Tell the Ohio House: Don't Cut Ohio Libraries!

Tell your Ohio House member NOW, don't cut Ohio libraries!

This message is a departure from our usual communications to you, our valued patrons and supporters. Ohio’s libraries are facing an unprecedented challenge in the Ohio House of Representatives, and we need your help. Use the link below to email Erie and Lorain County House Members and House Speaker Huffman TODAY urging them to restore the Public Library Fund to the amount designated in the Governor’s proposed budget.  

How will the House’s version of the budget impact Ohio? 

• The Ohio House of Representatives’ biennium budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund, a mechanism that has funded 251 public library systems for four decades.
• Ohio House Members plan to replace the Public Library Fund with a lump dollar amount for all Ohio libraries, which will result in cuts to libraries across the state.
• The Public Library Fund has remained flat for 25 years and House Members have put forward a dollar amount that does not account for a quarter of a century of inflation.  

Here at Ritter Public Library, the Public Library Fund makes 45% of all operations possible (the remaining 55% is from local property taxes passed by voters like you). If you want your tax dollars to come back from Columbus to support public libraries across Ohio, use the form below to send a message to Erie County House Member D. J. Swearingen or Lorain County House Member Kellie Deeter, and House Speaker Huffman.