Week in Review January 26, 2026

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This report reflects the latest happenings in government relations, in and around the Ohio statehouse. You’ll notice that it’s broad in nature and on an array of topics, from A-Z. This will be updated on a weekly basis.

Please feel free to share it with anyone else you believe may find it of interest, as well. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, concerns or if we can be of any assistance.

AGING

The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) cleared all rules on its regular and no change agendas Tuesday, including a previously heard rule requiring Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to obtain Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) approval of their commercial relationships with private entities under implementation of the federal Older Americans Act. JCARR previously referred that rule to the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) for a business impact analysis, and CSI's analysis offered "no recommendations" on the rule. (See The Hannah Report, 1/16/26.) Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4A) Chief Policy Officer Kelsey Bergfeld testified that O4A continues to have "significant concerns" about implementation of the rule and ways it would affect AAAs' ability to form "innovative partnerships with private entities to expand vital services for older Ohioans."

AGRICULTURE

The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) announced its 2026 state policy priorities, which include the following:

• Promoting renewable fuels, the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing using soy-based products.

• Supporting evidence-based nutrition policy and the inclusion of soy in food.

• Addressing rising input costs and reducing regulation.

• Expanding domestic and international trade opportunities.

• Investing in agricultural transportation and infrastructure.

• Supporting animal agriculture, youth programs and smart growth policies protecting farmland.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODAg) Director Brian Baldridge, along with other elected officials, recently honored several fair supporters during the 101st Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

AMERICA 250-OHIO

In recognition of the nation's 250th birthday, Freedom 250, the national organization responsible for leading the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations, is sending out six interactive Mobile Museum Trucks across the country to deliver the story of America "directly to the people."

BALLOT ISSUES

A group pushing to put a referendum on a new marijuana/cannabis law on the November ballot refiled their petition language Tuesday, a week after Attorney General Dave Yost rejected their first submission. Ohioans for Cannabis Choice announced it had filed the new language with the attorney general's office, along with more than 1,000 signatures from registered voters, in an effort to put SB56 (Huffman) before voters. Yost had rejected the initial petition last week, taking issue with a number of areas in the referendum's title and summary. If the petition language is cleared by Yost and the signatures are valid, the group would have until Thursday, March 19, to collect the 248,092 signatures needed to get the issue on the November ballot.

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

The state has officially launched a program funded in the biennial budget meant to ensure children receiving vision screenings at school actually end up with eyeglasses if needed. Gov. Mike DeWine travelled Wednesday to Cleveland to visit Campus International School where several K-3 students received fitted eyeglasses through the new OhioSEE program, his office said. Under HB96 (Stewart), lawmakers provided $10 million for OhioSEE, a proposal DeWine included in his executive budget and touted in his "State of the State" address last year. He has also highlighted its connections to his efforts to improve literacy instruction in Ohio.

The DeWine administration will embed caseworkers in children services agencies and use a nonprofit to address root causes of youth runaway reports under two anti-human trafficking initiatives announced Wednesday. Gov. Mike DeWine's office announced the plans in conjunction with a meeting of the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. The initiatives involve both the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY).

CIVIL RIGHTS

A recent report by personal finance site WalletHub ranked Ohio 44th for states that have made the most "racial progress" at closing gaps between Black and White people, down from 42nd in the 2025 report. Compared to neighbor states, Ohio remained second-to-last with Pennsylvania ranked 21st nationally, followed by Kentucky, 35th; Michigan, 42nd; Indiana, 43rd; and West Virginia, 48th.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) and Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced 51 communities across the state will receive nearly $11 million in funding through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to support community development projects. The funding will assist infrastructure improvement projects including street repairs, sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities, water and sewer line replacements and community centers, according to DOD.

EDUCATION

Students scoring higher on state exams are more likely to attend and graduate from college, a recent Thomas B. Fordham Institute study found. The research, conducted by Stephane Lavertu, a professor at Ohio State University and Fordham senior research fellow, found the state's eighth grade and high school Algebra I and English II exams to be "highly predictive" of college attendance and degree completion. The research analyzed all Ohio students taking the state exams.

The deadline to enter the Ohio Severe Weather Poster Contest has been extended to Friday, March 20, 2026, according to the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA). OCSWA said the extension is meant to allow more students the opportunity to participate and "share their creativity" related to severe weather safety and preparedness. All entries must be received by the new deadline to be eligible, OCSWA said. Contest rules, eligibility requirements and submission details are available on the OCSWA website HERE.

The Columbus Education Association (CEA) recently released a statement condemning "in the strongest possible terms" the activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across American cities. The statement comes after a rise in ICE presence across Columbus and the death of protestor Renee Good in Minneapolis. "Let's be clear, unidentified masked federal agents with assault rifles grabbing our neighbors off the street based on nothing more than the color of their skin or their accent flies in the face of the American values we teach and makes our schools and cities less safe" said CEA President John Coneglio. "As educators, our priorities are the safety of our students and providing a world-class education regardless of nationality or immigration status. The current federal campaign of fear and terror makes our jobs far more difficult."

The state, local school districts and families using EdChoice scholarships for their children all have filed follow-up legal briefs seeking to puncture the arguments of their adversaries in the four-year-old lawsuit over the constitutionality of vouchers. The 10th District Court of Appeals is considering the case after Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page ruled that EdChoice violates the Ohio Constitution and the state and intervening families appealed.

The Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) announced the hiring of David Larson, superintendent of Miami County Educational Service Center, for the newly created position of association deputy director. He will begin a three-year term in August. "OESCA's strategic planning and network design work made clear that adding a deputy director was essential to delivering on our long-term goals and providing continued support to our members and state and regional partners," said OESCA President Chad Hilliker. "David brings deep ESC leadership experience, strong relationships across the network, and a clear vision for how OESCA can continue to grow its impact on behalf of Ohio's ESCs."

The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at Ohio State University is asking principals or superintendents to fill out a survey on their interest in participating in a grant proposal involving AI literacy in rural middle schools. The center is seeking six rural middle schools to join the grant proposal for "Families Advancing Rural AI," which would have parents and students completing at home a free program focused on safe and responsible AI use, ethical issues like deepfakes and misinformation, and AI's connection to future careers. Partner schools would get a $1,000 stipend to designate a school coordinator, host a community listening event and recruit 80 families to participate. Responses to the survey, available HERE, are due by Friday, Jan. 30.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) is recommending every school district have a local committee or task force dedicated to issues of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, according to DEW's Chief Integration Officer, Chris Woolard, who discussed the department's new model policy on AI Thursday during its public meeting. Woolard said districts' AI committees should include community stakeholders, bringing families and students along with business and higher ed partners into the administrative process to best understand local needs. He cited Sinclair Community College, University of Mount Union and Denison University, all of which he said have begun engaging with local partners to "think through the policy."

A number of groups Thursday jointly submitted a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose arguing that the recently passed and signed SB293 (Gavarone) violates provisions of the National Voter Registration Act. The letter from groups including the ACLU of Ohio, League of Women Voters of Ohio and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Northern Ohio, argues that provisions of the law requiring monthly checks of state voter registration data with the records of the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to identify potential non-citizens for removal from the registration list will lead to a voter not being notified before their registration is cancelled.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled this week that Xenia Community City Schools must release its newsletter distribution list.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen Dackin Thursday announced the award of $10 million in Ohio School Bus Safety Grants to 371 schools, districts and county boards of developmental disabilities statewide.

ELECTIONS

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) hearing, Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) discussed SB308 (Brenner-Gavarone) and how it would enable the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to protect candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. Press questions on SB308 came after a private bodyguard for Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's family was arrested on federal drug trafficking charges and Cleveland.com reporting found others on his detail did not have active security guard licenses, leading Ramaswamy to move to drop that company.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio's (D-Lakewood) office announced she's been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Elections Officials. "It is our duty as elected officials to ensure elections are fair, secure, accessible, and transparent," said Antonio. "Voting is a fundamental right, not a privilege. My work in the Legislature has been guided by this belief. Listening to the constituents we serve helps us better understand what voters need and what election systems require to function effectively."

ELECTIONS 2026

Hannah News published a preliminary list of candidates who have filed to run for General Assembly, Congress, statewide executive office and Ohio Supreme Court. It is available HERE. Additional candidates have until Wednesday, Feb. 4 to file for the primary election.

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter officially launched her campaign for the 7th Ohio House District Tuesday, joining an expanding Democratic primary for the seat currently held by the term-limited Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington). According to her campaign announcement, Awakessien Jeter was born and raised in Nigeria and immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 at the age of 18. She graduated from the University of Maine, where she received her B.S. in mechanical engineering, before attending the University of Massachusetts for her Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Case Western Reserve University School of Law for her juris doctorate. She moved to Upper Arlington in 2018 and won a seat on Upper Arlington City Council in 2021, becoming the first person of color elected to the council. She is also the author of the book IMMIGRIT. Other Democrats running for the seat include Michaela Burris and Zack Rossfeld.

Democrat Eli Wenzel officially launched his campaign for the 60th House District this week. Wenzel works in the construction industry, with his campaign announcement saying he leads "a high-impact training program and outreach efforts that empower individuals from humble backgrounds to launch new careers in the skilled trades. By creating pathways to jobs with excellent pay and benefits, he works daily to make the American dream a reality through the value of hard work." The seat is currently held by Rep. Brian Lorenz (R-Powell), who is eligible to run for another term.

Former Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) has filed to run for the 29th Senate District, seeking to challenge Sen. Jane Timken (R-Canton), who is running to retain the seat after she was appointed to succeed the late Sen. Kirk Schuring.

The following endorsements were made over the week:

• The Ohio treasurer campaign of Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) announced the endorsement of Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy.

• The campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville).

• The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton announced the endorsement of United Mine Workers of America.

• The campaign of Republican Ohio Senate candidate Zac Haines announced the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH).

• The campaign of Democratic Ohio House candidate Michaela Burris announced the endorsement of Ohio SMART-TD, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division.

• The campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana).

• The campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green).

• The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton announced the endorsements of Ohio High School Democrats, College Democrats of Ohio, Ohio Young Black Democrats, and Ohio Young Democrats.

• The Ohio Senate campaign of Republican Craig Riedel announced the endorsement of Americans for Prosperity-Ohio.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

Gov. Mike DeWine joined the Trump administration and bipartisan governors heading PJM Interconnection's 13-state region Friday in urging the regional transmission organization (RTO) to strengthen grid reliability and reduce consumer electric costs by supporting over $15 billion in new "baseload" generation consisting of natural gas, coal and nuclear power plants. All 13 PJM states including Ohio but excluding the District of Columbia signed the National Energy Dominance Council's (NEDC) "Statement of Principles Regarding PJM" that petitions the RTO to file new "tariffs" or rate structures with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure new thermal generators (versus renewables) long-term price certainty; shield ratepayers from "capacity" or peak-demand price spikes through market caps; and require data centers to pay for generation built on their behalf -- "whether they show up and use the power or not," the federal administration said.

The Office of Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Governing Board has elevated former House Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as its new chair, commending outgoing chairman Michael Watkings for eight years at the helm. She assumes his seat on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Nominating Council, where OCC has long pushed reforms updated by Consumers' Counsel Maureen Willis on Tuesday.

ETHICS

The Ohio Ethics Commission voted Thursday to "stay indefinitely" its plans to require board members of charter school governing authorities to file financial disclosure forms. Lawmakers were prepared to step in quickly had the commission not taken such action, House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said in addressing commissioners at the outset of their meeting.

FEDERAL

Vice President JD Vance returned to his home state of Ohio on Thursday to celebrate the state of the American economy during the second administration of President Donald Trump. Appearing at Ironville Rail, a shipping facility in Toledo, Vance called the current Trump administration the "Great American Comeback," crediting the federal Working Families Tax Cut for reducing workers' taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security. Vance also said inflation was down during the first year of the Trump administration below what it had been under predecessor President Joe Biden.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

Two Republican House members recently introduced legislation that would create a 13-member bipartisan commission to study the rapid growth of data centers in the state. Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) said their HB646 would consist of three appointees each from the speaker of the House, the Senate president and the governor, as well as two members appointed by the minority leaders of each chamber. They said they brought the legislation due to the growth of data centers in Ohio and the angst it has brought to local communities. The average Ohioan finds it difficult to discern between fact and fiction and frequently feels unheard, Click and Deeter said in announcing their legislation.

Chair Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-Franklin Furnace) said a main focus of the Ibogaine Treatment Study Committee would be to study the use of the psychoactive plant derivative in treatment for issues including addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among veterans and those with substance abuse disorder at its first meeting in December. On Wednesday, the committee heard from four veterans who spoke to ibogaine's effectiveness in treating their PTSD, substance abuse, and other issues as the committee continues its stated mission to collect evidence and input about the drug's therapeutic use, even as ibogaine is considered a Schedule 1 substance by the federal government.

The Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) achieved two firsts Wednesday when it successfully defended expanded public record exemptions in budget bill HB96 (Stewart) and won the first lawsuit in history naming LSC -- or at least the first in Ohio Supreme Court records dating to 1985. Decided by the Supreme Court in LSC's favor, State ex rel. Prows v. Ohio Legislative Service Commission accuses the nonpartisan office of the legislative branch of withholding documents available to all citizens under Article II, Section 13 of the Ohio Constitution: "The proceedings of both houses shall be public, except in cases which, in the opinion of two-thirds of those present, require secrecy."

Former Ohio Speaker Jo Ann Davidson was chosen by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) as the 2026 Great Ohioan - the only nominee submitted by the Capitol Square Foundation for this cycle. Charles Moses, the chair of the foundation, told CSRAB that Davidson, the first woman to serve as speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, was the right choice as the Statehouse prepares to build and dedicate a women's monument on the grounds later this year.

GREAT LAKES

Ohio Sea Grant, in partnership with the Ohio State University (OSU), the University of Toledo and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, recently released its 2025 research project update report for the statewide Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI), launched in 2014 following the Toledo drinking water crisis to seek solutions for harmful algal blooms (HAB) in Ohio. The report highlighted HABRI research results and projects underway across the state aimed at reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and strengthening public health responses to algal toxins.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Ohio received about $3.30 in benefits for every dollar in costs associated with the Help Me Grow home visiting program, according to a recently published cost-benefit analysis from Scioto Analysis. That led to a total net benefit of $112 million through operations as of October 2024. The expansion of Help Me Grow home visiting by 23 percent in the FY26-27 biennium is predicted to lead to a net benefit of $138 million across a 50-year lifespan, the report said as well.

As it examines fiscal debates states will face in 2026, Pew Charitable Trusts says state legislators across the country will grapple with not only the familiar budget questions about health care and tax policy, but they will also have to confront a relatively new challenge: how to pay for the nation's largest anti-hunger program.

Routine childhood vaccinations are not as controversial as public discourse might indicate, according to polling conducted by the Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network and touted by Ohio pediatricians. The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) held a virtual press conference Tuesday to discuss results on the poll, which was conducted in October among 800 Ohio voters. The sample was weighted to reflect a 10 percent advantage in support for President Donald Trump, and the poll had a margin of error of 4.5 percent. "Vaccine hesitancy is not the norm, and is often overplayed in multiple outlets," said Dr. Vivek Ashok, a Cincinnati area pediatrician.

A coalition representing state and local governments, including the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Governors Association (NGA), is urging Congress to include what they said would be "targeted, time limited" provisions involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into an anticipated upcoming federal continuing resolution.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Central State University (CSU) recently secured more than $400,000 in emergency student support funding for the 2025-26 school year through a new partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), CSU said in its announcement. The funding will be used to roll out one-time emergency grants for eligible students experiencing unexpected financial challenges which could hinder their academic progress, CSU said.

A partnership between the GE Aerospace Foundation and the University of Cincinnati (UC) has been extended as part of the foundation's broader efforts to strengthen the engineer talent pipeline. According to a statement released by the university, GE's global Next Engineers program creates opportunities for younger students to gain exposure to the industry and helps prepare older students for careers in the field as they transition to college.

IMMIGRATION

Advocates and attorneys working with immigrants met at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum to discuss the impending end of legal status for some Haitians and the broader fallout of Trump-era immigration policies. Wednesday's forum, moderated by Columbus Dispatch reporter Danae King, included Columbus City Council member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, whose parents immigrated from Cuba; Emily Brown, director of the immigration clinic at Ohio State University; Sophia Pierrelus, former secretary of the Movement Patriotique des Haitiens Conscients; and Angela Plummer, executive director of Community Refugee & Immigrants Services (CRIS.) The Trump administration has terminated temporary protected status (TPS) for immigrants from numerous countries now living in the U.S., including the status of Haitian immigrants, for whom it is set to expire Tuesday, Feb. 3.

JUDICIAL

Persistent concerns with courtroom delays have prompted the Ohio Supreme Court to release the 110-page Advancing Timelines in State Courts with critiques and proposed solutions for all parties on both sides of the bar, including judges, magistrates, court clerks, prosecutors, and criminal and civil lawyers. Based on surveys of judicial officers and courtroom attorneys, the report, begun in 2024, issues more than 60 recommendations potentially requiring action by the state Legislature, Ohio Attorney General's Office, Ohio Judicial Conference (OJC), Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association (OPAA), and other institutions whose responsibilities and missions overlap those of the Ohio court system.

LIBRARIES

The Ohio Library Council announced that Muskingum County Library System Executive Director Stacey Russell was elected chair of its Board of Directors. "Stacey is a proven leader who understands both the operational realities and the transformative impact of public libraries," said Michelle Francis, executive director of the Ohio Library Council. "She steps into this role at a critical time, as our libraries face a decrease in state funding, rising costs, and growing community needs. Stacey's extensive experience in library administration and fiscal management will be invaluable as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead."

LOBBYISTS

The Cleveland City Club hosted Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer Friday for a conversation diving into the group's policy priorities, along with its stance on several controversial issues facing the state, including gender affirming health care and school choice. The event, which sold out, was met with contention from the start, with members of the state's LGBTQ+ community opposing the scheduled meeting and asking the club to "cancel" or "modify" the forum in a letter.

The Ohio Telecom Association announced the hiring of Trint Hatt as its new executive director, effective Jan. 1. He succeeds Charley Moses, who steps down after 27 years with the association. Hatt spent more than a decade in government affairs and public policy work related to telecommunications, infrastructure and regulatory strategy. He was senior director of legislative and external affairs for AT&T Ohio. In 2024, he founded TRH Advisors, a government affairs consulting firm. He also served on London City Council, including time as chair of the public safety committee. Hatt also was a legislative staffer in the General Assembly.

PUBLIC SAFETY

A new seatbelt campaign launched this week uses an Ohio football landmark to highlight the importance of buckling up. The new spot features Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel illustrating the statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that seatbelts have saved over 375,000 lives since 1975. With Ohio Stadium as the backdrop, Tressel explains that the number of people saved by seatbelts could fill up Ohio Stadium four times. The campaign uses photos of fathers, mothers, children, and friends in each seat of the stadium to demonstrate that each life matters.

Ohio is only 13 peace officers short of the 90 percent mark for those employed by agencies certified by the state to be in compliance with law enforcement standards administered by the DeWine administration. The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Office of Criminal Justice Services announced recently that police in Seville (Medina County) and Wakeman (Huron) had met minimum standards promulgated by the Ohio Collaborative Community Police Advisory Board, joining 617 other certified jurisdictions at the state, regional, county and local levels.

STATE GOVERNMENT

According to the Pew Charitable Trusts' Josh Goodman, the budget decisions that states make in 2026 are likely to be defined by an increasingly perilous long-term fiscal outlook. For some states, the year might represent their last opportunity to prepare before budget stress begins in earnest. For others, budget shortfalls have already begun, and lawmakers will need to contend with short-term problems and get ready for long-term ones. Goodman's analysis is part of Pew's examination of key debates that will unfold in the nation's statehouses in 2026. He writes that state policymakers have been in information-gathering mode for months, assessing the 2025 federal reconciliation bill's implications for their budgets, awaiting federal guidance, and forecasting revenue and spending amid a perplexing economy that combines sky-high stock prices with slowing job growth. Now come the tough decisions about how to bring state budgets back into balance.

TAXATION

The Ohio Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision this week upheld an Ohio Board of Tax Appeals (BTA) decision finding an apparel maker was not entitled to a Commercial Activities Tax (CAT) refund it had requested, saying the company had not provided the supporting evidence documenting that it was entitled to the refund.

TOBACCO/SMOKING/VAPING

A WalletHub report released Wednesday on the "real cost of smoking" for each state ranked Ohio at 30th nationally, with a $3.94 million total cost per smoker over their lifetime. That included $2.94 million in financial opportunity costs; $602,035 in income loss per smoker; $209,641 in health care costs; $168,017 in out-of-pocket costs; and $11,828 in other costs.

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

Members of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission raised concerns about the amount of uncollected tolls the turnpike had last year after implementing its new tolling system, and staff discussed ways it is seeking to lower that number. The collection figures for 2025 presented to the commission during its Tuesday meeting, showed the commission earning about $392 million in revenue through November. However, about 2.5 percent of that figure, or $9.7 million was considered "unbilled," with a large amount due to not being able to identify the vehicle or driver.

While recent federal action by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hasn't completely derailed plans for two separate passenger rail corridors through Ohio, FRA has asked the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ODRC) for additional work to be done before advancing development plans. ODRC had submitted plans to FRA for key components for both the potential Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland (3C&D) and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit (CTD) routes with information concerning ridership, infrastructure and equipment needs, agreements with host railroads and projected revenues. However, ORDC Executive Director Matthew Dietrich told the ORDC regular meeting on Thursday that FRA is now requiring Ohio to perform a high-level analysis examining ridership expectations in those markets, equipment needs and station locations. Dietrich said the requested analysis will not include coordination with the host freight railroads or the capital costs associated with the infrastructure improvements needed.

[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2026 Hannah News Service, Inc.]