Tell the Ohio House Now: Don’t Cut My Library!

Written by Liz Foreman, Marketing Manager, Downtown Main Library

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library stands to lose $14.5 million of our state funding and we need your help!

Use the links below NOW to contact your Ohio House Member and House Speaker Huffman. Tell them: "DON'T CUT MY LIBRARY!" and "RESTORE OUR FUNDING!"

What You Need to Know

• The Ohio House Legislature put forward its version of the state budget, which includes cuts to funding for Ohio’s Public Libraries. This budget also eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF) in current law at the state level, as it exists today.
• About 50% of CHPL’s funding comes from the state through the PLF. The other half comes from local property tax levies passed by voters like you.
• CHPL will lose $14.5 million, a 29% hit, beginning July 1, 2025, if the House’s budget is adopted.
• The House’s version of the budget will reduce state funding for all public libraries by more than $100 million over the next two years, as compared to the Governor’s proposed budget.
• Eliminating the PLF as it exists today and moving library funding to a budget line item is a drastic change that not only limits CHPL’s ability to plan ahead, but also jeopardizes the future of public library funding in our state.

What You Can Do NOW

House Members will be making final budget recommendations in the next few days, so please contact your state Representative to share your personal story about what the Library means to you and your family. We need YOUR STORY to make a difference.

Use the form below to contact your state Representative or reach out directly:

• Representative Isaacsohn (District 24) | Rep24@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-5786
• Representative Thomas (District 25) |Rep25@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-1645
• Representative Denson (District 26) | Rep26@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-1308
• Representative Baker (District 27) | Rep27@ohiohouse.gov |(614) 644-6886
• Representative Brownlee (District 28) | Rep28@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-8120
• Representative Abrams (District 29) | Rep29@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-9091
• Representative Odioso (District 30) | Rep30@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 466-8258

In addition, please copy House Speaker Matt Huffman (District 78). His email is Rep78@ohiohouse.gov and his office's phone number is (614) 466-6344.

Thank you for your urgent support of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.