Podcasts about ohio politics

Once labeled a cow-town, known mainly for its college football team, Columbus is asserting itself as a major regional and national city and the growth projections are kind of startling. But is Columbus ready?

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget vetoes, a lawsuit over Browns stadium money, what President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" means for Ohio and how LGBTQ advocates are trying to change the state constitution.

Gov. DeWine signed the biennial budget into law and made 67 line-item vetoes. He nixed a plan to allow counties to reduce property taxes if school districts had a lot of money in their savings accounts. But the richest Ohioans get a 20% income tax cut.

We discuss the two-year state budget and what Gov. Mike DeWine may do when it reaches his desk.

The Ohio Democratic Party has a new chair. Amy Acton is building a campaign to run for Ohio governor. And everyone is waiting for Sherrod Brown to announce his plans.

The third version of the state budget is out, and it proposes cutting taxes for any Ohioan making more than $100,000 a year. The State Senate would do that by flattening the state income tax.

We discuss the new leader of the Ohio Democratic Party, the latest with the budget process, a fight over abortion waiting periods and how the Make America Healthy Again agenda is trickling into Ohio.

We discuss the Ohio Senate's proposed budget, a plan that would transform the property tax system and what's next for House Minority Leader Allison Russo.

Ten years ago, Jim Obergefell's U.S. Supreme Court case made gay marriage the law of the land. What does he make of LGBTQ rights in Ohio today?

Taxes have come to dominate the political debate in Washington, and they loom as a growing concern at the Ohio Statehouse.

We discuss a new plan to change Ohio's marijuana law, a surprise pardon from President Donald Trump, why lawmakers want to limit immigrants' property rights and how Trump's budget bill could affect Ohio Medicaid patients.

Attorney General Dave Yost has dropped out of the campaign for governor. Yost said his steep climb to the nomination had become a vertical cliff. For now, Vivek Ramaswamy's path to the Republican nomination for governor looks clear.

The conversation revolves around the election of Pope Leo, the first American Pope, and his background as a Chicago native and bishop in Peru. The discussion also covers the election process, where Leo was elected on the fourth ballot. Additionally, the speakers touch on the Ohio gubernatorial race, mentioning potential candidates like Jon Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy. They also discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' performance in the NBA playoffs, the potential trade of Donovan Mitchell for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation. The conversation concludes with speculations about the Ohio State vs. Texas game and the NFL schedule release.

We discuss a proposed amendment to abolish property taxes, a plan to expand gambling, sexual misconduct allegations against a state lawmaker and why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Ohio.

We discuss leadership changes at the Ohio Democratic Party, a bipartisan plan to relieve medical debt, the latest with Larry Householder and why lawmakers want to ban ranked choice voting.

A panel of experts breaks down President Trump's falling approval numbers in polls and the uncertainty over tariffs.

We discuss the May 6 election, problems with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a bill to revamp state energy policy and the latest with the Cleveland Browns stadium.

A new poll shows Trump has a 47% approval rating while 48% disapprove—a statistical tie—but that number is down 7 points from February. The poll's co-director, Bowling Green State University political science professor Robert Alexander, joins the show.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined Ohio Politics Explained to discuss his new job, higher education and whether he's thinking about a run for governor in 2026.

The Browns are looking to move to a new domed stadium in suburban Cleveland. And state lawmakers seem eager to help. The governor wants to tax sports betting companies and use the money to help the Browns and other teams. The Ohio House wants the state to borrow $600 million to just help the Browns. Kennesaw State University economics professor J.C. Bradbury joins the show.

We dissect Ohio's school voucher program and whether it's working as Republican lawmakers intended.

We discuss the two-year budget that passed the House, a key endorsement for Sen. Jon Husted and a proposal to ban China and Russia from buying property in Ohio.

Last week, former Sen. Sherrod Brown announced the formation of the Dignity of Work Institute. The goal, he says, is to help Democrats and Republicans better understand the lives of American workers. It also keeps him in the spotlight as he considers whether to run for office again.

We discuss a budget plan from House lawmakers, how Ohio Democrats are navigating Trump's second term and a new proposal to limit teens' social media use.

If you're a politician who wants to get elected, promising tax cuts is a popular strategy. Republican candidates for governor are doing just that, floating the idea to eliminate Ohio's income tax.

We discuss legislation to regulate hemp in Ohio, Sherrod Brown's next steps, the latest with Ohio's teacher pension system and how a Trump executive order could shape elections.

The Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, could be coming to Ohio. We discuss what that might look like with a panel of political observers.

We discuss the latest on the higher ed bill, Sherrod Brown's next steps, whether Ohio could eliminate the state income tax and a lawsuit over Ohio's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

Gov. DeWine gave his State of the State address this week and said things are going pretty well. He called for mandatory basic skills lessons in school—things like basic finance and first aid—and wants to make students leave their phones at home. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's State of the State address, an Ohio Supreme Court case involving a former Columbus pastor and the latest directive to universities from the Trump administration.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition, we recap how President Donald Trump called on Congress to eliminate the CHIPS Act, talk about how Ohio’s marijuana program is likely to see some changes, and mention what’s happening with DEI and Senate Bill 1. Finally, we discuss Ohio’s governor race and the endorsements that Vivek Ramaswamy recently received.

We discuss DEI programs at Ohio colleges, a new transgender bathroom law, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign launch and a bill to change Ohio's marijuana program.

Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his run for governor this week with several rallies. The wealthy entrepreneur, who burst on the scene in 2023 with his run for president, now wants to succeed Mike DeWine. Political strategist Terry Casey joins the show.

It's week two of the Jim Tressel era at the Ohio Statehouse and he has not set up a campaign website... yet. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has filed preliminary paperwork to run for governor. He'll face Attorney General Dave Yost, who announced his candidacy last month.

Mike DeWine did keep his Lt. Governor pick a secret until he and Jim Tressel walked before cameras on Monday morning. To the surprise of everyone, he announced the former OSU football coach and former Youngstown State University president was his nominee to be his right-hand office holder. Reporter David Skolnick of the Youngstown Vindicator joins the show.

We discuss Jim Tressel's appointment as lieutenant governor, a controversial higher ed bill passed by the Senate, the state of JobsOhio, and more.

Our roundtable discussion covers President Trump's immigration round-up, the move to end capital punishment in Ohio, and a proposal to change Ohio's fairly new voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget proposal, Larry Householder's appeal, a new bill to regulate underage drinking and the musical chairs of the 2026 election.

We discuss how President Donald Trump's immigration policies are affecting Ohio, proposed changes to the recreational marijuana law, a new plan to end the death penalty and why parents want the state to take action on child care.

Advocacy groups believe Trump's rescinded federal funding freeze would have disrupted the Ohio budget process and jeopardized critical programs. Hannah Halbert, director of Policy Matters Ohio, joins the show.

After months of speculation, Gov Mike DeWine announced that Jon Husted was his pick to be the next U.S. Senator from Ohio. Of course, Husted is replacing short-timer J.D. Vance, who job-hopped into the Vice Presidency.

This DeWine appointment to the U.S. Senate has become a bit of a soap opera. Joining us to try to help us understand this is long-time Republican strategist Terry Casey.

We discuss the latest on Inauguration Day, potential changes to Ohio's Medicaid program and how the Ohio Republican Party chair made waves this week.

We discuss the latest with Ohio's Senate appointment, a new legislative session, which bills just became law and the first Democrat to join the 2026 race for governor.

Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton ended speculation and announced this week that she will indeed run for governor next year as a Democrat. Meanwhile, Gov. DeWine still has a big decision to make on who will fill JD Vance's seat in the U.S. Senate.

In the 248 years of America's existence, there have been tumultuous years and 2024 is going to be right up there. Joining the show to relive the memories is long-time Statehouse reporter Darrel Rowland.

We discuss the end of this year's lame duck session and what's ahead for Ohio politics in 2025.

We talk with one of Ohio's longest-serving lawmakers as he prepares to retire this month.

The legislative session between Election Day and the end of the legislative term is always a busy one. Maybe lawmakers are just like the rest of us and they procrastinate. Former State Representative Gene Krebs joins the show.

Voters last month soundly rejected a measure that would have appointed an independent, non-political commission to draw legislative and congressional lines. An Ohio lawmaker says there is an alternate solution: expand the size of the legislature. Joining us to discuss this proposal is State Sen. Bill Blessing.