Week in Review: Feb. 16, 2025

A summary of Ohio's legislative news for the week ending Feb. 14, 2025.

BALLOT ISSUES

Members of the Ohio Ballot Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the public works constitutional amendment language that will be considered by voters this spring. The amendment, which is being placed on the Tuesday, May 6 ballot following the General Assembly's adoption of 135-HJR8 (Oelslager-Troy), will appear as "Issue 2" on the ballot. The measure is known as Issue 2 because of the enactment of 135-SB98 (Rulli), which requires state issues to be consecutively numbered. The redistricting amendment considered by voters in November 2024 was designated Issue 1.

FY26-27 BUDGET

On the first day of public testimony before the House Transportation Committee on transportation budget bill HB54 (Stewart), public transit agencies asked for lawmakers to add up to $100 million for transit in the bill. Particularly, agencies asked for restoration of $15 million for the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program. Created in the previous biennium as part of transportation budget 135-HB23 (Edwards), the program, administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), allows regional transit authorities to apply for grant funding for specific purposes related to supporting workforce transit, such as supporting the employment needs of economically significant employers. The other $85 million would be a part of regular transit funding from the Legislature.

Concluding remarks from House Finance Committee Chair Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) as well as pointed questions from a number of committee members and an unscripted comment by Attorney General Dave Yost portend big changes for the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC). Referencing sitting through the 45 minutes of the questioning of OEC Executive Director Phil Richter Tuesday, Yost began his testimony by telling the committee he was taking 30 seconds of "personal privilege" to note that in his opinion, since the 2014 Supreme Court decision regarding false statements, "the Ohio Elections Commission has outlived its usefulness" and he believes "those functions could be easily devolved on the local boards ... where people would not have to travel to the capital city for a determination of what are essentially minor matters that are left to the commission's discretion." Stewart wrapped up the commission's hearing by noting that he has "grave concerns about this commission's ability to have hearings.

On the same day that the FY26-27 operating budget bill, HB96 (Stewart), was introduced in the House Finance Committee, the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee heard testimony Tuesday on the proposed budgets from state agencies responsible for many of Ohio's efforts in education, media, the arts, and operations at the Statehouse. Agencies invited for testimony to the committee on their budget proposals included the following:

- Broadcast Educational Media Commission (BEMC)

- Ohio History Connection (OHC)

- Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (also called America 250-Ohio)

- Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission

- Ohio Arts Council (OAC)

- State Library of Ohio

- Capital Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB)

Expanding access to crisis services is a key priority for the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Director LeeAnne Cornyn said during a presentation on the proposed executive budget, HB96 (Stewart). "Our goal is to increase the availability of timely community-based crisis services across the state for Ohioans of all ages," Cornyn said.

The House Public Safety Committee Tuesday heard from Anderson Renick, clerk of the Court of Claims of Ohio, and Maj. Gen. John Harris, Adjutant General of Ohio, about their proposals for the FY26-27 state budget. Both are requesting funding increases for the upcoming biennium.

The House Education Committee Tuesday heard testimony on the proposed FY26-27 budgets from the Speech and Hearing Professionals Board, Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism/ServeOhio, Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services and the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente presented an overview Tuesday to the House Children and Human Services Committee to give members background on the relatively new agency's programs and goals, as a lead-in to in-depth budget testimony scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Attorney General Dave Yost presented his proposed FY26-27 budget to the House Finance Committee Tuesday, telling the committee that the budget appropriates $490.4 million for FY26 and $506.1 million in FY27 - an estimated 0.5 percent increase in FY26 and a 3.2 percent increase in in FY27. "These amounts exceed the request my office set forth in its submission to the Office of Budget and Management late last year. My request would have realized a 3.0 percent decrease in funding in FY26 and a 1.85 percent increase in funding for FY27. Much of the increase in spending, as proposed by the governor, are correlated to the new marijuana expungement program utilizing a portion of the marijuana excise tax."

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) plans to consolidate 20 funding streams for county agencies into a half dozen block grants to simplify administrative requirements, Director LeeAnne Cornyn said during budget testimony Wednesday in the House Children and Human Services Committee. Cornyn highlighted department plans across five priority areas: expanding crisis services; fostering resilient people and communities; enhancing quality of care; growing the behavioral workforce; and increasing criminal justice and recovery services.

Ohio Department of Veteran Services (ODVS) Director Deborah Ashenhurst made the rounds at the Statehouse on Wednesday morning, giving testimony to two House committees on the state of her department upon the release of its budget proposal for FY26-27. Ashenhurst's testimony to the House Public Safety Committee focused on the department's budget, and the House Veterans and Military Development Committee heard an overview of several of the department's initiatives aimed at serving Ohio's veteran population.

Uncertainty over future federal funding was among the considerations as the House Agriculture Committee heard proposed budgets of two separate state agencies involved in the stewardship of two of Ohio's largest natural resources. The committee heard HB96 (Stewart) budget testimony on Thursday from Joy Mulinex, executive director of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, and Cathann Kress, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at Ohio State University (OSU).

DISASTERS

For the third time in the past six months, Gov. Mike DeWine authorized the State Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to provide assistance to a region of Ohio affected by severe weather. DeWine last week authorized SDRP to support Ashtabula County with expenses related to the winter storm that impacted the area from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2024.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The Controlling Board voted Wednesday to add 15 years to JobsOhio’s lease agreement for state liquor profits, despite objections from Attorney General Dave Yost. The attorney general expressed concerns the extension was “not a good deal for Ohioans” and asked Office of Budget and Management Director Kim Murnieks to delay the meeting, but she declined. Yost later suggested changes to the agreement that would provide money for workforce initiatives like child care and skills trainings, but no changes were adopted. At the Wednesday meeting, Sen. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) objected to the extension, but it was approved over their objections.

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) shared details Thursday on All Ohio Future Fund items totaling $92 million, including support for the Anduril Industries Arsenal-1 facility, which received Controlling Board approval late Wednesday. The awards will be structured as part grant and part loan. Accountability measures and loan forgivability are dependent on factors including median wages at or above 125 percent of the median community wage.

EDUCATION

The State Board of Education (SBOE) approved Superintendent Paul Craft's goals for board operations Monday, and Chief Counsel Jason Wagner discussed territory transfers, one of which was voted on and approved by board members in the meeting. Craft reiterated his goals for better case management in licensure processing and professional discipline, which he said are "a special step forward" from last year's efforts. Craft said he will give a progress report to the board around September, and board members can give the board president comments on Craft's performance as part of a narrative evaluation that will happen around the end of the year. But he told board member Rhonda Johnson he would be "in constant communication" with board members on progress toward the goals.

After a surge of interest in securing state charters following EdChoice expansion, private schools turned up in yet greater numbers to seek the credential that qualifies them to accept those scholarship students. Private schools do not need a state charter from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) to operate, but the charter is a prerequisite for participating in certain programs, including EdChoice. DEW opens a window for schools to begin the chartering progress in November and December each year. In the 2022-2023 cycle, DEW granted 18 charters to private schools. In the 2023-2024 cycle, following budget bill action that opened EdChoice to all Ohio families, DEW received 58 applications. In the application window that concluded at the end of 2024, DEW received 78 applications.

Public schools would be allowed to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms under legislation proposed by Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott). The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday held its first hearing on SB34 (Johnson), which requires public schools to display at least one of the following documents in each school building classroom:

- Ten Commandments

- Mayflower Compact

- Declaration of Independence

- Mottoes of the U.S. and Ohio

- Magna Carta

- Bill of Rights

- U.S. Constitution

- Articles of Confederation

ELECTIONS 2026

A potential Republican primary fight for the state treasurer’s office is on the horizon. Former Sen. Niraj Antani switched to seeking that office because of incumbent Treasurer Robert Sprague’s decision to run for secretary of state, the office for which Antani originally filed to run. Days later, Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) announced she, too, will run for treasurer. No Democrat has launched a campaign for state treasurer.

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday the nation added 143,000 jobs in January, with the unemployment rate ticking down to 4.0 percent. Employment increased in health care, retail trade, and social assistance, while there was a decrease in the mining, quarrying, and the oil and gas extraction industry. BLS also said the number of unemployed people changed little in January, at 6.8 million.

Franklin County Judge Michael Holbrook this week ordered Gov. Mike DeWine's administration to "take all action necessary" to obtain Ohio's share of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC) after the governor ended the program early during the pandemic. The program was adopted by Congress in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It provided enhanced unemployment insurance benefits for workers who would not otherwise be eligible for relief, including an additional $300 in unemployment insurance. The program was set to expire on Sept. 6, 2021, but DeWine in May 2021 announced it would end early at the end of the following June.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

The amendment debate on Republican lawmakers' newfound interest in utility reform commenced Tuesday with Senate hearings on SB2 (Reineke). It tracks much of companion bill HB15 (Klopfenstein) but includes significant differences such as hearing deadlines on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), refunds of electric rates later deemed "unlawful," and billing-rider-like "mini-rate cases" through which utilities could recoup economic development costs. Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) briefly summarized energy overhaul HB15's companion version Tuesday before the Senate Energy Committee he chaired in its previous iteration and spoke with Hannah News outside the hearing with current Chairman Brian Chavez (R-Marietta). Like Klopfenstein had last week, Reineke told members the energy reset seeks to address both the capacity and affordability sides of the grid debate.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

Hannah News interview series with new legislators featured Rep. Derrick Hall (D-Akron), who said his childhood experience influenced his decision to seek office. Growing up in public housing in the east part of Akron, Hall said both of his parents suffered from addiction issues. By the time he was 7, his mother was a single parent raising three children when she decided to enroll at the University of Akron with the goal of becoming a public school teacher.

Also featured was Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg), who said she is driven to learn more about how government works and then make it relevant to her constituents. "Advocacy is very important to me, as well as learning about the issues and how government really affects us. We hear in the community a lot, particularly with young people, 'Oh, I'm not interested in politics. Politics, I don't get it. I'm not into it.' And I explain, well, politics is sure into you. If you went to a public school, if you have kids in public schools, if you need health care, if you go to the doctor, if you go to the hospital, if you having aging parents and you have to advocate for medication and medical providers - politics is sure into us, and we need to learn more about politics," she said.

Sponsors of legislation that would require certain administrative rules to be approved by the full General Assembly in order to take effect said Tuesday that it will restore legislative control, increase transparency, and empower Ohio citizens. Reps. Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville) and Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) testified on their HB11 Tuesday before the House Government Oversight Committee. Dubbed the "REINS" bill after the similar federal Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, the bill requires the General Assembly to enact legislation approving of a proposed administrative rule if a rule summary and fiscal analysis of the rule indicates that the rule will increase the proposing agency's expenditures during the current biennium by $100,000 or more, or compliance with the rule will cost a directly-affected person $100,000 or more.

Former Rep. Ross Boggs died on Thursday, Feb.6 at the age of 86 at his home. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for the Second District from 1983-1992, and the Fifth District from 1993-1999, also serving as House Minority Leader during his final term. According to his obituary, services will be held at Andover United Methodist Church in the spring. A date and time of the services will be announced at a later date.

Aside from its vote to approve higher education overhaul measure SB1 (Cirino), the Senate on Wednesday also passed SB9 (Blessing), the federal tax conformity bill; and SB24 (Johnson), which designates the 1905 Wright Flyer III as the state airplane.

Wednesday’s House session included passage of HB4 (Holmes-C. Thomas), designating Sept. 19 as “Ohio Stillbirth Prevention Day,” as well as HCR5 (Huffman-Russo), which schedules Gov. Mike DeWine’s “State of the State” address for Wednesday, March 12, and HCR25 (Manning), the final draft of House rules.

Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) told reporters Wednesday he expects around six bills on the property tax issue to move through the House Ways and Means Committee, rather than pursuing "one pile" that would be confusing. Huffman added that effort will include Ways and Means Chair Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Reps. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) as they have good experience.

Post-employment agreements known as "non-competes" would be prohibited under legislation proposed by Sens. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus). "For those unfamiliar with what these agreements are, they're basically contracts between employers and employees that limit the employment of employees upon termination of employment," Blessing told the Senate Judiciary Committee during sponsor testimony on SB11 (Blessing-DeMora).

In other legislative action, House Education Committee reported out HB43 (Fowler Arthur-Thomas), which would waive minimum instructional hours requirements for Ashtabula Lakeside High School after a roof collapse interrupted operations there; Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee reported out SB14 (Reynolds), designating Sept. 28 as “Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Day”; SB6 (Roegner), regarding building inspections; and SB21 (Brenner-Reineke), designating Oct. 4 as “Rutherford B. Hayes Day.”

GOVERNOR

Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday nominated Jim Tressel to succeed Jon Husted as lieutenant governor, and the House and Senate voted by large majorities Wednesday to consent to the appointment. Tressel was to be sworn in at a Statehouse ceremony Friday. Tressel, 72, is a former president of Youngstown State University and former Ohio State University football coach. He has also served as vice president for strategic engagement at the University of Akron. During a Statehouse press conference announcing the appointment, DeWine said Tressel has the talent and experience necessary to perform the job as lieutenant governor well and is confident Tressel could successfully take over as governor if necessary. "I wanted, first of all, someone who knew Ohio," DeWine said. "I wanted someone whose judgment I felt was very, very good. I wanted someone who was a leader -- someone who is used to making decisions. Someone who listens, waits for different options and then comes to a conclusion. I wanted someone who, frankly, shared Ohio values."

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Wednesday reported the state's first probable human case of bird flu. An adult male Mercer County farm worker who was in contact with deceased commercial poultry was infected with the virus. "While the risk to Ohioans is low, the best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead birds or to their environment," said ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. "People should avoid direct contact with poultry or wild birds and take proper precautions, including reaching out for guidance regarding personal protection and safe handling, if you must be around sick or dead birds."

The House Community Revitalization Committee this week heard invited testimony from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell. Russell provided an overview of the landscape in the state and stressed that aging caregivers will increase the need for behavioral health care providers. Russell told the committee Tuesday that one in five adults experience mental illness each year, and one in 25 experience serious mental illness in a year. About 1.9 million Ohioans have a mental health condition, he said.

A new dashboard will track the status of pharmacies across the state as more Ohioans deal with pharmacy closures, Ohio Board of Pharmacy (OBP) Director Steven Schierholt announced Thursday. The Ohio Pharmacy Access Dashboard utilizes OBP licensing data to provide users with a visualization of where pharmacy openings and closures are occurring, and offers insights into how closures are affecting access to pharmacy services in Ohio. It can be found HERE.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Former Lt. Gov. and Attorney General Lee Fisher has been named as Baldwin Wallace University's (BW) 10th president, the university announced. Fisher most recently served as dean of the Cleveland State University College of Law for the past nine years.

Faculty and student witnesses argued Tuesday that priority Senate legislation on higher education would destabilize Ohio institutions, override local decision-making and disregard student views. The Senate Higher Education Committee drew in-person or written opposition testimony from dozens of witnesses for the second hearing of SB1, which could clear the committee as soon as Wednesday morning if the panel moves forward with a scheduled vote. Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), chair of the committee, said the witness list included 210 people. Before hearing testimony, the committee adopted a substitute version Tuesday including several changes. The bill went on to a Senate floor vote Wednesday after clearing the committee in the morning along party lines. The chamber voted 21-11 to approve SB1 (Cirino), with Sens. Louis Blessing R-Cincinnati) and Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) joining Democrats in opposing the bill. Bill sponsor Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said the bill aims to restore confidence in the higher education system, which he claimed is at a "historic low."

Helping veterans and servicemembers transition from military service to higher education or from higher education then into the workforce isn't just a "nice to," but it's a "must do". To that end, presidents of several of Ohio's public universities joined legislators and military members at the Statehouse on Tuesday to discuss ways higher education institutions in the state can work together with the goal of making Ohio the best state for a military connected student in the country. Ohio State University (OSU) President Ted Carter said the symposium, hosted by the Inter-University Council (IUC) of Ohio, was to advocate for higher education leaders in Ohio to make military students a priority. Carter, himself a retired U.S. Navy vice rear admiral, said military-connected students are exactly the types of talented individuals Ohio wants to live and work in the state's communities, and he urged higher education institutions in Ohio to consider it a responsibility to serve in return the servicemembers who have served their country.

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced recently it was providing $10.65 million in grants under the Supportive Housing Program, with a total of 32 recipients including nonprofits and local government agencies that will provide supportive services and housing. The funds are expected to benefit approximately 6,416 Ohioans and leverage a combined total of $50.4 million in additional resources.

MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM

Buckeye Institute Vice President of Policy Rea Hederman Jr. gave recommendations Tuesday to the House Medicaid Committee on how the state can make reforms to the Medicaid program, saying it is a "difficult task" to maintain the program's integrity as it routinely makes improper payments to ineligible recipients. "Some improprieties are deliberate while others are merely mistakes, exacerbated by the fact that many Medicaid enrollees are transient and difficult to find," Hederman said. He cited a recent report by the Ohio Auditor of State's Office and said the potential effect of concurrent enrollment for Ohio could be $209 million, adding that the limits on state Medicaid audits and removals during the pandemic make accurate reviews even more important.

OHIO HISTORY

The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250-Ohio) would receive $7.5 million in FY26 under the governor's budget proposal as it nears the "peak" of its efforts, Executive Director Todd Kleismit said during a webinar Friday. The commission also has a $2.5 million request for FY27, after receiving $3 million for the current fiscal year and a total of $2.5 million between FY23 and FY24.

PEOPLE

At Monday's State Board of Education meeting, the board recognized Mia Yaniko, section chief for education in Attorney General Dave Yost's office, as she prepares to depart that role. Jason Wagner, chief counsel to the board, thanked Yaniko for her representation of the board and said she will be moving on to become vice president and general counsel at the University of Akron.

The Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) announced Heidi Gullett as its new chief medical officer. The group said Gullett "will provide strategic clinical leadership across OACHC, guiding key initiatives in integrated health, value-based care, workforce development, policy and clinical research."

Laurie Beth Sweeney is the next executive director of the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF), the organization announced Thursday. Sweeney, currently serving as chief experience officer at the Wellington School, will step into her new role in April 2025, according to a news release from OSBF.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) announced it has promoted two staff members. Austin Lucas, who has been with OSPF since January 2018 as program director, is assuming the responsibilities of associate director. OSPF said he will lead the program staff in this new position and assist with federal and state legislative issues. Daniel Bennett has been promoted to director of statewide prevention and expansion. Bennett, who has been with OSPF as the director of coalitions and strategic initiatives, will continue his work with coalitions while expanding OSPF's efforts by creating regional locations, OSPF said. He will also lead advocacy and legislative initiatives, organizing partners to help advocate for suicide prevention in Ohio.

TAXATION

Limits lawmakers placed on the power of school districts and other local governments to intercede in property valuation disputes have cut the caseload at the Board of Tax Appeals (BTA) but made the remaining cases more complex and expensive, the board's director told a House committee Wednesday during budget testimony. The House Ways and Means Committee began its series of agency budget reviews on HB96 (Stewart) with testimony from BTA Executive Director Kathleen Crowley and Accountancy Board of Ohio Executive Director Donna Oklok. Crowley said executive-recommended funding levels of about $2.1 million per fiscal year will enable the board to fill two vacant attorney positions to help deal with the lengthier, more complicated cases that are making up more of the board's docket following passage of 134-HB126 (Merrin). The bill put limits on political subdivisions' ability to file valuation complaints, barred them from appealing Board of Revision decisions and outlawed private payment agreements wherein property owners pay subdivisions in order to resolve valuation disputes.

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

The Columbus and Cleveland airports recently reported an increase in their passenger traffic last year, with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority saying last year was a record-breaking year for passenger travel at Columbus airports. Passenger traffic at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Rickenbacker International Airport reached more than 9.2 million passengers in 2024, a 6.7 percent increase compared to 2023, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority said. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reported nearly 10.2 million passengers in 2024, near its forecast of 10.25 million passengers. The airport said it was the first 10 million passenger year since 2019, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that $8.7 million has been awarded in the latest round of funding as part of the Local Major Bridge Program. According to ODOT, the latest round of funding will go toward modernizing and repairing four bridges in Franklin, Fairfield, Hamilton, and Lake counties.