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

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…