State Legislature News
The Daily Signal provides stay informed on key statehouse actions that shape communities and influence national politics.
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news
Gov. DeWine Vetoed Voter ID for Mail-In Ballots. What’s Next?
On Wednesday night, Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, vetoed House Bill 472, which in its final form included provisions requiring a photo ID for mail-in ballots. The fight for voter integrity does not appear to be over in the Buckeye State, however. In vetoing the bill, DeWine released a statement noting that “the bill “would not… -
news
Ohio Family Group Celebrates Ruling on Social Media Age Verification Law
The Center for Christian Virtue is celebrating last week’s decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that allows an Ohio law on age verification and parental consent for those under 16 using social media to go into effect. Ohio’s Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act, signed into law in 2023, was supposed… -
news
Ohio Republicans on the Death Penalty: The General Assembly ‘Has Already Spoken’
Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday revealed his stance on the death penalty, ruffling the feathers of many Ohio Republicans in the process. “I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty. The Legislature could take this action, and I think they should take this action,” the governor said during a press conference. DeWine, a Republican leader… -
analysis
Deal With the Cleveland Clinic Better Protects Minors
Ohio continues to protect children from transgender procedures. Recently, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation reached a settlement with the Department of Justice and the Ohio attorney general involving detransition care and billing practices. A press release from the DOJ references agreements that include “a decades-long commitment to not perform or offer sex-rejecting procedures—which includes the administration… -
news
Agreement on Data Centers Falters as Ohio Lawmakers Go on Recess
While the Ohio Legislature has made strides this week in key areas before summer recess, it was unable to come to an agreement on the hot-button issue of data centers. Lawmakers have been debating the level of regulation and tax breaks for data centers, while a joint committee is also studying the effects of data… -
news
Voter ID Gets Major Mail-In Ballot Boost From Ohio Legislature
The Ohio Legislature passed a bill that would require photo ID to be submitted starting in 2027 for absentee voters’ mail-in ballots. That’s in addition to what’s coming this November, when voters get the opportunity to enshrine Ohio’s current voter ID law into the state constitution. If Gov. Mike DeWine signs House Bill 472 into… -
news
Trump Speaks on Ohio Voter ID
With Senate Joint Resolution 10 on voter ID having passed the Ohio Senate last week, and a similar resolution expected to come up for a vote on Wednesday in the House, President Donald Trump took to social media to promote the effort. “Democrats fought hard against this, presumably so they can CHEAT,” Trump posted Monday… -
opinion
About the Media Freakout on Voter ID in Ohio
Polling from both Heritage Action and Honest Election Project Action has shown voter ID to be extremely popular among Ohioans. Yet the Republican effort to enshrine voter ID into the state constitution is being called out by many in local mainstream media. Republicans Push Enshrining Voter ID in State Constitution First, where the effort stands… -
exclusive
EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows Ohio Voters Support Voter ID Amendment
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—With this week’s passage of Senate Joint Resolution 10 in the state Senate, Ohioans are that much closer to voting on a ballot initiative this November that will enshrine photo voter ID into the state constitution. The passage of SJR 10, with the state House also set to vote on such… -
analysis
‘Most Stringent’ Voter ID Effort to Make Moves in Ohio
The Ohio Senate is expected to take up a vote in the coming days on a resolution that could produce one of the strongest voter ID laws in the country. “If this is passed by the voters, this will be the most stringent voter ID law in the country,” state Sen. Jane Timken, the sponsor… -
news
DeWine Announces Tax Exemption Pause on Data Centers
As lawmakers study the impact of data centers in Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced a pause in consideration of new tax exemptions for data centers. Despite the directive, DeWine’s statement praised data centers, including how they have contributed to Ohio’s success. “Data centers are a critical component to today’s technology-driven economy, which… -
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Childcare Fraud Bills See Updates From Ohio Legislature
A bill introduced in the Ohio General Assembly earlier this year is seeing changes as lawmakers craft how to deal with concerns about childcare centers. In January, Republican state Reps. Josh Williams and DJ Swearingen introduced House Bill 649, with the House Children and Human Services Committee continuing to review the bill. The bill requires… -
news
Bipartisan Committee to Study Ohio Data Centers
With data centers increasingly in the news—and increasingly contentious—a bipartisan committee in Ohio has been created to study the impact of these large facilities, both the benefits they could bring to residents of the Buckeye State as well as concerns. The Ohio Joint Data Center Committee, consisting of six Republicans and two Democrats from the… -
analysis
Ohio Rocked by Fraud—Now What?
The Daily Wire’s Luke Rosiak revealed the extent to which fraud tied to “Medicaid Millionaires” exists in Ohio. The state’s home health program allows people to get paid to care, even for their own family members. Rosiak’s review of Medicaid data from the Department of Government Efficiency showed Ohio grants Medicaid waivers for people to… -
opinion
State Legislatures Possess the Power to Curtail Shutdown Orders
In an effort to contain the coronavirus, many governors are relying on emergency powers to issue orders requiring self-quarantining, restricting business activity, banning gatherings, and limiting mobility across entire regions. These shutdowns have eviscerated more than 30 million jobs, threatened countless businesses with insolvency, and disrupted core civic activities. Many private citizens and some state legislators… -
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How Obama’s Post-Presidency Could Affect Your State Legislature
During his final State of the Union address, President Barack Obama insisted that one means of ending the nation’s polarized political environment is changing how the states draw congressional and state legislative districts. “If we want a better politics, it’s not enough just to change a congressman or change a senator or even change a… -
opinion
An Insider’s Take on Two Supreme Court Cases That Could Affect the Makeup of Your State Legislature
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two important voting rights cases. How the Court rules could have a huge impact on the composition of state legislatures across the country. Both cases involve the “one person, one vote” guarantee embodied in the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. This guiding principle requires that all… -
news
Why One State Legislature Is Using Your Tax Dollars to Operate Its Own News Service
LINCOLN, Neb.—In addition to the gaggle of TV, radio, online and newspaper reporters who regularly cover the Nebraska Legislature, a handful of lesser-known reporters who write about the legislature also work for it. The Unicameral Information Office employs three public information officers who earn an average of $47,442 per year not only to do public…