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.
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ABORTION
Physicians and clinics have standing to challenge abortion restrictions under Ohio's new reproductive and abortion rights constitutional amendment, a Franklin County judge ruled this week in rejecting the state's motion to dismiss a challenge to the now-enjoined 24-hour waiting period law for abortions. Ohio Supreme Court precedent that found clinics lack standing is inapt in this situation, the judge ruled. Judge David Young of Franklin County Common Pleas Court has already granted a preliminary injunction against the law, which requires patients seeking abortions to visit the clinic to receive certain informed-consent materials required by the state but then return a day later for the actual procedure.
ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The number of overdose deaths in Ohio decreased by 9 percent from 2022 to 2023, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday. There were 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2023, down from 4,915 in 2022, according to the Ohio Department of Health's (ODH) annual report on unintentional drug overdose deaths. This is the second consecutive year that overdose deaths have decreased, DeWine said during a Statehouse press conference. DeWine attributed the decline to a number of factors, including his administration's efforts to distribute opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone across the state. ODH increased its primary naloxone distribution program by 520 percent from 2019 to 2023, with more than 291,000 kits distributed in 2023, the governor said. According to Stateline, U.S. overdose deaths decreased among White people, but increased in non-White populations -- especially among Black individuals and Native Americans. In Ohio, the number of drug overdoses decreased for White and Black individuals, but the decrease for White people was much larger.
OneOhio Recovery Foundation directors moved $14,053,959 in proposed awards for 15 of its 19 regions toward final approval Tuesday as it prepared for the week's "Grant Award Wednesday," when the board announced completed agreements with nonprofits and government jurisdictions providing substance use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Members emerged from virtual executive session with preliminary approval for 73 awards ranging from the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
ARTS, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Ohio law that restricts the ability of pro sports teams to move is unconstitutional, the Cleveland Browns said in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The Browns are taking the action after team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced plans to move to a domed stadium in the suburb of Brook Park. Dennis Kucinich, who is running for Congress, helped write the "Modell Law" -- named after the former Browns owner who moved the team to Baltimore, MD -- in the mid-1990s when he was a state senator. He called the suit a legal maneuver, adding, “The Modell Law wasn’t vague in 2018 when Haslam took advantage of the law to purchase the Columbus Crew. It makes one wonder if Haslam’s talk about Brook Park is actually a pretty mirage as he plans to move the team elsewhere for a bigger payday.”
BALLOT ISSUES
The Ohio Supreme Court Wednesday unanimously ruled that Attorney General Dave Yost does not have the authority under Ohio law to review the title of proposed ballot initiatives submitted to his office. Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine certain voting procedures into the Ohio Constitution took Yost to the Ohio Supreme Court earlier this year after he rejected their proposal based on the title, which was first submitted as "Secure and Fair Elections" and then as "Ohio Voters Bill of Rights" the second time. In its unanimous per curiam opinion, the Court found that under Ohio Revised Code Section 3519.01(A), the attorney general is restricted to reviewing the summary of the petition to determine if it is a "fair and truthful" representation of the amendment, and not the title. The opinion stated the meaning of "summary" and "title" are distinct words serving different purposes. While a "summary" is an abbreviated description of the proposed amendment's main points, the "title" is simply the name given to the amendment.
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) inducted the latest members into the Civil Rights Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 31. The hall of fame honors Ohioans who are recognized as pioneers in human and civil rights and who have advanced the goals of equality and inclusion. The 2024 Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame inductees are the following:
U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (Columbus)
Jordan A. Miller, Jr. (Columbus)
Susan Upton Farley* (Woodlawn)
Dwight Tillery (Cincinnati)
Dr. Cleaster Whitehurst-Mims (Cincinnati)
James L. Hardiman (Cleveland)
Johnny Wu (Cleveland)
Robert C. "Chip" Harrod (Cincinnati)
Raymond L. Fitz, S.M. (Dayton)
Bishop James Robert Allen Culp (Toledo)
Sarah and Peter Fossett* (Cumminsville)
*Awarded posthumously
CORONAVIRUS/MONKEYPOX
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported a slight uptick in weekly COVID numbers Thursday, with new cases increasing from 2,751 on Oct. 24 to 2,779. That ended a period of six weeks where new cases dropped. By comparison, there were 6,103 cases in the last September update. Other numbers reported Thursday included the following:
116 hospitalizations, compared to 108 on Oct. 24 and 245 on Sept. 26.
Seven ICU admissions, compared to six on Oct. 24 and seven on Sept. 26.
29 deaths, compared to 18 on Oct. 24 and 39 on Sept. 26.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 3.86 million total cases, 155,030 hospitalizations, 15,936 ICU admissions and 44,401 Ohio resident deaths reported by ODH.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Mandy Cohen recently endorsed an advisory committee recommendation that people ages 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive a second dose of the new vaccine six months after their first dose. The updated recommendation also gives flexibility for additional doses for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised in consultation with their health care provider.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
The final Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executive has been sentenced for the $2.3 million theft involving five former employees. Former Marketing Director Pete Fingerhut will serve five years behind bars and pay more than $639,000 in restitution to the zoo, state of Ohio and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Monday's sentence follows his convictions for aggravated theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud, records tampering and falsification in July.
EDUCATION
The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals should reverse U.S. District Court Judge Michael Newman's decision dismissing a legal challenge from parents who disagreed with Bethel Local Schools' decision to allow a transgender girl student to use the middle school girls' restroom, according to attorney Ben Flowers and Solicitor General Elliot Gaiser. Sixth Circuit Judges Karen Nelson Moore, R. Guy Cole and Joan Larsen heard oral arguments in John and Jane Doe No. 1 v. Bethel Local School District Board of Education on Tuesday. Newman had dismissed the case in August 2023, saying that the families didn't have standing to sue.
Local school boards' use of consent agendas to dispose of public business reduces their meetings to ceremony and violates Ohio sunshine laws, a Northeast Ohio man claims in a new lawsuit filed with the Ohio Supreme Court challenging how Columbus Schools' board voted on funding for voucher litigation. Brian Ames, a Mogadore resident known for filing open meeting and records law challenges, sued Columbus City Schools over its use of a consent agenda, a portion of the meeting agenda where matters generally are approved with little to no debate. Ames specifically objected to an August 2022 vote to approve $91,000 for membership in the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, which organized the Vouchers Hurt Ohio coalition behind the latest court challenge to the constitutionality of EdChoice.
As a new law recently took effect setting parameters to protect student privacy in use of education technology, the sponsor of the legislation emphasized the need for it but acknowledged revisions could be coming based on complaints. Recent media reports have identified problems with the requirements of SB29 (S. Huffman), including how it hampers the use of technology and the fact that it requires frequent disclosures to parents of how technology is used in certain cases. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law in July. It establishes that educational records created by a technology provider contracting with a school district belong to the school and generally prohibits commercial use of those records, among other features. Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City), who sponsored it, issued a statement marking the occasion.
ELECTIONS 2024
Any completed absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 4, in order to be counted, or returned in-person to the board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Mailed ballots must be received by the board of elections by Saturday, Nov. 9. Ballots can also be cast early in-person at boards of elections through Sunday. The voting schedule this weekend is as follows:
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.
There is no in-person voting on Monday, Nov. 4. Polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
While there are 116 legislative seats up for election on the November ballot, 13 of them are all but settled with no opposition for the candidates. Members of the 136th General Assembly who next week will see their election become all but a formality include several House candidates running for re-election: Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus), Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), Elgin Rogers (D-Toledo), Tom Young (R-Centerville) and Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill). Additionally, Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron), appointed mid-term to replace former Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron), is unopposed. Other unopposed candidates who have secured their place in the next Legislature include Democrat Meredith Lawson-Rowe, unopposed in the 5th House District; Democrat Desiree Tims in the 38th House District; and Republican David Thomas in the 65th House District. There is only one unopposed Senate race -- Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) is running to replace Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) in the 12th Senate District. Huffman is unopposed as he seeks to swap seats with Manchester in the 78th House District.
The two legislative leaders expected to compete for the speaker's gavel in the 136th General Assembly contributed thousands of dollars to the campaigns of House Republican candidates across the state, according to pre-general election campaign finance reports. Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima), who is term-limited in the upper chamber, is running for House District 78. House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) is running for re-election and will not be term-limited in the House until 2028; he first joined the chamber by appointment. Huffman and Stephens both gave money to the Ohio House Republican Alliance (OHRA), the campaign arm of the House Republican Caucus. A legal dispute over who controls the campaign fund is before the Ohio Supreme Court. Huffman gave OHRA $50,608 during the reporting period, while Stephens contributed $201,000.
Whether U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) lives in her district and has a legally valid voter registration in the district is now in the hands of Secretary of State Frank LaRose after the Summit County Board of Elections tied 2-2 in a vote last week. While federal law does not require members of Congress to live in their districts, only to be a resident of the state, if it is ruled that Sykes does not live in her district, her voter registration would not be valid. The board of elections held a hearing on a complaint brought by activist Tom Zawistowski last week, the Akron Beacon Journal reported, which included a financial disclosure statement from Sykes' husband, Franklin County Commissioner and former Ohio lawmaker Kevin Boyce, where he listed Sykes as residing at his household in Franklin County. The newspaper said attorneys representing Sykes presented documents listing Sykes' address as the location of her Akron-voter registration, as well as an affidavit from Boyce stating her voting address is in Akron.
The Republican State Leadership Committee's Judicial Fairness Initiative (JFI) said it has committed $600,000 to television advertising in the three Ohio Supreme Court races over the last week of the campaign. The advertising is in support of the three Republican Ohio Supreme Court candidates -- Justice Joe Deters and Judges Dan Hawkins and Megan Shanahan. The three seats could determine control of the Ohio Supreme Court. If Democrats win all three, the party would take control of the Court and hold a 4-3 advantage. A Republican sweep would leave Democrats with just one seat -- Justice Jennifer Brunner.
Saying it is an unsettled matter in state law, a federal judge abstained from ruling on a lawsuit filed by the presidential campaign of Jill Stein over an order issued by Secretary of State Frank LaRose to not have votes cast for Stein count after his office received paperwork purporting to have her vice presidential candidate withdraw from the ballot. Stein, the national Green Party candidate for president who is appearing as an unaffiliated candidate on Ohio's ballot, filed the lawsuit earlier this month claiming the paperwork filed to withdraw Stein's Ohio running mate, Anita Rios, was submitted by a person not authorized to make decisions for the campaign. The paperwork sought to swap Butch Ware, the vice-presidential nominee of the national Green Party for Rios.
Midday Columbus traffic was bottlenecked Friday at the entrance to the Franklin County Board of Elections building on the city's north side, as it had been since the beginning of this election's early voting period. But the act of casting a ballot was far from a hassle for some of the voters. "Some of us that have never had that chance to vote in our own countries, this is great to express our democracy. America is [a] democracy country, and that's why we're here," said Blaise Balazire of the Columbus affiliate of Church World Service (CWS). CWS joined Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) Ohio and the Columbus Refugee & Immigrant Voices on Friday to host a voting event to welcome the new citizens it has helped to officially ring in their citizenship. CRIS also helped bring new citizens to the event to vote.
The secretary of state's revised version of Form 10-U can be used by election officials to challenge voters at the polls following a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Boyko. Boyko denied the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio's motion to hold LaRose in contempt for the new form, arguing that it violated a federal court order from 2006. "Not only have plaintiffs failed to satisfy their burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that defendant has violated the court's 2006 permanent injunction order, but unlike in 2006, plaintiffs have not demonstrated an undue burden on their fundamental right to vote nor that they have suffered disparate treatment so as to warrant the exercise of the court's remedial powers on their behalf," Boyko wrote. "Plaintiffs have failed to show the necessary stake not only at the outset of litigation, but throughout its course. Plaintiffs lack Article III standing -- an indivisible element of federal court subject matter jurisdiction."
LaRose earlier this month launched a new online digital dashboard to help analyze voting trends and statistics more effectively during the early voting period. "Elections are under a microscope like never before, and transparency is essential to the accountability of our elections," said LaRose in announcing the platform. "We led the passage of landmark legislation that enables us to more effectively retain and report election data, and this resource is the first of several we'll be launching in the coming months to make good on that commitment. We're working with our county boards of elections to build a data reporting infrastructure that will allow us to provide daily trends related to voting behavior. We'll ultimately add new dashboards showing voter registration trends and election history." The secretary of state's office said Ohioans can use the resource to track types of voting, such as in person, by mail and by drop box. The full dashboard can be found
The following endorsements were made over the week:
The Ohio Forward Party and the Ohio Farmers Union endorsed "Yes" votes on Issue 1.
Americans for Prosperity-Ohio endorsed a "No" vote on Issue 1.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) endorsed Republican Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate and Kevin Coughlin for the 13th Congressional District.
The re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the endorsement of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF).
The Humane Society Legislative Fund endorsed U.S. Reps. Greg Landsman (D-Cincinnati), Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) for re-election.
ENERGY/UTILITIES
The public-private partnership charged by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to oversee the stability of Ohio and neighboring states' power grid, Reliability First, laid out the problem -- if not the solution -- to the region's electric needs and shifting supplies as the U.S. continues the current trend of federally subsidized renewable energy projects versus new natural gas generation plants. Diane Holder, vice president of entity engagement and corporate services for Reliability First, addressed the 2024 Energy Summit hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and featuring a series of panel discussions on innovation and technology, the state's shale oil and gas industry, and perspectives from the Statehouse anchored by House Public Utilities Committee Chairman Dick Stein (R-Norwalk) and House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati).
In a series of major developments, FirstEnergy Corp. has asked the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to cancel its current rate plan only five months after taking effect as company earnings from continuing operations tumbled nearly 25 percent year over year in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023. The Akron-based utility also added a new corporate executive to the mix -- Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Karen McClendon -- late Tuesday, when FirstEnergy announced third-quarter financial results and a commission proposal to withdraw its fifth electric security plan (ESP) and return to ESP IV, which expired May 31, 2024. PUCO must still approve the company's return to ESP IV.
Ohio's baseline standard for utility rates is back before the Supreme Court of Ohio, giving justices the opportunity to address two major statutory protections at once. The Court will decide -- directly or indirectly -- whether the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) can deny the Office of Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) and all other parties before the commission their constitutional right to appeal. The Duke Energy case also allows justices to determine whether utilities can avoid the "used and useful" requirement for capital investment charges by reducing infrastructure spending to a service cost. The consumers' counsel filed its request for appeal with the Supreme Court, criticizing the millions of dollars in Duke investments for unused, underground propane storage caverns that commissioners approved as a deferred "expense" outside the used-and-useful standard for utility rates.
GAMING/GAMBLING
Racino revenues and Ohio Lottery sales were relatively stable year-over-year, according to data provided by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Ohio's seven racinos made $109.4 million in September 2024, up from $108.8 million in September 2023.
Traditional Ohio Lottery ticket sales for September 2024 were $350.4 million, down from $361 million in September 2023. Draw-based game sales for September 2024 were $159.3 million, down from $180.6 million in September 2023. Net scratch-off ticket sales for September 2024 were $191.1 million, up from $180.4 million in September 2023. Operating transfers to the Lottery Profits Education Fund (LPEF) totaled $115.1 million in September 2024, down from $117.2 million in September 2023.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
The current and former governors, current and former leaders and members of the General Assembly, statewide officeholders, lobbyists, staffers, graduates of the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute and a couple hundred others gathered Thursday in the Statehouse Atrium to honor and remember the life and legacy of the first -- and only – woman speaker of the Ohio House, Jo Ann Davidson. Davidson, who was 97, died Friday, Oct. 25. She lay in state in the Statehouse Rotunda for four hours before the funeral service. Speakers included Capital Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) Executive Director Laura Battocletti who also served as the master of ceremonies. She was followed by Gov. Mike DeWine, Davidson's granddaughter Emily Enslen, former Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, and former House Clerk Fred Mills with the eulogy given by former legislator, Auditor of State and Attorney General and long-time friend Betty Montgomery. Davidson is survived by her daughter Jenifer Enslen, two grandsons and a granddaughter. Donations in her memory may be made to the Jo Ann Davidson Scholarship Fund – 661605 at Ohio State University, University Square North, 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus; the John R. and Jo Ann Davidson Scholarship Fund at the University of Findlay, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay OH 45840; or the Jo Ann Davidson Public Administration Leadership Scholarship Fund at Franklin University, 201 S. Grant Ave., Columbus 43215.
The Black Maternal Health Caucus turned its focus on the importance of fathers to children and moms in its latest meeting. Founder and CEO David Fluellen of Central Ohio's Urban Family Development Center explained the nonprofit's mission with a special emphasis on men's role in supporting their babies and partners before and after a child is born, including when the parents are no longer romantically involved. Fluellen participated in a remote meeting of the caucus with Senate member and caucus Co-Chair Catherine Ingram (Cincinnati) and staff. Launching the center in 2013, he described various services including its Family First Program, Moms2B and Dads2B.
HANNAH NEWS RACES TO WATCH
Over the past several weeks, Hannah News has focused on "Races to Watch" for the 136th General Assembly, the U.S. Congress and State Board of Education. Those articles are now compiled into a single document for easy reference. The document organizes the election "snapshots" by district in an easily navigable format and will make it easier to track the outcomes election night.
A fraction of a percentage point separates Democrats and Republicans in Ohio's 31st House District in suburban Summit County, but that is on paper and contrasted by Rep. Bill Roemer's (R-Richfield) single- to double-digit wins in the last three elections. Continued redistricting has altered the district's borders and demographics somewhat since 2018, giving challenger A.J. Harris perhaps Democrats' best shot at reversing that trend on Nov. 5 after their previous candidate came within a few points of Roemer in 2022. Roemer says he's working as hard at maintaining his seat as he does at moving legislation, passing more bills than any of his colleagues in the previous General Assembly. Democrat A.J. Harris is keen to flip the district. A Zanesville native and son of a public school teacher, Harris learned his own lessons in hard work watching his mother come home from a full shift at McDonald's to work on her education degree. "I grew up in public housing. We were a working-class family but were able to get out of a situation where we still see people struggling today," he says, emphasizing his quality-of-life commitment to all Ohioans. "I'm running a campaign on my lived experiences."
While U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) is the incumbent for the 13th U.S. House District, both she and Republican challenger Kevin Coughlin are former state legislators. Sykes served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 until taking her congressional seat in 2023, including two years as House minority leader. Coughlin was in the House from 1997 to 2001 and the Ohio Senate from 2001 to 2011. Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, has called the 13th House District "one of the most competitively drawn districts in the whole country," according to media reports. As of Oct. 24, Sabato's Crystal Ball lists the race as Leans Democratic. Sykes previously defeated Republican candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert by over 5 percentage points in 2022, while the 2024 primary saw Coughlin overcome Republicans Chris Banweg and Richard Morckel.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Central State University (CSU) will face increased financial reporting requirements and review by the state auditor after the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) put the institution in fiscal watch status. ODHE said in a statement that CSU recently informed the state agency about its financial challenges. Chancellor Mike Duffey has authority under state regulations to put a college or university in fiscal watch status if "immediate and decisive action" is needed to improve the institution's finances, ODHE said. CSU will now need to adopt a financial recovery plan, with a goal of ending fiscal watch within three years.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
Survey results released recently show that the cost of housing is a major concern for Ohio voters across the political spectrum, and a majority of those voters don't think the government is doing enough to make sure people can continue to cover their housing costs. The cost of housing and rent was noted as "a big problem" by 44 percent of respondents to a September poll by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Hart Research. Housing costs ranked behind only food prices and the cost of groceries (57 percent) as an issue that was a big problem for them personally, outranking separately the costs of utilities, gasoline, health care, child care and college/higher education.
The DeWine administration and Ohio Department of Development (DOD) recently announced funding in the third round of the Welcome Home Ohio program, with over $25.7 million in grants and $119,274 in planned tax credits meant to help more Ohioans achieve the dream of homeownership. The program was created in the budget to provide a total of $100 million in grants to help landbanks purchase, rehabilitate, or build qualifying residential properties for income-eligible Ohioans. It also offers the nonrefundable tax credits for rehab and new construction projects, with $25 million still available.
JUDICIAL
The Supreme Court of Ohio announced Tuesday that the Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) has suspended nine attorneys for repeated noncompliance and ordered additional sanctions on 131 attorneys for CLE deficiencies. The commission imposed fines of between $75 and $300 per attorney based on hours in arrears for 2022-2023. "Attorneys need to stay informed of changes in laws, legal technology and developments in their practice area to provide the best service to clients," the Court stated. Suspended attorneys may revive their law license by completing their CLE deficiency and applying for reinstatement.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Overturning decades-old precedent, the Ohio Supreme Court majority has ruled that the state constitution's 200-year-old open courts mandate makes juvenile as well as adult proceedings public, despite historical protections for minors, and reinforces the country's federalist system. Democrats say rejecting juvenile records sealing in 130-SB143 (Seitz) is a "novel reading" of Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution and could open children -- if not grand juries, jury deliberations, and judges' chambers -- to a pandora's box of sunshine requests. In Cincinnati Enquirer v. Bloom, Republicans led by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy say the state constitutional guarantee that "all courts shall be open" is broader that the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech and Sixth Amendment right to a "speedy and public trial" and protects not only litigants' access to due process but also citizens' access to court records and proceedings. Writing for the majority, Justice R. Patrick DeWine notes state constitutions were long considered the "primary protectors of individual rights" before judicial systems including Ohio's began conflating state constitutional protections with federal ones, even when they were differently worded.
NATURAL RESOURCES
An Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife officer stationed in Erie County has been recognized by a council representing the U.S. and Canada for her exemplary work as a wildlife officer. ODNR announced this week that Officer Michele Butler received the Waterfowl Protection Officer of the Year award from the Mississippi Flyway Council (MFC). The award highlights officers who go above and beyond by protecting wetlands and waterfowl, educating waterfowlers, participating in waterfowl organizations, and promoting youth hunting activities. MFC officers protect migratory bird populations and resources in 14 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
ODNR recently announced the completion of a new boat washing station at Geneva Marina in Geneva State Park in Northeast Ohio. The new boat wash station cleans and reuses from and prevents wastewater from running off into Lake Erie by treating the water with bromide and UV light so it can be reused.
In Eastern Ohio, the ribbon was cut in October opening a new nature center and camp store at Dillon State Park near Nashport. The park's new nature center converted former office space into a space now featuring live animal exhibits, ecological and historical artifacts, and interactive displays including a video microscope. Park visitors can also participate in programs like paddling programs, nature hikes, and the Nature Book Club in collaboration with the Muskingum County Library at the center. Renovations to the Dillon State Park's camp store are also expected to offer a modernized, family-friendly environment to attract park-goers.
Construction will begin Monday, Nov. 18 on four trails within the Blackhand Gorge Nature Preserve near Dillon State Park. The year-long project will include the permanent repair of three significantly eroded sites along the 4-mile paved trail. The Quarry Rim, Buttonbrush Swamp and Chestnut trails will also be closed during the project. The Marie Hickey and Canal Locks trails will remain open, although pets will be strictly prohibited during the construction process.
After the scenic beauty of this year's fall foliage season passes at Ohio's state parks, the ODNR is inviting guests back for another seasonal tradition: the Thanksgiving meal. ODNR will open the lodges at certain state park lodges on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 for guests to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal along with views of some of the best natural scenery Ohio has to offer. The nine Ohio State Parks lodges hosting a Thanksgiving meal are Burr Oak State Park, Deer Creek State Park, The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, Hueston Woods State Park, Hocking Hills State Park, Mohican State Park, Punderson Manor State Park, Salt Fork State Park and Shawnee State Park.
Ohio Wildlife Officer Justus Nethero has been named Ohio Wildlife Officer of the Year by Shikar-Safari Club International. Nethero has worked in the ODNR Division of Wildlife since 2012, now serving as an investigator.
PENSIONS
When Lynn Hoover was asked to step in to lead the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) staff after her predecessor was put on leave amid an investigation, she made a request. "I said, well, it's on one condition," Hoover told Hannah News in a phone interview. "This only works if this position has the full support of the board. That just kind of works best for the system, works best for the members, works best for the board and for the staff." Ten months later, a bloc of board members called for a no-confidence vote in Hoover and the senior staff. It failed narrowly. "So I had been really consistent in trying to unify and to coalesce the board around those things, and really we were able to achieve a lot of things. But as I reflected, I tried to stay true to my commitment," said Hoover, who announced she'll retire as acting executive director shortly after that vote.
Wade Steen, the former State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) trustee who battled the governor's office to keep his board seat, has filed a new lawsuit against the people who temporarily replaced him, seeking damages for "wrongful usurpation," among other claims. Meanwhile, Steen is seeking to disqualify Attorney General Dave Yost's office from representing the state in litigation Yost filed against Steen alleging breach of fiduciary duties.
PEOPLE
A memorial service for former U.S. Rep. David Hobson will be held Saturday, Nov. 2 beginning at 11 a.m. at the High Street United Methodist Church, 230 E. High St., Springfield. The service will also be livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel. Hobson died Sunday, Oct. 6 at the age of 87. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Springfield Foundation, c/o the Dave and Carolyn Hobson Charitable Fund, 333 N. Limestone St., Suite 201, Springfield 45503-4250 or online at www.springfieldfoundation.org.
Monty Lobb is the new executive director of the Christian Business Partnership, the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) announced Tuesday. Lobb will officially join the "Christian chamber of commerce" in January 2025, CCV said. "The Christian Business Partnership has seen an explosion of growth since its launch just last year," CCV President Aaron Baer said. "With Char Bonsignore heading up membership, the partnership already boasts hundreds of members. Now, because of Monty Lobb's extensive business and law experience, the partnership will be able to take a new focus on advocating for policies at the Ohio Statehouse to help their network businesses thrive in a free and fair marketplace." Lobb will replace Matt Stiers, who has been leading the partnership while simultaneously working as chief operating officer (COO) of CCV.
POLLS/STUDIES
More voters are aware of redistricting amendment Issue 1, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has seen his lead narrow to well within the margin of error, a new poll released by the Democracy and Policy Research Network at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) found. The web-based poll of 1,000 likely voters was conducted Thursday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 21, and found former President Donald Trump with a solid lead over Vice President Kamala Harris, 50 to 43 percent among respondents, a result consistent with the 7-point lead he held in BGSU's September poll as well as his 8-point victories in Ohio in the previous two presidential elections.
In the U.S. Senate race, Brown holds a 47 to 45 percent advantage over Republican nominee Bernie Moreno, within the poll's 3.6 percent margin of error. Brown is receiving 94 percent of Democratic support, while Moreno is earning the support of 84 percent of Republicans. Seven percent of voters, including 20 percent of independent voters, are still undecided.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Ohio Attorney General's office says over a quarter million dollars in new grant money will cover six advanced courses on traffic safety and impaired-driving enforcement through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). Awarded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS), the traffic safety grant will pay for the following courses:
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Instructor
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
Traffic Crash Level 1 - Collision Investigation
Vehicle Dynamics
RADAR, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Electronic Speed Measurement Devices (ESMD) Operator
RADAR and LIDAR ESMD Instructor - NHTSA-approved certification
REDISTRICTING/REAPPORTIONMENT
Ohio Works, the primary organization opposing redistricting amendment Issue 1, raised $5.6 million in the last reporting period before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Ohio Works reported $4.5 million in expenditures and has $1.1 million in cash on-hand, according to the group's filing on the Ohio Secretary of State's Office's website. Ohio Works' pre-general election report was not available on the Ohio Secretary of State's Office's website on Thursday, Oct. 24, the deadline for the reports to be filed. Citizens Not Politicians, the organization supporting Issue 1, reported raising and spending approximately $11.2 million during the period. Both groups received large contributions from out of state, with Citizens Not Politicians reporting $7 million from Arlington, VA-based Article IV. Citizens Not Politicians also received $1 million from Washington, D.C.-based Our American Future Action and $1 million from New York-based Open Society Policy Center. Ohio Works received $1.75 million from Washington, D.C.-based American Jobs and Growth and $400,000 from Washington, D.C.-based American Action Network.
TAXATION
Gov. Mike DeWine's administration announced Monday the approval of assistance for six projects expected to create 415 new jobs and retain 1,118 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The projects are expected to collectively result in nearly $24 million in new payroll and spur nearly $1.1 billion in investments across Ohio.
VETERANS
In honor of Veterans Day, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) invites veterans to visit and shoot for free at two of Ohio's public shooting ranges on Sunday, Nov. 10. The ODNR Division of Wildlife is providing a free range day for veterans to thank them for their service. Veterans will be able to visit either range from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. that day to get specialized instruction, and a variety of firearms will be available to use at no charge. Addresses of those two ranges are listed below:
Delaware Wildlife Area - 1110 State Route 229, Ashley, OH 43003
Spring Valley Wildlife Area - 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's (BWC) Special Investigations Department (SID) saved the agency more than $72 million in FY24, BWC Board member Kenneth Haffey said Friday. SID obtained 62 convictions and closed more than 1,300 cases during the fiscal year, Haffey said during the BWC Board's monthly meeting in Columbus. Haffey said about a third of the fraud allegations were from external sources. The BWC Board also accepted a resolution honoring Terry Jacobs for his service on the board. Jacobs is no longer on the board due to "medical challenges," BWC Board Chair Chan Cochran said.
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[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2024 Hannah News Service, Inc.]
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