuring our law enforcement officers are at their best while they serve and protect our communities. This budget also provides funding for first responders’ overall mental health and wellbeing. Finally, the House’s proposal boosts support for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, who keep our roadways safe and aide our local law enforcement.  

BOOSTING FUNDING FOR OHIO’S SCHOOLS

House Bill 96 prioritizes the education and well-being of students, ensuring that every school district in the State of Ohio receives an increase in funding over the next biennium. Compared to today, this budget provides public schools with $207.6 million more in FY26 than they received in FY25, and in FY27, that increases to $347.6 million above their FY25 support. This equates to a $555.2 million increase in state aid for public schools over the coming biennium. Under the House plan, every student in Ohio will receive more per-pupil funding from the state.

RESTORING PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING

House Bill 96 updates how public libraries are funded by allocating a certain amount of money each fiscal year rather than tying their funding to a percentage of the GRF – bringing stability and predictability to how libraries are funded in the State of Ohio. This budget funds Ohio libraries at $490 million in FY26 and $500 million in FY27 for a total of $990 million over the biennium. This is an increase of over $7.2 million from the last budget.

REVITALIZING LOCAL COMMUNITIES

House Bill 96 will continue and enhance various state initiatives that help solidify Ohio as the best place in the nation to live, work, raise a family and start a business. The bill increases funding for Brownfield Remediation, further improves the Welcome Home Ohio program, and addresses the housing shortage across our state. 

PRIORITIZING WORKFORCE READINESS AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN OHIO

This budget makes a marked effort to prioritize workforce readiness in Ohio, investing in various higher education programs such as the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, the Choose Ohio First Scholarship, and an increase in the State Share of Instruction by 2%, helping lower costs for students at Ohio’s state institutions of higher education. The bill also continues support for Ohio’s TechCred program, which allows employers to upskill current or future employees at no cost to them.

EMPOWERING SCHOOL CHOICE 

House Bill 96 continues the state’s commitment to school choice by increasing the maximum award for the Autism Scholarship and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and supporting the EdChoice Expansion created in the 135th General Assembly.

House Bill 96 now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.