COLUMBUS, OH — In a rare midsummer move, Ohio lawmakers will return to the Statehouse on July 21 to consider overriding dozens of line-item vetoes issued by Governor Mike DeWine in the state’s recently passed $95 billion biennial budget.
Typically on summer recess, members of the Ohio General Assembly are being recalled early in light of the governor’s 67 vetoes made to the state’s Fiscal Years 2026–2027 operating budget, which was signed into law on July 1.
🔁 How Overrides Work
To override a gubernatorial veto, three-fifths of each chamber must vote in favor. In the House, that means at least 60 of the 99 members. In the Senate, 19 of 33 votes are required. With the GOP holding 67 House seats and 25 Senate seats, Republicans have the numbers—if they’re united.
Lawmakers have until the end of the current session in 2026 to override vetoes, but the decision to act immediately signals urgency and disagreement with some of the governor’s actions.
🔎 What’s at Stake?
Among the most controversial budget items and vetoes:
- $600 million in public funding for a domed Cleveland Browns stadium, drawn from unclaimed funds. Lawmakers allowed the state to hold such funds for 10 years before claiming them.
- A new 2.75% flat income tax, replacing the tiered system. Though celebrated by conservatives, it’s expected to cost the state $1.1 billion, offset by cuts to social services and exemptions.
DeWine vetoed several high-profile provisions, including:
- Item 22: Barring Department of Health funds from going to gender-affirming youth shelters.
- Item 27: Establishing education savings accounts for unregulated religious schools, citing lack of oversight (referencing the Bishop Sycamore scandal).
- Item 53: Making school board races partisan, which DeWine struck down to maintain nonpartisan elections.
- Item 63: Capping school district carryover funds at 40%, a move he vetoed in support of fiscal flexibility.
- Item 67: Limiting library access to materials involving gender identity or sexuality for minors.
- Marijuana Tax Structure: DeWine nixed a proposal to switch recreational cannabis from an excise tax to a sales tax model.
🗣️ DeWine’s Defense
Governor DeWine defended his line-item vetoes as protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining good governance. “This budget prioritizes our children, empowers our workforce, and strengthens our communities for generations,” he said.
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel highlighted support for career and technical education, along with investments in adoption, child care, and infrastructure.
🏛️ What’s Next?
On July 21, legislators will return to the chambers not only to express support or opposition to the vetoes but also to weigh the political optics and policy consequences of overriding the governor of their own party. If any vetoes are overturned, the provisions would become law 90 days later.
