Week in Review: Feb. 19, 2023

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Ohio joins Pennsylvania in separate agreements with DNA Diagnostics Center requiring the Fairfield company to pay a $200,000 fine and implement a new cybersecurity program after a 2021 data breach that compromised the personal information of more than 45,000 consumers, the Ohio Attorney General's Office announced Thursday. DNA Diagnostics provides paternity and other genetic testing.

FY24-25 BUDGET

Sports betting proprietors would be required to pay a 20% tax on sports gaming receipts under Gov. Mike DeWine's executive budget proposal. The current tax rate, established by 134-HB29 (Wiggam-A. Miller), is 10%. Another provision in the budget would clarify that sports gamblers who threaten athletes will be banned from participating in Ohio's sports betting industry.

The House Finance Public Safety Subcommittee Tuesday heard budget testimony from Court of Claims Court Clerk Anderson Renick, who said the court's FY24-25 budget proposes a "modest increase" for statutory and cost-of-living payroll increases covering employee benefits and program charge-backs, as required by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Office of Budget and Management (OBM). Renick said the FY24 request of $4,603,356 is a 6% increase over FY23 and the FY25 request of $4,787,931, a 4% increase over FY24.

Under the executive budget proposal, the Accountancy Board of Ohio would receive $1.9 million in FY24 (a 0.8% increase over FY23) and $1.8 million in FY25 (a 2.3% decrease from FY24).

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) Wednesday announced the process and deadline for candidates interested in filling the 90th Ohio House district seat. Former Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) stepped down from the seat at the end of January to become director of the Department of Agriculture. Residents of the 90th District wishing to be considered for the appointment must submit a cover letter and resume to HD90Appointment@OhioHouse.gov by close of business on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Interviews will be held later in the week. The 90th district covers all of Adams and Scioto counties and a portion of Brown County. The appointment will be for the remainder of the current two-year term, which expires at the end of 2024.

WORKFORCE

Workforce and education priorities in the FY24-25 budget were the subject of significant discussion at the first Governor's Executive Workforce Board meeting of the year Monday, with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Ohio Department of Development (DOD) Director Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner and interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Stephanie Siddens each giving presentations to the board. Several new board members were also announced, including Kevin Hoggatt from Intel, Meredith Reffey of Honda, Fairfield County Commissioner Dave Levacy and Brett Burgett of Kokosing. Husted said Ohio has a "robust job creation environment" that will continue to grow in the coming years due to major projects.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced Monday the sixth annual In-Demand Jobs Week will be held from Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 6 with a focus on highlighting "top jobs that stem from career-focused education and the various paths available to Ohioans as they look for their next opportunity," according to the DeWine administration. Examples of those career pathways include career technical education that provides students of all ages with academic and technical skills and training needed to succeed; pre-apprenticeships that prepare for a formal registered apprenticeship upon graduation; College Credit Plus, which helps students earn college and high school credits simultaneously; and industry-recognized credentials, which demonstrate the skills and knowledge gained through hands-on learning in a specific job or industry. Information is available at https://topjobs.ohio.gov/ .