Ohio Updates

The Ohio legislature has recessed with no scheduled session dates until mid-November, after the general election. During the final session before recessing at the end of May, more than 30 bills passed out of the House and Senate. Also, federal judges have finally weighed in to set the General Assembly redistricting maps, however, the maps will only be valid for two years as they are deemed unconstitutional. Ohio will hold its second primary on August 2nd for the Ohio House and Senate. See G2G’s full report on Ohio politics, legislative activities, education, and health.

The state legislature is now on Spring Break and scheduled to return around mid-May. At that time, we hope to see a Capital Budget Bill introduced and quickly moved through the legislative process to pass before summer. Redistricting continues to be top of mind for legislators. Because the General Assembly maps are still not approved, Ohio will have two primaries. The May 3rd primary will have statewide and Congressional candidates on the ballot. The Ohio House and Senate primary will be held at a later date, likely August 2nd. However, the maps seem to have caused one incumbent to announce his retirement this week: Congressman Bob Gibbs. Finally, Governor DeWine held his first State of the State in House Chambers with an audience since 2019 on March 23, highlighting Ohio’s successes and his continued plans and priorities.

All eyes in Ohio are still on redistricting as maps are still not confirmed with the May 3rd primary. When the Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to produce new General Assembly maps within their 10 day deadline as given by the Court, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor asked that Commission appear before the Court in person to explain the reason for the delay and why they should not be held in contempt. The court appearance was scheduled but is now in continuance with no date reset.

The legislature has slowly started committee meetings during the 2022 session. Right now everyone is focused on redistricting and the $20 billion Intel deal that could make central Ohio the epicenter for chip manufacturing for the world.

The Ohio House and Senate are scheduled for a just a few more committee and session days before they wrap up for 2021. A bill on vaccine mandate exemptions has made its way through the House and is now being heard in Senate. Republicans and Democrats remain conflicted on the constitutionality of the redistricting maps as they head to the Supreme Court for their decision.

All eyes are on Cleveland as the city will elect a new mayor for the first time in 16 years on Tuesday. Nonprofit leader Justin Bibb and Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley will vie to be mayor of Cleveland replacing Mayor Frank Jackson, who has held the position since 2006. Bibb leads Kelley by 9 points in the latest poll conducted by Baldwin Wallace University but 40% of respondents are still undecided.

The Ohio Legislature is back in action after summer recess and started hearings and session after Labor Day. At the forefront of the General Assembly agenda is redistricting. Already, a lawsuit has been filed arguing the maps violate provisions in the Ohio Constitution against being drawn to favor or disfavor a political party. Provisions in the budget are now underway and the legislature will work to pass more bills before the end of the year.