Ohio House Democrats are gearing up for a focused effort on the state budget with intentions to prioritize measures that improve the cost of living for working Ohioans. Minority Leader Allison Russo and State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney have voiced their intentions following Governor Mike DeWine’s FY26-27 operating budget recommendations.
"As we begin working on Governor DeWine’s final budget which will help define his legacy, perhaps it’s best to make clear to the public that any budget is not about victories for Democrats or Republicans. It’s about putting people over politics and securing victories for all the hard-working men and women of Ohio," Russo said in a statement obtained by The Ohio House of Representatives. Dems are looking at various issues, from education funding to affordable healthcare and childcare, with an eye on ensuring financial stability for the state's residents.
Representative Sweeney, a ranking member of the Ohio House Finance Committee, emphasized the shortfall in the budget's provisions for property tax relief, a pressing concern for homeowners, seniors, and those on fixed incomes. "Ohioans are crying out for immediate property tax relief. This budget proposal fails to lower the cost of living for homeowners, seniors and Ohioans on fixed incomes. Democrats will fight for more direct relief to residents," she told The Ohio House of Representatives. Advocating increased education investments to prevent the need for costly levies is another cornerstone of their approach.
The Ohio House Finance Committee is set to hold its first meeting Today at 10:30 a.m. ET. The hearing will be in room 313 of the Ohio Statehouse, but those who cannot attend can follow live via the Ohio Channel. As the discussions kick-off, all eyes will be on how well the proposed budget can reconcile fiscal responsibility with the pressing needs of Ohio's working families.
