State Representative Cindy Abrams, a Republican from Harrison, has announced her support for Amended Substitute House Bill 96, which serves as the House’s version of the State Operating Budget. Abrams emphasized the importance of public safety, stating, “Without public safety, we have nothing,” and expressed pride in backing a budget that prioritizes law enforcement and community safety.
House Bill 96 aims to enhance public safety in Ohio by maintaining funding for law enforcement training and supporting the mental health of first responders. Additionally, the budget increases support for the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The bill also emphasizes educational funding, with a plan to boost funding for Ohio’s public schools by $555.2 million over the coming biennium. Under this plan, public schools are set to receive $207.6 million more in fiscal year 2026 than they did in 2025, and the amount will further increase in 2027.
Public libraries will benefit from a more stable funding model, with a total allocation of $990 million over the biennium, an increase of over $7.2 million from the previous budget.
The bill aims to revitalize local communities with initiatives such as funding for Brownfield Remediation and the Welcome Home Ohio program, addressing Ohio’s housing shortage. It also focuses on workforce readiness by boosting higher education funding and continuing support for the TechCred program.
Additional provisions in the budget support school choice by increasing the maximum awards for both the Autism Scholarship and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and by maintaining support for the EdChoice Expansion.
House Bill 96 is now set for consideration by the Ohio Senate.
