Senator Andrew Brenner | The Ohio Star

Ohio Lawmakers Form New Senate Select Committee on Housing

September 2, 2023September 1, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) announced last week the creation of a new Senate Select Committee to discuss housing affordability, community growth, and the steps the legislature can take to improve Ohioans’ access to home ownership.

According to Huffman, the committee will hold hearings around the state to learn and discover what the state can do to remove barriers to home ownership in Ohio. Some issues to be discussed include housing shortages, inflation, taxes, and affordability.

Senate Republicans Renew Push to Reform Ohio Education System After Interim Superintendent’s Resignation

April 13, 2023April 12, 2023 Hannah Poling

Two Republican Ohio State Senators said that the recent resignation of the interim superintendent of Public Instruction is an opportunity to overhaul the state education system and the Board of Education.

On Friday, Ohio’s interim state superintendent, Stephanie Siddens, announced that she is leaving her job after nearly two years and is set to take a job as deputy superintendent of the Upper Arlington City School District.

State Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Overhaul Ohio Education System and Board of Education

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Senate Republicans are making another attempt to overhaul the state education system and the Board of Education by introducing a bill Wednesday afternoon that reconsiders a proposition that fell short of approval last month.

The 2,000-page bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by state Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), would “restructure” the Ohio Department of Education, create a new administrative division under the governor’s office, and reduce the duties of the State Board of Education. This was the first introduced bill of 2023.

Governor Mike DeWine Signs 19 Bills into Ohio Law

January 4, 2023January 3, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed 19 bills into law on Monday, the start of the new legislative session, that lawmakers approved during the lame duck session last year.

On December 22nd, DeWine’s office received a raft of 24 bills. He signed 18 of those 24 into law.

Ohio State Senate Passes Plan to Restructure the State’s Education System

December 9, 2022December 9, 2022 Hannah Poling

The Ohio State Senate passed a 2,144-page Republican-backed bill to “restructure” the Ohio Department of Education on Wednesday.

Senate Bill (SB) 178 sponsored by State Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) told the Primary and Secondary Education Committee that the bill seeks to “improve the academic achievement and workforce skills of our students, to drive better outcomes in their education, and to prepare for more effective career readiness.”

Schools Across Ohio Targeted by Hoax Reports of Active Shooters

November 18, 2022 Hannah Poling

False reports of active shooters in 9 high schools in Ohio led administrators to initiate temporary lock downs on Wednesday.

A growing trend, putting a strain on resources across the state, prompted large police responses at schools in Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Lima, Findlay, Ashtabula, and Summit County.

Ohio GOP Bill Seeks Overhaul of State Education System and Board of Education

November 17, 2022November 16, 2022 Hannah Poling

A new bill introduced by Ohio Senate Republicans aims to “restructure” Ohio’s State Department of Education, create a new administrative division under the governor’s office, and reduce the duties of the state Board of Education.

Senate Bill (SB) 178, sponsored by Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) was introduced in the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee on Tuesday. The bill seeks to “improve the academic achievement and workforce skills of our students, to drive better outcomes in their education, and to prepare for more effective career readiness,” Reineke told the committee.

Newly Elected Ohio State Representative Beth Lear to Champion Protecting Ohio Families and Economic Concerns

November 11, 2022November 10, 2022 Hannah Poling

A new electee in the Ohio statehouse, Republican Beth Lear, says she will advocate for Ohio families, protect constitutional rights, address economic concerns, and restore integrity in education upon assuming office.

Lear, secured the position of State Representative for District 61 during the midterm election with 59% of the vote.

Leadership Changes in Both House and Senate Education Committees

October 22, 2019October 21, 2019 Beth Lear

Changes have occurred in the leadership of both House and Senate Education Committees. Last week Speaker Larry Householder announced Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) as the new Chair for the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee and Rep. Susan Manchester (R- Waynesfield) as Vice Chair. In the Senate, State Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) has been elevated to Vice Chair of their Education Committee.