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Senate, House and Governor’s office present operating budgets; Senate seeks flat appropriations, House reduces earlier ask
Summary
Multiple executive and legislative offices presented operating budgets to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate clerk proposed a flat $27 million GRF appropriation for the Senate; the Ohio House requested reduced appropriations after trimming an earlier submission; the governor’s office sought modest increases to support a D.C. office and NGA.
Officials representing the legislature and the governor’s office delivered briefings to the Senate Finance Committee on internal operating budgets and staffing needs.
Senate clerk Vince (testifying on behalf of legislative administration) presented the Senate’s budget request: a three‑line budget with a GRF request of $27,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 and 2027, a 0% change from FY25. The clerk said the Senate currently employs about 110 staff and 40 pages and that most spending is for personnel, maintenance and equipment.
Kim Ziano, chief administration officer for the Ohio House of Representatives, presented the House operating budget. She said the House initially requested $37.3 million per year but revised its requested figures to $35.1 million for FY26 and $36.21 million for FY27, a biennial reduction of $3.29 million. Ziano said more than 90% of House spending covers payroll and health care for members and staff and noted the House continues to seek modest, efficient operations.
Lindsey Bergano, deputy director of legislative affairs for Governor Mike DeWine, outlined the governor’s internal operating budget request. She described two primary line items: a GRF line (040321) for day‑to‑day activities of the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices and an intergovernmental fund (40607) used for advocacy and maintaining the Washington, D.C. office; the governor’s request included modest increases for rising rent, supplies and staffing expenses.
Committee members thanked witnesses and asked brief questions about staffing and the ability to recruit and retain employees. All three witnesses said they would answer follow‑up questions and provide details to committee staff as needed.
