Week in Review June 1, 2026
- Thomas M. Zaino
- 8 minutes ago
- 13 min read
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.
AMERICA 250-OHIO
America 250-Ohio announced earlier this month that Monday, May 25, was to be the last day the public can submit information to the Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Identification Project database, a digital portal collecting information on Revolutionary War veterans buried across the state. The project has sought to identify an estimated 7,000 Revolutionary War veteran grave sites in Ohio. After nearly a year of public data collection, approximately 350 volunteers have documented more than 4,000 grave markers across the state, representing cemeteries in dozens of Ohio counties.
As Ohio's America 250 celebration of the nation's semiquincentennial continues statewide this year with remembrances of the state's contributions to the arts, inventors and the history of both the Ohio and the U.S., the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is now seeking submissions for a new project to memorialize the ways the state's service members have stayed connected to Ohio from abroad. Ohioans are invited to be a part of a forthcoming trail leading to Mohican Memorial Shrine, which honors the nearly 20,000 Ohioans who died in military conflicts in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Iraq and Afghanistan operations.
Ohio is planning to participate in Freedom 250's Great American State Fair this summer on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. -- a 16-day event running from Thursday, June 25 through Friday, July 10, showcasing all 56 U.S. states and territories in celebration of the country's semiquincentennial anniversary. Eve Mueller, deputy director of communications for the governor's office, told Hannah News in an email the state plans to participate in the event by creating and staffing a booth in an effort to "impress visitors and hopefully encourage them to come visit the Buckeye State in person." "We want to be part of America's 250th birthday celebration and help people from all over the United States and the world experience Ohio's great story, full of fun places to experience, beautiful natural resources to explore and world class points of interest," Mueller wrote.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost offered participants at this week's "Two Days in May" Conference on Victim Assistance a heartfelt swan song chronicling his early days as an assistant prosecutor and discovering survivors historically had been forgotten in the stated goal of "criminal justice." He noted many or most victim advocates are themselves survivors who have committed to helping others. Yost welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees to the annual gathering on Monday and presented service awards on Tuesday. "This is the last time I will stand with you as attorney general, but my roots with 'Two Days in May' go back to when I was a prosecutor during the days of Betty Montgomery's attorney generalship," he said to open the conference in Columbus. "I started to see how daunting the criminal justice system is and how little it pays attention to what crime leaves behind."
DATA CENTERS
Ohio's residential utility advocate considered ahead of Wednesday's opening meeting of the House and Senate Select Committees on Data Centers the question of how state government should divide energy and water costs from the complex intersection of economic development, state and local taxes, and revenue streams including utility transmission, distribution and commodity, or type of service. Data centers dominated fully half of last week's Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) Governing Board meeting and former House Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman's second as chair. Consumers' Counsel Maureen Willis led the discussion on legislative action by the General Assembly and regulatory action by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which she said shares OCC's position on the data center footprint, utility cost causation, and residential consumer charges.
Panelists at a forum organized Friday by Policy Matters Ohio (PMO) and Chips Communities United (CCU) discussed the benefits that Intel's manufacturing plant and data centers are bringing to Central Ohio workers, as well as the public questions around large data centers in the region. The panel included CCU Strategic Advisor Rand Wilson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building Trades Council Executive Secretary.
Treasurer Dorsey Hager, IBEW Local 683 Business Manager Pat Hook and UC Berkeley Labor Center Director Anibel Ferus-Comelo. It was moderated by PMO Work and Wages Researcher Bailey Sandin.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday he's directed the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) to pause consideration of any new data center tax exemption requests while the House and Senate Select Committees on Data Centers do their work, with meetings slated to run through June 11. DeWine noted this was not an overall ban and said an existing request is slated to be heard at TCA's meeting on Monday, June 1.
The House and Senate Select Committees on Data Centers held their first joint meeting Wednesday, with testimony from the Office of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, PJM Interconnection, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Data Center Coalition, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The committees are chaired, respectively, by Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) and Sen. Brian Chavez (R-Marietta). Further hearings are scheduled for Monday, June 1, Thursday, June 4, Monday June 9 and Thursday, June 11.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday following the House Rules and Reference Committee, House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) discussed issues including revenue loss from data center tax exemptions. Huffman told reporters lawmakers had been told by the Ohio Department of Taxation during the budget process that the revenue to be generated was $15 to $20 million. He said newly reported information "makes a big difference" in revisiting the conversation related to overriding the governor's veto on the data center sales tax exemption. Huffman said his position on the veto override has stayed the same: "Whether its $20 million or $1.2 billion, my position is the same ...
EDUCATION
Attorney General Dave Yost commended 42 middle-school finalists in four school districts Friday for their essays on reducing youth violence in their communities. The National Campaign to Stop Youth Violence established "Do the Write Thing" in 1994 to empower student reflection, healing and leadership through essay writing. Yost began partnering with the nonprofit in 2021 to bring the program to Ohio schools. The Springfield district was the first to participate, with Canton, Cleveland, Lima, Youngstown and Zanesville joining in subsequent years.
A school transportation dispute affecting a "relatively small number" of students who rely on Columbus City Schools (CCS) for busing to private and charter schools does not present issues of sufficient statewide impact to grant the attorney general standing to sue over them, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The decision brings to an end the second of two lawsuits spurred by decisions of the CCS Board of Education to declare numerous students attending private and charter schools "impractical" to transport, a determination the board can make under state law.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) recently announced the launch of a new resource designed to help educators and leaders develop an "effective system" of professional learning, based on Ohio's standards. The new action guide for the Ohio Standards for Professional Learning will support educators, school and district leaders, leader preparation providers and professional learning partners.
After Ohio's 10th District Court of Appeals recently heard arguments on the constitutionality of the EdChoice voucher program, Sens. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) introduced on Wednesday legislation to require transparency for private schools receiving EdChoice money, with Blessing saying he hoped to move beyond the fighting over the scholarship system and reach some balance. Blessing said the key point of SB443, which sponsors call the 'Take the Dough, We Gotta Know' Act, is that if schools are going to take state dollars, there has to be a degree of transparency and oversight to that money, calling that a cornerstone of conservative philosophy.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's (DEW) proposed changes to Ohio's federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) waivers include "major changes to state law" and have not been informed by educators and school districts, the Ohio 8 Coalition said in a statement following the department's public meeting Wednesday. The changes opposed by the coalition are contained within one of four proposed ESSA amendments, focusing on school improvement activities.
ELECTIONS
The House General Government Committee Wednesday heard from 10 opponents to an amendment enshrining voter identification requirements in the Ohio Constitution and received written opponent testimony from dozens of others, including some who said they support voter identification requirements overall. Witnesses argued that HJR9 (Workman-Bird) was not needed and putting the requirement in the Ohio Constitution as currently written could preclude the use of more advanced and accurate forms of identification in the future.
Following the House Rules and Reference Committee Wednesday, House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) told reporters he believes the proposed constitutional amendment requiring photo identification to vote is a "politically motivated" effort, drawing lawmakers' attention away from other issues they should be working to address. "The question is not about voter ID," Isaacsohn said, "the question is should we be spending limited time and energy taking something that is already the law and putting it into the Ohio Constitution."
ELECTIONS 2026
The former mayor of East Cleveland, Eric Brewer, is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to stop Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose from certifying the results of the May 5 Republican gubernatorial primary election, arguing that LaRose did not properly confirm Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy's citizenship before certifying him to the ballot.
EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced Friday that Ohio's unemployment rate fell from 4.1 percent in March to 3.9 percent in April as nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 7,800 over the month. The numbers followed a delayed release of March figures due to the 2025 federal government shutdown.
ENERGY/UTILITIES
Commissioners allowed another large manufacturer to opt out of non-market-based (NMB) transmission rider charges this week in favor of a state NMB pilot program billed as an economic development tool but viewed by regulatory watchdogs as a potential cost-shift to households and other small ratepayers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) unanimously approved Mid-West Forge Corp. of Cleveland for FirstEnergy's NMB transmission pilot Wednesday in exchange for $10 million in promised capital expenditures and a reinvestment of its utility cost savings in apprenticeship training for employees.
ENVIRONMENT
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) announced its Water Supply Revolving Loan Account received just over $200 million in funding from U.S. EPA to assist communities in replacing lead service lines across the state. The funding, totaling approximately $201.8 million, will support ongoing work in Ohio to identify lead pipes, plan removal projects and replace aging lines that deliver water to homes, schools and businesses, Ohio EPA said.
GOVERNOR
Gov. Mike DeWine announced ordered flags lowered in the state in honor of Memorial Day.
The governor signed the following bills:
HB377 (Deeter) to revise the law governing the application of light-based medical devices for the purpose of hair removal.
HB393 (Click-Brewer) to require that community-based correctional facilities and programs and halfway house organizations assist inmates in obtaining state identification cards prior to release.
HB462 (Richardson) to authorize the procurement and emergency use of additional types of epinephrine delivery systems by schools, school districts, and camps.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Ohioans are continuing to live less healthy lives and yet spend more on health care than people in other states, according to data in the 2026 Health Value Dashboard released recently by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO). This year's release of HPIO's biennial report ranks Ohio 43rd among states in health value, which HPIO measures as a composite of population health outcomes and health care spending. Though in the bottom quartile of states overall, Ohio's ranking has improved slowly over the past decade, with HPIO ranking Ohio's health value at 47th among states in 2014.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Wright State University was recently awarded a $2.5 million federal grant to expand artificial intelligence (AI) literacy from rural schools through colleges and into the workforce.
Kent State University recently received $1.75 million from the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation (ESPF) to support the university's College of Public Health. The gift will be dedicated to the college's community health and outreach programs, Kent State said, noting specifically the Mobile Flashes program which launched in 2024 to deliver health services, screenings and education to underserved and rural communities in Northeast Ohio.
The city of Xenia authorized a pre-annexation agreement with Central State University (CSU) at its council meeting earlier this month. The plan establishes a "long-term framework" for municipal services, public safety coordination and future annexation of the campus into the city. City officials say the agreement reflects a "true win-win" for both parties, creating a more "sustainable and equitable" partnership. Xenia will still need to initiate an annexation petition process, which will ultimately require approval by the Greene County Commissioners for the university to be formally annexed, a statement released by the city explained.
JUDICIAL
The Supreme Court Ohio announced proposed amendments Thursday to the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio that would set aside American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation in favor of standards recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) or a state-based accreditation agency approved by Ohio Supreme Court. Juris doctor and bachelor-of-law (L.L.B.) degrees qualifying for the Ohio bar exam have long required ABA approval but would now accept unaccredited institutions, including those served by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) announced this week that three local governments have joined the regional council. MORPC's governing board has voted to add the Delaware County Public Health District, the village of Commercial Point, and Pleasant Township bringing it to 98 local government members.
MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM
The Ohio Attorney General's Office followed state executive and legislative action on public benefit fraud this week with the announcement of more than a half million dollars in fraudulently received Medicaid payments by five individuals, including a big-dollar theft exceeding $400,000. Three additional people face charges for allegedly stealing from nursing home residents. The AG's Medicaid Fraud Unit investigated the cases and secured felony indictments before a Franklin County grand jury. "Caregivers are meant to protect the vulnerable, not exploit them," Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. "My office will never tolerate thieves who line their pockets at the expense of elderly, disabled and low-income Ohioans."
Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) added five new members to the House Medicaid Committee Tuesday, including three he had identified as House Republican leaders in efforts to address fraud concerns in the Medicaid program. (See The Hannah Report, 5/20/26.) House Finance Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), Finance Vice Chair Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Rep. Josh Williams (RToledo) were the three Republicans added to the committee. Huffman identified Williams' HB795 as the likely vehicle for House changes and said those three and House Medicaid Chair Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) would be meeting with Senate Republicans for a collaborative effort. Two additional Democrats were also added to the committee, Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Desiree Tims (D-Dayton). The committee now has 12 Republicans and six Democrats.
Expanded subpoena authority, tougher criminal penalties, a mandate to probe providers using the same address, unclaimed funds seizures and bounties for paying whistleblowers are among a House committee's latest ideas about how to prosecute or prevent waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program. The House Medicaid Committee adopted Wednesday a substitute version of HB795 (Williams), an electronic visit verification (EVV) proposal chosen as the vehicle for broader approaches to program misspending. The committee also heard recommendations from the attorney general, auditor of state and Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), some of which were included in the new bill draft.
OHIO STATE FAIR
Chefs, artists and designers from around Ohio can now submit their entries to display their talents at the 2026 Ohio State Fair's Fair Arts Competitions, including the Fine Arts and Youth Arts divisions, as well as separate divisions in the Creative Arts for Arts, Crafts and Fashion and Cooking and Baking.
PENSIONS
The State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) recently announced the launch of a new section of its website, The Source, meant to address common questions about the system. It is available HERE.
Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator Stephanie McCloud is among three finalists to succeed Richard Stensrud as executive director of the School Employees Retirement System (SERS), along with retirement system executives from Arkansas and Mississippi. According to SERS, the Board of Trustees is nearing the end of its search for a new director. A special meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 to discuss the hiring of a new director.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Gov. Mike DeWine continues to emphasize safety and sobriety as Ohio headed into Memorial Day weekend. He followed news of free designated-driver credits with Uber and Lyft this week with Thursday's announcement that state troopers will conduct "high-visibility" enforcement over the next several days to intercept impaired and unrestrained drivers.
Nearly a fourth of all counties in every quadrant of the state now boast at least one law enforcement agency bearing the DeWine administration's full stamp of approval. The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) has added another police department and sheriff's office to an accredited list of 26 local jurisdictions and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) after the Community-Police Collaborative Advisory Board voted to approve the Huber Heights Police Division (Montgomery County) and Mercer County Sheriff's as compliant with 32 separate peace officer standards under nine sub-sections, including (1) administration and organization, (2) professional standards and conduct, (3) training, (4) personnel, (5) records and information management, (6) use of force, (7) law enforcement operations, (8) unusual occurrences, and (9) property and evidence management.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Division of EMS is announcing $648 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT) remain safe while protecting lives and communities in Ohio and the U.S.
The Star of Life Awards hosted by the Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Division of EMS, State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire and Transportation Services, and Ohio Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians honored the state's emergency medical services (EMS) providers for their courage and dedication in responding to life-threatening emergencies in 2025. The awards bring together local communities and medical personnel during May EMS Week (May 17-23 this year) to recognize achievements that surpass the "day-to-day excellence of Ohio's EMS system," the division says.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) announced the launch of the Safe Haven program Wednesday for emergency medical technicians (EMT) and firefighters seeking support for burnout, mental health concerns and/or substance abuse. A collaboration of the Ohio Professionals Health Program (OhioPHP) and state EMS, Safe Haven is billed as a "confidential, therapeutic" alternative to the traditional regulatory environment for all certificate holders and applicants and expands OhioPHP's 30 years of support for the health care workforce to EMTs and firefighters. DPS says the program further tracks its mission to keep first responders healthy, both mentally and physically.
[Story originally published in The Hannah Report. Copyright 2026 Hannah News Service, Inc.]