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Millions set for Wright-Patterson in final FY ‘25 defense blueprint
Millions are directed toward Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the newest defense policy document the U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled vote on Wednesday afternoon.
• What would Wright-Patt receive? The blueprint directs $121.1 million for six military construction projects across Ohio
— $9.2 million to design an “Advanced Materials Research Laboratory” at Wright-Patterson
— $1.9 million to design a Space Force Intelligence Center, also at Wright-Patterson
— $53 million for a district cooling plant at the base, to improve energy efficiency
• A new home: With the Space Force Intelligence Center funding, the first steps are taken toward a distinct home for the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC), which today shares space with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, or NASIC, on the base’s Area A.
• Also in the bill: Funding to help 3,700 military spouses find jobs and for child-care for 6,700 children in military families.
Ohio House moves closer on bill that would let Ohioans refuse vaccines without punishment
Progress was made Tuesday on an Ohio House bill that would establish the “conscientious right to refuse” in Ohio law and bar private and public employers and businesses from taking action against Ohioans who opt not to take vaccines and other medical treatments.
• Where it stands: The bill was voted along party lines out of committee Tuesday
• What it would do: Under the bill, private and public entities would be barred from denying someone employment, terminating their employment, denying them services, denying them access to commerce, segregating them, penalizing them, or treating them differently based on their decision to forgo vaccines and other medical interventions.
• Area sponsor: The bill is jointly sponsored by Butler County Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, a registered nurse who testified in committee that the bill is necessary to protect Ohioans’ religious freedom.
• Could go nowhere: Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, who has the authority to block or bring committee-passed bills to the House floor for a full vote, may stand in the way.
What to know today
• One big takeaway: Clark County and Huber Heights have reached an agreement that could dismiss a lawsuit that contributed to the delay of construction on Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s travel center in Huber Heights.
• Court move of the day: The Ohio Supreme Court said this week it will not reconsider a local case involving boneless chicken and whether diners still need to be on guard for bones.
• Quote of the day: “The Overfield Tavern was not just a museum or a historic building. It is quite literally where the community of Troy was born in 1808.” — Chris Manning, executive director of the Overfield Tavern Museum, Troy’s oldest structure that was heavily damaged by fire last weekend.
• Stat of the day: 400. That’s the number of pizzas that Cassano’s sold on its first day of operation in June 1953. Cassano’s has been inducted into the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance Hall of Fame.
• Photo of the day: The Silos, a new food hall and beer garden with 13,000-square-feet of outdoor space, is located at 810 E. First St. in Dayton. Natalie Jones went for a sneak peek this week, and you can see her photos here.
