As always, I’m happy to take questions on the legislature, government or any other topics you’ve got. You can reach me at Avery.Kreemer@coxinc.com, via my cell at 614-981-1422, or on X at @AveryKreemer.
***
Ohio’s 136th General Assembly swears in, takes shape
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
• The story: Ohio’s newest batch of lawmakers started off without a hitch on Monday, a sharp and straightforward contrast to the legislature’s beginning two years ago.
• Back then: At this point two years ago, Ohio’s legislature had been derailed by the election of an underdog House Speaker on behalf of a unanimous Democratic caucus and a minority of House Republicans. The move sowed discontent among House Republicans and left the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate, both controlled by Republican supermajorities, misaligned
• Smooth sailing?: Confirmed Monday, the House and Senate will be run by Rep. Matt Huffman and Sen. Rob McColley, respectively — two men who formed a close working relationship throughout their shared years in the Senate. Republicans and Democrats expect their partnership to pave the way for a bustling two years in Columbus.
• Priorities: What actually comes from the bustle is now front of mind. Republican leadership has already outlined property tax reform, marijuana regulations and establishing energy independence through fracking as top priorities; while Democrats said they’ll focus on bringing down the cost of living and mandating certain standards for private schools that use taxpayer vouchers.
• Quote: “I think we really have an opportunity to really put our foot to the floor, put the pedal to the metal, and really accelerate Ohio’s growth,” said McColley, a northeast Ohio Republican who now leads the state Senate. “If we do the right things, I think it’ll pay dividends for years to come.”
• Here’s the full story from me.
Husted reportedly nears nod to replace Vance in U.S. Senate
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
• The story: Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted appears to be at the top of Gov. Mike DeWine’s short list of potential Senate appointees to replace Vice President-elect JD Vance, who will have to resign from the U.S. Senate later this month, according to sources and media reports.
• The situation: It’s up to DeWine — and whomever he chooses — to replace Vance, who becomes V.P. on Jan. 20 and is expected to resign not long before that. Husted, already picked to serve as the state’s second-highest ranking executive, is a natural pick for DeWine. The two recently traveled to Trump’s Florida estate Mar-a-Lago, perhaps in relation to the upcoming vacancy, according to WEWS in Cleveland.
• Local ties: Like Vance, Husted has ties to southwest Ohio. He represented the Dayton area as a state representative, state senator and as the Ohio Speaker of the House. He then served as Ohio Secretary of State for two terms before joining DeWine’s successful gubernatorial ticket in 2018.
• Mixed feelings?: Whether Husted wants the appointment, in a vacuum, is a different question. Husted’s political aspirations have long been tied to the state of Ohio, with many believing that his intent was to become governor, not necessarily a federal lawmaker. But, there’s a line forming of big-name politicians who hope to take over DeWine’s gig when his term ends after 2026, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio businessman whose name gained near-household recognition status during his recent presidential run.
• Here’s the whole story from me.
Local political news of the week
• Commission position: Mary McDonald, the former Democratic mayor of Trotwood who recently switched her political affiliation, started her term on the Montgomery County Commission this week, becoming the first Black commissioner elected to the position, and the first Republican the board has seen in decades. Here’s the full story from Sydney Dawes.
• Brookville recall: The mayor and vice mayor of Brookville will keep their city council jobs after Brookville voters rejected a petition by a margin on 36 votes to recall the leaders in a Tuesday special election. Aimee Hancock has the story.
• Tims sworn in: State Rep. Desiree Tims took her oath to represent much of the city of Dayton and Trotwood in the Ohio General Assembly on Monday, becoming the only newly-elected lawmaker to take office from Montgomery County. Here’s my story.
State political news of the week
• Police records: Gov. Mike DeWine approved a bill last week to allow Ohio police to begin charging Ohioans up to $75 per hour of video requested under the state’s public record laws with the intent of helping departments recoup labor costs. Here’s my story.
• School funding: Concern was already raised among public education advocates following the Ohio House Speaker characterizing public school spending as “unsustainable” while hinting at potential tweaks to the state’s school funding formula. The Ohio Capital Journal has the story.
• Veto: A last-minute addition to Ohio law to protect doctors from facing state punishment for holding medical opinions that differ from state experts was rescinded last week via a late-night line-item veto by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Here’s my story.
National political news of the week
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
• Certification: November’s electoral victory for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance was made official Monday as the U.S. Congress confirmed Electoral College votes on a day that sharply contrasted the proceedings of Jan. 6, 2020. The Associated Press has the story.
• Less-fret medical debt: Unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports, where they can block people from mortgages, car loans or small business loans, according to a final rule announced Tuesday by the Biden administration expected to remove $49 billion in medical debt from credit reports. The Associated Press has the story.