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| Ohio lawmakers have enacted a series of anti-LGBTQ bills, including a transgender school bathroom ban signed by Governor Mike DeWine, which will take effect on February 24. The legislation has raised concerns among transgender individuals, such as Robin, a high school student who feels uncomfortable using the women's restroom due to his transition. Additionally, House Bill 8, which requires educators to disclose students' sexualities to their parents, is pending DeWine's approval. Advocacy groups like TransOhio are providing financial assistance to those affected by these laws, highlighting the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Ohio. Despite significant public opposition, the Republican supermajority in the Statehouse continues to pass legislation that many believe does not reflect the views of the majority of Ohioans. |
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| Government watchdogs and Black lawmakers in Ohio are calling on Governor Mike DeWine to veto proposed changes to police video access. The proposal would permit police departments to impose a fee of $75 for each hour of body camera footage requested by the public and media. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus has formally urged the governor to exercise a line-item veto specifically targeting these police video provisions. Critics argue that such fees could hinder transparency and accountability in law enforcement. The outcome of this proposal remains uncertain as the governor considers the implications of the changes. |
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| Chronic absenteeism remains a significant issue in Ohio's schools, with 25.6% of students affected, despite a slight decrease in recent years. Nonprofit organizations like Communities in Schools of Ohio are actively addressing this problem by providing support to students facing various challenges, such as transportation and family responsibilities. The organization has engaged over 35,000 students and 13,000 families in the past year, focusing on creating a welcoming school environment to encourage attendance. Ohio state leaders, including Governor Mike DeWine, have pledged to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over the next five years, emphasizing the need for early intervention and collaboration with families. However, proposed legislative solutions, such as a pilot program for financial incentives, have struggled to gain traction, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing this critical issue. |
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| Governor Mike DeWine has officially signed Senate Bill 257 into law, a measure sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson and Brian Chavez. This legislation enhances the Ohio Homebuyer Plus program by allowing active-duty military personnel stationed in Ohio, but residing in other states, to benefit from a tax-incentivized savings account for home purchases. Senator Johnson emphasized the importance of supporting military members, stating that the bill will help them integrate into Ohio communities. Senator Chavez echoed this sentiment, highlighting that homeownership is a key aspect of the American dream for service members. The new law aims to provide more options for military families looking to establish roots in the Buckeye State. |
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| The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate recently passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that extends the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill for another year, receiving mixed reactions from farmers. The CR, which was enacted just before Christmas, includes a short-term spending measure and drought disaster aid, crucial for farmers facing economic challenges. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall expressed gratitude for the legislation, highlighting its importance in providing disaster relief that could determine the viability of many farms. However, the CR did not authorize year-round E15 sales, disappointing stakeholders who argue it would benefit corn farmers and consumers alike. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association plans to continue advocating for E15 legislation in 2025, emphasizing its potential environmental and economic benefits. |
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| A newly passed bill, the Social Security Fairness Act, is set to benefit nearly 150,000 retired public employees in Ohio by eliminating provisions that have reduced their retirement funds since the 1980s. The bill, which received bipartisan support, passed the Senate with a vote of 76-20 and the House with 327-75-1, with all Ohio congressional members voting in favor except for Sen. JD Vance. The act aims to remove the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision, allowing public retirees to receive the full amount they earned through Social Security contributions. Advocates like Aristotle Hutras emphasize the need for a permanent solution to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security, which could face significant funding issues by 2033. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the implementation of this act will cost approximately $196 billion over the next decade, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing Social Security funding. |
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| The State of Ohio has launched the next round of its High School Tech Internship program, as announced by Lt. Governor Jon Husted. This initiative allows Ohio employers to receive wage reimbursement for hosting high school interns in technology-related positions. The program aims to assist businesses in creating a recruitment pipeline while simultaneously offering students essential work experience. Applications are now open for both students and businesses interested in participating. This effort reflects Ohio's commitment to enhancing workforce development and preparing students for future careers in technology. |
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| The Ohio River Way has officially endorsed the bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act, introduced by Representatives Morgan McGarvey and Erin Houchin. This legislation aims to secure federal funding and resources for the Ohio River Basin, which serves over 25 million people. The act proposes establishing an Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders. Key priorities include improving public access, preventing pollution, and enhancing job training related to water protection. With the Ohio River being the largest U.S. water body without dedicated federal funding, this initiative seeks to address critical ecological and economic challenges facing the region. |
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| As of January 1, 2025, new laws have been implemented in Ohio and Pennsylvania, affecting various aspects of education and healthcare. In Ohio, students from Kindergarten to 12th grade can now take three religious expression days off from school without penalty, while a new bathroom policy will require transgender individuals to use facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth starting February 25. Additionally, Ohio schools will see changes to cell phone policies, with districts given the authority to establish their own rules by July 1, 2025. In Pennsylvania, the Safe Haven Law has expanded to allow newborns to be surrendered at urgent care facilities, and Medicaid will now cover doula services for pregnant women. Furthermore, all state-regulated health plans in Pennsylvania will provide coverage for biomarker cancer testing, enhancing treatment options and potentially improving patient outcomes. |
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| The Ohio Department of Development has announced $300,000 in grant awards to support the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy curricula in K-12 schools statewide. Five organizations across three counties will receive funding, with each project eligible for up to $75,000. Lydia Mihalik, the department's director, emphasized the importance of educating young people about renewable energy to foster a sustainable future. Grant recipients include Columbus Preparatory Academy, Embold, Inc., National Skilled Trades Network, Ohio Energy Project, and Sinclair Community College, each focusing on various educational initiatives related to energy efficiency. The funding is sourced from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act through the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. |
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| Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed a provision in House Bill 315 aimed at protecting doctors from state punishment for expressing medical opinions that differ from state experts. The "medical free speech" provision would have prevented regulatory agencies, such as the Ohio Medical Board, from disciplining medical professionals for their opinions. In his veto message, DeWine expressed concerns that the provision could have serious negative impacts on patient health and undermine the state's ability to regulate medical malpractice. He argued that doctors could misuse the provision by claiming malpractice was simply a matter of personal opinion. The veto reflects ongoing opposition from DeWine's administration to similar proposals, including those related to off-label drug prescriptions. |
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| The recent Ohio General Assembly concluded with several significant bills failing to pass, including those aimed at overhauling higher education and banning intoxicating hemp products. Senate Bill 83, which proposed changes to university policies and faculty tenure protections, stalled in the House despite passing the Senate. Senate Bill 326, introduced to regulate delta-8 THC products, did not advance to a vote, disappointing Governor Mike DeWine, who had advocated for its passage. Additionally, Senate Bill 295, which sought to revise automatic school closure laws for low-performing schools, also failed to gain traction. A property tax relief bill, which had passed in the House, did not progress in the Senate, leaving advocates for property tax reform dissatisfied. |
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| Ohio is currently addressing the spread of bird flu, with ten counties reporting suspected wild bird deaths, particularly in Warren County where dead mallard ducks and Canadian geese were discovered. A significant outbreak in Darke County led to the euthanasia of over 900,000 birds on a commercial farm, raising concerns about potential meat and egg supply shortages and increased prices. Brian Baldridge, Ohio's Director of Agriculture, expressed hope that the outbreak is isolated, noting previous cases in late 2023 that prepared them for this situation. Experts emphasize the importance of biosecurity, as asymptomatic wild birds can transmit the disease to domestic flocks, resulting in devastating consequences. Additionally, there are concerns for the state's bald eagle population, as they are susceptible to the disease when in proximity to affected waterfowl. |
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| Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has enacted a new law allowing law enforcement agencies to charge fees for accessing public records, including body camera footage. Under House Bill 315, police departments can impose charges of up to $75 per hour, with a maximum fee of $750 for reviewing and preparing videos for release. Critics, including the ACLU of Ohio, argue that this law undermines transparency and could hinder public access to crucial information regarding police incidents. Law enforcement officials, however, contend that the influx of requests for footage has strained their resources, necessitating the need for such fees to manage the workload. Governor DeWine also vetoed a separate provision in the bill aimed at protecting doctors from disciplinary actions for expressing controversial medical opinions. |
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