Complete Story
06/19/2025
State Budget Talks Move to Conference Committee; Final Report Expected Next Week
The joint House-Senate Conference Committee on House Bill 96, the FY26-27 state operating budget, held its first formal hearing on June 17, 2025, where the committee heard updated state revenue forecasts from Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kim Murnieks and Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Director Wendy Zahn.
OBM lowered its revenue projections for both fiscal years compared to the Blue Book numbers, while LSC has increased its projections. Both project around $29.6 billion for FY26, while the FY27 forecasts aren’t far apart -- $30.3 billion for OBM and $30.4 billion for LSC. Both agencies have increased their expectations for FY25 revenue. Both OBM and LSC also projected higher Medicaid spending compared to what they estimated upon introduction of the budget.
The committee will take these estimates into consideration as they hammer out a final agreement on the measure, a process that largely takes place behind closed doors, with an anticipated final conference report representing an agreement between the two chambers early next week, followed by House and Senate passage mid-week. LeadingAge Ohio continues its advocacy and education with general assembly members on the PDPM correction amendment that was included in the Senate-passed version, to ensure it remains a part of the final bill.
Hear more about both state and federal budget activity in June’s Advocacy in Action call, and for questions, reach out to Eli Faes at efaes@leadingageohio.org.