Ohio

Will Ohio GOP lawmakers have the votes to override property-tax vetoes?: Capitol Letter

Published

5 months ago

July 21, 2025

Will Ohio GOP lawmakers have the votes to override property-tax vetoes?: Capitol Letter

Rotunda Rumblings

Session showdown: The Ohio House is back in session, but whether Republicans have the votes to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s property tax vetoes remain to be seen. Anna Staver reports that House members are getting lobbied hard to let the governor’s vetoes stand. DeWine promised to create a property tax working group that would develop alternative plans for relief by Sept 30. No word yet on when that committee will start meeting.

Stretching the rules: Ohio’s budget isn’t just about spending; it’s where some of the state’s biggest policy decisions get made. Lawmakers have used it to restrict abortion, limit what SNAP recipients can buy, overhaul retirement boards and mandate where books can be shelved in libraries. Critics say it violates the state constitution’s single-subject rule. But courts have largely allowed it. Staver deep dives into the why and the history of legislating by budget.

Draft dodging? Several times in recent years, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff, as well as utility company officials, have gotten independent auditors to soften or delete draft report language that’s unfavorable toward utilities. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, PUCO critics point to examples of behind-the-scenes moves they say help allow powerful utilities to continue charging illegal or unfair fees to their customers. A PUCO spokesman, though, said such criticism is either misguided or an outright lie.

PBS cuts: The U.S. House of Representatives voted early Friday to approve a White House request to rescind $9 billion that Congress previously agreed to spend on public broadcasting and foreign aid, Sabrina Eaton writes. It passed by a 216 to 213 margin. All Ohio Republicans backed the measure except for Dayton’s Mike Turner while all the state’s Democrats opposed it. Turner did not release a statement explaining his vote.

Racy drawings: Before Jeffrey Epstein’s first arrest in 2006, billionaire retail magnate Leslie Wexner and dozens of other powerful associates—including Donald Trump—contributed to a 50th birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Wexner, then Epstein’s financial patron and closest known business ally, submitted a cryptic note: “I wanted to get you what you want… so here it is…” followed by a drawing resembling a woman’s breasts. Sabrina Eaton has more.

Off the map? While Ohio Republicans are expected to redraw the state’s congressional districts this year in a way that helps them pick up multiple seats in 2026, Ohio Democrats still have a card to play. As Andrew Tobias of Signal Ohio explains, if the GOP-led legislatures pass new maps via legislation, Democrats could try to put a repeal referendum on the 2026 ballot. All this is still theoretical, of course – and Republicans themselves have a couple potential ways to thwart such an attempt.

Full Disclosure

Here are five things we learned from the May 13, 2025 ethics disclosure form filed by state Rep. Lauren McNally, a Youngstown Democrat, about her 2024 finances:

1. Besides McNally’s 2024 legislative salary of $77,848.92, she only listed one source of income last year: a tax refund of less than $1,000.

2. McNally’s investments in 2024 included a rollover IRA with the John Arnold Wealth Management Company, a college savings 529 account with BlackRock, and an Ohio Public Employees Retirement System account.

3. At some point in 2024, McNally owed at least $1,000 to PNC Bank, GMC, Wells Fargo, and Chase Bank.

4. McNally listed two instances in which lobbyists spent money on her in 2024: the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce gave her a $40 ticket to its “Salute to Elected Officials” event in November, and a $50 ticket an “Appalachian luncheon” held by Heritage Ohio, the state’s historic preservation society, in December.

5. The Ohio House last year reimbursed McNally $3,192.32 for mileage between her home and Columbus, as well as $1,400.72 for lodging.

Birthdays 

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney

Straight from the Source 

“A safe traveler is a well-rested traveler”

– Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, commenting as he cut the ribbon to celebrate new rest areas along Ohio roadways.

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Ohio

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

Published

4 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Ohio Goes to the Movies announces lineup for free, yearlong statewide film festival

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio Goes to the Movies, the statewide film festival launching in February, is coming into focus. Organizers have released the initial schedule for the nearly yearlong event. Part of the state’s America 250 celebration, it will bring more than 280 screenings to all 88 counties. Each film is tied to the Buckeye State in some way, and all screenings are free.

“Ohio has played a significant role in the history of American film and continues to attract talent, productions and storytelling that resonate around the world,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio Goes to the Movies ensures that residents in every community can participate in the America 250 celebration and rediscover the films that connect us.”

From classic movies starring or made by Ohioans to Hollywood blockbusters shot in downtown Cleveland, the lineup highlights the depth of the state’s influence on the film industry. The festival is also meant to encourage movie fans to explore the state by attending screenings all over Ohio.

Here’s a list of events planned for Northeast Ohio’s seven-county region.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Feb. 12. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall.

“Major League.” March 1. Cinemark Strongsville at SouthPark Mall.

“Draft Day.” March 1. Cinemark Valley View.

“Welcome to Collinwood.” March 12. Cleveland History Center.

“Major League.” April 5. Capitol Theatre.

“Cool Hand Luke.” April 12. Cedar Lee Theatre.

“Draft Day.” April 23. Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square.

“Toy Story 2.” June 24. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival HQ.

“The Scarlet Letter.” July 11. Cleveland Silent Film Festival at Cleveland Public Library.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” July 11. Great Lakes Science Center.

“More Than a Game.” Sept. 11. AMC Ridge Park Square.

“Superman.” Sept. 18. AMC Westwood Town Center.

“Passing Through.” Sept. 19. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

“Kill the Irishman.” Oct. 6. Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore.

GEAUGA COUNTY

“A Christmas Story.” June 11. Mayfield Road Drive-In Theatre.

LAKE COUNTY

“White Boy Rick.” March 11. Regal Willoughby Commons.

“Superman.” April 8. Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium.

“Air Force One.” July 7. Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center.

LORAIN COUNTY

“The Princess Bride.” April 22. Apollo Theatre.

“The Hunger Games.” Sept. 18. Regal Cobblestone Square.

MEDINA COUNTY

“Major League.” March 7. Hickory Ridge Cinema.

“Draft Day.” Sept. 12. Regal Medina.

PORTAGE COUNTY

“Unstoppable.” Feb. 22. Atlas Cinemas Barrington.

“Dog Man.” March 8. The Kent Stage.

“The Philadelphia Story.” March 19. Kent State University Museum.

“A Christmas Story.” June 10. Midway Twin Drive-In Theatre.

SUMMIT COUNTY

“The Big Short.” Feb. 21. Regal Hudson.

“The Avengers.” April 12. Akron Civic Theatre.

“Howard the Duck.” May 21. The Nightlight Cinema.

“Down by Law.” June 13. Akron–Summit County Public Library Main.

For a complete guide, go to ohiogoestothemovies.org.

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Ohio

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

Published

16 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Multiple homes destroyed by fire in Meigs County, Ohio

POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A fire destroyed one home and damaged two others Wednesday evening, but then rekindled early Thursday morning and destroyed another home, police said.

The fire was first reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night in the 300 block of Wetzgall Street in Pomeroy, according to a press release from the Pomeroy Police Department.

According to police, the fire spread to the two homes on either side of the original home on fire. Firefighters contained the fire and saved the two surrounding homes, but the home that first caught fire was deemed a total loss.

Then, just after 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, the fire rekindled and spread to one of the other homes, resulting in a total loss of that home as well, police said.

Pomeroy police said both homes were occupied at the time of the fires, but all occupants of each home were able to exit their homes safely. Police also said that there were no reported injuries, though both families lost everything they owned due to the total losses of the homes.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the incident is still under active investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to police.

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Ohio

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

DOE aims to end Biden student loan repayment plan. What it means for Ohio

The Department of Education has agreed to a settlement to end the Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan.
Over seven million borrowers currently on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment program if the court approves the settlement.
Ohio has about 1.7 million student loan borrowers and over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt in the state is approximately $35,072.

Student loan borrowers under the Biden-era student loan repayment plan, Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), may soon have to select a new repayment plan after the U.S. Department of Education agreed to a measure to permanently end the program.

A proposed joint settlement agreement announced Tuesday between the DOE and the State of Missouri seeks to end what officials call the “illegal” SAVE program, impacting more than seven million SAVE borrowers who would have to enroll in another program. The settlement must be approved by the court before it can be implemented.

Ohio borrowers carry some of the nation’s highest student loan debt. Here’s how the proposed change could affect them.

What is the SAVE plan?

Originally known as REPAYE, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was created to deliver the lowest monthly payments among income-driven repayment programs. Under the Biden administration, it became the most affordable option for borrowers.

According to USA TODAY, the SAVE plan was part of Biden’s push to deliver nearly $200 billion in student loan relief to more than 5 million Americans. It wiped out $5.5 billion in debt for nearly half a million borrowers and cut many monthly payments down to $0.

But officials in President Donald Trump’s administration claim the Biden plan was illegal.

Why does the Department of Education want to end the SAVE plan?

The DOE says the SAVE plan aimed to provide mass forgiveness without congressional approval, costing taxpayers $342 billion over 10 years. In a press release, the Department said the administration promised unrealistically low payments and quick forgiveness without legal authority.

“The Trump administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a release. “Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies.”

If the agreement is approved by the court, no new borrowers will be able to enroll in the SAVE plan. The agency says it will deny any pending applications and move all SAVE borrowers back into other repayment plans.

Borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan would have a limited time to select a new repayment plan and begin repaying their student loans.

The DOE adds that it is working on the loan repayment provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which created a new Income-Driven Repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), that will be available to borrowers by July 1, 2026.

How many people in Ohio have student loan debt?

Numbers from the Education Data Initiative show that there are about 1.7 million student loan borrowers in Ohio, carrying over $60 billion in debt. The average student loan debt is approximately $35,072.

Ohio also ranks No. 10 among the states with the most student debt, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

How much money does Ohio get from the Department of Education?

The DOE budget for Ohio for fiscal year 2025 is estimated to be more than $5.65 billion, The Columbus Dispatch previously reported.

President Trump announced his intentions to eliminate the Department of Education earlier this year, meaning that Ohio could lose more than $5 billion in annual funding.

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