The state budget shapes nearly every aspect of our daily lives, directing funding for vital services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Yet, the process often feels inaccessible or overwhelming. Ohio’s future depends on a diverse group of stakeholders being informed, engaged, and prepared to advocate for stronger, healthier communities. Representative Bride Rose Sweeney mentioned during The Center for Community Solutions state budget training held on December 10, 2024, that Ohio’s local government fund has been cut in half, forcing local governments to either raise taxes or eliminate essential services.
Ohio’s education system highlights stark disparities, with low-income districts spending $1,000–$2,000 less per student than wealthier ones, perpetuating achievement gaps that impact life choices, economic stability, and well-being. For instance, only 20.3% of Cleveland residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 66.6% in Bay Village and the statewide average of 29.7%. Economic disparities follow a similar trend: 54.5% of Cleveland residents live in or near poverty, compared to just 8.1% in Bay Village and 29.9% statewide.
These inequities extend to health outcomes, with maternal mortality rates doubling between 2008 and 2018—61% of those deaths thought preventable. As Governor Mike DeWine stated, “Take the world as is and then improve it.”
Engaging in the state budget process is crucial to addressing systemic inequities and creating meaningful change.
Your voice matters—here’s how to get started
Novice Advocate—start strong and build your advocacy foundation
- Review the financial reports and tax expenditure list published by Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management. These reports provide a detailed overview of the state's spending patterns, allowing advocates to gain a better understanding of how funds are allocated and spent. By regularly reviewing these reports, advocates can develop insights into the state's fiscal priorities, find trends in spending, and better engage in discussions about the allocation of resources for key issues. The revenue trends from the earlier cycle play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming budget cycle.
- Follow the Ohio Office of Budget and Management on social media at @Ohio_OBM on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn about budget updates, policies, and financial decisions impacting the state.
Intermediate Advocate—understanding the budget process and creating a plan
The state of Ohio’s fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. Ohio’s state budget is biennial, meaning it is adopted for two years every odd-numbered year. For instance, the 2024-2025 biennial budget began on July 1, 2023 and is ending on June 30, 2025. Before it does, the legislature will need to pass a new budget and the governor needs to sign it. To dive deeper into the intricacies of this process, check out Tara Britton’s Ohio Budget Process 2024-25: Primer and Timeline, and watch for an update to be released by Community Solutions in January. Advocacy requires information and preparation; the State Budget and Advocacy 101 session’s goal was to offer some guidance because advocacy can be challenging work.
- Identify funding opportunity: Funding opportunities posted by the State of Ohio can be found on the Ohio Grants Partnership website. The Ohio Grants Partnership is a department within the Ohio Office of Budget and Management with resources to help state agencies, local governments, and others understand the grant process, post opportunities, and apply for and manage grant programs. The department’s goal is to help with managing grant partnerships and how to navigate the various processes.
- Rely on research and evaluation: Base your efforts on solid data to ensure credibility and impact. The Center for Community Solutions datasheets can be a great resource!
- Identify a champion representative: Partner with a representative or the appropriate committee that aligns with your proposal. A concise one-pager can help articulate your vision, and representatives with strong support may advocate for amendments or even integrate your proposal into the budget.
- Engage through diverse methods: Use testimonies, public forums, phone calls, letters, or emails to communicate your stance. Personalized outreach often resonates better than mass-produced form letters.
- Build a diverse coalition: Unite stakeholders from various backgrounds to strengthen your advocacy. Understanding different viewpoints on issues helps to ensure that your approach is inclusive and well-rounded. Helps to name potential challenges, craft more effective solutions and avoid the group-think phenomenon. It shows widespread support, enhancing your creditability and the likelihood of achieving meaningful, lasting change.
Advance Advocate—honing the art of negotiation
Ohio has no shortage of need. There are many deserving communities and issues that’s worthy of support. Unfortunately, the likelihood of all the funding proposals being supported is slim. According to Doug Lumpkin, Owner and CEO at InterConnections Consulting Group, Board Member of The Center for Community Solutions:
It’s not what you deserve, it’s what you negotiate.
The art of negotiation requires the sentiment of a “win-win” from all parties involved. In most cases, it’s advocates seeking to influence elected officials towards a particular action. Since advocates and/or nonprofit leadership are proximal to social issues which provides an alternative perspective and awareness. It’s imperative to provide a clear understanding of how this affects your community, fits within the priorities, and will be of service to the greater good of Ohio.
Connecting these dots is no small feat. Often, lawmakers might have some general understanding but might not understand the topic from your vantage point. Don’t assume that the representative or their staff person knows. As a negotiator, your goal is to explain your concern in a short time in a clear, concise way, and point out the mutual interest for investment in the proposal. The best negotiation pitches intertwine the heart with lived human experiences, and the mind with logic, data, best practices, and business acumen to drive change.
Imagine if your voice was the one that tipped the scales in securing crucial funding for your community. While there's no guarantee that every piece of advocacy will produce our desired results. I would say that it’s worth a shot. By engaging with the state budget, you have the power to spotlight the issues that matter most to your neighbors—issues that might otherwise be ignored. Advocacy is “planting seeds and seeing what blooms for the next generation.” Bridget Harrison, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Medicaid. We all are co-creators in creating change, and hopefully you found something helpful to expand on your advocacy journey to create a better future for Ohio!
See the topics and speakers at our State Budget Training event on December 10.
