BALLOT ISSUES
The Ohio Ballot Board voted along party lines Thursday to adopt a staff-written summary from Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office as the official ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment on reproductive and abortion rights, overruling Democrats' objections that it used misleading language. The board designated the amendment as Issue 1 and an initiated statute on marijuana legalization as Issue 2. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the campaign group in support of Issue 1, said it was considering but had not committed to a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court to challenge the adopted ballot language, which spokesperson Lauren Blauvelt described as "propaganda."
EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said Friday that Ohio added 12,100 nonagricultural wage and salary jobs in July as the state unemployment rate went to 3.3 percent, the lowest rate it has been since 1976 when the series for reporting unemployment started. Nonagricultural wage and salary employment went from a revised 5,627,100 in June to 5,639,200 in July. ODJFS said it is the highest payroll employment reported since the series started in 1990.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
Almost 20% fewer homes sold in July 2023 as compared to the same month in 2022, according to Ohio Realtors. Sales of 11,441 homes last month compared to 14,291 a year earlier, but prices increased 5.4%, from $272,833 to $287,695.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Friday that new business filings rose 12% year over year, with 14,500 new businesses created in July. Ohio continues to remain ahead of the previous year's pace and on track to exceed 2022's near-record of 178,636 business filings, the secretary of state said. So far, 123,674 new businesses have been created in 2023.
TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced Tuesday it will provide $16.9 million to help 10 municipalities with major roadway reconstruction and maintenance projects as part of its Small City Program. Combined with local matches, the total value of the projects is $38.9 million during FY26-FY28. The program is for municipalities with a population between 5,000 and 24,999 with ODOT providing up to 95 percent of the eligible costs for construction and construction inspection only. The program is currently funded at $10.5 million each year, with applications accepted from May 1 through June 15. They are reviewed by a committee with a background in funding and program management, environmental, engineering, and crash data and safety analysis.
WORKFORCE
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is now offering rapid response services to nearly 2,000 Ohioans who were formerly employed by transportation holding company Yellow Corp., which recently ceased its operations. ODJFS' rapid response team is working to provide each former employee with information on accessing free employment services and applying for unemployment benefits. ODJFS also noted the services available at its local OhioMeansJobs centers in every county and online. Ohioans can use those resources to find and apply for jobs, create or improve their resumes, participate in workshops, complete assessments, and explore trainings or certifications.
This feature was provided by Hannah New Service and selected for you by OSCPA Government Relations Staff.