Ohio’s new two-year state operating budget has officially passed the General Assembly and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine later this week. The $94 billion spending plan, passed as Amended Substitute House Bill 96, makes wide-reaching investments in education, economic development, and public safety, while also enacting sweeping changes to the state’s tax system and property tax policies.
State Representative Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County), who represents Adams County, praised the budget’s passage, saying it supports rural families, respects conservative values, and avoids raising taxes. “This fiscally responsible budget ensures no tax increases, protects rural schools with fair school funding, and spurs economic opportunity in the greater Appalachian Region,” Pizzulli said following the vote.
One of the budget’s most significant elements is its full funding of the final phase of the Cupp-Patterson school funding formula. This school funding model, originally adopted in 2021, was designed to more equitably distribute money to districts based on actual costs of educating students. Under the new budget, Ohio will invest nearly $700 million more in K-12 education in fiscal year 2026 than it did the previous year. For districts in Adams County, where schools often face tight budgets and rising transportation costs, this infusion of funds could help stabilize staffing levels, maintain classroom programming, and support extracurricular activities vital to student development.
Families with young children will also see added support. Funding increases for the Help Me Grow program will expand access to home-visiting services and developmental screenings for infants and toddlers across southern Ohio. These efforts are aimed at early identification of health and learning challenges, with an emphasis on empowering parents and improving outcomes for children in rural communities.
The budget also renews the state’s commitment to economic growth and infrastructure in Appalachian Ohio. Programs for brownfield remediation and blight removal have been renewed to help clear the way for new development, while initiatives like Welcome Home Ohio are designed to increase housing options by incentivizing construction and homeownership. In addition, funding continues for the All Ohio Future Fund, a site readiness program that positions rural counties like Adams to attract large-scale employers and industrial investments.
Local public safety agencies will benefit from increased state investment as well. The budget includes substantial allocations for law enforcement officer training, emergency communication upgrades, and the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center. Smaller, often underfunded volunteer fire departments—common across Adams County—are eligible for new grants aimed at equipment upgrades and emergency preparedness.
One area drawing attention is the state’s shift to a flat income tax. Starting in tax year 2026, Ohioans will pay a single rate of 2.75%, replacing the previous tiered bracket system. Supporters argue the move simplifies filing and provides relief to middle-income earners, while critics warn the long-term revenue impact remains uncertain.
In addition to the income tax overhaul, the budget introduces new property tax reforms. Replacement levies will no longer be allowed after January 1, 2026, and future ballot language will be required to reference “market value” rather than appraised value to give voters a clearer understanding of what they’re approving. The bill also restricts certain levies by districts with high reserve balances, and allows counties to offer local homestead and owner-occupied exemptions, though these would not be reimbursed by the state.
Another notable change in the budget is the reduction in funding for Ohio’s public libraries. Though the state continues to rank among the nation’s leaders in per-capita investment in public libraries, funding will decrease in fiscal year 2026. The Public Library Fund will be reduced to $479.7 million beginning July 1, a nearly $25 million cut compared to fiscal year 2025.
The budget also includes provisions such as the codification of binary gender recognition in state policy, restrictions on the use of SNAP benefits for sugary drinks, scaled-back affirmative action rules in state contracting, and new requirements for libraries to restrict access to certain materials for minors.
As the new fiscal year begins, local officials across Adams County will begin assessing how these changes affect their budgets, schools, and operations. While opinions on some provisions may differ, most agree the new budget will have a real and lasting impact on rural communities.
