Thank you for your support and patronage of public libraries and your concern for ensuring they have adequate funding to continue the important services they provide to all Ohioans. I share your concern and am proud of the fact that our system is one of the best in the nation. I want to keep it that way.

When the Senate passed its version of the budget, we allocated $813.5 million to the Public Library Fund over the next two fiscal years. Since then, we have learned that state tax revenues are coming in lower than expected and that the state faces an additional $3.2 billion shortfall. As a result, the Governor has proposed cutting this funding by $227.3 million. At this point it is just a proposal. I will keep your concerns in mind as we work to balance the state budget by July 1st.

Best regards,

Mark Wagoner
Ohio Senate
2nd District