Dave Yost Archives - The Ohio Star

Ohio AG’s Office Freezes $3 Million in Sam Randazzo’s Assets in Case Related to House Bill 6 Probe

September 25, 2021September 24, 2021 Brian Ball

The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has frozen more than $3 million in assets of former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo as part of a state civil lawsuit tied to the ongoing federal criminal probe of a Statehouse corruption scheme.
Yost’s office also has sought a court order to appoint a receiver to go after another $3 million in assets Randazzo allegedly had transferred to accounts his attorneys control immediately after Yost had announced he had a court order to seize up to $8 million in assets in a mid-August.

States, Not Congress, Could Pose the Biggest Threat to Tech Companies

August 31, 2021August 30, 2021 Ohio Star Staff

Despite calls for increased regulation of the tech industry, Congress has yet to pass any major legislation, leaving it up to the states to take action curbing tech companies’ power and influence.

Meanwhile, state legislatures have introduced and enacted legislation on data privacy, antitrust, and content moderation, while state attorneys general have issued a number of legal challenges alleging anticompetitive business practices.

Second Push to Legalize Marijuana in Ohio Moves Ahead

August 4, 2021August 3, 2021 The Center Square

The same week an Ohio group announced its plans to start the formal process to put marijuana legalization in front of the General Assembly, two lawmakers introduced legislation to legalize its recreational use.

“It’s time to lead Ohio forward,” Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, said. “This is a big step for criminal justice reform, for our veterans, for economic opportunity, and for our individual liberties.”

Group Takes Step Toward Legal Marijuana in Ohio

July 30, 2021July 29, 2021 The Center Square

A group pushing for legalizing marijuana in Ohio began the formal process to send proposed legislation to the General Assembly.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted the language of its plan to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The submission of the first 1,000 signatures, according to group spokesman and attorney Tom Haren, will require Yost to review and approve the petition language within 10 days.

States Join Coalition to Stop California from Setting U.S. Automotive Standards

July 14, 2021July 13, 2021 The Center Square

A coalition of 16 states is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not reinstate a waiver allowing California to implement its own carbon emissions standards that essentially regulate the automotive industry for the rest of the U.S.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a coalition led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, which also includes attorneys general from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

Under the Clean Air Act, the Trump administration created national standards for vehicle carbon emissions for model years 2021 through 2026. The policy revoked a waiver previously granted to California in order to treat all states as equal sovereigns subject to one federal rule, the attorneys general explain in their 12-page letter.

Ohio Wins Injunction over Biden Administration’s ‘Tax Mandate’

July 4, 2021July 3, 2021 The Center Square

Three weeks after a federal judge said Ohio could move ahead with a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s plan to tie federal funding to a state’s agreement to not cut taxes, the same court granted Ohio a permanent injunction to stop the practice.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio stopped the regulation that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said unconstitutionally restricted the state’s power to cut taxes, Yost announced Friday.

“The Biden administration reached too far, seized too much and got its hand slapped,” Yost said. “This is a monumental win for the preservation of the U.S. Constitution – the separation of powers is real, and it exists for a reason.”

Court Reverses Dismissal of Ohio Lawsuit Against U.S. Census Bureau

May 23, 2021May 22, 2021 The Center Square

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has reversed a trial court decision and will allow Ohio’s lawsuit against the U.S. Census Bureau to move forward.

Attorney General Dave Yost sued in February for the bureau to release information to allow the state to meet constitutional deadlines to redraw congressional and state district lines. A district court dismissed the suit in March.

Ohio Attorney General Pleads for Patience Around Bryant Shooting Investigation

April 28, 2021April 27, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has spent a lot of time pleading for patience and talking of the dangers of rushing to judgement in reaction to the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl by Columbus police officers.

Community organizers, however, are calling for a U.S. Justice Department investigation of the Columbus Police Department, and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said there is lack of trust between the community and police.

Yost consistently has said half-facts lead to half-truths, tweeting two days after the death of Ma’Khia Bryant, “Let’s get all the facts and find the whole truth.”

Ohio Attorney General Continues Court Fight Over American Rescue Plan Taxing Provision

April 26, 2021April 25, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says Congress crossed a line and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen struggles to explain whether states retain authority to set their own tax codes if they accept money from the recently passed American Rescue Plan.

Yost responded Thursday with a motion in support of his lawsuit for a temporary restraining order to stop the federal government’s tax mandate in the ARP. Yost believes the mandate holds states hostage and takes away Ohio’s control of its tax structure and economic policy.

“Congress crosses the line separating permissible encouragement from impermissible,” Yost’s latest motion reads. “Ohio stands to receive $5.5 billion. In the pandemic-caused economic crisis, Ohio cannot realistically turn that down.”

Ohio’s Portman, Yost Voice Opposition to Expanding U.S. Supreme Court

April 19, 2021April 18, 2021 The Center Square

Saying a plan to increase the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court would question the court’s legitimacy, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has called on Congress to ignore any potential legislation that would expand and politicize the court.

Yost joined a growing group of attorneys general from around the country criticizing what they see as an attempt at “court packing” and throwing their support behind the bipartisan Keep Nine amendment currently in the U.S. House.

“The Court’s orders are followed because the Court is seen as legitimate – even when we don’t like a particular decision. Tampering with the Court to drive political outcomes will dismantle that legitimacy,” Yost said Thursday in a news release. “I support the Keep Nine amendment because it will forever take the threat of Court packing off the politicians’ table – Republicans or Democrats – and protect the court from politics.”

DeWine Signs Partial Repeal of Ohio’s Controversial Nuclear Power Bailout

April 6, 2021April 5, 2021 The Center Square

A little more than eight months after the billion-dollar government bailout of the state’s nuclear energy industry led the arrest of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, Gov. Mike DeWine officially put it to rest.

DeWine signed House Bill 128 into law late Wednesday. It repeals the nuclear provisions of the infamous House Bill 6.

Gone is the bailout for the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear power plants in northern Ohio. Also eliminated was the ability for FirstEnergy to have its revenue levels relatively the same even during years when energy consumption decreases. HB 128 directed refunds of money already collected under the guarantee.

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Says Federal ‘Tax Mandate’ Could Harm Job Creation

March 22, 2021March 21, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted says restrictions in the recently passed federal American Rescue Plan will limit economic development and job growth in the state.

Husted, responding to a federal lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost that asks for the plan’s “Tax Mandate” be stopped, said the restrictions could affect the state’s ability to attract jobs with tax credits and other means.

“The precedent Congress is attempting to set here is that anytime the federal government sends money to state and or local governments, they could add strings to control the tax policies of all 50 states. This is both arrogant and unconstitutional,” Husted said in a statement. “At a practical level, this could affect economic competitiveness of the state attempting to attract jobs with job creation tax credits or other tax-based economic incentives.”

Ohio AG Responds to Criticism of American Rescue Plan Lawsuit

March 19, 2021March 18, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost continues to receive support and criticism from groups throughout Ohio a day after announcing a lawsuit challenging requirements in the federal American Rescue Plan.

Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit progressive think tank, called Yost’s decision to seek an injunction to stop the state’s obligation to not cut taxes if it accepts more than $5 billion off base.

Ohio AG Files Lawsuit Against Health Care Giant for Overcharging Medicaid

March 13, 2021March 12, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost claims in lawsuit filed Thursday a health care giant raised prices for taxpayer-funded care to maximize company profits.

Yost said Ohio sued Centene Corp. in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, alleging its subsidiary, Buckeye Health Plan, used a web of subcontractors for the provision of pharmacy benefits to be able to misrepresent pharmacy costs. That, Yost said, resulted in millions of dollars of overpayments by the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

Ohio A.G. Yost Takes Aim at Another Provision of House Bill 6, Potential Energy Rate Hikes

January 18, 2021January 17, 2021 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost took another swing Thursday at stopping provisions from controversial nuclear bailout House Bill 6 from impacting the state’s energy customers.

Late last year, Yost sued to stop ratepayer fees from being implemented that would have provided $150 million in money to Energy Harbor. Thursday, he filed a motion to stop FirstEnergy from executing another rate hike allowed in the legislation.

Ohio Attorney General Files Another Lawsuit to Stop Nuclear Bailout Fees

November 18, 2020November 17, 2020 The Center Square

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost took another shot at trying to stop new consumer fees from the state’s controversial energy company bailout bill.

Yost recently filed a second lawsuit to block the annual collection of $150 million from additional customer fees from going to Energy Harbor, what he called the successor to FirstEnergy’s nuclear plants.

Ohio AG Believes Nuclear Companies to Testify Publicly

October 3, 2020October 2, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants the companies at the center of the House Bill 6 controversy to open their books and appear before a committee established to decide whether to repeal the law.

Yost said FirstEnergy and Energy Harbor are profitable and should answer questions before the House Select Committee on Energy Policy and Oversight. In a letter to the committee, he responded to concerns that a lawsuit he recently filed prevents the companies from testifying.

Leading Ohio Republicans Ask Larry Householder to Resign After His Recent FBI Arrest

July 23, 2020July 22, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Leading Ohio Republicans have called on Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) to resign after his recent arrest for allegedly participating in a $60 million bribery scheme.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested Householder along with Matt Borges, the former Ohio Republican Party chairman; Jeffrey Longstreth, a longtime political strategist for Householder; Neil Clark, the former budget director for the Ohio Republican Caucus; and Juan Cespedes, a Columbus lobbyist.

Dave Yost Files Lawsuit Targeting a Pharmacy Benefit Manager Company for Allegedly Making Millions by Overcharging Ohio

July 16, 2020July 15, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit against Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), for allegedly breaking multiple contracts that allowed the company to profit millions from overcharges to the state.

A PBM is a company that controls the drug benefit program for employers or health plans according to verywellhealth.com.

AG Yost Files Injunction Trying to Stop Illegal Alcohol Sales in Ohio

July 12, 2020July 11, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a preliminary injunction on Wednesday aimed at trying to stop the illegal flow of liquor sales in Ohio. This injunction, which is one of the first-ever lawsuits surrounding the 21st Amendment, comes after a month-long investigation that showed many out-of-state wine and liquor…

Dave Yost Seeks Public’s Input on Whether Google Uses ‘Deceptive Sales Practices’

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said he wants the public to weigh in on the question of whether internet search engines should be “allowed to favor their own products and services in search results.”

AG Yost Submits Brief Asking GM to Give Back Its $60 Million State Tax Credits After Breaking Agreement by Closing Lordstown Plant

July 2, 2020July 1, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost submitted a brief to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that demanded General Motors (GM) repay $60 million the company received in state tax credits after breaking its promise to Ohio and the Mahoning Valley.

Eleven years ago, GM started collecting tax credits for its Lordstown plant. In exchange for its tax credits, the auto giant said it would maintain Lordstown plant operations till 2028 and retain 3,700 jobs through 2040, according to Yost’s press release.

Ohio AG Tells Ohioans Who Believe Their Unemployment Compensation Overpayment Notices Were Sent By Mistake to Appeal

June 26, 2020June 25, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement Tuesday encouraging all Ohioans who received a notification about an overpayment of unemployment compensation to appeal their cases if they think their notices were sent by mistake.

“It’s no secret that despite the state’s Herculean efforts, it was crushed with the unprecedented volume of new claims flooding in simultaneously,” Yost said. “We will aggressively pursue any cases of fraud, but we want to make sure any non-fraudulent cases referred to us for collection have been thoroughly reviewed and appealed as is your right.”

Dave Yost Files Brief on Behalf of 15 Republican State AGs That Support the Federal Government’s Dropping Its Case Against Michael Flynn

May 21, 2020May 20, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Attorney General Dave Yost led an effort of 15 Republican state attorneys general to file an amicus brief Monday that supports the federal government’s position of dismissing its case against Gen. Michael Flynn.

In early May, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped all charges against the former National Security Advisor.

A Federal Super PAC Has Spent $321,821 on Alice DeWine’s Prosecutor Race in Greene County

April 25, 2020April 24, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

As Alice DeWine, the daughter of Gov. Mike DeWine, battles for the Greene County prosecutor position, a federal super PAC named Protecting Ohio Action Fund (POAF) has supported her campaign by spending $321,821 on it, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio Will Appeal Ruling Allowing Abortion Clinics to Remain Open

April 6, 2020April 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said he will appeal a federal judge’s ruling that exempts abortion clinics from a mandate to cancel all elective surgeries.

Several abortion providers sued the state last Monday seeking relief from the Ohio Department of Health’s order to cancel all elective and non-essential surgeries.

Abortion Clinic Still Operating in Ohio Despite Governor’s Executive Order and Attorney General’s Letter of Warning

March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Despite an Executive Order March 17 by Governor Mike DeWine directing health care professionals to postpone elective surgeries to combat the spread of the Chinese Virus and a letter two days later by Attorney General Dave Yost addressed to surgical abortion providers warning them to “immediately stop performing non-essential…

Dave Yost Stopped an Amendment Seeking to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected a proposed marijuana-related constitutional amendment Monday that aimed to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

Yost halted the amendment proposal because it did not gather enough valid signatures.

“Because your submission did not contain the verified signatures of at least one thousand qualified electors, we must reject it,” Yost wrote in the letter to the petitioning committee. “Finally, because the petition failed to meet the signature threshold, I have not made any determination concerning the fairness and truthfulness of the proposed summary.”

Ohio Abortion Clinics Still Scheduling Surgical Abortions in Defiance of State Government

March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Abortion clinics across Ohio are continuing to schedule surgical abortions during the coronavirus pandemic despite being told not to by state government officials.

Ohio Dems Call Attorney General ‘Opportunistic’ and ‘Despicable’ for Telling Abortion Clinics to Close

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Democrats called Attorney General Dave Yost “opportunistic” for urging abortion clinics to close during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health issued an executive order Tuesday that required health providers to cancel all non-essential or elective surgeries that utilize personal protective equipment (PPE).

Dave Yost Joins Other State Attorneys General in Supporting States’ Rights to Regulate Drug Prices

March 5, 2020March 4, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined a bipartisan coalition this week that supports states’ rights to regulate prescription drug prices.

Attorney General Dave Yost Authorizes Initiative Seeking to Change Ohio Elections Laws

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost approved the summary of a petition for a ballot initiative that seeks major changes to Ohio’s election laws.

Ohio Grants Police Drug Task Forces More Than $2M to Combat Trafficking

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

The State of Ohio on Monday awarded 27 law enforcement task forces more than $2 million in grants to disrupt the drug trade and promote awareness, prevention and recovery. Gov. Mike DeWine held a presentation at the Ohio Statehouse for the announcement of the RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund, according…

Ohio AG Halts Amendment Proposal That Would Make Changes to State Voting Laws

February 2, 2020February 1, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected a summary language of a proposed amendment this week that would have made changes to Ohio’s election laws.

Proposal to Increase Ohio’s Minimum Wage Inches Closer to Appearing on This Year’s November Ballot

January 31, 2020January 30, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohioans may soon see a minimum wage constitutional amendment proposal on their November voting ballot after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost certified its summary of petition this week.

Tennessee, Ohio and 19 Other Republican State AGs Ask the Senate to Reject the House’s Impeachment Attempt

January 23, 2020January 22, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, along with 20 other Republican attorneys general, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Wednesday asking them to dismiss the impeachment attempt of President Donald Trump.

Tim Braun Resigns as Sandusky County Prosecutor

January 22, 2020January 21, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Sandusky County prosecutor Tim Braun resigned from his position last week.

Tim Braun Suspended as Sandusky County Prosecutor After He Plead Guilty to Negligent Assault

January 2, 2020January 1, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Sandusky County Prosecutor (SCP) Tim Braun was suspended Tuesday by Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeremiah Ray, according to the Toledo Blade. In December, Braun pleaded guilty to negligent assault of a female co-worker.

Making JobsOhio Transparent Is Like Making Sausage: It’s Not Pretty

December 27, 2019December 30, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

JobsOhio has operated as a privatized, independent economic development agency for the State of Ohio since 2011. In all that time, a few concerned officials have tried to peel back the curtain obscuring its inner workings, too little success.

Ohio Attorney General Reviewing Claims 77 Noncitizens Voted or Registered to Vote

December 13, 2019December 12, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is reviewing an allegation that 77 noncitizens illegally voted in Ohio’s elections and that 277 noncitizens illegally registered to vote.

Ohio Attorney General’s Office Grants Provide $345K to More Than 60 Police Departments to Buy Body Armor

December 1, 2019November 30, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has awarded more than $345,000 in grants to more than 60 local police departments over the last three months to purchase body armor vests for their officers.

Cheers: JobsOhio Increases Economic Development Spending While Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Grows

November 17, 2019November 16, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

The question has to be asked: With such high unemployment in the state, is JobsOhio more concerned with growing its bureaucracy or with creating jobs in the private sector?

Attorney General Yost Joins New York in Investigating Facebook for Antitrust Violations

September 7, 2019September 6, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has officially joined seven other states and the District of Columbia in launching an investigation into Facebook for possible antitrust violations. New York Attorney General Letitia James will lead the bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, she announced in a Friday press release. “Even the…

Democrats Accuse Yost of ‘Strong Arming’ Over Opioid Lawsuits

September 2, 2019September 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Democrats are condemning Attorney General Dave Yost for an effort to take over opioid-related lawsuits.

National Group Sues DeWine for ‘Unconstitutional’ Restrictions on Union Employees

August 31, 2019August 30, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A national nonprofit has sued Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the state’s largest union for government employees over a contract that allegedly violates workers’ First Amendment rights.

Dave Yost Joins Amicus Brief to Protect National Guardsmen from Employment Discrimination

July 7, 2019July 7, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently announced that he has joined 23 states in filing an amicus brief to protect members of the National Guard from employment discrimination. The amicus brief was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. It was filed in response…

Ohio Strong Action Has Vision for Trump in 2020 and Beyond

June 26, 2019June 25, 2019 Beth Lear

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Strong Action, a super PAC, is preparing for the 2020 election. The organization, chaired by former U.S. Senate candidate Mike Gibbons, hosted the Ohio Strong Action 202o Vision Summit in Columbus on Tuesday. The purpose of the summit was to discuss “plans and the vision…

Attorney General Dave Yost Rejects Petition to Get Background Checks Measure on 2020 Ballot

June 21, 2019June 21, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday that his office has rejected a petition to get a background-checks measure placed on the 2020 ballot. As The Ohio Star reported last week, a group called Ohioans for Gun Safety filed a petition with the Attorney General’s Office to have its…

Sixteen Men Arrested Trying to Sexually Exploit Children in Ohio

May 24, 2019May 23, 2019 Zachery Schmidt

An undercover task force in Ohio arrested 16 men (pictured above) for trying to sexually exploit children. This is the second successful undercover operation this year. In March, a task force targeting human trafficking arrested eight people. One person was also charged with felony drug possession. “This trap will be…

Ohio and Minnesota Join Lawsuit Against ‘Corporate Drug Cartel’

May 14, 2019May 13, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Attorneys General from 44 different states announced their participation Monday in a lawsuit against 20 of the nation’s leading generic drug manufactures. Both Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison have joined the lawsuit, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the issue. “Ohioans who need medicine…