Ohio Governor Seeks Statewide Vote on Bonds for H2Ohio Water Program

DeWine wants to ensure ongoing funding for the water quality initiative, but top GOP lawmaker casts doubt on Statehouse support.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is seeking to put a bond measure on the state's fall ballot to provide consistent funding for the H2Ohio water quality program, which he created shortly after taking office in 2019. However, the Republican Speaker of the Ohio House has already expressed skepticism about whether there is enough support in the legislature to put the issue before voters.

Why it matters

H2Ohio provides financial incentives to farmers to reduce agricultural runoff that contributes to toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie. The program also funds wetland restoration, sewer and water infrastructure projects, and dam removal. Ensuring stable, long-term funding for the initiative is seen as crucial to its continued success in improving water quality in Ohio.

The details

DeWine says bond funding could be used for H2Ohio initiatives beyond direct payments to farmers, which cannot be covered by bond money. The governor suggests the bond amount would be roughly in line with recent state budget allocations for the program, which peaked at $270 million in 2024-2025 before being cut by about 40% in the current two-year budget. However, House Speaker Matt Huffman has already indicated that House Republicans are unlikely to support putting a H2Ohio bond issue on the ballot.

  • DeWine created the H2Ohio program shortly after taking office in 2019.
  • Funding for H2Ohio peaked at $270 million in the state's 2024-2025 budget.
  • The current two-year state budget cut H2Ohio funding by about 40%.
  • DeWine is set to leave office early next year.

The players

Mike DeWine

The Republican Governor of Ohio who created the H2Ohio water quality initiative and is now seeking to put a bond measure on the ballot to ensure its continued funding.

Matt Huffman

The Republican Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, who has expressed skepticism about the legislature's support for putting a H2Ohio bond issue on the ballot.

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What they’re saying

“It wouldn't do any good, you know, to do what we've done so far, and then one day, wake up and there's not money there to continue to do it. Then you just, you know, you've sort of wasted all the money that you spent in the past.”

— Mike DeWine, Governor (cleveland.com)

“I don't think we're going to do that.”

— Matt Huffman, Speaker of the Ohio House (cleveland.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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