top of page

Week in Review January 27, 2025

Writer's picture: Frank M. StrigariFrank M. Strigari

Ohio statehouse government affairs week in review January 2023

This report reflects the latest happenings in government relations, in and around the Ohio statehouse. You’ll notice that it’s broad in nature and on an array of topics, from A-Z. This will be updated on a weekly basis.

Please feel free to share it with anyone else you believe may find it of interest, as well. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, concerns or if we can be of any assistance.



ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE


The OneOhio Recovery Foundation added another $1 million-plus to the battle against substance misuse in its latest Grant Award Wednesday announcement. In a comparatively small round of awards, the agency issued five grants to four funding regions out of a total of 19.


ARTS, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT


The vast majority of Ohioans believe tax dollars should be invested in the arts, according to a statewide field survey conducted by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). Ninety-four percent of those responding to the survey said tax dollars should be spent on the arts, which is a "high-water mark," OAC said. "This affirms a decades-long trend of increasing support for public arts funding among Ohioans," OAC said. This is the first statewide field survey conducted by OAC since 2014. A survey was scheduled for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it until 2023.


FY26-27 BUDGET


Competition from legal sports betting in Ohio and online lottery games in surrounding states will make it difficult for the Ohio Lottery to continue its current level of growth, Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gillcrist said in the agency's executive budget request. "While overall sales are expected to slightly increase, performance within each game category will vary. The overall health of the lottery industry in the United States has slowed down considerably, and many states have had a decrease in sales over the past few years," Gillcrist said. "Due to the hard work of our team, the Ohio Lottery has reversed that trend and has grown sales during the same time period. Going forward, however, the proliferation of legalized gaming alternatives over the past four years in Ohio will continue to put pressure on our ability to increase sales and profits."


BUSINESS/CORPORATE


Amazon Data Services, Inc. recently purchased 589.84 acres across two parcels in Jefferson Township (Fayette County), according to the Washington Court House Record Herald, with a total purchase price over $102 million. Amazon Web Services (AWS) reportedly plans to invest $5 billion into data centers in Fayette County; plans for a total of $10 billion were announced in December as it looked to expand beyond Central Ohio.


CHILDREN/FAMILIES


The inaugural director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) believes her team has a good story to tell as it returns to lawmakers for funding two years after they agreed to meld it together from the early childhood-focused program areas of several cabinet agencies. "We've seen some benefits from being under one roof. One key example was last year about this time, we had early childhood education slots that were open," DYC Director Kara Wente told Hannah News in a phone interview. "Last January, when we got our enrollment numbers, we were able to look at where our slots were and where we had kids in children's services who were also 3 and 4 [years old]," she said. "Within about 48 hours, two business days, we were able to make the connection to our county directors, and as a result 150 3- and 4-year-olds got enrolled in early education."


CIVIL RIGHTS


Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission have announced the winners of the annual Ohio MLK Awards, which honor the service and achievements of Ohio residents and organizations. "Congratulations to these Ohioans who live by Dr. King's principles of freedom, equality, justice, liberty, individuality and respect," DeWine said in a news release. "We honor them for their contributions and service to their communities."


State and local officials gathered with Columbus community members to celebrate the 40th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Breakfast at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Monday. Musical performances were given by the Presto Choir of Columbus Children's Choir, directed by Dameon Jones, and the Columbus Metro Mass Choir, directed by Jesse Howell. A dance performance was given by Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Gov. Mike DeWine along with U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-Columbus) and Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) made virtual comments reflecting on the event's theme, "courage to pursue the extraordinary last miles with Kingian love. Shannon Hardin, president of Columbus City Council, gave his remarks in person. The event was happening the same day as President Donald Trump's inauguration, for which many Ohio officials had traveled to Washington, D.C.


EDUCATION


Postseasons tournament divisions in track and field and cross country will be expanded, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Board of Directors decided this week. The board's vote was unanimous, according to a news release from OHSAA. Track and field will add two divisions, expanding from three to five. Cross country will add one division, growing from three to four. The expansion will take effect beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.


Auditor of State Keith Faber's office said Tuesday that the Trimble Local School District in Athens County is now in fiscal watch, joining Springfield Local School District in Summit County. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) notified Faber's office in December that Trimble had not filed "acceptable written proposals" to address projected deficits, as required by law. Trimble has a deficit of $1.6 million this fiscal year, a gap projected to double by FY27, according to DEW. Under Faber's designation, Trimble now has 60 days to submit a formal financial plan to address the shortfall. Faber's office and DEW can provide free technical assistance to Trimble in development of the plan.


School districts around Ohio are moving closer to implementing an apprenticeship program that will allow an alternative pathway for individuals with a bachelor's degree to become principals or superintendents. At the year's first regular meeting of the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) on Thursday, Kimberly Pietsch Miller, the agency's chief of leadership development, detailed the progress of the program proposal since its inclusion last year in 135-SB168 (Reynolds).


ELECTIONS


Secretary of State Frank LaRose Tuesday lauded President Donald Trump's recission of a former President Joe Biden executive order that aimed to get more voters registered through interactions with federal agencies. Executive Order 14019 stated that federal agencies should consider ways to expand citizens' opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process. Republicans, however, charged that the order was being used to get more Democratic voters and was an overreach of federal authority.


ELECTIONS 2026


With now-U.S. Sen. Jon Husted out of the running for the 2026 gubernatorial campaign, other Republicans began making their moves. Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague officially launched their campaigns, while Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy left the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative and is expected to launch a campaign soon.


In other 2026 contests, former Republican Sen. Niraj Antani announced he will run for secretary of state.


ENERGY/UTILITIES


U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker Friday announced the indictments of two former FirstEnergy executives on federal racketeering charges related to the 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) scandal. The indictments allege that former FirstEnergy President and CEO Charles E. Jones, 69, and Senior Vice President Michael Dowling, 60, engaged in racketeering activity -- including bribery, money laundering and obstruction -- to increase FirstEnergy's stock price and enrich themselves.


The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is hoping to see a little more done legislatively in the 136th General Assembly than it saw last year, OCC Legislative Affairs Specialist Nick Stallard told a meeting of the OCC Governing Board on Tuesday as the agency is already engaging with the new Legislature in the new year on several issues. Stallard said that with budget season underway, OCC is seeking more agency budget support, and he has gotten encouraging feedback so far.


Auditor of State Keith Faber's office said Tuesday that the Trimble Local School District in Athens County is now in fiscal watch, joining Springfield Local School District in Summit County. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) notified Faber's office in December that Trimble had not filed "acceptable written proposals" to address projected deficits, as required by law. Trimble has a deficit of $1.6 million this fiscal year, a gap projected to double by FY27, according to DEW. Under Faber's designation, Trimble now has 60 days to submit a formal financial plan to address the shortfall. Faber's office and DEW can provide free technical assistance to Trimble in development of the plan.


The Buckeye Institute (BI) and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) called on Ohio lawmakers and regulators Wednesday to end "cronyism" in state energy policy by prioritizing affordability as well as reliability, rejecting government energy efficiency (EE) standards and eliminating all "corporate welfare," including legislative subsidies to the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) surviving the collapse of 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkin). BI gathered with AFP on Capitol Square to announce the release of "Better Energy Policy for Ohio," which calls on state policymakers to cease placing industry interests over consumer needs, what is sometimes referred to as "regulatory capture."


FEDERAL


President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were officially sworn into office on Monday. Vance is the first vice president from Ohio in nearly 100 years, according to media reports. "It's an incredible honor to take the oath of office as the 50th vice president of the United States. I look forward to working alongside President Trump to serve the American people. Let's make America great again!" Vance wrote on social media.


At least 67 people arrested in Ohio for their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot were pardoned, had their sentences commuted or will have their cases dismissed following a sweeping executive order from President Donald Trump. The 67 people arrested in Ohio are among more than 1,500 individuals receiving pardons, commutations or case dismissals from Trump, according to media reports.


GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE


Rep. Bride Sweeney (D-Cleveland) will continue to represent House Democrats on the House Finance Committee this budget cycle. Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) announced that and other minority caucus committee assignments Friday afternoon.


Hannah News’ interview series with freshman legislators featured Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), who is no stranger to the Statehouse, having represented Clark County in the House from 2015-2022. But upon his return, now representing the 10th Senate district, Koehler sees more of a runway than he had in the lower chamber.


Also featured by Hannah News was Rep. Mike Odioso (R-Cincinnati), who at 62 years of age says he feels he’s in the right time of his life to serve. Now retired after a nearly 30-year career as a social studies teacher at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Odioso is succeeding long-time and well-known Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), whom Odioso says he has known for decades, and who had broached the possibility of running in 2018.


Noting the importance of the bill to majority Republicans, Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) announced the reintroduction of his higher education reform bill from the last General Assembly, 135-SB83 (Cirino), as SB1. The bill is expected to be on the fast track for passage. Cirino said the bill is largely unchanged from the previous version, with new additions including shortening board of trustee terms to six-years, the return of a ban on strikes by faculty, and a complete ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at institutions of higher education. "It has become institutionalized discrimination paid for by the taxpayers," Cirino said of DEI at a press conference at the Statehouse Wednesday announcing the latest version of the bill.


The Senate Wednesday kicked off its legislative agenda with the introduction of 32 bills and one concurrent resolution, addressing higher education, energy, and income tax with the top three bills. In addition to Sen. Jerry Cirino's (R-Kirtland) reintroduction of higher education reform bill 135-SB83 (Cirino) as SB1, the introductions also include Sen. William Reinke's (R-Tiffin) SB2, which states the intent of the General Assembly "to provide increased power generation and improved affordability and reliability for Ohio's electric grid," and SB3 (Lang-S. Huffman), which would phase down the state income tax to a flat rate of 2.75 percent.


Members of the House approved the chamber's rules for the 136th General Assembly on Wednesday, undoing many of the provisions adopted by former House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and his bipartisan coalition of supporters in the 135th General Assembly. The House voted 61-34 to approve rules package HR9 (Manning), with Stephens joining most Democrats in voting against it. Rep. Dan Troy (D-Willowick) voted in favor of the resolution.


The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) is currently operating without a permanent executive director after Ian Dollenmayer vacated the position to join the House Republican Caucus legal staff. Longtime JCARR Deputy Director Greg Fouche is serving as interim director until the House speaker and Senate president appoint a permanent executive director.


Former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of the late Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) announced Thursday. "Jane has big shoes to fill replacing the legendary Kirk Schuring, but I have no doubt that she will be a fantastic senator for the 29th District," McColley said in a news release. "Jane Timken is a proven conservative who brings a unique skillset of economic development, public policy and politics to the Senate. I'm confident she will be an outstanding advocate for all Ohioans."


The House rolled out its first bills of the 136th General Assembly Thursday, a day after the Senate introduced its first bills. Getting the top spot as HB1 is the Property Protection Act, introduced by Reps. Angela King (R-Celina) and Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), which modifies the law that prohibits certain governments, businesses, and individuals from acquiring certain real property. It is followed by HB2 (Johnson), establishing the Child Care Cred Program; and HB3 (Willis-Thomas), the School Bus Safety Act. Klopfenstein also announced the introduction of his HB15, which he said aims to boost power generation in Ohio while improving affordability for ratepayers and increasing reliability within the state's electrical grid. Among other changes, the bill would repeal both OVEC subsidies passed as part of 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) and utility scale solar subsidies.


GOVERNOR


Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will replace Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week. "I interviewed a large number of people. ... There were many people who I considered very qualified to serve in the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Ohio. But I came to the conclusion ... that the person who is best suited to be U.S. senator is a person who has been close to me for the past six years, a person who almost daily I work with, and that is Lt. Gov. Jon Husted," DeWine said during a Statehouse press conference, joined by Husted and the lieutenant governor's family. On Tuesday, newly minted Vice President Vance swore Husted in as his Senate successor.


Ahead of Ohio State University’s victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Gov. Mike DeWine and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun wagered sweets from their respective states on the outcome.


HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Maternal health challenges remain despite high health care rates across the state of Ohio, according to a study re-released by the Center for Community Solutions (CCS) featuring a new interactive map. The Status of Women report shows the Ohio health care coverage rate at 95 percent, which is "almost entirely thanks to Ohio's decision to expand Medicaid in 2014 and the Affordable Care Act," said Tara Britton, director of public policy and advocacy, in a written statement.


The Buckeye Institute (BI) and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) called on Ohio lawmakers and regulators Wednesday to end "cronyism" in state energy policy by prioritizing affordability as well as reliability, rejecting government energy efficiency (EE) standards and eliminating all "corporate welfare," including legislative subsidies to the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) surviving the collapse of 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkin). BI gathered with AFP on Capitol Square to announce the release of "Better Energy Policy for Ohio," which calls on state policymakers to cease placing industry interests over consumer needs, what is sometimes referred to as "regulatory capture."


Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn reported Thursday in a streamed news conference that the number of suicide deaths in Ohio declined for the first time in three years in 2023, decreasing about 1 percent from 2022's numbers. Specifically, Ohio deaths by suicides dropped to 1,777 in 2023 - 20 fewer than 2022, but Vanderhoff pointed out that is still five per day.


HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS


The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) Tuesday announced a total of $22.4 million in grants to help 27 communities improve housing access and provide homeownership and rental assistance for low- and moderate-income families under the Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program. CHIP program grants are funded by the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, the federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs.


IMMIGRATION


Amid a flurry of executive orders issued at the outset of his administration, President Donald Trump cancelled a program under which certain immigrants, including large numbers of Haitians who've settled in Ohio, have been allowed to stay.


Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was joined by 16 "red" states and Georgia in a letter from his office urging South Dakota Governor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary-appointee Kristi Noem to prioritize review of "temporary protected status" (TPS) for more than one million migrants in the U.S., most of whom Yost says former President Joe Biden extended until 2026 days before he left office. Yost and fellow attorneys general ask Noem to proceed with the TPS audit upon taking office after her nomination easily cleared the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs and Intelligence committees this week and was scheduled for floor debate Thursday.


LIBRARIES


Mary Ellen Icaza, executive director of Stark County District Library, is the new chair of the Ohio Library Council (OLC) Board of Directors, the organization said Friday after its first board meeting of 2025. Other board leaders announced Friday include Stacey Russell, executive director of Muskingum County Library System, as chair-elect and Travis Bautz, director of MidPointe Library System, as secretary-treasurer. Officers serve one-year terms.


LOBBYISTS


Victor Hipsley, president and chief executive officer of Governmental Policy Group Inc., announced last week that Matthew Whitehead has been promoted to executive vice president, named partner and his successor of the firm. The firm was founded in 1988 by Brooke Cheney as an independent lobbying firm representing associations and corporations before the Ohio General Assembly and the state of Ohio. Whitehead, a veteran of over 25 years of Statehouse experience, worked as an Ohio Legislative Service Commission Fellow, an aide in the Ohio House of Representatives, and as a legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. He earned a degree from Xavier University and joined GPG in 2006, where he has held various positions of leadership with the firm.


New CEO and President of the Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) Laura Hay announced recently the creation of a new leadership team for the 120-plus year-old statewide organization focused on strengthening and supporting thousands of CPAs. According to the group, "The team will assist in her strategic efforts to address the national CPA shortage by growing Ohio's talent pipeline, articulating the importance of a thriving CPA profession to the state's success, and positioning CPAs as critical contributors to a vibrant and financially secure economy."


MARIJUANA/HEMP


The Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC) Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has launched the Cannabis Service Center (CSC) to more efficiently process, manage and respond to inquiries from licensees, the public and other stakeholders, DOC announced Thursday.


PARKS/RECREATION


From baseball and softball fields to pickleball courts or simply walking paths, local parks and recreation projects in 73 Ohio counties received funding this week from the latest round of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) NatureWorks grant program. The program, approved by Ohio voters through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue in 1993, has funded over 2,300 projects throughout Ohio since its inception over three decades ago.


PEOPLE


Taylor Van Kirk is now serving as press secretary for Vice President JD Vance, Kirk's previous employer announced on Tuesday. "We are thrilled to announce that Taylor Van Kirk, who has been an invaluable member of MAD Global's bipartisan team, has been appointed to the role of press secretary for Vice President JD Vance. We are incredibly proud of Taylor and excited for her to take this next step in her career," MAD Global Strategy said in an email. Van Kirk, previously known as Taylor Jach, also served as press secretary for the Ohio House Republican Caucus under former Speakers Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Bob Cupp (R-Lima).


PUBLIC SAFETY


The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) Tuesday announced the launch of a new human trafficking dashboard that combines data from several state agencies into a centralized location. The dashboard was announced during Tuesday's annual meeting of the Governor's Human Trafficking Task Force. ODPS said the dashboard will increase accessibility for the public, policymakers and researchers. Other benefits of the data project include raising awareness about human trafficking, improving outreach, and devoting appropriate resources where needed, according to the administration. Available on the DataOhio Portal, the dashboard houses the human trafficking data previously maintained separately by the Ohio departments of children and youth (DCY), developmental disabilities (DODD), mental health and addiction services (MHAS), rehabilitation and correction (DRC) and youth services (DYS).


Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Andy Wilson assured state and local officials at the Missing Persons Working Group's first meeting that the administration has no desire to lay blame in the wake of the Columbus Dispatch investigation "Vanished" and in view of the "disparate" collection of victim clearinghouses and databases cited Thursday by the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Wilson is chairing a work group of two dozen members appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine this month, including representatives of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY), Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII), Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), and police departments and sheriffs' offices for some of Ohio's largest and smallest cities and counties, among other members.


TECHNOLOGY/AEROSPACE


As state governments explore new ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations, a new analysis from Pew Charitable Trusts finds that AI could affect both sides of the budget ledger in the coming years, especially as the technology matures. The report on AI was the latest release from Pew as part of a series examining key debates that will unfold in the nation's statehouses in the year ahead, especially those that will affect state budgeting.


TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE


After suspending toll collections while rolling out its new open road tolling system, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will resume pursuing those who don't pay beginning in February. Commission Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed told the commission during its monthly meeting Monday that after the new collection system was officially rolled out last year, thousands of customers complained that the new system was confusing. In response, he said the commission suspended late fees and turning over unpaid invoices to collections, and launched an aggressive media campaign in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania on the proper use of the tolling lanes.


More than $12.8 million is being awarded to five local transit authorities to replace 19 aging diesel transit buses, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) have announced.


The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) Thursday amended grants to local railroads to install wayside detector systems to add an additional location to receive money after another recipient secured federal grant money. Budget bill 135-HB33 (Edwards) included $10 million for a grant program to provide wayside detector systems to smaller railroads after transportation budget 135-HB23 (Edwards) required their use. Seventeen railroads submitted applications for grant funding for 123 locations totaling nearly $14 million. ORDC won two federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants, allowing four of the locations to be funded with those grants. On Thursday, the commission approved those changes, as well as reallocating funding to an additional detector on the RJ Corman Cleveland Line.


WORKFORCE


The state of Ohio is looking to invest in projects that help create opportunities for Appalachian Ohioans in recovery to find and keep sustainable employment. Funding is available for projects through the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative, in partnership with the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia. ARC will host a virtual pre-application workshop on Jan. 28 to help applicants learn more about the program and applications. To participate, register HERE. Mandatory Letters of Intent are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. Final applications are due at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.


The College Technology Internship Program, offered through the Ohio Department of Development (DOD), is now accepting company applications for the 2025 summer internship round. The program supports technology companies, or companies with a technological need, in hiring talent and will pay up to two-thirds of each intern's salary. The student application period will run from Monday, Feb. 3 through Friday, Feb. 28. Interested students and companies can join the mailing list HERE to be notified.


Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that 492 employers were awarded funding in the November round of TechCred, which will enable Ohioans to earn 6,766 tech-focused credentials. This brings the program to over 120,000 credentials funded since 2019, with nearly 3,500 employers receiving them.

 

 

 



[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2025 Hannah News Service, Inc.]



 



1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

41 South High Street, Suite 3625, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Tel. 614-782-1440

Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

bottom of page