Governor DeWine signs state operating budget
On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine signed the state’s next two-year budget, House Bill (HB) 96 into law. Before signing, the governor issued 67 line-item vetoes. View Gov. DeWine’s press conference on his decisions here and read his full veto message here.
Key education-related vetoes include:
- Item Number 27 — Non-Chartered Educational Savings Account Program and education tax credits
- Item Number 51 — STRS and SERS employee contributions
- Item Number 53 — Partisan school board elections
- Item Number 55 — County budget commission authority and procedure (partial veto)
- Item Number 63 — 40% cash balance carryover
- Item Number 65 — 20-mill floor calculation (which would have included fixed-sum levies)
- Item Number 66 — School district property tax restrictions (elimination of fixed-sum levies)
In his messaging, the governor emphasized the need for comprehensive property tax reform and announced plans to convene a working group that will include legislators, agency officials, school officials, community members and tax policy experts.
Now that the bill is signed into law, HB 96’s funding provisions take effect immediately, while any policy changes within the bill become effective after 90 days.
The General Assembly can attempt to override individual vetoes with a three-fifths vote in each chamber (this equates to 60 votes in the House, 20 votes in the Senate). Legislators can take an override vote on any veto at any time during the current two-year legislative session, which ends Dec. 31, 2026.
This has been one of the most challenging budget cycles in recent memory. As we head into the holiday weekend, we hope you'll take a moment to reflect on the vital role public education plays in shaping our future, and the individual and collective impact we have in advancing it. Thank you for your leadership, your advocacy and your commitment to Ohio's students and communities. It made all the difference!
OSBA BASA OASBO Biennial Budget Review Workshop
Registration is open for OSBA, BASA and OASBO’s joint Biennial Budget Review workshop. At this seminar, our associations will provide an in-depth analysis of the signed FY26-27 state biennial budget. The workshop will take place on Monday, July 28 from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus. Additional details and a link to register for the workshop can be found here.
General Assembly recesses until September
Following the extensive state budgeting process, both chambers of the legislature have elected to recess until September, when they are slated to return for “as needed” sessions. While the legislature is on recess, Statehouse activity is expected to slow significantly. Weekly editions of Facts in a Flash will resume when the legislature is back in session this fall.
Recently introduced bills
- HB 391 – Sponsored by Reps. Jack K. Daniels (R-New Franklin) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown), this bill would require tax rates to be expressed as a percentage of true value on tax bills and ballot language.
Rules activity
The Department of Education and Workforce and the State Board of Education do not have any rules open for public comment at this time.
Federal update
Please click here to read the most recent Federal Advocacy Report, which includes up-to-date information on federal education efforts. Click here to read the most recent Federal Court Report.