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Senate, House and governor’s office present largely flat operating budgets; Senate requests $27M GRF each year
Summary
Leaders and administrative officers for the Ohio Senate and House and the governor’s deputy legislative affairs director presented operating budgets to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate requested $27 million in GRF for each fiscal year; the House revised its ask to $35.1 million for FY26 and $36.21 million for FY27. The governor's office s
Officials representing the legislative branch and the governor’s office appeared before the Senate Finance Committee to present their internal operating budgets for fiscal years 2026–27.
Senate budget
Vince (senate clerk) and the Senate’s clerk testified the Senate is requesting a GRF appropriation of $27,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 and 2027, a 0% change from the FY25 appropriation. Testimony noted the Senate employs roughly 110 staff and 40 pages and that most spending covers salaries, benefits, mileage, postage and IT.
House budget
Kim Ziano, chief administration officer for the Ohio House of Representatives, told the committee the House initially sought $37,300,000 per year but is requesting $35,100,000 for FY26 and $36,210,000 for FY27 after subsequent discussions. She said over 90% of House spending goes to payroll and health care; the House employs more than 230 employees.
Governor’s internal budget
Lindsey Bergano, deputy director of legislative affairs for Governor Mike DeWine, summarized the governor’s internal operations budget. She said the primary line item funds day‑to‑day executive office operations and that the governor’s budget includes a slight GRF increase in FY27 and additional funds for the Governor’s Washington, D.C. office and National Governors Association membership fees.
Why it matters: Operating budgets determine staffing, maintenance and technology investments for the Legislature and the executive office; they are largely personnel‑driven and typically change little absent specific new initiatives.
Ending
All witnesses said they would answer follow‑up questions and provide additional details as the committee continues its biennial budget work.
