Ohio
Ohio economists divided on the best way to measure the state's economy • Ohio Capital Journal
Harry Truman is supposed to have said he needed a one-armed economist because every time he asked a question of the ones he had, they responded by saying, “Well on the one hand…”
Whether the tale is apocryphal or not, economists have long been known for carefully hedging statements about the world of commerce, money and consumer behavior. Now a panel of Ohio economists is disagreeing about the usefulness of one of the most-used measures — gross domestic product.
Also known as GDP, it is the measure of the total value of goods and services produced over a given period of time.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in March released a report saying that between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2023, Ohio GDP grew by just 0.5%, the fifth-worst of any state. Contractions in the the state’s two biggest leading sectors — manufacturing and the finance, insurance, and real estate sector — were mostly responsible for the poor performance, the report said.
But how meaningful is that statistic when devising economic policy for the state?
In a survey conducted by Scioto Analysis last month, 17 economists were about evenly split when asked whether GDP was overused in policymaking and whether other measures would be a better alternative. Eight said it wasn’t, seven said it was and two were uncertain.
In the comments section of the survey, Rachel Wilson of Wittenberg University said other measures that consider environmental and social factors should augment GDP when formulating policy.
“GDP was invented in response to the great depression,” she wrote. “It is necessary but insufficient. There are other alternatives like the Better Life Index or Genuine Progress Indicator. These other measures put more weight on goods and services that contribute to well-being, such as volunteer work and higher education, and deducts impacts that detract from well-being, such as the loss of leisure time, pollution, and commuting.”
Bob Gitter of Ohio Wesleyan University said that he believed that state leaders actually look at consequences of GDP — not GDP itself — when they do their work.
“I don’t think policymakers look at GDP, per se, but rather employment and wages which are correlated with GDP,” he said.
However, Ohio policymakers often seem to consider other things.
The state’s leadership has undertaken a number of hugely expensive policies that benefit wealthy individuals and corporations on promises they’ll grow the economy — and they’ve stuck with them even when those promises don’t materialize.
For example, the state forgoes about $1 billion a year on a law that slashes state taxes on those who have the wherewithal to form LLCs.
The program continues despite years of underperforming expectations. A 2022 analysis found that the wealthiest Ohioans overwhelmingly got most of the benefit from that program.
There’s also JobsOhio, for which Ohioans have foregone more than $1 billion in liquor taxes. Ohio’s poor economic performance comes despite the high-dollar program that hands money to businesses — often for doing things they were going to do without the incentives.
And then there’s straight-up corruption, including the bribery scheme in which an Akron utility spent $61 million in bribes to get a $1.3 billion, ratepayer-financed bailout. Despite the fact that federal authorities said rampant use of dark money made the conspiracy possible, Ohio policymakers have done nothing in the four years since the scandal broke to bring transparency to such money, while other states have.
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When’s Ohio’s 2026 primary election? Date, candidates, changes to know
See which candidates are conditionally qualified for Ohio’s 2026 primary ballot and key election deadlines.
Ohio’s primary election season has begun – Election Day is May 5. Ohio’s candidates are vying for spots on the ballot for the November midterm elections.
That’s nothing new, but Ohio made significant changes to mail-in voting that voters need to know about.
What has changed with Ohio’s mail-in ballots?
Voting through a mail-in ballot? There are some changes voters should know.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in December 2025, Senate Bill 293 requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls to be counted, with an exception for military and overseas voters.
Any mail-in or absentee ballots must now be received before or on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. in order to be counted. There is no longer a 4-day grace period after Election Day.
The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
So, when should you send your mail-in ballot in Ohio? The sooner the better. The U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily postmark your mail the day it is received unless you specifically request it. So, you ballot may not make it to a postal processing center until the day after you drop it in a mailbox.
When does Ohio early voting start? Key dates for early, absentee, mail-in votes
The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, according to this year’s voting schedule.
Early in‑person voting began on April 7, including the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day. Absentee voting by mail also began on April 7.
On Election Day, May 5, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m., per the voting schedule.
Ohio voter registration deadlines for 2026 elections
Ohioans must register or update their voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, 2026.
Here are the upcoming voter registration deadlines in 2026:
- April 6, 2026, for the May 5, 2026, primary and special election
- October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election
If you register or update your information after the deadline, the changes will apply for the next election.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mrs. Mary Lucille Young, 74, of Youngstown, departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2026 at her residence where God welcomed her home.
Mary, affectionately known as “Mary Lou” and “Tang”, was born March 8, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of Lawrence and Ada Mae Alexander Hamilton Young.
She was a proud 1971 graduate of South High School.
Mary was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She attended Louis Weinberger Hill Beauty School, and was accepted as a model with Barbizon Modeling Agency.
Mary worked and retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
She enjoyed looking her best, dancing, shopping, casinos and decorating her home. Mary was strong, bold and took no mess. She was loved by many people.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her pride and joy, two daughters, Adalatesha Bright and Richlynn Bright; two sons, Ja-Juan Young and Dr. Ty-Juan Bright all of Youngstown; five grandchildren; two sisters, Cynthia (Floyd) Davis, Janet (Steve) Gardner both of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lamar Young; three brothers, Isaiah, Edward, Lorenzo Young.
Private services were held at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille Young, please visit our floral store.
The NWSL is once again expanding, this time the league is heading to Ohio where Columbus NWSL 2028 will take the field. Of course, Columbus NWSL 2028 is a placeholder for now and the the new team will unveil its name, crest, and uniform to build an identity around as it approaches its first season.
News of the club was announced yesterday, though this has been in the works for some time, in a press conference. Team owners, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, spoke about what they hope the club will bring to Columbus and women’s soccer more broadly.
“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” said Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world.”
Nationwide insurance has been a corporate partner in both NWSL and MLS for years and now joins an ownership group deepening those ties. “Today’s announcement is about inspiring young athletes across Central Ohio, elevating women’s professional sports and reminding the world that Columbus is a first-class sports city,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “As Nationwide marks 100 years, this is a powerful way to celebrate our milestone with the community that has been our home from the very beginning.”
The Edwards family has deep roots in the Columbus soccer scene with Dr. Pete Edwards serving as team doctor for the Crew in 1996 and the family joining the team’s ownership in 2019 during the Save The Crew effort. “Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It’s truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards. “We’re very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
The NWSL has continued its expansion with the announcement and the team will join Atlanta in its inaugural season in two years.
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