G2G has been busy at the Statehouse and around Capitol Square attending meetings with legislators, agencies, and the governor’s office as well as committee hearings and legislative events. With the Statehouse in full swing for the first time since 2020, we have had the opportunity to connect with many members old and new as we navigate the budget process.

The State of Ohio is about halfway through its budget season. The Transportation Budget (HB23) headed to the Governor’s desk after the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted to approve the conference report on the bill by votes of 93-2 and 30-1, respectively. Republicans and Democrats agreed this transportation budget was a major accomplishment. It made historic investments in the state’s infrastructure as well as prioritized safety for the people of the state, as well as roads, bridges, and public transportation. Rail safety was top of mind during this budget following the East Palestine tragedy and will continue to be a priority for the state.

As for the Operating Budget (HB33), the House Finance Committee will be hard at work over the legislative spring break, which will be the first two weeks of April, to put together their substitute bill with the first round of legislative changes to the bill. We expect to see the sub bill the week of April 17^th. The House will make another round of changes to the bill via an omnibus budget before voting it out of Finance Committee and then the House, this will likely happen the last week of April.

The Senate intends to start hearing the Operating Budget the last week of April by hearing from agency directors before the bill reaches their chamber. The bill will work its way through the legislative process in the Senate through the month of May and into June. Once the Senate votes on the bill, a conference committee will work out the changes between the two chambers to send the Governor. The governor will have the power to line-item veto provisions in the budget but must sign the budget by June 30^th to start the fiscal year on July 1^st.