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
Ohio's new constitutional amendment on reproductive and abortion rights sets a tougher standard for the government to meet in justifying restrictions like the law requiring patients to visit a clinic in person and then wait 24 hours before undergoing an abortion, a Franklin County judge wrote Friday in a ruling that blocks enforcement of the law. As the plaintiffs' attorneys said at oral argument recently, Attorney General Dave Yost understood this fact before voters approved the amendment in November, Judge David Young wrote, citing the legal analysis Yost's office published in advance of that election. That analysis concluded the abortion amendment would go beyond the jurisprudence that existed before the Dobbs decision, potentially blocking any law that creates a "burden" on abortion rights, rather than the pre-Dobbs standard of "undue burden." Young wrote that the state did not provide evidence to meet the amendment's exceptions for measures that advance patient health and are accomplished through the least restrictive means. "Arguments that rely on cases decided before the amendment passed are unpersuasive. As the Supreme Court in Dobbs instructed, the people of Ohio resolved the important question of permissibility of abortion care through the amendment," he wrote.
ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) is warning the state against the rise in recreational drugs containing powerful mixtures of substances under the names of "tranq-dope" and "benzo-dope." The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) says tranq-dope (opioids mixed with "tranquilizers" or sedatives) and benzo-dope (opioids and benzodiazepines) found in counterfeit pills, powder and "rocks" can cause overdose and serious skin wounds. ONIC says drug testing labs across Ohio have recorded an eight-fold increase in samples containing tranq-dope and more than double the samples containing benzo-dope between 2021 and 2023 compared to the previous three years.
AGING
The Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) announced its annual “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” campaign is returning in September. ODA is asking community partners to host local walking groups and events to raise awareness of older adult falls by encouraging Ohioans of all ages to walk at least one mile during September. Individuals, groups, and organizations interested in hosting a walking event or group can find planning guides and register their event at the “10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls” webpage, www.aging.ohio.gov/10millionsteps. Events and groups that are open to the public will be listed on the webpage. More information and to register a group can be found at https://tinyurl.com/7xhz5f5m.
AGRICULTURE
Nearly two-thirds of Ohio is facing drought conditions, with 12.5 percent considered in "extreme drought conditions," according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's "U.S. Drought Monitor." Last updated Thursday, Aug. 22, the Drought Monitor shows the portion of the state in drought conditions is currently at 62.67 percent, up from nearly 59 percent the week before. The portion of the state considered in drought conditions for the past year stands at 11.35 percent. From the start of the calendar year, nearly 45 percent of the state is considered to be experiencing drought conditions. Most of the state considered in "extreme drought" conditions is Southern and Southeastern Ohio.
ARTS, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ohioans should make safe, responsible and legal decisions when using alcohol and cannabis before football games, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC). "Tailgaters should always adhere to Ohio's underage and open container laws. Ohioans cannot legally consume alcohol in public places that are outside of a liquor permit holder's premises or the boundaries of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) during its active hours," DOC said. Individuals convicted of selling or providing alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each offense. DOC is also reminding Ohioans that while cannabis is legal for adults age 21 and older, the initiated statute includes language making use of the drug in most public places a minor misdemeanor. “In addition, Ohio's law prohibiting smoking or vaping in public indoor spaces applies to marijuana as well. Like alcohol, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis," DOC said.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Ohio Attorney General's Office says a single home warranty outfit in Brooklyn, NY is costing Ohio households $450 to $600 a year plus additional costs but not delivering on promised repairs. The AG is suing First Premier Home Warranty and operator Albert Sayegh in Franklin County court for deceptive business practices affecting Ohioans from Aug. 1, 2022 to Aug. 7, 2024. "Ohioans deserve reliable services when they pay a company their hard-earned money," Yost said. "Honest businesses do what they say they're going to do -- false promises won't hold up."
CORONAVIRUS (COVID)
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff updated reporters on the rising numbers for COVID-19 Thursday morning, with the department's weekly data later in the day showing 10,418 new cases. It was the first time weekly cases exceeded 10,000 since the Jan. 11 update. Total figures include the following:
10,418 cases, compared to 8,352 reported on Aug. 22 and 4,575 on July 25.
252 hospitalizations, compared to 216 on Aug. 22 and 115 on July 25.
Five ICU admissions, compared to seven on Aug. 22 and one on July 25.
32 deaths, compared to 21 on Aug. 22 and 14 on July 25.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 3.81 million total cases, 153,282 hospitalizations, 15,865 ICU admissions and 44,146 Ohio resident deaths reported by ODH.
Vanderhoff also told reporters that Gov. Mike DeWine has returned to his normal, "very full" schedule after having tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 20.
DISASTERS
Following major storms that knocked out power across Northeast Ohio recently, the state got permission from the federal government to re-issue partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all recipients in certain parts of the region, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said. While SNAP households already are able to apply for replacement benefits when power outages cause food spoilage, this waiver from the federal government lets Ohio replace benefits from all recipients in Lake and Geauga counties and those in 52 ZIP codes in Cuyahoga County without need for an application. Automatic deposits should happen by Friday, Aug. 30. Eligible Cuyahoga County ZIP codes include the following: 44101, 44102, 44103, 44104, 44105, 44106, 44107, 44108, 44109, 44110, 44111, 44112, 44113, 44114, 44115, 44116, 44117, 44118, 44119, 44120, 44121, 44122, 44123, 44124, 44125, 44126, 44127, 44128, 44129, 44130, 44131, 44132, 44133, 44134, 44135, 44136, 44137, 44138, 44139, 44140, 44141, 44142, 44143, 44144, 44145, 44146, 44147, 44181, 44188, 44190, 44070 and 44022. The proportion of benefits to be automatically replaced depends on how recently a household received its last regular payment.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION
The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced the opening of the application for the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program, which provides tax credits for major mixed-use developments. DOD said the tax credit can be used to help finance new construction and/or improvement of vacant buildings. Developments must influence the economic and social well-being of the immediate site and surrounding area in a way that will impact long-term change in the area. Development properties eligible for the tax credit must include at least two mixed uses, or three if one is a parking structure. Eligible costs include land acquisition, building acquisition, demolition, site improvement and new construction of the site.
ECONOMY
While women face unique barriers in the workforce and financially, there's a dearth of data to help policymakers and business leaders make decisions to help with the problem, according to panelists at Wednesday's Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC) forum. Kelley Griesmer, president and CEO of the Women's Fund of Central Ohio, moderated the forum. Panelists included Kimberly Minor, president and CEO of the Women of Color Retail Alliance; Courtney Falato, vice president and program officer of global philanthropy at JP Morgan Chase & Co.; Lillian Morales-Laster, executive director of Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy; and Hannah Halbert, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio. State and local leaders are leaving money on the table and missing out on opportunities to expand the economy by not thinking through issues that affect women, the panelists said.
EDUCATION
The State Board of Education announced Thursday the selection of Danee Pinckney, a Twinsburg High School English teacher, as the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year. Pinckney was one of four finalists selected from the 11 Ohio Teacher of the Year candidates named earlier this year from the 11 elected board districts. Pinckney will now represent Ohio in the National Teacher of the Year competition, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers. She teaches 11th and 12th grade English, and her accomplishments include creation of a senior-level course in African-American literature, for which she obtained a grant to support implementation; and recognition as a Master Teacher Finalist by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, 2023 Twinsburg City Schools Teacher of the Year and 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) is encouraging schools to participate in its Stay in the Game! Attendance Network as part of Attendance Awareness Month this September. The designated month is a nationwide recognition of the connection between regular school attendance and academic achievement. Planned events each week are meant to work toward the goal of reducing chronic absenteeism. DEW is asking schools to use the hashtags #StayInTheGame and #SITGSeptember and tag @SITG_Network for attendance activities and for the chance to be featured on network partner social media pages and in the September "In the Huddle for Attendance" monthly newsletter. Weekly activities include encouraging students to take an attendance pledge, decorating classrooms to represent why attendance matters, participating in the Stay in the Game! Spirit Week, taking dance breaks and more. Some schools may be recognized by the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, or DEW. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2a8ufnav. For more information and attendance resources, visit the attendance support webpage at https://tinyurl.com/2mxhyhbs.
According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, school districts nationwide are reporting budget deficits and considering layoffs, spending cuts and service reductions as supplemental federal money passed during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic dries up. In its analysis, Pew noted that the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund program, first enacted in 2020, had provided historic levels of federal education funding to support states during the pandemic and the ensuing recovery. Funding initially came in the form of $13.2 billion as part of the CARES Act, in a package known as ESSER 1. Another $54.3 billion came through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (ESSER II), and $122 billion -- nearly double the previous rounds -- through the American Rescue Plan (ESSER III) enacted in 2021. ESSER III maintained the broad list of activities that schools could spend money on outlined in earlier packages, but it also required them to spend at least 20 percent on addressing learning loss, the Pew analysis said. Districts have until Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, to obligate their ESSER III funds and until Jan. 28, 2025, to spend them although fund recipients can request a 14-month extension. Pew said that the expiration of ESSER III funding in particular poses challenges for districts and states in ways that the first two tranches of funding -- which focused on the direct impact of the pandemic on school operations -- did not. ESSER III's focus on pandemic learning loss helped schools add student support services that will require recurring funds to continue, the analysis found.
ELECTIONS
The Ohio Elections Commission (OEC) Thursday adopted an advisory opinion that states a candidate or treasurer of a campaign committee has an obligation to properly reflect in campaign finance reports any outstanding debts or other obligations even if a bill has not been received but the candidate or treasurer has a reasonable belief that the amount should be reflected in a campaign finance report. The opinion, issued by the commission on its own without a request, comes as the commission has heard several cases that include questions over whether a candidate should report work that was done on their behalf even if they did not receive an invoice.
ELECTIONS 2024
Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Wednesday that Ohio voters have begun to receive their official absentee ballot application forms in the mail this week. Ohioans who choose to vote by absentee ballot must return their completed application form to their county board of elections. Applications for mail absentee ballots must be received by boards of elections by the close of business on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Absentee ballots returned in person or by a method other than mail must be received by boards of elections by the close of polls at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 5. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Monday, Nov. 4 and received by county boards by Saturday, Nov. 9 in order to be counted. LaRose recommended voters submit their request as quickly as possible to ensure the U.S. Postal Service has adequate time to process the request. LaRose said absentee ballots will be sent out starting Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. won't appear on Ohio's ballot as a nonpartisan presidential candidate in November, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said. Kennedy Friday suspended his long-shot independent presidential candidacy and endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump. LaRose announced on social media later Friday that his office had received written confirmation from the Kennedy campaign of his withdrawal and that Kennedy will not appear on the Ohio ballot.
CreativeOhio, the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Arts Action Fund on Monday announced ArtsVote Ohio, a non-partisan statewide initiative to get Ohio's creative sector to the polls this fall. Goals of the initiative include the following:
Explain how voting can affect arts funding at all levels.
Clarify the ways nonprofit organizations can and should participate in advocacy and voter engagement. - Share why creativity and advocacy go hand-in-hand.
Democrat Paloma De La Fuente announced on Twitter/X this week that she is rejoining the race for the Ohio Senate 2nd District after she had previously announced she was dropping out "due to unforeseen circumstances." Monday, she said her campaign is "reorganized, rejuvenated, and fighting harder to maintain your rights that our opponents are actively working to extinguish. I am confident that I have found the way I can best tackle the area that makes up my district, revamp my efforts, and win this race. I am energized and ready to fight to earn your vote." The 19-year-old University of Toledo student, who won a primary through a write-in campaign, faces an uphill battle for the seat in November against incumbent Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) in a Republican-leaning district.
The re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced this week the launch of "Black Leaders for Sherrod" and "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) for Sherrod” to support his campaign.
The Ohio Manufacturers Association (OMA) announced Monday the release of its 2024 Ohio Election Guide, which, with the help of Hannah News, gives details and insight on races on the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election ballot. Later in the week, OMA announced that data in the online version had been corrected regarding the Political Index information. The guide has information on all 99 Ohio House contests, the 17 Ohio Senate seats up for election this year, Ohio's 15 congressional races plus the U.S. Senate race, and key judicial races. It includes updated demographic and economic data for each district, as well as the political indices that shed light on the relative Republican/Democrat voting strength of the districts. It also includes biographical data on each of the candidates provided by Hannah. The guide can be found online at www.ohiomfg.com/election-guide/.
The following endorsements were made over the week:
Ohio Right to Life endorsed Joe Deters, Melanie Shanahan and Dan Hawkins for Ohio Supreme Court.
The NFIB Ohio PAC endorsed Theresa Gavarone, George Lang, Charlotte McGuire, Louis Blessing, Kyle Koehler, Susan Manchester, Terry Johnson, Besa Sharrah, Jerry Cirino, Tim Schaffer, Mark Romanchuk, Tom Patton, Bill Reineke, Sandra O'Brien, Brian Chavez and Al Cutrona for Ohio Senate; and Jason Allevato, Brian Garvine, Stephanie Kunze, Brian Stewart, Sean Brennan, Bride Rose Sweeney, Dan Troy, Jenn Giroux, Cindy Abrams, Mike Odioso, Bill Roemer, Jack Daniels, Derrick Hall, Andrea White, Tom Young, Phil Plummer, Rodney Creech, Josh Williams, Jennifer Gross, Thomas Hall, Diane Mullins, Scott Oelslager, Jim Thomas, Matthew Kishman, Jodi Salvo, Kellie Deeter, Michelle Teska, Adam Mathews, Jamie Callender, Brian Lorenz, Beth Lear, Jean Schmidt, Adam Bird, Nick Santucci, David Thomas, Sharon Ray, Melanie Miller, Thad Claggett, Kevin Miller, Brian Lampton, Levi Dean, Heidi Workman, Jeff LaRe, Haraz Ghanbari, Marilyn John, Meredith Craig, Matt Huffman, Monica Robb Blasdel, Johnathan Newman, Jim Hoops, Roy Klopfenstein, Ty Mathews, Angie King, Tim Barhorst, Tracy Richardson, Riordan McClain, Gary Click, D.J. Swearingen, Justin Pizzulli, Bob Peterson, Mark Johnson, Jason Stephens, Kevin Ritter, Don Jones, Ron Ferguson, Adam Holmes, Mark Hiner, Mike Dovilla, Gayle Manning and Sarah Fowler-Arthur for Ohio House.
The Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association endorsed Max Miller for Congress; Tom Patton, Sean Brennan, Bride Sweeney, Cecil Thomas, Cindy Abrams, Steve Demetriou, Gayle Manning, Kevin Miller, and Haraz Ghanbari for Ohio House; Elliot Kolkovich for Summit County prosecutor; and Melody Stewart and Dan Hawkins for Ohio Supreme Court.
ELECTIONS 2026
Former Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) Chair and State Rep. Chris Redfern told Cleveland.com that he is considering a return to politics and running statewide for governor or another office in 2026. Redfern told the newspaper that he would support Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) or former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan for governor in 2026, but otherwise is looking at a run for governor or down ticket. Ryan has said he does not plan to run.
ENERGY/UTILITIES
"A grant of rehearing cannot consist solely of a grant of additional time to decide whether to grant rehearing." The Ohio Supreme Court cited the D.C. Circuit's 2020 rebuke of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Tuesday in its ruling on In re Application of Moraine Wind LLC, et al which holds that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) can no longer grant parties rehearing "for the limited purpose of further consideration" of rehearing requests to circumvent the 30-day statutory deadline for final decisions on whether to actually entertain a rehearing. A mix of industry stakeholders, policymakers and consumer advocates have long complained of the length and complexity of most PUCO dockets, which typically culminate in agency rulings that are then subject to rehearing requests by one or more intervenors -- along with predictable delays in whether the commission will consider the request in principle and whether substantive rehearing arguments against the original ruling are denied or upheld. Among other outcomes, the practice can delay an eventual Supreme Court finding that approved utility rates are unlawful, during which electric and gas distribution companies can continue to bill charges not subject to refund.
Attorney General Dave Yost joined a bipartisan group of Ohio congressional members and utilities including American Electric Power, Duke Energy and Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) in opposing the Biden administration's carbon capture rule for coal-fired generation. Critics say 90 percent capture and sequestration of power plant emissions cannot be achieved by 2032 and will shutter most or all 200-plus remaining U.S. coal plants, threatening the electric grid, the economy and the American way of life. Yost asked the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday to stay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) emissions rule upheld by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 8, drawing support from the Kansas Attorney General's Office. In addition to "straining an already strained power grid," his 22-page filing states, the carbon capture rule abuses the Clean Air Act and executive authority by forcing states to embrace federal guidance on "generation shifting" away from fossil fuels or watch their coal-powered plants go bankrupt trying to comply with USEPA in eight short years.
The PUCO approved well over a quarter billion dollars in coal subsidies to the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) Wednesday, Aug. 21 despite independent auditors' findings that the aging power plants here and in Indiana cost Ohioans more than electricity readily available on the open market and, in the aggregate, are "not in the best interests" of consumers. Commissioners took sweeping action in six separate cases addressing price supports for 1950s coal-generation plants generally regarded as uneconomic. Most of the subsidies date back before OVEC bill riders achieved statutory muster in scandal-plagued 133-HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) and are among the few line items to survive the bill's subsequent repeal.
Ohio will boast more than 125 square miles or 80,000 acres of solar farms when all projects that are permitted and in progress join fully constructed facilities for a total of 42 photovoltaic generation fields in 27 counties. Ten other projects in the pre-filing or pending application stage will push solar farms to nearly 100,000 acres in 34 counties in primarily Northwest, Southwest, Central and West Central Ohio. The Ohio Power Siting Board added Scioto Ridge Solar Project to their numbers Thursday, Aug. 22 when it certified the 110-megawatt (MW) solar field in Hardin County, where another project already is producing power and two more are under construction. The photovoltaic panels and rack-mounted tracking system will occupy approximately 822 acres in an approximately 2,029-acre project which includes a transmission line to the American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio Gun Road substation.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
In addition to provisions on higher education, SB94 (Brenner-Landis) makes a number of changes to county recorder records, local court electronic filing processes, property taxes and vehicle disposal as well as eliminating the 100,000 gallon annual limit for micro-distilleries' liquor production. Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill on July 24. It included an appropriation, which became effective on the governor's signature; other permanent law sections become effective in 90 days. SB94 originally focused on county recorder records and abandoned vehicle disposal, with other topics added by the House Finance Committee.
Someone from the Ohio Medical Quality Foundation (OMQF) should have reached out to the Ohio Professionals Health Program (OhioPHP) in the last month, members of the Sunset Review Committee told OMQF Chair Charles Sanders on Wednesday. Gov. Mike DeWine recently line-item vetoed language in SB144 (Romanchuk) that would have required OMQF to dissolve itself and transfer its assets -- roughly $13 million -- to OhioPHP. Committee members Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Dennison) and Haylee Dunahay both asked Sanders if OMQF has followed DeWine's suggestion in his veto message, which states, "I encourage the affected parties to work together on a solution and look forward to working with all parties on this matter." Sanders said he hasn't reached out to them directly yet, and acknowledged OMQF "probably did make a mistake" in not contacting them earlier. However, he said OhioPHP is scheduled to make their grant funding request in October, so he expected to speak with that organization then, at the latest.
The Sunset Review Committee also heard from the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Task Force and Governor's Residence Advisory Commission, which recommended their sunset. Another 36 boards, commissions or councils all requested reauthorization.
GREAT LAKES
A new online game allows players to choose actions that lead to one of four possible scenarios for the health of the Great Lakes in 2050. The International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Board on Thursday released "Choosing Your Great Lakes Future," which is intended to educate and inspire people to consider how current actions can affect the Great Lakes in the decades to come. The game was created following the publication of the Great Lakes Horizons Project report, which analyzes the ecological, economic, social, political, demographic, technological and cultural factors that drive trends that affect the water quality of the Great Lakes. The game can be found at www.ijc.org/horizon.
HANNAH NEWS
Huntington National Bank Thursday announced it was selling three downtown commercial buildings to Downtown Columbus Inc. for redevelopment. The buildings include the Capitol Square Building at 17 S. High St. that includes a Huntington branch; the Wyandotte Building at 21 W. Broad St.; and the Huntington Plaza building at 37 W. Broad St. Huntington said part of the agreement includes a long-term lease to retain its branch at 17 S. High St., including the safe deposit area. Hannah News offices are located on the 10th Floor of the Wyandotte Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
HIGHER EDUCATION
With Gov. Mike DeWine's signature late last month, Ohio colleges and universities must adopt new policies on harassment and intimidation at their campuses and provide financial cost and aid disclosures forms to newly admitted students. SB94 (Brenner-Landis) also creates three new grant programs and requires a survey of educator preparation programs. Lawmakers passed the omnibus bill during a flurry of activity before summer break. DeWine signed the bill on July 24. In addition to the numerous higher education provisions, it also makes a number of changes to county recorder records, local court electronic filing processes, property taxes, vehicle disposal and more. SB94 was amended to include HB606 (Pizzulli-Jarrells), the Campus Accountability and Modernization to Protect University Students, or "CAMPUS" Ac. It includes language from HB27 (Mathew-Thomas) on higher education cost disclosures forms, and from HB572 (White), requiring a survey of teacher preparation programs. Sections of the bill that have appropriations took effect immediately. Others take effect in 90 days in late October.
Ohio University (OU) is renaming its College of Fine Arts after a $25 million gift commitment from philanthropists Jeffery Chaddock and Mark Morrow. The college will be named the Jeffery D. Chaddock and Mark A. Morrow College of Fine Arts. Chaddock, CEO of Envisage Wealth, a Central Ohio wealth advisory firm, and his husband, Mark Morrow, a docent at the 9/11 Museum in New York City, are passionate supporters of arts-focused programs.
New legislation introduced Wednesday by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) would update Ohio's laws addressing name, image and likeness (NIL) for college athletes, allowing for universities and NIL collectives to cooperate more. Mathews said the bill, which has yet to get a number, will bring Ohio back to the forefront of NIL, updating Ohio's law that was passed in 2021. The lawmakers said they weren't asked by the universities to introduce the legislation, but decided to bring something forward to make sure Ohio stays ahead of the ever-changing NIL world. Mathews said they looked at what other states were doing with NIL, especially those with SEC schools.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
Ohio saw a 6.9 percent increase in home sales in July compared to the same month in 2023, with sales rising from 11,779 last year to 12,588 last month, according to Ohio Realtors. The average price in July was $304,802, up 6.4 percent from the July 2023 average price of $286,390. Year-to-date sales of 74,972 mark an increase of 1.6 percent from the 73,783 sales seen in the January-July period of 2023. The average price over that period increased 7.8 percent compared to the same time frame last year, from $269,297 to $290,236.
The Ohio Department of Development announced Wednesday that over $2 million in grants will be distributed in the second round of the Welcome Home Ohio program, aimed at helping develop affordable housing. This completes the awards for applications received during FY24. A total of $29.48 million was provided in the first round, out of a total $100 million in grants. An additional $25 million in nonrefundable tax credits remains available to land banks and eligible developers for rehab and new construction projects once a property is sold. The Wednesday announcement includes projects in four counties expected to result in the construction, purchase or rehabilitation of 44 homes.
IMMIGRATION
A federal judge in Texas issued a stay Monday of Biden administration immigration rules challenged by Attorney General Dave Yost and counterparts in 15 states. Yost last week signed on to the litigation against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) parole-in-place policy for undocumented immigrants who've been here more than 10 years and are the spouse or stepchild of a U.S. citizen. The attorneys general of the plaintiff states argued that the administration is circumventing immigration laws set by Congress and violating U.S. Supreme Court precedent that recognized DHS' discretion in parole matters only on a case-by-case basis rather than via blanket rules such as the one at the center of the lawsuit. About 14,000 immigrants in Ohio would qualify for the parole-in-place program, according to the complaint filed by Yost and others. Filed in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas, the lawsuit also includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
JUDICIAL
The Ohio Supreme Court took up a bevy of cases Wednesday addressing school districts' argument that appellate judges took away more appeal rights than lawmakers intended when the General Assembly reined in the districts' ability to challenge property valuation disputes via 134-HB126 (Merrin). Property owners on the other side of the cases assert that schools are simply trying to evade lawmakers' clear intent to restrict their involvement in valuation challenges. Justices accepted dozens of cases arising from disputes between Delaware City Schools, Olentangy Local Schools, Lancaster City Schools and Westerville City Schools and their respective counties' boards of revision (BOR). The bulk of cases were put on hold pending a decision in two, 2024-0814 and -0815, both captioned Olentangy Local School District Board of Education v. Delaware County Board of Revision. The cases focus on the interpretation by the Delaware County Common Pleas Court and Fifth District Court of Appeals of the effects of HB126, which generally blunted the ability of school districts to challenge property tax valuations. Wednesday's Supreme Court action comes as justices are still weighing their decision for Marysville Exempted Village Schools Board of Education v. Union County Board of Revision, which addresses the timing of when HB126's restrictions take effect. Oral arguments in that case took place in March.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted doubled down Wednesday on Republican opposition to Issue 1's "Citizens Not Politicians" ballot amendment, even if, he said, Ohio's current redistricting process is less than perfect. That was his assessment outside the Governor's Executive Workforce Board meeting, where Husted called Issue 1 "a terrible amendment that could enshrine gerrymandering in the constitution" in the form of predetermined, i.e. "safe" districts. Husted also criticized the Biden administration's current policy on Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits many Ohioans are seeking after power outages and food spoilage. He said the wages of young adults aged 18-21 and living at home should not count toward their minor siblings' SNAP eligibility.
During the meeting, Husted updated the Executive Workforce Board on state credentialing in career-tech. "If you use your public dollars to create incentives for people to do the things you want them to do, they will do it," he said, contrasting the current program with one lacking conditions. "It's grown so much that we've run out of money." Husted said the program's goal is to tear down "the artificial barrier of a degree" versus "applicable skills," not only in the marketplace but also in state government employment. He noted a bachelor's degree in education may have no relevance to teaching drone technology.
LOBBYISTS/ASSOCIATIONS
The Ohio Association of Family Physicians (OAFP) announced the installation of Dr. Kelly Meehan-de la Cruz as its new president, as well as the election of board members. Meehan-de la Cruz is chief medical officer with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. She has a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and was chief resident at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine Family Residency Program.
A new political nonprofit is working to address "extremism" at the state and local levels, with the goal of convincing disillusioned Ohioans to participate in the political process again. "Ohioans Against Extremism" (OAE) is a multi-issue 501(c)(4) organization that will target extremism through year-round legislative advocacy, community organizing, and voter education, OAE founder and Executive Director Maria Bruno told reporters ahead of the organization's launch party at The Kee in Columbus. "The idea is to get all those folks who tuned out because they're sick of all the bickering, to tune back in," said Bruno.
MENTAL HEALTH
The Third Annual Art of Healing Benefit will take place Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Exchange in Bridge Park to support the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). The benefit focuses on reducing stigma around suicide and mental health and is intended as "a tribute to the transformative power of art and a testament to the lives touched through our collective efforts," OSPF Executive Director Tony Coder said. Zak Williams, a global mental health advocate, entrepreneur and son of the late Robin Williams, will serve as keynote speaker, discussing his journey on the 10th anniversary of his father's passing. This is an exclusive event with limited ticket availability. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/bdffbv3z.
After publishing fact sheets examining social, economic, and health indicators for Ohio women in all 88 counties, the Center for Community Solutions (CCS) recently published the 2024 "Status of Girls" report to look at health and well-being indicators for Ohio girls ages 18 and younger. "Ohio girls 18 years and younger have weathered a global pandemic that interrupted several years of their schooling, were raised in the #metoo era, and see social media as an integral part in their lives. These unique experiences have led to many challenges that have defined who these girls are and the women they are becoming," CCS said in the report. The report includes data on health and health insurance coverage, household structure and housing stability, education, mental health, gender discrimination, social media use, substance use, physical activity, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, sexual and dating violence, teen pregnancy and abortions, as well as on the "intersectionality of race and gender." Some of the report's most striking statistics are on mental health and social media use.
NEWS MEDIA
Sometimes misinformation can be a type of humor, as outlets like Saturday Night Live or The Onion have exemplified for years. Such misinformation may not be intended to deceive, but it can nonetheless. Sometimes misinformation can be the result of someone sharing an actual event that happened, but what they shared doesn't represent the whole truth, like when a news clip is taken out of context, or a false caption is given to a real image. And sometimes misinformation can be strategic, as in the case of a political actor advancing a narrative because it advantages them. Ohio State University School of Communication Director Kelly Garrett says people's decision to share things that turn out to not be consistent with the best empirical evidence often comes down to the three P's: power, passion and profit. As concerns over misinformation -- false or inaccurate information that is spread widely -- and disinformation -- false or inaccurate information that is widely spread with the intention to mislead -- grow, Garrett says it can suck all the air out of the room in the context of all the other ways journalists have to navigate the world. Fixating on mis- and disinformation can make it hard to recognize that knowing what is true is not always easy.
OHIO HISTORY
The Ohio History Connection (OHC) announced its annual Ohio Open Doors program will be held Friday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 15 at locations throughout the Buckeye State. "From the beautifully restored Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus, to Ohio's remaining and preserved Shaker settlement, White Water Shaker Village in Harrison, to the home of abolitionist and carpenter Wilson Bruce Evans in Oberlin, visitors may explore significant places that reflect Ohio's rich heritage -- some opening especially for Ohio Open Doors events or offering behind-the-scenes looks that are not ordinarily available," the Ohio History Connection said. All Ohio Open Doors events are free, and most are special one-day-only opportunities.
A new marker at one Ohio state park honors a moment in scientific history when the shores of Lake Erie were bathed in star dust. The historical plaque unveiled Tuesday at Headlands Beach State Park near Painesville honors the discovery in 1987 of neutrinos with a detector installed 2,000 feet below the surface at the park in Morton Salt Mine. The neutrinos were emitted by Supernova 1987a, and similar neutrinos were found in laboratories around the world. The event was the first time modern astronomers were able to study a supernova in such detail and allowed scientists to study the phases before, during and after the death of a star.
PARKS/RECREATION
Approximately 2.9 million tourists visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in 2023, according to a new National Park Service (NPS) report. Visitors spent about $139 million in communities near the park, supporting 2,136 jobs in the area, CVNP said. "People come to Cuyahoga Valley National Park to enjoy the 140 miles of trails and green space between the cities of Cleveland and Akron and end up supporting the U.S. and local economies along the way," CVNP Superintendent Lisa Petit said.
POLITICS
The company run by an ally of former House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) filed a lawsuit in Franklin County against the Ohio Republican Party, arguing the state party never paid for work the company did for it and Republican candidates in the 2024 election cycle. Constant Content, which is run by Jeff Longstreth, a former advisor to Householder before both were arrested on federal corruption charges in 2020, argued that it had provided marketing and advertising services, including but not limited to creating flyers and/or mailers for clients and distributing them through the U.S. Postal Service. The company said in the filing that it had a working relationship with the Ohio Republican Party for several years prior to the 2020 primary cycle, whereby Constant Content provided marketing and advertising goods and services to the state party, which then paid for the services.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fire safety and the community members who help provide it are important for Ohioans of all ages to know about. To that end, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM) will host a celebration honoring the work of fire safety personnel on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Fire Marshal Festival is a free family event that will be held at the State Fire Marshal's campus at 8895 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
REDISTRICTING/REAPPORTIONMENT
Both sides of Issue 1, the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting reform constitutional amendment, are looking to convince voters that a vote for the opposite side will lead to more gerrymandering. The drafting of official arguments for Issue 1 were assigned to proponent group Citizens Not Politicians and to opposition group Ohio Works at the last Ohio Ballot Board meeting, after the board adopted the official ballot language for the issue. That ballot language is now the subject of a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court. In its arguments for adopting the amendment, which would create a 15-member "citizens redistricting commission," Citizens Not Politicians states that "Ohio is one of the most gerrymandered states in America." It also points to seven different rulings from the Ohio Supreme Court declaring maps drawn by the current Ohio Redistricting Commission as unconstitutional.
Ohio Works, in its opposition arguments, calls Issue 1 "a cynical attempt to trick Ohio voters by promising to end gerrymandering and empower citizens when in fact the amendment forces gerrymandering in the Ohio Constitution and removes accountability to Ohio voters." It argues that Issue 1 will require legislative districts be drawn "to ensure that Republicans and Democrats can each win a set number of seats in the General Assembly and Congress. Ohio voters could be stuck with a representative from the opposite party on the opposite end of the state who doesn't share their point of view."
Meanwhile, Attorney General Dave Yost this week filed his first response on behalf of the Ohio Ballot Board and Secretary of State Frank LaRose to the Citizens Not Politicians lawsuit against the Issue 1 ballot language, arguing that Citizens Not Politicians fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, does not have a clear legal right to the requested relief, that the defendants do not owe plaintiffs a duty to perform the requested relief, and that the Ohio Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to award the requested relief. The filing sparked an angry response from House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Columbus) and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), who sent a letter to Yost saying he has refused to appoint outside counsel to represent Ballot Board members Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), who voted against the Issue 1 ballot language.
In a merit brief in its lawsuit challenging the ballot language for redistricting amendment Issue 1, Citizens Not Politicians Thursday told the Ohio Supreme Court that allowing the title and language adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board "to go unchecked would be akin to giving Ohio's elected officials carte blanche to manipulate election outcomes -- not just for this amendment, but for all citizen initiatives." The group behind the proposed amendment challenged the title and ballot language drawn up by Secretary of State Frank LaRose and adopted by the Ballot Board earlier this month, arguing that the language states the opposite of what the amendment would do in violation of the Ohio Constitution. On Thursday, Citizens Not Politicians filed its merit brief, arguing that Issue 1 would expressly "ban partisan gerrymandering," but the ballot title and language the Ohio Ballot Board adopted would have voters "believe exactly the opposite.”
STATE GOVERNMENT
The recently established Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) sent notice that, as of this week, forms for programs previously associated with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will now bear the DCY label. The change happened Tuesday, according to DCY's weekly newsletter. "The form number of the form will remain the same. As a result, forms will change from a JFS XXXXX format to a DCY XXXXX format. For example, the KGAP Rack Card currently [numbered] JFS 00152 will become DCY 00152. The form number referenced in Ohio Administrative Code rules will be updated as individual rules are updated," DCY said. All forms, whether associated with JFS or DCY, are available on the Forms Central website at https://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/.
TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE/TRAVEL
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission said Tuesday that it is suspending all late fees, collections and Ohio BMV registration holds over unpaid toll invoices. The move comes as the commission's customer service center has been experiencing an increased call volume after unpaid toll bills were sent out. The commission discussed the issues at its most recent meeting, with many having arisen after the commission launched its new open road toll collection system earlier this year. On Tuesday, the commission recommended that customers who received an invoice and wish to discuss it with a customer service representative should go to www.ezpassoh.com, click "Contact Us," and submit the online form. A customer service representative will respond by email or phone, as soon as possible.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission issued a reminder to mobile device owners to be aware of a resurgence in fraudulent texts from scammers requesting payment for unpaid tolls through fake websites. The turnpike recently emailed another scam alert reminder to 557,000 Ohio Turnpike customers about the texts requesting payment for unpaid tolls. It added that the scammers have targeted mobile phone users everywhere, not just Ohio Turnpike customers. The turnpike said it does not request customers make payments by text. Collections of unpaid tolls and/or toll violations do not occur by text either. The only websites associated with the Ohio Turnpike's E-ZPass accounts are www.ezpassoh.com and www.ohioturnpike.org.
Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, AAA said Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend destination, and Anchorage and Juneau also appear in the top 10 as more Americans go on Alaskan cruises for the holiday. Labor Day falls this year on Monday, Sept. 2, and AAA said it will close out a record-breaking summer travel season. AAA based its top destinations on its booking data for Thursday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2, and compared those numbers with the booking data for that same five-day period in 2023. The association said other top destinations for Labor Day include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco. Internationally, top destinations include Vancouver, Rome, London, Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens, Mexicali and Edinburgh.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
"For 159 families, there will be an empty seat" at this year's Labor Day celebrations, said Ohio Industrial Commission (OIC) Chairman Jim Hughes as the state honored workers who have died as a result of workplace illness or accident. Workers honored at Thursday's ceremony include 57 workers who died from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The additional 102 workers honored had dates of death that fell in previous years, but they were not included in previous memorials. "Every life lost too soon is further motivation for all of us to continue prioritizing workplace safety in Ohio. That is exactly what we will continue to do," said Gov. Mike DeWine in a video message delivered at the memorial service. DeWine also recognized Aug. 29, 2024, as Fallen Workers Memorial Day in a proclamation read by Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator and CEO John Logue.
[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2023 Hannah News Service, Inc.]
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