[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6182953,"mediaKeyId","5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5","parentId",5102764,"title","Senate approves conference report on biennial budget after hours of debate; 23 yeas, 10 nays","audioSeconds",8534,"startMs",1764000,"endMs",10298000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5&start=1764&end=10298","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5/thumbnail_1764000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182953/Ohio/Senate-approves-conference-report-on-biennial-budget-after-hours-of-debate-23-yeas-10-nays","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182953-9b4f44e20185dc77fa7e1e267893037a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151470&Signature=QNizO49Jwi4Xoed1ZpuI8EPDXpPc6AhtVr~GZHO26pDHbMRU05T0R4gYQJT2E9oEd6l2vw1ERppbjUpGsmTRXlSanWXsdKWKW9TtTs-hvW4VepYGegjs45emhcE-Jvnq63P4Dt5fz09CHR5sXdOg2xf6Ng1gSdW1iYOZSd2-pnObW9sLlxvqtoqYwCuE-dMEFj1Sg4TE3tiZiqJxTrmhAdZb0LfMJjhWk~XTM13wWfOPwRZRAKKLL-A4Zld6KNc9WWi9FXaFN66LnzyfbcI2IDyRcPfDXsK41kdssHz-iUodgGGbfTePCYuHUc-drV5asoyDr3XlV1Td-Mctphx~cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ohio Legislature","date","2025-06-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Ohio Senate voted 23–10 on Wednesday to agree to the conference committee report on House Bill 96, the biennial state budget that sets spending, tax policy and program priorities for fiscal 2026–27.

Supporters called the package a bipartisan compromise that phases in a flat income tax, increases school funding through the fair school funding formula and invests in housing, research and economic development. Opponents said the measure shortchanges low‑income families, trims some social programs and uses state resources to back large private projects.

The conference report was brought to the floor for immediate consideration after a motion to that effect. Senator Serino urged colleagues to accept the report, calling it a compromise reached after resolving “over 800 differences” with the Ohio House and saying the bill delivers tax relief, education funding and economic development. Senator Hicks Hudson and other Democrats opposed the report, citing procedural concerns about limited time for review and substantive objections including reduced support for food assistance, weakened agency authority and an alleged shift of power to the legislature.

Supporters highlighted several specific provisions. The budget includes a move toward a simplified flat income tax and a phase‑in of the fair school funding plan, which proponents say funds the student‑centered formula that had previously been only partially implemented. The package allocates money for housing programs the sponsors described as significant: a residential economic development district grant ($25 million), a $100 million rural residential development revolving loan fund, and continued support for the Welcome Home Ohio program. Conference supporters also pointed to funding for university research (including a Miami University quantum computing initiative), expanded film and theater tax incentives, and increased funding for Parkinson’s and stroke registries.

Opponents focused on other line items and the process. Senator Smith and several Democratic senators criticized the budget’s tax changes, saying the largest share of benefits would go to higher‑income households and that the pace of changes lacked full deliberation. Several members objected to substituting unclaimed state funds for other priorities and raised constitutional and legal questions about using unclaimed funds as a vehicle for financing a proposed development related to the Cleveland Browns. Senator Weinstein said the budget cuts pediatric cancer research funding from the governor’s proposal and called that cut unacceptable. Senator DeMora described late amendments she said favored energy market participants at the expense of residential customers.

Floor debate included narrower policy disagreements as well: language affecting local control over property tax levies and levy transparency rules; provisions altering how some school officials’ retirement contributions are handled; and the creation of a new “election integrity unit” and other structural changes supporters said will improve election oversight. Procedural objections from the minority emphasized the compressed schedule: Senator Hicks Hudson said members had insufficient time to vet “838 action items” and urged a no vote; she closed by saying she could not be silent and urged rejection.

After the roll call, President Macaulay announced the result: 23 ayes and 10 nays, and the conference report was agreed to. Members immediately adopted a set of resolutions and the Senate adjourned.

The passage sends the finalized budget forward for the usual enrollment and signature steps required before it becomes law. Members on both sides urged voters and local officials to watch implementation closely, noting that multiple items (stadium financing, some regulatory changes and certain program rollouts) may require future statutory or administrative action or face legal challenges.

Sources: floor debate and roll call on the Senate floor, June 24, 2025. Quotes and attributions appear in the public floor transcript of the Ohio Senate session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ohio Senate - 6-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ohio Senate voted 23–10 to adopt the conference committee report on House Bill 96, the two‑year state budget, after hours of floor debate over tax changes, school funding, housing investments and several high‑profile development projects.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Ohio","taxId",17405,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182943,"Votes at a glance: highway namings, license plate, gubernatorial appointment approved",906,788000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5&start=788&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5/thumbnail_788000.jpg","/articles/6182943/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-highway-namings-license-plate-gubernatorial-appointment-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182943-e1ab44b803ec1344c0601e3dd9350a45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151470&Signature=Y6GZOvnD7Xa7KBELWTZFatfNChiB9t9lQzqbNBJdu7Yv-iJCCM5ZYuiIGqbqSshouQKML1JhoBIPOsgQEECS-PR464uj9k80aC9jKmzUMqab1ic2EXJH~bJw4EbCD-hVEN5V-tn4Z7akXv8V0T7zEbZ-dnlDzRfVi3HcMk7J-suXGy1gfmV1vhwY77u0O3rg1oEQz5jH5mSupdJObMaxGWWgnqdjwvJBijAZ8428ckKQ5sY1AbT0HYb-1N9oVbMMdK11HrhLVbdzTfPFjY5NOT3qr0SFNu6fU-d5bi45vbsMuK9~0TCwBlxyHk7Mf5fmQqqDW27Blx16S89jmG3JwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several non‑budget measures and a confirmation vote were considered on Wednesday with brief floor presentations and recorded roll‑call votes.

- House Bill 51: The Senate passed House Bill 51 to designate a portion of U.S. Route 33 in Auglaise County as the Lieutenant James A. Kuykendahl Memorial Highway. Senator Patton introduced and urged an affirmative vote; the roll call recorded 32 yeas and 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 182: The Senate passed Senate Bill 182 to designate a portion of Lorain (Lorraine) Avenue in Cleveland as John E. Gallagher Way, honoring the late philanthropist and Arrow International founder. Senator Patton spoke in support; the roll call recorded 32 yeas and 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 212: The Senate approved Senate Bill 212 to create the Play Golf Ohio specialty license plate. Senator Timken described charitable beneficiaries for proceeds (PGA Foundation work, Evans Scholarship Foundation, therapeutic golf programs) and urged passage. The vote was 32 yeas and 0 nays.

- Advice and Consent — gubernatorial appointment: The Senate advised and consented to the governor’s appointment of John C. Harris Jr.; the roll call result announced on the floor was 32 yeas and 0 nays.

Those items were presented with brief floor remarks; each passed on recorded roll calls and the titles were agreed to. Members had the opportunity to add their names to the titles before final agreement.

","On a mostly unanimous series of short items, the Senate passed several naming bills, a specialty license plate and gave advice and consent on a gubernatorial appointment; votes were recorded on each measure.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182948,"Senate passes Industrial Commission budget, citing accessibility and lower request; 32–0",338,954000,1292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5&start=954&end=1292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5102764-105e228c8d3d7fa1454158dea8b429b5/thumbnail_954000.jpg","/articles/6182948/Ohio/Senate-passes-Industrial-Commission-budget-citing-accessibility-and-lower-request-320","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182948-2b00f9ef7df7d79ae0bdeb9a4bac3d1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151470&Signature=fMt4Wn8PeVfJVvz8s6wt-rcx4osHGcAYSPABBwKr0jHSBPRKJwf4gd-LhcsG367w4RTGMEn5urlZe4nl11l0W03iu5F-Y~r6XHs3fpCp7Ypqp21PokyiEsseWz9fBkB1yciMo79gF7c2QsJKzLBLrRiiTirAUNftG77bX8fPTKz97hggWdq0s6RAkwd6qlG3vTik9tGiGwcKGKIwU9o3jwaK5sF3fe6qzK6LsxqRGFJrIaBrDRWxgH4UNOWGZsbwI0~TMoujFTsqYESJkdBATsizXP~akpRn9oQICtDDwPW~uopwZsw-o4eTwnihZku88qazYuL-NyksEO6JENdqUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ohio Senate unanimously passed House Bill 80 on third consideration to fund the Ohio Industrial Commission for the 2026–27 biennium. The vote was 32 yeas and 0 nays.

Senator Wilson, sponsor in the Senate, described the Industrial Commission’s role as the impartial appeals body for workers’ compensation and said the commission adjudicates roughly 85,000 claims annually across three hearing levels. Wilson noted the commission continues to offer in‑person hearings at one of its 12 local offices to ensure accessibility despite increased online hearings.

The budget described on the floor totals $53.1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $54.3 million for fiscal year 2027 — $107.4 million over the biennium. Senate remarks itemized three line items: operating expenses (about $98.6 million over the biennium), rent for the William Green Building in Columbus (about $2.3 million), and payments to the Ohio Attorney General’s office for legal services (about $6.5 million). The budget request is funded from an administrative cost fund surcharge applied to employers’ workers’ compensation premiums and not from the general revenue fund, the floor transcript notes.

Senator Craig, the committee ranking member, spoke in support and urged colleagues to approve the measure, calling it a necessary investment in a fair and functioning workers’ compensation appeals system. The bill passed on a roll call with 32 yeas and 0 nays.

","The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 80, the appropriation for the Ohio Industrial Commission for the 2026–27 biennium. Supporters described the commission’s caseload and online hearing policies; the budget totals about $107.4 million over the biennium.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves conference report on biennial budget after hours of debate; 23 yeas, 10 nays

Votes at a glance: highway namings, license plate, gubernatorial appointment approved

Senate passes Industrial Commission budget, citing accessibility and lower request; 32–0