The Ohio Statehouse Scoop

This week is the last full week before the May primary in Ohio and at this point, less than 80,000 of Ohio's eight million registered voters have returned an early ballot. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Jo Ingles has details of what's on the statewide ballot. Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to talk about the latest on the state budget process, the effort underway to repeal Ohio's new law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion at the state's universities, and the latest news about Intel, the company that's supposed to build huge chip manufacturing facilities in Ohio. Plus, Governor Mike DeWine talks about the legacy of Pope Francis, who was laid to rest this past weekend.

For more than 200 years, Chillicothe has been home to a paper plant that now employs nearly 1000 residents. But last week, after the company that owns the plant announced it would close, the future of that plant appeared as murky as the steam that comes out of its signature red and white chimney. But state leaders brought locals some good news on Good Friday. The paper plant would stay open,at least until the end of the year. Host Jo Ingles has the details about the plant's future. Later, Reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler join Jo to talk about other stories making the news last week, including an effort to repeal a controversial new law and a court decision that put another Ohio law on hold.

The Ohio House passed its version of the two-year operating budget last week. It is a partisan budget to be sure. All of the Democrats and five Republicans voted against it. In this episode of The Ohio Statehouse Scoop, Host Jo Ingles explains what makes this budget different than the one Gov. Mike DeWine proposed. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler join Jo to talk about the details of it and where it goes from here.

The GOP-dominated Ohio House unveiled its two-year operating budget plans last week, which are very different from the ones Republican Gov. Mike DeWine put forward earlier this year. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains some of the big changes. Later, Ohio Public Media Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to discuss their takes on what the House wants to do....and the challenges that lie ahead for its plans.

The Columbus Metropolitan Club hosted a conversation with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine last week. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles got an opportunity to ask him questions about his State of the State speech, his budget, and issues affecting Ohioans. Later, Jo is joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson to talk about major happenings on Capitol Square.

Ohio's income tax could be wiped out. What does that mean for Ohioans?

Ohio farmers have a lot to think about these days. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's Ty Higgins joins Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles to discuss the challenges farmers face as they head into planting season. Later, Jo is joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler as they discuss the latest on marijuana changes, uncertainties for the CHIPS Act and its effect on the Intel project, possible Medicaid changes and more.

In this week's episode of The Ohio Statehouse Scoop, Host Jo Ingles talks to Ohio Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks about the unusual parts of the process. Later, Jo is joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson as they talk about the transportation budget that passed the Ohio House last week, an Ohio Senate-passed bill that changes the state's legal marijuana law and more.

Richard Cordray was Ohio's Treasurer and Attorney General before he served as the first director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Cordray, who also unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2018, talks to Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles about the current federal effort to gut the agency and shut it down. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to discuss the progress of major legislation affecting marijuana and K-12 education. And they chat about how the race for governor will soon be more crowded.

Jim Tressel, one of the most well-known Ohioans, has been tapped to serve the next two years as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's lieutenant governor. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles has details on his announcement and confirmation. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to talk about Tressel's new job as well as other things that happened at the Ohio Statehouse last week, including the Senate passage of a controversial bill to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) programs at Ohio's state universities and an extension of state funding for the state's non-profit, job creation company, JobsOhio. Jo also tells us about the latest court ruling that has blocked one of Ohio's abortion laws. Catch all of that and more in this week's episode of the Ohio Statehouse Scoop.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has unveiled his two-year state operating budget and it includes many things that were expected but he wants to pay for a lot of them with "sin" taxes. Will the legislature go along with that? Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains what the governor wants to do and how. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson weigh-in to talk about the governor's plans and the reactions of Ohio lawmakers. Hundreds of Ohioans protested President Donald Trump and his policies at the Statehouse as part of the national "50501 movement." We have details on that. And there's an unusual bill at the Statehouse that's gaining attention. The "Conception before an Erection" bill would regulate the reproductive health of men and call attention to what its sponsors believe is hypocrisy among the majority Republican lawmakers who have passed a bevy of bills in the past that regulate the reproductive rights of women.

Former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan tells Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler how he views the future of the Democratic party in Ohio. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports the first committee hearing for a controversial bill banning diversity, equity, and inclusiveness programs in the state's public colleges. She's joined by Kasler and Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson to talk about how lawmakers want to change the law that legalizes marijuana in Ohio, a new candidate for Ohio Attorney General, and what we can expect in Governor DeWine's new two-year budget. And we remember legendary Statehouse journalist Lee Leonard. We talk about all of this in this week's Ohio Statehouse Scoop.

A bill that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Ohio's public colleges died in the 135th General Assembly but as Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains....it's back and it is as controversial as ever. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Ingles to talk about the bill, the latest in the 2026 election, and other legislation that's getting some traction in the legislature. Ingles also takes a look at how President Donald Trump's orders on immigration might affect Ohio. She talks with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost about immigration. And to get a sense of the gravity of the immigration situation in Ohio, she talks to Steven Hubbard, a data analyst with the American Immigration Council.

Ohio's Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, will be heading off to Washington soon after being picked by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Sen. JD Vance. Vance will serve as the nation's vice president. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles has details and a preview of the state's upcoming budget process. She's joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson to about all things politics, including the announcement of a major defense contractor, Anduril, that has chosen to put a new facility in the Buckeye State. And speaking of Buckeyes, the Ohio State University football team plays in the national championship game in Atlanta Monday night against Notre Dame. Go Bucks!

On this week's Ohio Statehouse Scoop, Host Jo Ingles talks to former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown about his first days out of that office and his plans for the future. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Ingles to talk about Dr. Amy Acton, former Ohio Health Department director, throwing her hat in the ring for a gubernatorial run in 2026. And they talk about dozens of new bills recently signed into law. And we remember former Ohio Senator and Columbus leader, Ben Espy, and his accomplishments during his long political career.

Happy 2025! Ohio begins this year with some new laws. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains some of those changes. She talked with Chris Davey, a spokesman for the failed redistricting reform effort in November, about where the group plans to go with its quest to change the process Ohio uses to draw congressional and legislative districts in the future. Ingles is joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler to discuss how future citizen-led efforts might play out because of changes made during the past year.

As we close out 2024, we remember the big stories that made headlines during this inaugural year of the Ohio Statehouse Scoop. Podcast host Jo Ingles and Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler recap the big stories that made news in Ohio this year.

The Ohio Legislature didn't end up voting to give itself a pay raise but it did pass some major changes to education and elections in the final days of the lame duck session. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports on some of those changes in this podcast. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joined Jo to talk about the Christmas tree bill and other big pieces of legislation passed in the last days of the 135th General Assembly.

As the Lame Duck session in Ohio continues, several big bills are on the table, including HB 8. That's the Ohio Parents Bill of Rights, something opponents refer to as the Buckeye State's version of the "Don't Say Gay" bill. There's a controversial provision attached to it that requires K-12 school districts to adopt policies for Lifewise and other religious-based groups that want to take kids off campus during the school day, with a parent's permission. Lawmakers are also considering a measure that could delay citizens who want to bring statewide issues to the ballot by giving the attorney general more power to determine the titles of petition summaries. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles has more on those provisions. Plus Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson discuss many other bills that could pass the Ohio Legislature this week.

Any doubt that Ohio is a red state was laid to rest in November. Democrats lost in nearly all races and are even more outnumbered. So what went wrong and how do Democrats in Ohio move forward? In this episode, Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles delves into those questions. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler talked with some of the party's key players. And Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson joins the discussion to explore the role Democrats will play in the next couple of years.

There's a bill in the Ohio Legislature to require public school districts to develop a policy on conditions under which release for religious instruction could be allowed. Lifewise, the Christian-based program in operation in many Ohio schools, has been taking elementary students off campus from schools during the day to provide religious education with permission from the student's parents. However, some parents and schools say release time for religious instruction by Lifewise is not a good idea. In this week's podcast, Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles talks to an opponent and a supporter of the legislation. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join the discussion to provide additional context to the conversation.

Majority Republicans in their caucus have chosen a new leader but Matt Huffman needs no introduction. He's currently serving as the president of the Ohio Senate. When he comes over to the Ohio House in January, he will likely lead that chamber as the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains Huffman will take over the position now held by Speaker Jason Stephens. He dropped out for consideration for re-election last week, paving the way for Huffman. So what does this all mean? To help answer that question, Ohio Statehouse Media Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson joined Jo to talk about that. Plus Jo reports there are questions about where the Republican who ran for a state senate seat recently got his money for his failed campaign. There is bipartisan legislation to raise awareness for perinatal mental health issues. And we prepare to say goodbye to longtime Ohio lawmaker, Kirk Schuring who died last week.

After months of campaigning, the Ohio Legislature returned to the Ohio Statehouse this week. The first thing lawmakers did when they got there was to pass a controversial bill that requires students to use bathrooms that correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificates. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports this week, majority Republicans in the Ohio House and Senate will choose who will guide them in the next General Assembly. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson also join in to talk about legislation that could be coming soon in the Lame Duck session of this legislature. And former Ohio House Speaker, Larry Householder, who is serving 20 years in prison on corruption charges, is asking President-elect Donald Trump to grant him clemency.

The election is over and former President Donald Trump was even more popular with Ohioans than any other time he's been on the ballot. Trump won the Buckeye State by 12 points (according to unofficial numbers). And that red wave washed away long-time U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, the defacto leader of the state's Democrats. So what does this all mean? In this week's Ohio Statehouse Scoop, host Jo Ingles is joined by Brianna Mack, assistant professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University, and Paul Beck, professor emeritus of political science at Ohio State University to talk about the message voters sent. And Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to talk about the effects this election could have on the Ohio Legislature.

In this podcast, Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles talks to Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson about the political landscape in the Buckeye State going into Election Day and the final pitch candidates are making. We remember former Ohio House Speaker JoAnn Davidson, the first and only woman to serve in that role, as she was laid to rest this past week. And a new bill at the Statehouse would allow more political signs to be put up in Ohio, even in areas where homeowner's associations now prohibit them. You'll find all of this and more in this week's Ohio Statehouse Scoop.

This week is the final full week of early voting leading up to the November 5 election. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles reports on voter confusion over Issue 1. She is joined by reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler to talk about what's behind the enormous number of challenges of voter registrations at local boards of elections and discuss efforts by the state to bring charges of wrongdoing by a handful of voters, including one voter who passed away two years ago. Plus a judge has ruled Ohio's six-week abortion ban is unconstitutional but the state could appeal some parts of that law. And we remember JoAnn Davidson, the first and only woman to lead the Ohio House of Representatives.

With less than two weeks to go of early voting for the November election, it appears Ohio's U.S.Senate race is tight. So is the contest to pass Issue 1, the amendment on the ballot that would change the process for redistricting. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles talks with Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson about what's on the ballot and what's at stake in this election.

Ohioans are going to the polls and casting ballots early. Voting began on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The stakes in this election are high. Not only is it an historic presidential race but Ohioans will also determine whether U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown will keep his seat or whether they want to send newcomer, Republican Bernie Moreno. The race is being closely watched nationally because it could determine the balance of the U.S. Senate. But the stakes are just as high, and maybe even higher, with Ohio Supreme Court races. The outcome of those will likely determine how the Reproductive Rights Amendment passed by voters in 2023 is applied and decide which abortion laws will remain on the books in Ohio. And there's Issue 1 - the fight to end gerrymandering by removing politicians from the process of drawing district lines. Host Jo Ingles has more on all of these hot issues. And she's joined by Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson to discuss details about this election. It's all here on this week's Ohio Statehouse Scoop.

The 2023 Ohio Abortion Report is out and Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports on its details, including who is getting abortions in Ohio and at what point. She's joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler to talk about the vice presidential debate, the value of endorsements and more.

Haitian immigrants living in Springfield are fighting back against top Republican candidates, blaming them for problems their community has experienced in recent weeks. Ohio Democrats are fighting back after the Ohio Ballot Board adopted a controversial summary for Issue 1, the proposed redistricting amendment. And Ohio voters are reacting to disputatious comments by U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno as he battles to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown. What effect are these fights having on voters? In this podcast, Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports what's happening and what's at stake. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to discuss the latest news in politics and government at the Ohio Statehouse.

Controversy over immigration continues in Springfield as Republicans make their pilgrimage there to talk politics and those at the top of the ticket still refer to the Southwest Ohio city as an example of the problem with immigration. And there's controversy at the Ohio Statehouse as a Republican-dominated panel that decides language for ballot issues adopts wording that angers backers of a proposed constitutional amendment to change the redistricting process. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles has more on those stories. And Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson and Bureau Chief Karen Kasler weigh in with their thoughts on those issues.

The city of Springfield, Ohio has been in the news a lot recently because of claims made about Haitian immigrants who live there. Many of them are there legally. Republicans, including Vice Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, have been making controversial comments on social media about the immigrants living there. In last week's debate, former President Donald Trump echoed some of those claims. And in the days that have followed, Springfield has been forced to close schools, government offices, and even lockdown the local hospitals and medical centers because of threats made against those facilities. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson has been on the ground in Springfield. She, along with Bureau Chief Karen Kasler, join Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles to talk about what's happening in Springfield, as well as why the state is suing schools in Columbus for failing to bus some students.

Are you ready to vote? Are you sure? More than 155,000 voter registrations have been removed from the poll books so you had better check to make sure you are still registered. But you need to hurry because the voter registration deadline is October 7. Groups that want to register new voters know that deadline looms. So they are embarking on efforts to get new voters. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles watched one of those groups in action last week as they helped Ohio Wesleyan University students register to vote. Ingles spoke with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose about new voting laws that are on the books. And, Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson talk about what's being done to get out the vote and how those efforts might affect the upcoming election.

Ohio workers are the focus of this week's podcast. Policy Matters Ohio has released its new report on the economic conditions for workers in the Buckeye State. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles talked to the group's director, Hannah Halbert, about the new study. She also spoke to Greg Lawson with the Buckeye Institute to get his thoughts on the state of Ohio's economy where workers are concerned. And Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson offer their thoughts on the impact workers may have on the election this November.

Supporters of an amendment on Ohio's ballot this fall have taken the Ballot Board to court over the summary majority Republicans on that panel adopted. The summary is the language voters will see on the ballot and backers of the amendment say it is misleading, inaccurate and partisan, thereby making it unconstitutional. We'll explore those claims with Citizens Not Politicians spokesman Chris Davey, Republican State Senator Rob McColley, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, and Democratic House Minority Leader Allison Russo. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles to discuss other happenings at the Statehouse last week. And we look back at the national political conventions and look forward to the campaigns.

The Republican-dominated Ohio Ballot Board approved summary language for the proposed redistricting amendment that sponsors of that map-drawing reform effort promise to take to court this week. In this episode, Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles reports on the controversy over the language Ohioans will see on the ballot when they cast votes and why sponsors of the plan say it does not represent at all the actual amendment voters will be deciding. Ohio Public Media Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and reporter Sarah Donaldson talk about school bus driver shortages, difficulties facing social workers, and the latest update on the state's tax revenue. Plus we'll give you the latest on the HB 6 scandal, the largest corruption crime in Ohio's history. First Energy agreed to pay $20 million in damages but many are saying that's not enough given the company benefitted from a $60 million bribery scheme.

Last week was the first for sales of legal marijuana to adults in Ohio. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau reporter Sarah Donaldson covered that story and shared her experiences with Ohio Statehouse Scoop podcast host Jo Ingles. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joined the conversation to talk about what comes next. Also, Associated Press Reporter Julie Carr Smyth talks about her experience in Pennsylvania recently, covering the rally during which former President Donald Trump was injured after an assassination attempt.

Ohioans will be voting on a constitutional amendment this fall that would, once again, change the process for making legislative and congressional maps. The processes voters approved in 2015 and 2018 resulted in maps ruled unconstitutional seven times by the Ohio Supreme Court. The majority Republicans, who control the Ohio Legislature and all statewide elected offices, also controlled the process of drawing lines for districts. A federal court eventually ruled the unconstitutional maps could be used this year. But people who watched the process approved by voters play out were outraged by what they saw. So, Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, including former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor (a Republican), came together and have taken the proper steps to put the issue before voters again. And this time, they say politicians and lobbyists will be put out of the process altogether. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles heard what Governor DeWine had to say about the situation last week. She talked to redistricting experts, including Chris Larimer (political science professor at University of Northern Iowa), Sam Wong (Princeton Gerrymandering Project), Brianna Mack (Politics and Government Assistant Professor at Ohio Wesleyan University), and Paul Beck (professor emeritus of political science at Ohio State University). Jo is also joined by Ohio Public Media Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson to talk about how this could all play out with voters in November.

The Repubican-dominated Ohio General Assembly is considering a bill that would limit drag performers to adult cabarets and would make it illegal for them to perform in public parks, libraries, or places where there are children under 18-years-old. Backers of the bill say it is needed to protect kids from observing harmful behavior that confuses them. But advocates for LGBTQ Ohioans say the bill would hurt LGBTQ Ohioans. Host Jo Ingles reports on all sides of the debate including testimony from proponents who testified for it and advocates for Ohio's LGBTQ community who are fighting against it. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson weigh in with their ideas about the chance of passage for this controversial legislation.

Ohioans had been signing petitions since last year to get a $15 an hour minimum wage proposal on Ohio's ballot this November. So why aren't voters going to vote on it? Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles talked with Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Reporter Sarah Donaldson about what she discovered when trying to figure out what went wrong. OPM Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler tells us where the effort goes from here.

It appears likely Ohioans will be able to vote on a constitutional amendment this November that could oust politicians from the process of drawing lines for legislative and congressional districts. Petitions from more than 730,000 registered voters were submitted last week to put the measure on the ballot. And Libertarian candidates might be able to, once again, have their party affiliation listed on the ballot along with their names. But a proposal to raise the minimum wage in Ohio won't be on the ballot this fall after organizers failed to get enough signatures in rural areas. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles explains what is, and isn't, on the ballot. Ohio State University Political Science Professor Emeritus Paul Beck and Stephen Brooks, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Akron weigh in on how those issues might affect candidates up for election in November. Plus Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter/Producer Sarah Donaldson explain the process for moving forward and how the petition-initiated changes could impact the political landscape in the Buckeye State.

Ohio lawmakers passed more than 50 bills last week before heading out the door for summer break. Ohio Statehouse Scoop Host Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Media Bureau Chief Karen Kasler, and Ohio Public Media Reporter Sarah Donaldson explain what the legislators did and what they left undone. Plus Jo talks to an organizer of "Citizens, Not Politicians," a group that is filing to put a proposed constitutional amendment before voters in November that would change the redistricting process in Ohio.

This is the last scheduled week for the Ohio General Assembly to meet before going on a long summer break. The big ticket item on this week's agenda is a $4 billion capital bill. It's believed to be the largest in state history. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles talks to her Ohio Public Media Statehouse Bureau colleagues, Karen Kasler and Sarah Donaldson, about the big spending bill and other legislation that might be addressed this week.

Home valuations are up in Ohio. And in some parts of the state, valuations have spiked more than 30%. Since property taxes are based on valuations, some homeowners are likely to get a big shock when they open their next tax bill. Lawmakers say their voters are worried about it. So what is the legislature doing about it? Lawmakers have introduced more than a dozen bills, have a committee looking into it, and are even considering putting an issue before voters statewide to deal with spiking property tax rates. But it ends there. Most political watchers think meaningful property tax reforms are unlikely this year. Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles explores what's being done and, just as importantly, what's not being done. She's joined by Ohio Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wayne County), Buckeye Institute Research Fellow Greg Lawson, and Ohio Policy Matters Executive Director Hannah Halbert. At the end of the podcast, Ohio Public Media Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Reporter Sarah Donaldson join Jo to weigh in on their observations.

There are bills that are introduced in the Ohio Legislature that seem to have popular support yet they never seem to be passed. In this episode, Ohio Statehouse Scoop host Jo Ingles identifies some of those bills. She talks with Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler about why those bills often are not passed by Ohio's General Assemblies.

The Ohio Legislature held a special session last week after Gov. Mike DeWine took the rare step of ordering lawmakers to come back on their week off to do a couple of things. DeWine said he wanted lawmakers to ensure President Biden would be on the November ballot. And he wanted lawmakers to pass a provision that would make it harder for outside groups to wage campaigns. They did both but not without a lot of drama. Ohio Public Media's Jo Ingles talks to Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler about what happened.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine took an unusual step and ordered the Ohio Legislature to come back into session the week beginning with Memorial Day. Many lawmakers had planned vacations for that week. But DeWine said it's important the legislature come back to deal with putting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on the November ballot. As it stands now, Biden won't be certified by his party in time to make it on the ballot this fall. Lawmakers can change that as they've done for both parties in the past but they haven't so far. Now that lawmakers are coming back during the holiday week, the question turns to what will they do? DeWine also wants the legislature to pass a bill that would make it harder for citizens to finance ballot initiatives. What will happen with that? Ohio Statehouse Scoop podcast host Jo Ingles talks to Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler about what is likely to happen this coming week.

A state rule-making agency is allowing existing medical marijuana suppliers to start the process for selling recreational marijuana next month, provided they meet certain criteria. Also, Ohio is going to have plenty of orange barrels on the highways this summer as road repairs and upgrades are made. Join host Jo Ingles, Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Sarah Donaldson as they discuss the latest efforts to allow Ohioans 21 years and older to buy recreational marijuana. And Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Bruning talks about new road construction projects this week on the Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau's Ohio Statehouse Scoop.

President Biden won't be officially nominated as the nominee for the Democratic party until the Democratic National Convention this summer. But that will happen after the deadline for certifying Biden for the Ohio ballot in November. State lawmakers could pass a legislative fix for the problem like they have in the past for presidential candidates in both parties. But they didn't. And a legislative fix might not be possible. Hear from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and state leaders about what happened. Host Jo Ingles and Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler explain why it happened and what could be done now to make sure the president is on the November ballot in the Buckeye State.

For 112 years, Ohio has had Home Rule protections in its Constitution that give communities the right to determine their own policies on important issues involving governing. But during the past couple of decades, cities and towns throughout Ohio have seen some of their power erode as the state has increasingly taken control over key policies. In this episode, Ohio historian Tom Suddes talks about the tradition of local control in Ohio. Ohio Public Media Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler and podcast host, Jo Ingles, explore what is happening to local control now and changes that might lie ahead. And Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) talks about a piece of legislation she's sponsoring that would give some local control back to communities when it comes to cracking down on puppy mills.