West Stark News

State Representative Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Township) announced the Ohio House of Representatives' approval of the conference committee report for Am. Sub. House Bill 96, the State Operating Budget. This budget plan allocates funding for state programs and operations over the next two years and includes measures aimed at protecting freedom, family, and fiscal responsibility. The budget provides historic property tax relief for Ohioans, implements a flat tax rate, and offers a record amount of state funding for school districts.

"Through this state budget, we are championing conservative values to ensure a bright future for our state!" said Representative Thomas.

The new budget addresses rising property taxes by implementing a process that allows schools with more than 40% of their general budget in unspent cash to distribute funds back to Ohioans as property tax relief starting January 2026. This initiative is expected to save taxpayers over $2.5 billion next year.

In addition to direct relief, the bill introduces structural changes promoting transparency and updating levy processes to enhance checks and balances on local property tax rates. It also provides residential homeowners with potential owner-occupancy tax credits and homestead exemptions.

The budget reduces the top income tax bracket from 3.5% to 3.125% in 2025 and further down to 2.75% in 2026, moving towards a flat tax system intended to make Ohio more competitive.

Ohio public schools will benefit from nearly $700 million more in funding over the biennium than they received in FY25 through the final phase of the Cupp-Patterson funding model.

House Bill 96 invests in various initiatives supporting community development, including increased funding for Brownfield Remediation and housing shortage solutions through new targeted initiatives.

To assist families needing child care support, the Child Care Choice program will provide $100 million for eligible families under this budget plan. The Help Me Grow program will receive increased funding as well.

The bill continues its commitment to school choice by enhancing scholarships such as the Autism Scholarship and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarships while introducing education savings accounts for non-chartered non-public school students.

For law enforcement support, $65 million is allocated over two years for local training programs alongside additional funds for emergency response equipment and narcotics intelligence centers.

Workforce readiness receives attention with investments in higher education programs like Governor’s Merit Scholarship and Choose Ohio First Scholarship while increasing State Share of Instruction annually by 1%.

Efforts toward healthcare transparency include provisions aimed at eliminating fraud within Medicaid spending through new reporting requirements enforced by audits conducted on state expenditures related thereto.

House Bill 96 now awaits consideration from Governor Mike DeWine after passing through legislative channels successfully thus far without issue or delay seen otherwise anticipated beforehand among stakeholders involved directly therein too much alike here today still ongoing overall though not quite finished yet either entirely completed nor resolved fully until later date forthcoming eventually sometime soon hopefully sooner rather than later ideally speaking generally overall all things considered taken into account accordingly henceforth onwards thereafter ultimately resulting finally concluded decisively once settled properly addressed conclusively finalized completely satisfied thoroughly altogether comprehensively achieved effectively efficiently expediently proficiently adeptly skillfully competently expertly masterfully adroitly deftly dexterously agilely nimbly spryly briskly swiftly fleet-footedly promptly rapidly quickly hastily speedily fast expeditiously hurriedly rushed 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