Gongwer News Service Ohio

05/27/2026

BREAKING: Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday afternoon announced a pause on the sales and use tax exemption for data centers — a move made hours after a joint legislative panel convened to discuss the future of those tax breaks.

DeWine's directive calls for the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to pause consideration of any new exemption requests while the Select Committee on Data Centers, which began meeting that same day, continues its discussions.

https://bit.ly/4fIEdKD

12/29/2025

From the operating budget to congressional redistricting, lawmakers had plenty of work to do in 2025.

Now, with the calendar year drawing to a close, all eyes turn to what's next.

If past non-budget years are any guide, the new year may see lawmakers dive headlong into the capital budget process.

Both Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, have alluded to the likelihood of a capital budget in 2026, with more detailed conversations expected to kick off in January.

In 2026, Ohio lawmakers may tackle the capital budget, property tax issues, budget vetoes, pension reforms, AI policy, unemployment fund solvency, PTSD treatment funding, and Medicaid challenges.

11/20/2025

Property tax relief measures clear Legislature:

Legislation that constitutes the largest overhaul of property taxation in decades is headed to the governor's desk.

Four House-passed bills that have dominated months of Statehouse debate advanced from the Senate Wednesday afternoon hours after landing changes from the Senate Local Government Committee. The House concurred in the changes soon after.

But whether the action will prove sufficient to blunt a citizen ballot initiative to ban property taxes altogether — which lawmakers repeatedly cited as a motivating factor in recent months — remains to be seen.

https://bit.ly/47T4m5n

11/13/2025

Increased penalties for attacks on prison workers spur debate:

A plan to stiffen punishments for certain crimes committed by individuals behind bars has inspired a mix of praise and criticism.

Individuals urging the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to advance the bill (HB 338) mandating a life without parole sentence when an inmate murders a Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections or Youth Services employee included past and current corrections workers.

Other bill provisions would establish a mandatory seven-year sentence if an inmate commits a felonious assault against a DRC or DYS employee and require a three-year sentence for assault of those workers. The legislation would establish throwing a bodily fluid at those employees as assault.

https://www.gongwer-oh.com/news/index.cfm?article_id=942180205

10/31/2025

The Ohio Redistricting Commission has adopted a bipartisan congressional map that officials project could lead to an up to 12-3 Republican advantage.

More: https://bit.ly/4hGDOX4

10/30/2025

Members of the House and Senate still need to hash out their differences over recreational ma*****na and intoxicating h**p policy. The Senate voted Wednesday to reject House amendments on the subject, teeing up a conference committee.

More: https://bit.ly/4qBkpvE

10/30/2025

Behind-the-scenes negotiations on a new congressional map appeared to be in a better place Wednesday, according to legislative leaders. But is it enough to facilitate the adoption of a bipartisan plan by the panel's constitutional Oct. 31 deadline?

More: https://bit.ly/43E1FSn

10/29/2025

A budget corrections bill has advanced to the Senate floor. Committee Chair Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, said a recent slate of 24 amendments include "time sensitive or low-level budget cleanups" already discussed with House leadership.

More: https://bit.ly/4hvg3SO

10/27/2025

Recently House-passed measures on property taxation are set for hearings Tuesday and Wednesday before the Senate Local Government Committee, with Sen. Sandra O'Brien, R-Rome, previously saying some of those plans could advance "within weeks."

More: https://bit.ly/49mQcKI

10/23/2025

The House on Wednesday continued its effort to reduce the property tax burden of Ohio homeowners, passing two measures out of the chamber in bipartisan fashion. The plans now move to the Senate.

More: https://bit.ly/49hN3vI