ACLU of Ohio Files Lawsuit Against House Bill 68’s Ban of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio announced Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of two families challenging the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which is included in House Bill 68.

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Former Ohio Speaker of the House Indicted on 10 New Felony Charges

Larry Householder Charges

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has been indicted on ten new state felony charges alleging misuse of campaign money and ethics violations, Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Tuesday.

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Report: Ohio Taxpayer Return of Investment One of Nation’s Best

Ohio Capitol Money

Despite the likely feeling most Ohioans have about taxes, they could feel better knowing they have one of the nation’s highest returns on their tax dollars, according to a new report.

The personal finance website WalletHub ranked the Buckeye State fifth in the country in terms of taxpayer return on investment after analyzing state and local tax collections with the quality of services residents receive in each state using 29 different metrics.

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Ohio State Rep. Beth Lear Explains Why Bill to Close Primaries Will Make Elections Fairer

Ohio State Rep. Beth Lear

Ohio State Representative Beth Lear (R-Galena) said her bill that would modify the timeframe for voters and candidates to declare a political party is a “simple” piece of legislation that would work to make elections fairer in the Buckeye State.

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University of Dayton Professor Suggests Bible Says Men Breastfed and Gender is a ‘Colorful Spectrum’

Esther Brownsmith

A professor at the University of Dayton suggested in an op-ed that the Bible paints gender as a spectrum.

University of Dayton Professor of Hebrew Bible Esther Brownsmith wrote a piece in January for the Dayton Daily News in which she argued that scripture “portrays gender as a colorful spectrum.”

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Just Four of 17 Ohio’s Congressional Delegation Say ‘No’ to $1.2 Trillion Spending Plan

Rep. Jim Jordan, Sen. JD Vance; Rep. Troy Balderson, and Rep. Warren Davidson, US Capitol

Just four of 17 members in Congress from Ohio opposed the $1.2 trillion spending bill given to taxpayers as law early Saturday.

Republican Sen. J.D. Vance and Republican Reps. Troy Balderson, Warren Davidson and Jim Jordan all said no in votes cast over Friday and early Saturday morning. Six House Republicans from Ohio cast a vote for the legislation.

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Ohio Legislation Would Close State Primaries in ‘Great Step Forward’ for Election Integrity

Ohio State Rep. Beth Lear

Ohio State Representatives Beth Lear (R-Galena) and Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) are championing legislation that would close primary elections in the Buckeye State, requiring voters to cast ballots to nominate candidates corresponding to their registered political party.

Lear and Lorenz filed HB 437 in early March to require voters be registered as a member of a political party for 90 days in order to cast primary election ballots to select that party’s candidates. The legislation would prevent voters registered to the Democratic and Republican parties from casting primary election ballots in the other party’s contests.

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New Ohio Law Enforcement Certifications Established

Mike DeWine

Law enforcement agencies in Ohio can now be certified in the state’s new standards for professional excellence by meeting nearly three dozen standards established to entrust public confidence, accountability and integrity.

Gov. Mike DeWine recently signed an executive order for the new Law Enforcement Accreditation Program established by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board.

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CHIPS Act Sends $8.5 Billion to Intel for Production in Ohio and Other States

Joe Biden Intel

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Intel Corporation reached a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms to offer up to $8.5 billion in direct funding via the CHIPS and Science Act to the company in hopes of creating jobs and logic chips in four states.

Intel plans to invest over $100 billion in the United States over the next five years. It also plans to expand its operations in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon, which it estimates will create over 10,000 manufacturing jobs and nearly 20,000 construction jobs, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Ohio Republican Party Calls on Voters to ‘Unite’ Behind GOP Primary Victors Ahead of General Election

Bernie Moreno Derek Merrin

Alex Triantafilou, the chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, is calling on voters across the state to unite behind the Republican candidates who won their primary races on Tuesday ahead of the November general election.

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Yost and Other AGs Want Presidential Immunity Test

Dave Yost

Three state attorneys general want the U.S. Supreme Court to establish a legal test for the limits of presidential immunity.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor, and Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill filed an amicus brief in former President Donald Trump’s immunity appeal on federal criminal charges.

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Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance Introduces Bill to Prohibit Universities from Hiring Illegal Aliens

JD Vance

Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and Indiana U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN-03) have introduced a bill that would prohibit universities that receive federal funding from hiring illegal aliens.

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Intel Issues First Ohio Progress Report on $1.5 Billion Facilities

Intel’s first required progress report shows a $1.5 billion expenditure and another $3 billion committed to what Ohio officials call the largest single private-sector investment in state history.

The report, submitted to the Ohio Department of Development, is part of $2 billion in incentives for the two planned microchip manufacturing facilities in Licking County, including taxpayer-funded grants and tax incentives.

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Bryan Quigley: Ohio U.S. Senate GOP Primary Is a ‘Flip the Coin Election’ Where ‘Every Vote is Going to Count’

Political pundit Bryan Quigley said Tuesday’s GOP U.S. Senate primary in Ohio will be a toss-up race where “every vote is going to count.”

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Proposed Amendment to End Immunity for Ohio Government Officials Rejected

Police officer arresting man

A proposed constitutional amendment that would limit immunity for public officials was rejected for misstatements, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.

The proposed amendment would repeal constitutional immunities and defenses in cases alleging civil rights violations by governmental units and public employees.

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Bernie Moreno Has Last-Minute Lead in Ohio U.S. Senate GOP Primary Race, Poll Shows

Bernie Moreno, Frank LaRose, and Matt Dolan

A final poll conducted by Emerson College Polling revealing how likely voters in Ohio would vote in the 2024 U.S. Senate race shows businessman Bernie Moreno in the lead over challengers State Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) and Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

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Matt Dolan Maintains Lead in Ohio U.S. Senate GOP Primary Race, New Poll Shows

Matt Dolan, Frank LaRose, Bernie Moreno

A poll conducted by East Carolina University’s Center for Survey Research published on Friday reveals how likely voters in Ohio would vote in the 2024 U.S. Senate race.

In the Republican primary election, the poll shows Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) with a 2-point lead over businessman Bernie Moreno and a 10-point lead over Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

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Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee Sue SEC to Stop New Climate Rule

Dave Yost

Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee sued the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission to stop a rule that requires publicly traded companies to report climate-related information.

The suit, filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, asks the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Cincinnati to stop the SEC from “overstepping its authority by meddling in environmental policy,” according to a news release.

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Ohio Man Sentenced for Brandishing a Weapon on Frontier Airlines Flight, Forcing Pilot to Make Emergency Landing

William Allen Liebisch

An Ohio man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to interfering with the performance of the duties of a flight crew.

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Jim Jordan to Hold Fani Willis in Contempt of Congress Unless She Complies with Subpoena by March 28

Jim Jordan Fani Willis

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) revealed on Thursday he sent a letter expressing his intention to hold Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in contempt of Congress if she does not comply with a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee by the end of March.

A press release detailed Thursday the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has threatened to hold Willis in contempt over her alleged refusal to comply with a subpoena issued more than a month ago.

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Nearly 40 Percent of Ohio’s Refugee Arrivals Are from Congo

Congo People

Nearly 40 percent of the refugees resettled in the state of Ohio by the federal government since October 2023 come from one of the poorest, most war-torn nations on earth.

According to a report on refugee resettlement by state, 645 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been resettled in Ohio over the past five months, dwarfing the number of refugees from any other country.

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Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance to Campaign with Bernie Moreno Ahead of Election Day

Vance Moreno

Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) will join candidate Bernie Moreno at six campaign events across the Buckeye State over the weekend leading up to election day on Tuesday, March 19.

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Matt Dolan Leads in Ohio U.S. Senate GOP Primary Race, Poll Finds

Ohio GOP Primary Race

Emerson College Polling and The Hill published results of a poll on Wednesday revealing how likely voters in Ohio would vote in the 2024 U.S. Senate race.

In the Republican primary election, the poll shows Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) with a 3-point lead over businessman Bernie Moreno and a 10-point lead over Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

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Former President Donald Trump to Speak at Dayton, Ohio Rally in Support of Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno

Donald Trump greets rally-goers

Former President Donald Trump will appear as a special guest at a rally in Dayton on Saturday in support of Ohio U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno.

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Court Upholds Rule Barring Gender Identity on Kansas Drivers Licenses

Kansas City road

A judge ruled Monday that barring Kansas drivers from identifying as transgender on their licenses did not violate their constitutional rights.

Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in July 2023 after the governor’s office said that the state would continue to issue driver’s licenses reflecting a person’s gender identity despite the Kansas Legislature passing a bill requiring only biological sex on government IDs, according to the Kansas Reflector. Judge Teresa Watson upheld her previous ruling from last year barring the Kansas Department of Revenue from adding options other than a person’s biological sex to driver’s licenses and further stated that the law did not violate transgender individuals’ rights under the state constitution, according to court documents.

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Ohio Attorney General Releases 2024 Edition of the Sunshine Laws Manual

Dave Yost

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office released the 2024 version of the state’s Sunshine Laws Manual this week.

The manual, commonly known as the Yellow Book, guides the state’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws.

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Ohio State Senate Candidate Candice Keller Slams Opponent George Lang for Sponsoring Bill Prohibiting Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Discrimination: ‘He Needs to be Challenged’

Candice Keller, who is running in the Republican primary for Ohio State Senate District 4, said she decided to run to unseat State Senator George Lang (R-District 4) after learning the incumbent Republican sponsored the Ohio Fairness Act.

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Ohio Commits $120 Million for Transportation Projects

Road Construction

Ohio plans to spread more than $120 million of taxpayer money over 13 counties for road projects, with $15 million spent to expand bus rapid transit in Columbus.

The new construction funding list from the Transportation Review Advisory Council includes $21 million for new construction, $35.5 million in additional construction, $33.4 million in new money for preliminary engineering, and another $28.4 million for more funding for development projects.

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Lawmaker: E-Verify Could Help Stop Human Trafficking in Ohio

Scott Wiggam

An Ohio lawmaker calls an employer hiring someone living in or having entered the country illegally human trafficking and wants it to stop.

Rep. Scott Wiggam, R-Wayne County, recently testified on behalf of House Bill 327, which would require certain employees to verify the legal status of employees by using the federal I-9 form and getting confirmation of employment eligibility.

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Lawsuit Says Ohio City Failed to Refund Taxes within 90 Days

Cleveland Money

Two northeast Ohio residents are lead plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed Wednesday against the city of Cleveland, saying the city owes taxpayers interest for not issuing tax refunds within 90 days.

The Buckeye Institute, a Columbus-based policy group, filed on behalf of Kate Wos of Strongsville and David Steffes of North Royalton, as well as all nonresidents of Cleveland who filed a city income tax return and received their refund more than 90 days after filing.

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Senator JD Vance Slams President Biden’s Order for the Military to Conduct an ‘Emergency Mission’ in Gaza

U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) slammed the White House’s announcement that President Joe Biden will order the U.S. military to conduct an “emergency mission” to establish a port on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters.

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Sen. JD Vance Says East Palestine Ohio ‘May Have Been Poisoned to Facilitate the Rapid Movement of Freight’ After NTSB Chair Confirms 2023 Controlled Chemical Explosion Was ‘Unnecessary’

Senator JD Vance

U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) questioned National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy on the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine last year during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing entitled, “National Transportation Safety Board Investigations Report” on Wednesday.

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Ohio Bill Aimed to Block Tracking Gun, Ammunition Sales Moves on to the State House

Gun Store

A credit card rule that has been on hold for more than a year that would track gun and ammunition buys could legally be banned in Ohio.

Following passage in its originating chamber, Senate Bill 148 now heads to the House of Representatives. Bill sponsor Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, says the rule is an invasion of privacy and an attack on Second Amendment rights.

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Ohio Senator JD Vance Slams Push for Ukraine Aid to be Prioritized Over Southern Border: ‘It’s so Disgraceful’

JD Vance Ukraine AID

Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) slammed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) call for the House of Representatives to prioritize passing a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel before addressing the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Electric Vehicle Parts Maker Gets Tax Break to Open New Plant in Ohio

Electric Car

Ohio plans to give a 15-year tax credit to a company planning a new manufacturing facility to build parts for electric vehicles.

Schaeffler, owner of two plants in the state, plans a third in Dover that is expected to employ 650 people after a $230 million investment. The tax credits are tied to job creation.

The new jobs are expected to be split between the company’s plant in Wooster and the new Dover plant. The company employs more than 1,600 people.

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Report: Ohio School Spending Rising; Teacher Pay, Enrollment Declining

Grade School Students In Class

Ohio schools spent nearly 15% more per student in 2020 than in 2002, while enrollment, the number of teachers and teacher pay dropped.

According to a new report from the Reason Foundation released Thursday morning, the bulk of the inflation-adjusted increase covered employee benefits, specifically teacher pension debt.

The Reason Foundation’s Education Spending Across 50 States showed Ohio’s inflation-adjusted education revenue grew from $14,008 per student in 2002 to $16,064 per student in 2020. That increase keeps it well below the national average, ranking 38th in the country.

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More than 15,000 New Concealed Carry Permits Issued in Ohio in 2023

More than 15,000 new concealed handgun licenses were issued in Ohio in 2023, even though the state stopped requiring concealed carry permits.

Attorney General Dave Yost on Friday issued the state’s annual report on concealed handgun licensing that showed a total of 90,582 permits were issued last year.

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Bill Would Expand Ohio Student Access to College Courses

Ohio high school and junior high students could get more opportunities to earn college credits at little to no cost, and more high school teachers could teach those classes under a proposal in the Legislature.

A new bill that passed the Senate and hasn’t had any committee hearings in the House would enact several recommendations State Auditor Keith Faber made in a 2021 report, including allowing students to sign up for the program semester by semester.

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Board Trims 610,000 Words from Ohio Building Regulations

Building Construction

Builders in Ohio will deal with nearly 15,000 fewer regulatory restrictions Friday when new building, mechanical and plumbing rules go into effect.

The Ohio Board of Building Standards recently adopted rule changes showing a significant reduction in regulations and the actual number of words on the code. Overall, more than 610,000 words were eliminated.

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Ohio Supreme Court Helped Coordinate Event Featuring ‘Gender Identity’ Training from Trans Activists

The Ohio Supreme Court coordinated a conference where an activist group held a training for judges that claimed children have a “stable sense” of their gender identity by the age of four.

The presentation, titled “The Judicial System & LGBTQ+ Families: A Cultural Humility Approach,” was given by a local activist group, Equality Ohio, during the Ohio Association of Magistrates (OAM) Fall 2023 conference. The presentation featured the “gender unicorn” — a graphic portraying gender identity and expression as spectrums — and encouraged “affirming” youth transgender identities by “respecting their pronouns and allowing them to change legal documents,” according to the slideshow obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation via a public records request.

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Ohio Plans Warning Systems for Stopped Traffic

Car Crash

The state of Ohio believes new technology that detects slow traffic and warns drivers will create a safer highway system.

The Ohio Department of Transportation plans to install new warning systems at 13 highway sites in and around major urban areas identified as high-congestion, high-crash sites.

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