Senate Passes Budget Bill Setting Stage for Conference Committee
This week, the Senate Finance Committee accepted a 600-page omnibus amendment to House Bill (HB) 96, the state budget bill for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The bill passed the Ohio Senate Finance Committee on June 10, 2025, along party lines. The Ohio Senate passed the bill the following day, on June 11, 2025, with a vote of 23-10, with all Democrat Senators and Republican Senator Louis Blessing (Colerain Township) voting no.
Notably, the omnibus amendment included restoration of current law in the composition of the State Board of Education (SBOE). The budget passed by the House removed all elected members of the SBOE and replaced the current 19-member Board with a five-member Board all appointed by the Governor. OEA opposes that proposed change. However, the Senate’s omnibus amendment would also make all school board elections, for members of the SBOE and local boards of education, partisan elections. OEA opposes this change and believes this will only add to political division in our local communities and may preclude qualified candidates, including independent voters from seeking office.
The Ohio House voted not to concur with the changes made to HB 96 by the Ohio Senate, sending the bill to conference committee for final negotiations. As the budget heads to conference committee, OEA’s top priorities remain updating and fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan, removal of the school district carryover provision and changes to property taxes, stopping the expansion of private school vouchers, and changes to school board elections. Now is the time for Ohio’s policymakers to appropriate funding and enact policies that support public school students and educators.
More information regarding the Senate’s changes to House Bill 96, as passed by the Ohio Senate, can be found in OEA’s summary here.
OEA will continue to keep members informed throughout the process on these critical issues. Please continue sending letters to your Ohio State Senators and Representatives about the importance of fully updating and funding the Fair School Funding plan using OEA’s action alert. Additionally, OEA and allies are planning a rally to Fight for Fair School Funding at the Ohio Statehouse on June 25, 2025. To RSVP for the rally, please click here.
Please also consider calling your legislators and urge them to support fully updating and funding the Fair School Funding Plan, eliminating the carryover cap, and eliminating the Senate’s proposed property tax changes. Please find partner resources from Policy Matters Ohio highlighting the impact of the Senate passed version of HB 96 on legislative districts and local school districts. And partner resources from All in for Ohio Kids campaign showing how much your local school district would benefit from a fully phased in and updated fair school funding plan.
Stand with Ohio Higher Education: Help Repeal SB1 – Sign, Volunteer, Donate
Ohio’s Senate Bill 1 directly threatens academic freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our state’s public colleges and universities. While SB1 primarily targets higher education, its erosion of shared governance and labor rights undermines principles that affect all educators. A referendum campaign is now underway to put the repeal of SB1 before Ohio voters, and we need your help. The below resources are from the YSU-OEA campaign to place SB1 on the ballot. Please note that this information is intended for OEA members and staff informational purposes only.
How You Can Help
- Sign the Referendum Petition
- Visit and sign the petition at https://tinyurl.com/4y3xv3nd.
- If you have already signed, please encourage eligible colleagues to do so.
- Volunteer to Collect Signatures
- Visit the campaign website for volunteer opportunities and training: https://ohsb1petition.com.
- You may host or attend local signature-collection events, coordinate with fellow educators, or organize workplace/community drives—every signature matters.
- Donate to Support Petition Printing and Outreach
- Contribute to offset costs of printing petitions, promotional materials, and logistics: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/fund-petition-printing?source=direct_link&.
- Even small donations help ensure we have enough materials across all 88 counties.
- Stay Informed via the Campaign’s Newsletter
- Subscribe to regular updates on progress, deadlines, and local events: https://ohsb1petition.substack.com
- Please share the newsletter link within your network so more Ohioans stay informed and engaged.
Spread the Word
- Share these links on social media, community groups, and among colleagues.
- Forward this email to fellow OEA members about the impact.
Next Week at the General Assembly
Here is your weekly snapshot of notable legislative developments, committee hearings, and bill activity at the Ohio Statehouse. Please review the updates below and take note of key actions or opportunities to engage.
Top Legislative Priorities This Week
House Bill 96 – State Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027
- Status: Before Conference Committee
- Summary: The Senate passed its version of HB 96 on June 11, 2025, to which the House voted to not concur with the Senate’s changes.
OEA Position: Interested Party
Next Steps: The HB 96 Conference Committee will convene on June 17, 2025, to begin work on crafting a final state budget. Conferees include State Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirkland), State Senator Brian Chavez (R-Marietta), State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea), and State Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake).
Important Committee Hearings Next Week
Ohio HB96 Conference Committee
The HB96 Conference Committee will convene on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, to begin its work on crafting a final version of the state budget. To view the Conference Committee hearings on the Ohio Channel Live, please click here.
Get Involved
Take Action:
- Please continue to send letters to your Ohio State Senators and State Representatives about the importance of fully updating and funding the fair school funding plan by using OEA’s action alert.
- Call Governor DeWine and urge him to support OEA’s position on updating and fully funding the Fair School Funding Plan and oppose the General Assembly’s proposed carryover cap and tax proposals. The Governor’s Riffe Center Office number is 614-644-4357.
- Check out Policy Matters Ohio and All in for Ohio’s Kids updated resources.
- OEA and allies are planning a rally to Fight for Fair School Funding on June 25, 2025, at the Ohio Statehouse. To RSVP for the rally, please click here.
For an archive of past Legislative Watch releases, visit the Legislative Watch archive.