Week in Review May 18, 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.

ABORTION/REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of temporary stays culminating in an ongoing one to freeze for now a U.S. Fifth District Court of Appeals ruling that struck down federal regulations allowing remote dispensing of abortion drug mifepristone, which is the most common method of inducing abortion in Ohio. The latest stay will last through the Fifth District’s consideration of the case and disposition of any subsequent case at the Supreme Court.

ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board elected new leadership at its Wednesday meeting, with Region 15 Representative and former Vice Chair Julie Ehemann succeeding Don Mason as chair. Other board leaders now include past Secretary Keith Hochadel as vice chair and Greta Mayer as secretary, while Michael Roizen remains as treasurer. Governor's appointee Jim White was added as an at-large executive committee member to replace Mayer, joining current at-large member Rep. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati).

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Andy Wilson will become attorney general next month when incumbent Dave Yost moves to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday. DeWine said he considered appointing the Republican nominee for the office in November's election, Auditor Keith Faber, and expressed support for his candidacy, but said it "didn't seem right" to promote him and potentially other statewide officeholders in the middle of the campaign season. The governor also said he will announce Wilson's successor at ODPS before he takes the new job. Wilson is an Ohio National Guard veteran and former Clark County prosecutor who served as DeWine's senior adviser on criminal justice policy at the outset of DeWine's gubernatorial term before being appointed to lead DPS at the end of 2022.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The DeWine administration and Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced Thursday a total of $61 million is being distributed as part of the Brownfield Remediation Program, with $45.8 million for 84 cleanup and remediation projects and $15.3 million for 76 assessment projects. Program funds help address industrial, commercial, and institutional brownfield sites that are abandoned, idled, or underutilized due to a known or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum. After remediation, the properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development. The program has provided nearly $780 million to support 841 projects in 87 counties since its 2021 launch.

ECONOMY

When was the last time you handed one or more pennies to a cashier to complete a transaction? As more retail transactions in the U.S. are completed with payment cards and mobile devices, the Federal Reserve reported that in 2024, merely 14 percent of all U.S. consumer payments were made in cash, compared to approximately 35 percent made with credit cards and approximately 30 percent with debit cards. The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) reports that states will lead the way on any regulation of the economic, legal and operational implications of eliminating the penny, barring any potential congressional intervention. In Ohio, legislators are already anticipating how retailers might manage a dwindling supply of pennies in customer pockets or cash register coin slots. HB737 (Roemer-T. Hall), introduced in March, proposes a statewide, uniform cash rounding standard for payments made in Ohio both to businesses and to state and other government agencies.

EDUCATION

Conversation during the State Board of Education's (SBOE) meeting Monday focused primarily on the state's teacher pipeline after members were briefed on current workforce trends and education preparation and scholarship programs working to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention. During his superintendent's report, Jason Wagner, the board's interim superintendent, provided an overview of the state's current teacher workforce. His presentation detailed workforce shortage data, vacancy data, properly certified teacher rates and Ohio's wage competitiveness rates.

Did the Ohio Supreme Court a quarter century ago settle the questions posed by present-day voucher litigation in favor of the state and continuation of the EdChoice program, or did those justices not contemplate the type of harms alleged by school districts challenging today's much expanded voucher system? That question was at the center of a legal debate Tuesday morning in the 10th District Court of Appeals in Columbus, where defenders of EdChoice and Ohio school districts challenging it gathered for oral arguments in the years-long litigation over the scholarship program's constitutionality. Appellate Judges Kristin Boggs, Shawn Dingus and David Leland are considering the state's appeal of a ruling by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page, who determined that EdChoice violates the Ohio Constitution's mandate for lawmakers to provide a "common" school system and its prohibition on giving control of education funding to religious sects. The plaintiff school districts that filed the case also lodged a cross-appeal to challenge Page's rejection of their claim that EdChoice runs afoul of equal protection language in the Ohio Constitution.

Ohio is among the states building the foundation for high school transformation in several ways, according to research from the XQ Institute, which studies statewide high school systems nationwide to gauge how they prepare graduates for the world they're entering. XQ is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that offers policy support to states to foster the conditions for change across the education system they say is grounded in research about teaching and learning and adolescent brain development. XQ was founded in 2015 by Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of tech entrepreneur Steve Jobs, and Russlynn Ali to redesign education in American high schools, focusing on student-centered, innovative learning.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) announced Tuesday the launch of the 2026 Ohio Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camp, a new initiative designed to ensure more children start school prepared to succeed. According to the two departments, this partnership is an extension of the state's preschool program and provides targeted summer programming to help children entering kindergarten in the 2026- 2027 school year. More information about Ohio's Kindergarten Readiness Boot Camp can be found HERE.

ELECTIONS

As part of his Youth at the Booth initiative, Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week sent over 150,000 packets containing information on registering to vote and serving as an election day poll worker to students. According to the secretary of state's office, the "Grads Vote" packets contained information on how to register to vote, a voter registration form, and information on serving as an election day poll worker. The packets were sent to graduating seniors of public, nonpublic, community, STEM and JVS schools. Students from 1,209 schools received 153,750 packets.

ELECTIONS 2026

The Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) Tuesday announced the launch of OhioWins, a coordinated campaign that it said will mobilize in all 88 Ohio counties to elect Democrats "who will lower costs for Ohio families, protect Ohioans' freedoms, and grow our state. OhioWins will also work tirelessly to educate voters and protect Ohioans' right to vote." ODP said the effort launches with a foundation of more than 20 staffers already on the ground, including individuals focused on organizing, voter access, data, and operations. A majority of the staffers have Ohio ties.

The Senate campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) announced on Wednesday a $1.2 million dollar ad buy statewide for a new TV ad attacking his opponent in November's election, Sherrod Brown. The ad highlights that Brown lost his last election bid for the U.S. Senate in 2024 and further attacks his record in both the Senate and the U.S. House.

EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT

The U.S. saw an increase of 115,000 jobs in April while the federal unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday. Gains were reported in health care; transportation and warehousing; and retail trade. Federal government employment fell as part of a continued decline. BLS said the number of unemployed people totaled 7.4 million in April, changed little from March and over the year. Among the major worker groups, unemployment rates for adult men (4.0 percent), adult women (3.9 percent), teenagers (14.4 percent), and people who are White (3.7 percent), Black (7.3 percent), Asian (3.3 percent) or Hispanic (5.0 percent) showed little change in April.

ENERGY/UTILITIES

American Electric Power (AEP) announced more than $461,000 in grants from its Local Economic Advancement Program (LEAP) to 18 county and regional entities. "These recipients are helping make their communities better places to live and work, and as a proud member of the communities we serve, we're honored to support the important work of our neighbors," AEP Ohio Economic Development Director Zach Miller said in a statement.

Senate President Pro Tem Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) led colleagues with the day's pivotal question after the Ohio Supreme Court declared third-party submeterers "public utilities" in April and Rep. Dave Thomas (R-Jefferson) told senators Wednesday that HB173 would settle the statutory and legal debate by differentiating regulated energy resellers from actual, regulated utilities. "Are they different, or are we saying they're different?" Reineke asked to launch questioning in the Senate Public Utilities Committee, where he is also vice chair. Reineke was alluding to Justice R. Patrick DeWine's determination in In re Complaint of Ohio Power Company v. NEP, PUCO that "big business" energy resellers that assume all submetering functions from landlords are indeed "electric light companies" and therefore regulated "public utilities" under R.C. 4905.03(C) and 4933.81(A). The two statutes address "electric suppliers" versus "competitive retail electric services" (CRES), the latter covered in R.C. 4928.01(A)(4).

Ohio can still match and surpass nuclear development in Indiana and Kentucky and competing states if it makes the technology an "economic development priority" through needed financial, regulatory and statutory backing rather than address it "on paper" via the Ohio Nuclear Development Authority (ONDA). That was the overarching message to the House Energy Committee Wednesday by four stakeholders including Vistra, owner of Ohio's Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear plants; Oklo, developer of Piketon's planned modular reactors with Meta; Centrus Energy Corp., Piketon's uranium enricher for Oklo and Vistra; and Ohio Nuclear Alliance, which urges creation of a fully functional Ohio Office of Energy (OOE) focused, among other technologies, on traditional and emerging nuclear fission and new-wave fusion.

With the demands on Ohio's electric grid projected to grow and PJM Interconnection projecting power shortfalls in coming years, supporters of a bill currently in the House Energy Committee say a faster, cheaper, more resilient resource is already in Ohio that does not require building additional centralized infrastructure. HB427 (Klopfenstein) would authorize utilities to institute voluntary demand response programs (DRPs) for residential and small commercial customers statewide. DRPs allow utilities to lower electricity use and thus strain on the grid with temporary adjustments to the energy use of customers who opt into the program. Those adjustments can include remote adjustments to a customer's home thermostat or cycling off appliances like water heaters, especially at peak times when power from the grid is exceptionally expensive. Bill sponsor Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) told reporters in a video call on Thursday that DRPs have been around in Ohio since the 1970s, used especially by rural co-ops that serve 40 percent of the state.

ENVIRONMENT

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) approved $3.45 million in financing for projects in Butler, Hamilton, Cuyahoga and Franklin counties, the agency recently announced. OAQDA approved four projects during its April board meeting, including three small business dry cleaning operations and an energy-saving technology project. The projects are expected to support more than 20 existing jobs and are projected to generate at least $1.7 million in economic activity through local investment, operational savings and business growth while delivering an additional $2 million in public health benefits from removing perchloroethylene in dry cleaning operations, according to OAQDA.

GAMING/GAMBLING

Ohio Lottery Assistant Director Nicole Kostura described to the Ohio Lottery Commission Wednesday the overall benefits of state lottery operations, saying that doesn't end with profits and educational funding. The lottery involves a network of nearly 11,000 retailers and brings commissions, bonuses and often other products being purchased by lottery participants, she said at a commission meeting. "It really does help boost the economy there," Kostura continued. She also said lottery staff themselves help ensure public trust in the system, with her remarks coming as part of a public service recognition. Kostura additionally thanked the commissioners for their work.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

House Technology and Innovation Committee Chair Thad Claggett (R-Newark) told members Tuesday that there have been "extraordinary" developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other relevant issues since they last met on March 24, continuing with his habit of updates to the committee after legislative breaks. Key issues Claggett raised were the power requirements around AI and its potential to outpace regulatory efforts. He said ChatGPT 5.4 and Google Gemini 3.1 Pro are now tied in AI performance rankings, with ChatGPT placed at or above human expert level in real professional work for 44 occupations. It had been unclear when that would be achieved even as of late last year, Claggett added.

Senate Energy Committee Chair Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) and House Energy Committee Chair Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) announced Wednesday they will co-chair a new Joint Data Center Committee comprised of House and Senate members. The committee is meant to provide local officials and the public with more information, with the two recognizing shifting public attitudes on data centers. The first hearings will be Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, with plans for weekly hearings at the Statehouse after that until they reach what Chavez called "a natural breaking point." Hearings are slated to be shown on the Ohio Channel, with information disseminated to the public afterward as well.

Wednesday’s House session included passage of HB423 (Deeter), regarding surgical technicians and assistants; and HB644 (Manning), regarding higher education initiatives meant to encourage student success; and concurred with Senate amendments to HB393 (Click-Brewer), regarding state ID cards for inmates; and HB462 (Richardson), regarding emergency epinephrine use at schools and camps.

Wednesday’s Senate session included passage of SB181 (Wilkin), regarding limestone mining; HB31 (Humphrey-Stewart), regarding Parole Board proceedings; SB202 (Schaffer), regarding display of the “Thin Blue Line” flag at properties covered by a homeowners’ association; SB290 (Patton-Reynolds), regarding installation of secure master key boxes at schools for emergency responder access; SR271 (Weinstein-Lang), supporting the United States of Kindness initiative; HB377 (Deeter), regarding light-based medical devices used for hair removal; SB218 (Roegner), exempting military-certified child care providers from state licensure; SB277 (Gavarone), specifying children given permission to engage in independent activities are not considered to be abused or neglected; SB307 (Timken), regarding tax increment financing for police and fire facilities; and SB365 (Cutrona), naming part of Rt. 11 in Mahoning County as the “Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton Memorial Highway.”

The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday accepted a substitute version of SB174 (Gavarone-Hicks-Hudson), legislation that would overhaul Ohio's domestic laws on parenting, custody and the best interests of children. The changes were enough to move one of the House's most vocal opponents of the bill to being fully supportive. Rep. Josh Williams (R-Oregon), who said he was in strong opposition previously, apologized to sponsors Sen. Teresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), explaining that he had the mistaken belief that the sponsors were not willing to work out amendments to the bill, and said he was able to sit down with Gavarone and work out numerous amendments.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday following the House Rules and Reference Committee, House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said he hopes the capital budget bill will be passed by Wednesday, June 10. He pointed out the two "if needed" sessions scheduled later that month on Wednesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 24. He confirmed the Legislature will continue to meet until a capital budget is passed.

Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) told reporters Wednesday the Senate will pass a capital budget before it breaks in June, though that may require the Senate's if-needed session scheduled for June 17. The House has if-needed sessions scheduled on June 17 and June 24 as well.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's Senate session, Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said she was concerned about the idea of suspending the gas tax given what it pays for in terms of infrastructure. She also spoke at length about property tax concerns and how the Legislature could do more to fund public schools and local governments.

Following the House Rules and Reference Committee Wednesday, House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) spoke with reporters about several different issues facing the state. Concerning legislative efforts to regulate new emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Isaacsohn noted the responsibility of regulation belongs to the government. "When I was a kid, the government failed miserably in doing that with social media. And we are still paying the price for those failures. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes with AI. We have to protect our communities and regulate this new technology in a responsible way," he said.

Each of the 13 entities that appeared Wednesday before the Sunset Review Committee requested reauthorization. The Sunset Review Committee is a joint committee chaired by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) is charged with evaluating the usefulness, performance and effectiveness of various minor state agencies. Representatives of the following bodies testified before the committee Wednesday: the Advisory Committee on Advanced Practice Registered Nursing, Chiropractic Loan Repayment Advisory Board, Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board, Department of Health Advisory Committee on Withholding CPR, Doula Advisory Group, Home Medical Equipment Services Advisory Council, Medical Liability Underwriting Association Board of Governors, Directors of the Medical Liability Underwriting Association Stabilization Reserve Fund, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee of the Department of Medicaid, Physician Assistant Policy Committee of the State Medical Board, Radiation Advisory Council, Respiratory Care Advisory Council, and the Dietetics Advisory Council.

State Sen. Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) Thursday began his 72-mile walk from the Dayton Metro Library to the Ohio Statehouse to raise awareness for mental health. "I am doing this for all those who are struggling with mental health issues, for those individuals and groups supporting them, and to advocate for more funding and action on mental health initiatives," Blackshear said in a statement. "This is a bold effort, but one that I am committed to seeing through. Those who are struggling with mental health issues - their families, their friends, their supporters - need to know they are not alone."

In other legislative action, Senate Education Committee reported out SB328 (Koehler), proposing the Education and Workforce Return on Investment initiative; Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Committee reported out SB343 (Manning), regarding workers’ compensation coverage for urban search and rescue unit personnel; House Energy Committee reported out SB106 (Reineke), regarding electric vehicle charging stations; Senate Local Government Committee reported out SB281 (Roegner), regarding county transit systems.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The House Workforce and Higher Education Committee Tuesday heard opponent testimony on HB698 (Young), legislation that, if passed, would work to ensure higher ed institutions across the state are actively complying with education reform bill SB1 (Cirino). Several witnesses representing Ohio universities and educators appeared before committee to testify on the bill, but before anyone was called to the podium, Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.), the committee's chair and sponsor of the bill, made opening remarks to distinguish the legislation from others. "This bill is not a reiteration of SB1. SB1 is already law," said Young. He told the room HB698 focuses on strengthening transparency, accountability and implementation tools to support adherence to the existing law.

Wesleyan University President Michael Roth recently shared his perspective on the state of higher education in America during a City Club of Cleveland discussion moderated by Nigamanth Sridhar, senior vice president and provost at Cleveland State University. The conversation sought to unpack the "demographic and financial pressures" faced by colleges and universities under the Trump administration. Roth, according to the forum's opener, Robyn Minter Smyers, a member of the City Club's Board of Directors, has emerged as a "one of the country's leading voices" on the topic.

INSURANCE

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) is ending its five-decade foray into legal malpractice insurance to make way for the Attorney Liability Protection Society's (ALPS) acquisition of the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company (OBLIC), which has partnered with the association since the late seventies. The deal will reinforce ALPS Insurance's dominance in the state and nation: the 38-year-old corporation and OSBA have executed a "definitive" agreement under which the largest U.S. underwriter of attorney liability will take over OBLIC -- itself considered Ohio's leading provider of legal malpractice coverage.

JUDICIAL

The 135-HB68 (Click) ban on puberty blocking drugs has survived a gubernatorial veto and now faces its biggest test before the Ohio Supreme Court after a judge upheld the law in 2024 and the 10th District overturned it last year as limiting parents' fundamental right to choose their children's medical procedures. Justices are weighing that claim against the attorney general's competing argument in Moe v. Yost that state lawmakers and not the courts decide whether gender reassignment of minors is legitimate health care, similar to limitations they place on Schedule II drugs. In oral arguments hinging largely on judicial standard of review, plaintiffs' attorney Jordan Bock of Goodwin Procter in Boston told the Court that the state of Ohio is seeking to define parental rights "at too high of a level of specificity" concerning certain medical procedures.

JUVENILE JUSTICE

The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is announcing Employees of the Year honored during the agency's Employee Recognition Week, May 3-9. The annual week recognizes "critical roles" -- correctional officers, teachers and nurses -- at DYS facilities statewide.

LABOR

Not long after the Ohio Supreme Court agreed to take an Eastern Ohio case on whether courts or the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) should handle disagreements on union dues deductions, another plaintiff from across the state is asking justices to consider the same question. In March, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Matthew Sheldon, a Carrollton Exempted Village Schools employee who ended his membership with the local Ohio Association of School Employees (OAPSE) affiliate but continued to see dues withdrawn from his paycheck. The Seventh District Appeals Court agreed with a trial court ruling that concluded jurisdiction in the dispute rested with SERB, prompting Sheldon to go to the Supreme Court. Around the same time justices took up Sheldon's case, the Sixth District Court of Appeals arrived at a similar conclusion as the Seventh District in the case of Katrina Vederveer, a Pike-Delta-York Local Schools paraprofessional who also quit her local OAPSE affiliate and tried unsuccessfully to stop the deduction of union dues.

MARIJUANA/HEMP

Marijuana cultivators, processors and dispensaries pushed back Monday on recreational-use regulations heard by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) which they say would subject the industry to a "moving-target compliance regime" contrary to the one approved by the Ohio General Assembly. A collection of 11 Level II processors/cultivators and dispensaries from every corner of the state took aim at the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Cannabis Control's (DCC) proposed insertion of the word "container" in the Ohio Administrative Code, in addition to "package," "unit" and "device," for allowable THC limits in marijuana leaf, vapes, edibles and beverages. Nonetheless, JCARR members allowed the package to proceed without comment.

The Ohio Department of Commerce's (DOC) and the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Monday announced a $20 million statewide education campaign on the health and safety risks of marijuana use first announced last fall. The public launch comes as a new statewide poll conducted by OneOhio shows 51 percent of all working-age Ohioans use marijuana, 43 percent of them daily. Further, 45 percent of employed marijuana users say they have used marijuana during work. Roughly half of all users think it's safe to drive within an hour of using marijuana and admit to having driven high; 25 percent of all Ohioans think marijuana use is "acceptable" for teens 13-17; and 50 percent of Ohio women who are, or hope to be, pregnant use marijuana, among other findings.

MEDICAID/MEDICAID REFORM

Following the changes that last year's federal budget reconciliation bill HR1 made to Medicaid in all states, Ohio's legislators are currently figuring out what changes now need to happen at the state level to compensate for changes made at the federal level. Ohio Legislative Behavioral Health Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) said in the group's virtual meeting on Monday that Medicaid is a central part of Ohio's behavioral health system, as it is the largest payer of behavioral health services.

House members targeted "waste, fraud and abuse in Ohio Medicaid" Tuesday and considered the role of occupational therapists in helping Medicaid recipients become more independent. Paragon Health Institute of Arlington, VA focuses on government health care reform, State Health Reform Director Niklas Kleinworth explained, entitling his presentation, "Defending the Truly Vulnerable and Working Americans." He said he was struck by Ohio's extensive farms flying into Columbus and thought of its founders' love of independence in settling the state and tilling the land.

Gov. Mike DeWine's office said Wednesday that the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) will ask the federal government for permission to freeze enrollment of new home health care and hospice providers for six months as a means to mitigate fraud. Amid renewed attention on public benefits fraud at the state and federal levels, the governor's office announced new steps ODM is taking to address the issue. House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima), meanwhile, said the administration has stymied or delayed lawmakers' past attempts to address problems with the program.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Legislators are pursuing multiple avenues to address questions around elected officials' status in office if called up for military service, with four bills introduced since February and plans to amend a House bill currently in Senate committee to include relevant changes as well. Three of the bills were prompted by Parma City School Board member Ashley McTaggart's being unable to attend meetings due to reservist military service and questions about the future of her seat as a result, while the fourth had been introduced as a result of a separate local government issue. Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) told Hannah News he may offer an amendment to HB464 (Richardson) that would protect the seats of "all elected officials" in Ohio if they are called up for military service, and enable them to attend meetings by videoconference if possible.

OHIO HISTORY

After years of planning, the Ohio History Connection (OHC) broke ground recently on a forthcoming museum to honor one of the nation's first public housing models specifically designed for African Americans. The Poindexter Village neighborhood on the Near East Side of downtown Columbus was known as a vibrant mix of Black families, businesses, places to worship and culture, including emerging artists, musicians and leaders.

PENSIONS

The State Teachers Retirement System announced the hiring of Bethany McCorkle as chief communication officer and Alex Strickmaker as director of governmental relations. McCorkle recently headed communications for Attorney General Dave Yost and was also communications chief for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. She succeeds Dan Minnich, who retired. Strickmaker has been serving as assistant director of governmental relations at STRS, and before that was on the staff of the Ohio Retirement Study Council. He replaces Marla Bump, who is set to retire at month's end.

State retirement systems largely managed to wring a bit of extra gain out of what was already a very good year for market returns in 2025, the longtime investment consultant to the Ohio Retirement Study Council told its members Thursday. Meanwhile, council Chair Rep. Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati) expressed some consternation about planned growth in operating expenses for the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS.) Jim Voytko of RVK Inc. said 2025 was an exceptional year, with outsized U.S. stock returns, a rare instance of international stocks exceeding even those domestic market returns, strong bond performance and respectable numbers from real estate and hedge funds. "The key thing for institutional investors is, can you make the most of it when the sun is shining ... and I think it's fair to say the Ohio funds, by and large, with only one very minor exception, really did a great job in making the most of what has been a good year," Voytko said.

PEOPLE

The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) announced Monday that Jason Koma will serve as the next CEO of the organization, marking his return after previous work as OSMA director of communications and marketing. He will start as CEO in July. Koma most recently served as the Charitable Healthcare Network's executive director and had held senior leadership positions at Mount Carmel Health Systems, including managing its government affairs, regional strategy, and key public health initiatives such as the COVID-19 response.

POVERTY

Anti-hunger advocates, grocers and local government officials urged lawmakers Tuesday to adopt stronger security features for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), saying it would curtail major issues with benefit theft. The Senate Finance Committee heard proponent testimony Tuesday on SB315 (Schaffer-Craig) and also adopted a substitute version of the bill, 3169, which would make the replacement of existing SNAP cards a gradual process. Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said the committee determined the logistics of trying to replace all cards at once was "too disruptive." Under the substitute version, upgraded cards will be issued to new enrollees, as replacement for lost or stolen cards, and for periodic renewal of cards. Cirino said the sub bill also adjusts the appropriations in the bill to account for this more extended rollout.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced a series of OVI checkpoints throughout the state, with funding support from federal grants.

TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Friday joined state, local, and federal officials to officially launch the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, a major infrastructure project for the two states and the nation. "Today, after decades of planning and preparation, we are finally breaking ground on a solution to the traffic headaches and interstate commerce delays caused by the overcrowded Brent Spence Bridge," said DeWine. "This new companion bridge will make our roads safer and our economy stronger, while demonstrating what's possible when states and the federal government work together to solve our biggest challenges."

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) at its meeting Thursday approved nearly $39 million in funding for six projects aimed at eliminating rail crossings as the Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program is set to end on Tuesday, June 30. Created under budget bill 135-HB33 (Edwards), the program put about $100 million in funding to help improve rail safety by replacing crossings with grade separations. After its creation, the commission said it hoped to leverage the funding with communities to qualify for federal grants. Current biennial budget HB96 (Stewart) transferred $15 million out of the program back to the General Revenue Fund.

VETERANS

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) recently promoted a range of services available to current and former service members, military spouses and surviving spouses to help with employment at OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com and local OhioMeansJobs centers. "Ohio's service members, veterans, and military families strengthen our communities every day," said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. "The transition from military to civilian life can be significant, which is why we are proud to offer personalized guidance, employer connections, and training resources that support Ohio's military community to build the futures they envision."

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