The Ohio House and Senate have each passed their own versions of the two-year state budget, now heading to a conference committee to reconcile hundreds of differences. Key disagreements include:

• Income tax: The Senate backs a flat 2.75% rate for all earners above $26,050 by 2026, which would phase out the top bracket and cut state revenue by over $1 billion. The House retains the current progressive structure without major changes
• Public library funding: The House packages library funding into the main budget; the Senate supports Gov. DeWine’s plan to link it to the general revenue fund percentage
• Cleveland Browns stadium: The House proposes issuing $600 million in bonds, while the Senate would tap unclaimed state funds for a performance grant instead
• School funding: The Senate followed Governor Mike DeWine, allocating state dollars to the Fair School Funding Plan formula, while the House version of the budget only ensured every district received more than the previous year. Cleveland.com has compiled a table to show current funding levels and the plans by DeWine, the House, and the Senate for every district in Ohio

Next up: a closed-door conference committee will negotiate a unified budget, which must pass both chambers and then receive the governor’s approval—subject to potential line-item vetoes—before the June 30 fiscal deadline. 6/12/2025