Week in review: September 7, 2025

A summary of Ohio’s legislative news for the week ending Sept. 5, 2025

ARTS, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Language in HB96 (Stewart) altering the "Modell Law" is unconstitutional, Dennis Kucinich said in a new lawsuit over the Cleveland Browns' plan to move its stadium to the suburb of Brook Park. Kucinich, who wrote the Modell Law when he was a state senator in the mid-1990s, filed the lawsuit against the Browns and the city of Cleveland in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, arguing that the Browns are violating the law, the city is not appropriately seeking to enforce it, and HB96 makes the situation worse.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost saying he won't "give up the fight for fairness in the marketplace" Friday appealed a Delaware County Common Pleas Court opinion striking down his claim that Google is a "common carrier" that must provide equal access to users, vendors and websites on the information highway. Judge James P. Schuck granted Google's request for summary judgment against the state of Ohio and denied the AG's request on behalf of Ohio consumers and against the world's leading online search engine, a lawsuit dating back four years and the "first of its kind in the nation," says Yost.

IT’S IN THE FY26-27 BUDGET

Anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers received a significant funding increase in the biennial budget, HB96 (Stewart). The budget includes $10 million in each fiscal year for the Parenting and Pregnancy Program, which provides public dollars to organizations that provide free services to pregnant women, as long as they "promote childbirth, parenting and alternatives to abortion" and "is not involved in or associated with any abortion activities, including providing abortion counseling or referrals to abortion clinics, performing abortion-related medical procedures or engaging in pro-abortion advertising." In the previous budget, 135-HB33 (Edwards), the Parenting and Pregnancy Program received $7 million in each fiscal year.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Aging are urging Ohioans -- especially older adults and their families -- to be on high alert for financial scams involving cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. Scammers typically contact individuals by phone, text message, or email. They often claim the person needs to pay a fine or fix a banking error using Bitcoin, gift cards or other virtual currency.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The DeWine administration and Ohio Department of Development (DOD) recently touted how the state's tourism industry continued to grow in 2024, attracting millions of visitors, generating billions in economic impact and employing residents across all 88 counties. There were nearly 242 million visits over the year, up by 3.5 million from 2023. Around 20%, or 48.5 million, were overnight stays. That yielded $57 billion in economic impact and $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. Tourism directly or indirectly supported over 443,000 jobs in sectors including hospitality, retail and recreation, among others.

EDUCATION

The Trump administration launched the Presidential AI Challenge for teachers, students and community teams. The challenge allows youth, educators, mentors and community teams to use AI to solve real-world problems. Information on how to register and a guidebook on submission of projects is HERE.

ELECTIONS

Citing access to new federal databases, Secretary of State Frank LaRose Thursday issued a new directive to county boards of elections ordering them to remove purportedly thousands of deceased voters from the rolls. In the directive, LaRose cites the work of data analysts in his Office of Data Analytics and Archives in the secretary of state's office and the Trump administration's granting states access to expanded federal data, including the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system and the Social Security Administration's death master file. The secretary of state's office said it has used the expanded federal data to identify and target for removal thousands of inactive voter registrations belonging to deceased Ohioans.

ELECTIONS 2026

Independent gubernatorial candidate Tim Grady announced he has collected more than 500 signatures since launching his campaign a month ago. To qualify for the ballot as an independent candidate, Grady's campaign must submit more 5,000 valid signatures by the May 4, 2026 primary. "We're building from scratch, no party machinery, no big donors. So we're very pleased to hit this 10% mark in a month." Grady said. "We're the anti-corruption campaign, we're the Rustbelt campaign, we're the future focused campaign. Obviously, it's going to resonate with a lot of Ohioans who are feeling left behind and squeezed out."

Columbus Democrat Rick Neal announced Wednesday that he is dropping out of the primary for Ohio Senate District 15 in 2026. The seat is currently held by the term-limited Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus). Among those seeking the seat is Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus).

A third candidate has joined the Republican primary for Ohio's First Congressional District. Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, a teen mom-turned activist who has worked on infant and maternal health and youth safety initiatives, announced her campaign this week. She started Rosemary's Babies Co., a nonprofit that has provided shelter and resources for teen parents. She joins dentist Steven Erbeck and former CIA officer Eric Conroy in the race. The seat is held by U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Cincinnati), who is running for re-election.

The following endorsements were made over the week:

- The gubernatorial campaign of Republican Vivek Ramaswamy announced the endorsements of the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council (CBCTC) and the Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council.

- The campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) announced the endorsement of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18.

- The Construction Employers Association endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor.

- The gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Amy Acton announced the endorsements of a number of Cuyahoga County leaders including former Cuyahoga County commissioners Tim Hagan and Mary Boyle; former Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell; Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood); Maple Heights Mayor Annette Blackwell; Garfield Heights Mayor Matt Burke; former Cleveland City Council President George Forbes; and former U.S. Rep. Edward Feighan.

- The gubernatorial campaign of independent Timothy Grady announced the endorsement of the U.S. Transhumanist Party.

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT

Inspector General (IG) Randall Meyer's office released a report recently finding an employee of a contractor helping Ohio deal with pandemic-era unemployment programs wrongly released more than $112,240 in benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The IG's office is part of an investigative group that also includes the U.S. Department of Labor, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) that was formed to respond to PUA fraud issues.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

IT giants including Amazon Data Services headed back to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for another bite at the apple after commissioners approved a deal between the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), American Electric Power (AEP) of Ohio and others to hold smaller customers harmless and mega-processors accountable for transmission and distribution grid costs in Central Ohio. But the commission denied a request for rehearing on the agreement.

The DeWine administration is now taking applications for $8.5 million in energy efficiency (EE) grants after awards of $3.1 million in the first round, $5.4 million in the second and a previous $8.5 million in last May's third round. Tuesday, Sept. 2 commences the application period for the fourth round of EE awards from the Advanced Energy Program, which is primarily state funded. The application period runs through Friday, Oct. 31. Application information is HERE.

PUCO approved another "reasonable arrangement" Wednesday to potentially shift part of large industrial electric costs to residential consumers and other smaller ratepayers in the name of economic development. Commissioners allowed Solon-based BDG Wrap-Tite, Inc. to opt out from FirstEnergy's "non-market-based" (NMB), i.e. socialized, transmission rider and join its NMB pilot program, which PUCO says it created to "improve price signals and promote economic development and job retention" and to permit members to instead pay a competitive retail electric service (CRES) provider for transmission services.

ENVIRONMENT

Labor Day holiday travelers were expected to find lower travel costs for gas, hotel and car rentals, according to AAA Travel. According to AAA, domestic roundtrip flights are 6% cheaper compared to last year, averaging $720 a ticket. Citing booking data, AAA also said hotel rates are 11% lower and car rental costs are 3% cheaper compared to last Labor Day weekend. Summer gas prices have also remained low, matching 2021 summer averages. Barring a tropical storm or hurricane affecting Gulf Coast refineries, gas prices should stay below last year's national average of $3.33 a gallon for regular gas, AAA said.

GAMING/GAMBLING

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) received nearly 200 scam reports and more than 10,000 business complaints related to online gambling from 2022 to mid-2025, according to a new report from the organization. Some scam reports involved outright theft, while business complaints showed a pattern of unclear terms and consumer misunderstandings. In some cases, consumers lost tens of thousands of dollars, BBB said announcing its report, "Grey Markets and Illegal Gambling: BBB Study Finds Consumers Confused and Upset amid Hundreds of Unlicensed and Unverified Online Casinos and Sportsbooks."

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

The women's suffrage movement and the Ohio Women's Monument will complete their long journey to the Statehouse's southern promenade in time for the nation's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. North Carolina native and resident Brenda Mauney Councill's winning design will become Ohio's first Capitol Square statue honoring women in history and one of a handful among the 50 U.S. statehouses.

GOVERNOR

Appointments made over the week include the following:

- C. Todd Jones of Columbus (Franklin County) appointed to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Jan. 8, 2029.

- Susan M. Lippens of Toledo (Lucas County) appointed to the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Nov. 20, 2028 and Christine Lapp of Powell (Delaware County) reappointed for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Nov. 20, 2029.

- Misty L. Ebinger of Wellington (Lorain County) appointed to the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 29, 2027.

- Lawrence J. Kidd of Jackson (Jackson County) and Robert B. Radcliff of Circleville (Pickaway County) reappointed to the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board for terms beginning Aug. 8, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

- Thomas E. Whiston of Mount Gilead (Morrow County) appointed and Jason M. George of Spring Valley (Greene County) reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2029.

- Angel R. Rhodes of Dublin (Franklin County), Kelly S. Liker of Centerville (Montgomery County) and Douglas A. Wolf of Bexley (Franklin County) reappointed to the Children's Trust Fund Board for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending July 2, 2028.

- Pedro J. Munoz of Bellbrook (Greene County), Ann M. Ream of Canton (Stark County) and Scott H. Neely of Westerville (Franklin County) reappointed to the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending July 30, 2027.

- Lisa M. Patt-McDaniel of Dublin (Franklin County) appointed to the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2033.

- Christopher A. Whistler of New Albany (Franklin County) reappointed to the Ohio Water Development Authority for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2033.

- Etta M. Reed of Hamilton (Butler County) reappointed to the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2029.

- Brian W. Winter of Plain City (Union County), Kimberly S. McConville of Westerville (Franklin County), Erick S. Palmer of Aurora (Portage County), Elizabeth A. Biggins-Ramer of Medina (Medina County) and Mathew R. Old of Sandusky (Erie County) reappointed to the Materials Management Advisory Council for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending July 1, 2028.

- James A. Carr II of Pickerington (Fairfield County) appointed to the Oil and Gas Commission for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending October 14, 2029.

- Roger L. Osborne of Fleming (Washington County) reappointed to the Reclamation Commission for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 28, 2030.

- John L. Hinton of North Bloomfield Township (Morrow County), Charles T. McConville of Mount Vernon (Knox County) and Brooke M. Burns of Columbus (Franklin County) reappointed to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Aug. 21, 2029.

- Patricia H. Haines of Xenia (Greene County) reappointed to the Commercial Dog Breeding Advisory Board for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending March 12, 2027 and April Dawn Burnside of Galloway (Franklin County) reappointed for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending March 12, 2028.

- Jon W. Rettig, Sr. of Columbiana (Columbiana County) and Adriana A. Sfalcin of Dublin (Franklin County) reappointed to the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2030.

- Marilou A. Butcher-Roth of Cincinnati (Hamilton County) and Paul Bloomfield of Columbus (Franklin County) appointed to the Ohio Real Estate Commission for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending June 30, 2030.

- Christopher R. Hiner of Ontario (Richland County) has been appointed to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending March 18, 2029.

- Sabrina K. Christian-Bennett of Rootstown (Portage County), Ann L. Block of Woodsfield (Monroe County) and Marcie Bragg of Massillon (Stark County) appointed to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee and Deborah A. Lieberman of Clayton (Montgomery County), John W. Royer of Columbus (Franklin County) and Laura A. Swanson of Grandview (Franklin County) reappointed, all for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending March 18, 2029.

- Joel B. Kratzer of Westerville (Delaware County) and Juan Santiago of Youngstown (Mahoning County) appointed to the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association Board of Governors for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Sept. 18, 2026 and Geoffrey M. Bishop of Westerville (Delaware County) reappointed for a term beginning Sept. 19, 2025, and ending Sept. 18, 2027.

- Gregory P. Sample of Dayton (Montgomery County) reappointed to the Broadband Expansion Program Authority for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending July 20, 2029.

- Michael J. Cafaro of Youngstown (Mahoning County) has been appointed to the Radiation Advisory Council for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Sept. 6, 2029.

- Brett Kemphues of Cincinnati (Hamilton County) appointed to the Radiation Advisory Council for a term beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Sept. 6, 2028; Michael P. Horan of Bratenahl (Cuyahoga County) appointed for a term beginning Sept. 7, 2025, and ending Sept. 6, 2030; John C. Grecula of Dublin (Franklin County) and Johannes O. Olsen of Columbus (Franklin County) reappointed for terms beginning Aug. 29, 2025, and ending Sept. 6, 2029; and Jonathan C. Fortkamp of Columbus (Franklin County), Kerry T. Krugh of Liberty Center (Henry County), Lawrence S. Osher of Beachwood (Cuyahoga County) and Bryon M. Murray of Columbus (Franklin County) reappointed for terms beginning Sept. 7, 2025, and ending Sept. 6, 2030.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

A study from the national Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (PCMMH) released earlier this year gave Ohio a "C" grade for issues involving maternal mental health, up from the state's "C-" grade in 2024, and a national grade of "C-" in the 2025 study. Overall, PCMMH says the U.S. is failing to adequately support maternal mental health (MMH), as 19 states earned "D" and "F" grades in the study, and no states earned an "A."

HIGHER EDUCATION

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced this week it is providing Ohio institutions of higher education and their surrounding communities resources and information to prevent drug abuse and misuse among college students. Led by the DEA's Detroit Field Division, the campaign will cover both Michigan and Ohio institutions. More information is HERE.

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Jon Husted (R-OH) were joined by U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner Friday in touring Connect Housing Blocks (CHB), a manufacturer of modular apartments located at 3251 Westerville Rd. in Columbus. The three also visited Vista Village, Columbus' first faith-based tiny homes transitional housing community.

The Center for Community Solutions (CCS) recently raised concerns about a July executive order by President Donald Trump on homelessness and crime, with Public Policy Fellow Dylan Armstrong writing some provisions "carry serious potential to destroy decades of progress and trust that have been built." Trump's order was issued July 24 with the goal of "ending crime and disorder on America's streets" and referenced rates of substance use -- particularly methamphetamines, cocaine, or opioids -- and mental health conditions among homeless populations.

IMMIGRATION

Ohio sheriffs' offices that are detaining immigrants without approval by their respective county commissioners must immediately release all detainees currently in custody, according to a letter from American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio Legal Director Freda Levenson. The letter was sent to sheriffs in Butler, Fairfield, Fayette, Geauga, Lake, Portage, Mahoning and Seneca counties, as well as to the executive director of the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. Levenson pointed to a recent opinion from Attorney General Dave Yost, which clarified that a board of county commissioners may enter into an agreement with federal immigration authorities -- such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) -- on behalf of the sheriff to detain "aliens subject to removal in the county jail," but sheriffs do not have independent contracting authority for that purpose. Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association (BSSA) Executive Director Robert Cornwell told Hannah News that there is no reason to believe that any of these contracts are improper.

LOBBYISTS

Government relations and advocacy firm McKinley Strategies announced the launch of its Corporate Consulting Division, to be led by Jackie Stewart, who has more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications and government relations. "Building on a strong foundation in government relations, McKinley Strategies now offers expanded services including corporate reputation management, crisis management, brand building, and stakeholder engagement. This allows the firm to better serve both existing and new corporate clients, aligning policy priorities with broader strategic and reputational goals," the firm said in the announcement.

MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM

The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously sided Tuesday with nursing home associations who argued the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) misinterpreted the statutory formula for calculating quality incentive payments established in the prior budget bill, HB135-HB33 (Edwards). Last summer, LeadingAge Ohio, the Ohio Health Care Association and the Academy of Senior Health Services sued ODM, arguing the agency wrongly conflated two terms in the budget legislation and in the process substantially reduced how much money facilities receive for meeting quality incentives. In an unsigned opinion, justices agreed ODM incorrectly calculated the amount of money to allocate to quality incentive payments based on the "change in price" rather than the "change in the rate for direct care costs" for nursing facilities.

NATURAL RESOURCES

September marks the start of several hunting seasons in the state, including those for a few migratory birds, squirrels, early waterfowl and archery season for deer. A full list of dates is HERE.

PENSIONS

The latest bid by State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) trustees to wrest control of their legal representation from Attorney General Dave Yost was filed in the wrong venue and should be dismissed, Yost's office argues. Yost filed a lawsuit more than a year ago against former STRS trustee Wade Steen and current STRS Board Chair Rudy Fichtenbaum, alleging they breached their fiduciary duty to the system and should be removed -- allegations they strongly deny. Since that time, the two officials and their board allies have been pressing for the right to seek their own counsel and have the state cover the costs, arguing Yost has a conflict of interest in simultaneously prosecuting them while having the power to select and set payment for their attorneys. Steen and Fichtenbaum recently filed a lawsuit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to press the issue. Last week, Yost filed a motion to dismiss with Judge Jeffrey Brown, saying Steen and Fichtenbaum's case belongs in the Ohio Court of Claims, and the common pleas court lacks power to hear the matter.

PEOPLE

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) recently announced that Dr. Mary Krebs will serve as its new president. In addition, the group installed the following officers for 2025-2026:

- President-Elect Dr. Jaividhya Dasarathy, Cleveland

- Vice-President Dr. Catherine Romanos, Columbus

- Treasurer Dr. Roma Amin, Columbus

- Speaker Dr. Heidi Yount, Arcanum

- Vice-Speaker Dr. Clint Koenig, Columbus

- Immediate Past President Dr. Kelly Meehan-de la Cruz, Norwalk

PUBLIC SAFETY

Labor Day traffic deaths were up again after a 25% drop in 2024. The holiday weekend from midnight Friday through Monday saw 23 fatalities compared to 18 last year and 24 in 2023, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports. All are multiples of three and higher when considering the much smaller total of five Labor Day traffic deaths in 2022.

The governor recently signed a small bill with a potential impact on not only Ohioans and but also out-of-state drivers. Legislation passed unanimously by the House and Senate bars the largest to the smallest law enforcement jurisdictions -- troopers, sheriffs, police, constables, village marshals and more -- from arresting or ticketing drivers based on quotas, whether formally stated or informally implied. At less than two pages and 100 lines, SB114 (Patton) hinges on the following prohibition: "No law enforcement official or agency shall ... establish or maintain, formally or informally, a plan utilizing a quota as the basis by which to evaluate, promote, compensate, transfer or discipline a local or state police officer over whom the law enforcement official or agency has jurisdiction." It becomes effective Sept. 30, 2025.

The OSHP said Wednesday there was a 7% reduction in fatal crashes this summer over last year. Releasing statistics for the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer," a time period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and sees an increase in traffic on the roads as well as an increased number of both serious-injury and fatal crashes, the patrol said there were 330 fatal crashes that resulted in 370 deaths during that time period this year.

Summit County leads the DeWine administration's newly announced domestic violence grants to 57 projects in half of all Ohio counties. The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded more than $3.7 million in federal funding Wednesday for emergency shelter and other services to victims of domestic, dating, and family violence and their dependents, including "underserved populations and victims who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations," the administration said.

The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal announced details Thursday on the state's "Fire Safety Poster Contest" for the fall, saying it is meant to engage youth, emphasize fire safety education and recognize those who visually demonstrate fire safety knowledge. Students will be able to include a range of fire prevention themes in their posters, such as lithium-ion batteries, smoke alarms and kitchen safety. The contest lasts over the coming months, with schools encouraged to partner with their local fire department to highlight safety practices. Schools must submit poster entries to their local departments by Friday, Oct. 3 so they can be shown during Fire Prevention Week, running from Sunday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 11. More information is HERE.

REDISTRICTING/REAPPORTIONMENT

House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) announced Tuesday the launch of a website where the public may submit proposed congressional redistricting plans. Ohio is the only state required to redraw its congressional map this cycle due to a constitutional provision that made the current map effective for only four years after it failed to gain bipartisan support earlier in the decade. The launch of the portal, located at https://redistricting.legislature.ohio.gov, provides a centralized location where the public may submit proposed congressional district plans. Any plans submitted on the site will be made public. There is no deadline for the public to submit plans. In addition, when the process of drawing a new congressional map will start has not been announced publicly by Huffman or McColley's offices. Spokespersons for both leaders said details will be announced at a future date.

With Ohio set to begin redrawing its congressional lines, Pew Charitable Trusts finds that redistricting between censuses is rare in the modern era. Ohio is the only state required to redraw its congressional lines this year thanks to an Ohio Constitution provision that requires it if the beginning of the decade congressional plan did not get enough bipartisan support. Texas Republicans redrew their congressional map this year at the urging of President Donald Trump in order to give the party an advantage of as many as five more seats in next year's midterm elections. Other states are looking to follow suit in response, creating a potential domino of redistricting across the country. Midcycle redistricting efforts like the ones in Texas and California have, up to now, been extremely uncommon. Since 1970, only two states -- Texas in 2003 and this year, and Georgia in 2005 -- have voluntarily redrawn their congressional maps between censuses for partisan advantage, according to the new Pew Research Center analysis.

STATE GOVERNMENT

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) recently released its FY25 annual report, tallying improvements to business processes and systems that it says are saving time and money for the public and state government.

TAXATION

Gov. Mike DeWine's property tax reform study group met Thursday to weigh local government reforms to inhibit property tax growth, including giving county commissioners gatekeeping powers over ballot access. Chris Galloway, Lake County auditor, circulated a memo among group members in advance of the meeting and discussed a few of the ideas during Thursday's meeting. One of his proposals is to allow boards of county commissioners discretion on whether to place levy proposals from unelected boards under their purview, such as the alcohol, drug addiction and mental health board or board of developmental disabilities, on the ballot. "Commissioners sometimes don't always agree with the need for those levies brought by various agencies whose boards they appoint," Galloway said. "Too many of these boards, even though they're appointees of county commissioners and others, have become rubber stamps for the administrators of those agencies, which allows for just nonstop growth in bureaucracy and budgets."

WORKFORCE

With September recognized as "National Workforce Development Month," Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder promoted the free employment services available through OhioMeansJobs.com and at local OhioMeansJobs centers. Centers are present in all 88 Ohio counties, operated by partnerships between ODJFS and local workforce development boards. The centers and the website provide a "comprehensive suite of services for both job seekers and employers across Ohio," according to ODFJS.

Provided by Hannah News Service