Trumball News

Majority Whip Nick Santucci, a Republican from Niles, cast his vote in favor of Am. Sub. House Bill 96, the proposed State Operating Budget by the House. The budget introduces over $4 billion in property tax relief and promises an increase in school funding for every district in Ohio for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

"House Bill 96 is a major win for Trumbull County and communities across the state," Santucci remarked. "From historic property tax relief and targeted investments in our workforce, to stronger support for schools, manufacturers, and infrastructure, this budget delivers on the issues that matter most to Ohioans. I’m proud to support a plan that responsibly invests in our people and positions our state for long-term success."

The budget outlines substantial investments in Trumbull County, such as renovations to Mosquito Lake State Park and Mahoning Valley Scrappers Stadium, aimed at boosting local tourism and economic development.

Under the legislation, Ohio's small- and medium-sized manufacturers will benefit from the Manufacturing Technologies Assistance Grant Program. This initiative seeks to enhance competitiveness and advance the skills of the state's industrial workforce.

Additionally, House Bill 96 allocates funds for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, and Camp James A. Garfield Military Training Center, with Airport Infrastructure Grant matching funds to finance essential construction and repair needs.

To deliver property tax relief, the bill includes a mechanism whereby schools with a cash carryover exceeding 30 percent of annual expenditures redistribute those funds. This measure, which aims to provide over $4 billion in relief, stems from a dramatic increase in district carryovers, growing from $3.6 billion in 2012 to $10.5 billion today.

Additionally, investments in higher education and workforce readiness are prioritized, featuring enhancements to scholarships like the Governor’s Merit Scholarship and the Choose Ohio First Scholarship, and an increase in the State Share of Instruction by 2%. Ohio’s TechCred program will also continue to help employers upgrade the skills of their workforce at no expense to them.

Community revitalization efforts are supported through increased funding for Brownfield Remediation, enhancements to the Welcome Home Ohio program, and addressing the state's housing shortage.

The budget increases school funding, ensuring each school district will receive more funding over the biennium. Public schools will see a $207.6 million increase in FY26 and $347.6 million more in FY27 compared to FY25, totaling a $555.2 million increase in state aid.

House Bill 96 is now set to move to the Ohio Senate for further review.