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Trump executive orders
Credit: NYT
Credit: NYT
President Donald Trump wasted no time in implementing his America First agenda upon taking office last week. Our reporters are hard at work analyzing actions and directives from the White House and how they may impact the Dayton region.
• Executive orders: Trump issued dozens of executive orders in the first days of his administration. Here’s an initial list of orders and what they mean, assembled by our reporters.
• Hiring freeze: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a cornerstone of Dayton’s economy – employing thousands of civilians as well as military men and women -- so we looked at the potential local how a 90-day hiring freeze on hiring. Read that story here.
• Exemptions: The Department of Veterans Affairs Thursday outlined health-focused occupations considered exempt from President Trump’s 90-day hiring freeze on federal civilian hiring. That story here.
• Back to work: Another order that impacts Wright-Patt (and surrounding communities) is a return-to-work order for federal employees. There are traffic concerns around the base, but a potential upside for businesses in Fairborn and Beavercreek that saw a decline in foot traffic amid hybrid work.
• Jan. 6 defendants: Trump pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or said he would dismiss cases for the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers. Here is a look at the Jan. 6 defendants from our area impacted.
• More to come: There is A LOT more our reporters are looking into, from immigration orders to energy policy to DEI. Our reporters will be focused on how these actions impact the Dayton region.
Regional economic outlook 2025
Every January, our reporters reach out to business leaders, economists and others to assess their view of the Dayton region’s economic outlook going forward.
• Key takeaway: While 2025 is starting relatively strong, some economists see potential headwinds, reporter Tom Gnau writes in this year’s economic outlook story.
• Employment: Employment grew nationally by 3.8% from February 2020 through March 2024. But employment in Dayton grew only .3%, leaving it in the bottom 10 mid-size cities in the area served by the Cleveland Fed.
Ohio job growth was strongest last year in health and education, construction and professional services.
• Big stuff on horizon: Some expect businesses like Anduril and Joby Aviation to create momentum the Dayton area will feel.
• Zoom out: National gross domestic product grew at a “solid pace” last year, at about 2.5% through the first three quarters last year, one economist said said. Fourth quarter data hasn’t been released, but most economists expect growth around the 1.5% to 2.75% range.
• Concerns: Those interviewed expressed concerns about high interest rates and the potential for tariffs driving up the costs of goods.
• Optimism: “The region is positioned really well,” said Vince Lewis, the University of Dayton’s associate vice president of entrepreneurial initiatives.
Property tax reform
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Our reporters for years now have covered how massive property value increases have led to property tax hikes, spurring bipartisan support for property tax reform. But so far, meaningful reform has fallen short. Today, we explore obstacles and opportunities.
• Sticking point: The main sticking point on proposed reforms is who should they benefit, and who should pay for them. Denise Callahan has this in-depth report on that debate.
• Disappointment so far: Several state lawmakers who worked on the special bipartisan committee to address property tax reform last year are expressing dismay the final product didn’t include a concrete plan to give taxpayers much-needed relief. Here’s what happened there.
• The options: The committee did release 21 recommendations to reform Ohio’s property tax system, but didn’t rank them in any way. Here is a full list of the proposals.
• County auditors weigh in: County auditors — both Democrats and Republicans — are backing a number of reforms, including expanding the homestead exemption by increasing the valuation that would be exempt from property taxes and the income threshold. Sydney Dawes has more on that.
• How to appeal: You can’t appeal if you think your taxes are too high. But if you think your taxable property value is too high, homeowners have until March 31 to file appeals to lower their property’s taxable value in tax bills for the second half of 2024 due later this year. Here’s more info on that.