Acton faces tight budget deadline with slimmed GOP majority

Democratic Governor-elect Amy Acton must submit her executive budget proposal to the Ohio General Assembly by March 15. The deadline grants her roughly two months after her January inauguration to finalize funding levels for state agencies. She must negotiate these figures with Republicans who retain majorities in both legislative chambers despite losing seats on Tuesday night.

The current legislative dynamic marks a shift from the previous cycle. In 2025, five Republican members voted against the final budget. All five won reelection. House Finance Chair Brian Stewart, a Republican from Ashville, acknowledged that the reduced majority requires more cohesion. “We’re going to have to play a little bit more team ball as the majority if we’re going to get some of our policies in place,” Stewart said.

Democratic state senator-elect Bride Rose Sweeney, a former House budget negotiator from Westlake, views the transition as a positive step. Sweeney emphasized Acton’s history of bipartisan collaboration. “Having a governor focused (on), and not being afraid to work with Republicans, because that is what she’s done her entire career, is a remarkable opportunity,” Sweeney said.

Three major programs will likely drive the upcoming negotiations. Medicaid stands as the state’s largest appropriation. H2Ohio, the clean water initiative launched by Gov. Mike DeWine, faces scrutiny over its cost and effectiveness. Stewart questioned the allocation of funds. “It’s an awful lot of money,” he said. “I’ve really kind of dug into this, along with some other legislators, about, where’s the money going?”

Sweeney, who has served in the legislature since H2Ohio’s inception, noted that the program recently missed its goal to mitigate algal blooms in Lake Erie. She attributed the shortfall partly to recent cuts in appropriations. Acton has indicated she wants to increase funding for the water initiative. Sweeney agreed that questioning the program’s performance is necessary. “And there is nothing wrong with trying to say, ‘Is it working?’” she said.

Legislators may also revisit the legal status of online casinos and lottery games. The topic gained traction in 2025 when lawmakers considered measures to tax iGaming and iLottery, but the effort stalled. Acton has identified potential online gambling revenue as a new source for state funds. Stewart told attendees at an Ohio Chamber of Commerce conference that the issue merits debate. “That’s a discussion we should have,” he said.