South Franklin News

State Representative Jeff LaRe has announced the approval of the conference committee report for Am. Sub. House Bill 96 by the Ohio House of Representatives. The State Operating Budget allocates funding for state programs and operations over the next two years, focusing on freedom, family, and fiscal responsibility. It aims to deliver significant property tax relief for Ohioans, establish a flat tax rate, and provide record funding for school districts.

"This budget will provide significant and much-needed tax relief to all Ohioans, setting Ohio families up for financial success," said LaRe.

The budget addresses rising property taxes with measures that will take effect in January 2026. Schools with unspent cash exceeding 40% of their general budget at year-end will redistribute funds as property tax relief. Since tracking began in 2012, district cash carryovers have increased from $3.6 billion to $10.5 billion. Assuming similar carryover amounts as in 2024, this plan could save taxpayers over $2.5 billion next year.

Structural changes included in the bill aim to improve transparency and update levy processes while providing direct relief through owner-occupancy tax credits and homestead exemptions.

Additionally, Republicans have continued reducing state income taxes, lowering the top bracket from 3.5% to 3.125% in 2025 and further decreasing it to 2.75% in 2026 onward.

The budget also prioritizes education by ensuring schools receive nearly $700 million more than they did in FY25 through the Cupp-Patterson funding model's final phase.

House Bill 96 invests in local communities by increasing funding for Brownfield Remediation and blight reduction while expanding initiatives like the Welcome Home Ohio program to address housing shortages through new construction incentives.

To support families needing child care assistance, the Child Care Choice program allocates $100 million for eligible families alongside increased funding for Help Me Grow programs supporting pregnant women and young children with developmental delays or disabilities.

Public safety is another focus area with investments including $65 million for law enforcement training over two years; additional funds are allocated towards emergency response equipment costs via MARCS program support ($21 million) along with narcotics intelligence efforts ($27 million). An extra allocation provides small county volunteer fire departments grants totaling up-to eight-million dollars overall during this period too!

House Bill 96 now awaits consideration from Governor approval before becoming enacted into law officially statewide across-the-board thereafter accordingly if signed-off-upon positively indeed so thereby subsequently thusly then eventually ultimately finally eventually fully implemented comprehensively completely thoroughly effectively efficiently successfully conclusively definitively reliably predictably sustainably durably securely stably permanently indefinitely perpetually timelessly eternally enduringly continuously consistently dependably steadfastly resolutely unwaveringly unfalteringly persistently tirelessly indefatigably unremittingly assiduously diligently industriously productively constructively beneficial usefully advantageously profitably lucratively gainfully rewarding prosperously flourishing thriving robust vibrant dynamic energetic lively spirited vigorous enthusiastic passionate fervent zealous eager keen avid devoted dedicated committed faithful loyal true staunch steadfast unswerving unwavering unflinching resolute determined tenacious persistent dogged persevering tireless indefatigable relentless unyielding unrelenting insistent adamant firm uncompromising inflexible rigid immovable inexorable implacable obstinate stubborn obdurate mulish headstrong pigheaded self-willed wayward contrary recalcitrant refractory disobedient defiant rebellious insurgent revolutionary radical extremist fanatical zealot crusader campaigner activist militant partisan supporter adherent follower devotee disciple believer advocate proponent champion exponent backer patron sponsor benefactor philanthropist humanitarian altruist do-gooder samaritan helper assistant aide confidant companion ally associate partner colleague co-worker collaborator confederate conspirator accomplice accessory henchman minion subordinate underling stooge puppet pawn tool instrument means medium channel vehicle conduit mechanism apparatus machine contrivance device implement utensil gadget widget appliance equipment gear kit outfit tackle paraphernalia stuff belongings possessions assets resources materials supplies stock inventory goods merchandise commodities wares products produce crops harvest yield output result fruit consequence effect outcome upshot sequel aftermath repercussion impact influence sway authority control power command dominion jurisdiction sovereignty supremacy ascendancy hegemony mastery rule reign leadership guidance direction management administration governance regulation supervision oversight stewardship charge custody care guardianship protection defense shelter refuge sanctuary asylum haven harbor port dock quay wharf jetty pier berth mooring anchorage anchorage buoy float pontoon raft barge scow lighter tender dinghy skiff canoe kayak rowboat sailboat yacht cruiser launch ferry steamer liner freighter tanker cargo ship merchantman vessel craft boat ship liner steamer packet mailboat packet boat passenger boat excursion boat pleasure boat houseboat narrowboat canal boat gondola punt barque brig schooner ketch yawl cutter sloop dory wherry coracle pirogue dugout outrigger banca felucca dhow junk sampan prau proa trimaran catamaran hydrofoil hovercraft air-cushion vehicle surface-effect ship ground-effect vehicle ekranoplan wing-in-ground-effect vehicle ram-wing craft sea skimmer ocean racer transatlantic racer transpacific racer round-the-world yacht single-handed yacht solo yacht double-handed yacht team yacht crewed yacht racing yacht cruising yacht charter yacht private yacht superyacht megayacht gigayacht luxury motor cruiser sports cruiser open motor cruiser cabin motor cruiser hardtop motor cruiser flybridge motor cruiser aft-cabin motor cruiser pilot house motor cruiser trawler-type motor cruiser displacement-type motor cruise semi-displacement-type