Delaware County Review

State Representative Brian Lorenz of Powell cast his vote in favor of House Bill 96 on Wednesday, supporting a significant property tax relief measure incorporated into the House's version of the State Operating Budget. This fiscal plan is designed to bolster Ohio families and the state's future, allocating over $4 billion to property tax relief for Ohio residents. It also ensures an increase in school funding for every district throughout the state for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

"This budget is a win for Ohio’s working families, students, and local communities," Lorenz stated. "It reflects the values of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and educational opportunity, while delivering real support to the people who make Ohio strong through conservative principles and common sense."

The approved budget contains substantial provisions advocated by Lorenz, focusing on the enhancement of school funding. Under the new bill, every school district in Ohio will experience increased funding over the next biennium, raising public school support by $555.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2025. This plan ensures more per-pupil state funding across Ohio.

In terms of property tax relief, the bill establishes a framework where schools with more than 30% of their budget remaining unspent will redistribute these funds to residents, aiming to provide over $4 billion in tax relief. Fiscal year 2024 data indicated that 486 districts had cash exceeding 30% of their expenditures.

The bill also aims to strengthen local communities by increasing funding for Brownfield Remediation and refining housing programs like Welcome Home Ohio. It allocates $100 million per fiscal year for the Child Care Choice program to aid families with childcare expenses, while also increasing support for the Help Me Grow initiative for early childhood services.

Moreover, House Bill 96 addresses workforce readiness by investing in higher education programs such as the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, and the TechCred program, which assists employers in employee skill development at no additional cost.

There is an added emphasis on school choice. The bill raises the maximum available funds for the Autism and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarships. It also introduces education savings accounts for families with children in non-chartered non-public schools to ease educational expenses.

Additionally, the bill seeks to increase Medicaid program transparency by setting new reporting requirements for the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

“This budget also includes key wins for Delaware County by robustly funding local infrastructure and law enforcement,” Lorenz noted. “The House was able to invest in all of these critical areas while spending taxpayer dollars wisely and focusing on accountability and outcomes.”

The House has passed the bill, which will proceed to the Ohio Senate for further deliberation.