Ingram Votes Against Republican State Budget

Today, state Senator Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement after the Ohio Senate voted to accept conference committee changes to House Bill 96, the state operating budget:

“Some say every budget has good and bad—but the real question is: good for whom, and bad for whom?” asked Senator Ingram. “We heard a lot about collaboration, but when nearly every amendment we offered was brushed aside, it’s hard to call that real compromise. It felt like we were handed the generic version of what our communities actually need. I know what’s at stake for working families, for children trying to learn, for seniors trying to live with dignity—and this budget doesn’t meet that moment.”

This budget underfunds our public schools by billions and walks back commitments made under the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan—just a few years after Ohio finally took real steps toward equitable school funding. It provides no meaningful property tax relief, threatens Medicaid coverage for nearly 800,000 Ohioans, and slashes critical investments in public health, lead abatement, clean water, food banks, and public libraries.

For the first time since 2001, not a single Democrat voted in support of the state operating budget. Ohioans deserve better.

House Bill 96 now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature. He may still line-item veto provisions of the budget.