Tri County News

State Representative Rodney Creech of West Alexandria has cast his vote in favor of Am. Sub. House Bill 96, which represents the House's version of the State Operating Budget. This plan pledges over $4 billion in property tax relief for Ohio residents and assures increased school funding for each district in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

The budget includes a bond issuance approval to support the proposed mixed-use development by the Cleveland Browns. A $600 million bond will be issued by the state, with repayments sourced from the project's generated income. Should the project fall short of revenue expectations over 25 years, the state will receive repayments through a $50 million escrow account accumulating interest over time.

A significant part of the bill aims at providing substantial property tax relief. Schools with unspent cash exceeding 30% of their annual expenditures will see this surplus returned to Ohioans, amounting to over $4 billion. Since initial recordings in 2012, district cash carryovers have increased, jumping from $3.6 billion to $10.5 billion today.

Representative Creech expressed his satisfaction, stating: “I was proud to vote on a budget that provides Ohioans billions in property tax relief and invests in the future of our state through economic development and job creation. It’s important to note that the Browns project is not a handout, it is an investment in our state with a tangible return on investment that does not result in raising taxes.”

The House Bill 96 will now proceed to the Ohio Senate for additional evaluation.