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Until the Ohio House passed its rules this week, legislation couldn't be introduced in the chamber. However, the rules were adopted during session on Tuesday, amid some conflict within the House Republican caucus. We also now know who will serve on House Republican leadership, as well as which House members will be chairing committees. See more below.
Here are items of note from this week:
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP SELECTED
At the Ohio House session this week, the Republican caucus filled out its leadership positions. During the opening-day session, only Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and Speaker Pro Tempore Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) had been elected. The remaining leadership positions, which include two members who supported Rep. Derek Merrin for speaker, are:
- Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati)
- Assistant Majority Floor Leader Jon Cross (R-Kenton)
- Majority Whip Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon)
- Assistant Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth)
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS ANNOUNCED IN HOUSE
Speaker Stephens released the list of chairs and vice chairs for the House committees during the 135th General Assembly. View here. House Minority Leader Allison Russo released a list of the Democrat members of various committee. View here. A full list of committee members, including Republican members, has not been released, although this bulletin previously included a list of the Senate committee members.
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO BE HELD TUESDAY
Gov. DeWine's State of the State Address will be held at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Ohio Statehouse. The governor said he will highlight his budget priorities. You can view the speech live at ohiochannel.org.
COLUMBUS GUN RESTRICTIONS GO INTO EFFECT
After the City of Columbus passed legislation to ban magazines of 30 rounds or more, require safe gun storage around children, and criminalize giving or selling a gun to anyone prohibited from owning one, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost asked a Fairfield County judge (part of Columbus is in Fairfield County) for a preliminary injunction to prevent the city from enforcing the ordinance -- saying the law violated the Ohio Constitution. Since then, the judge declined to issue the injunction and wrote in a ruling that he found it unlikely the state would be able to prevail in the case. Therefore, Columbus' gun restrictions have taken effect.
GREATER OHIO RELEASES UPDATED WHITE PAPER ON BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION FUNDS
The Greater Ohio Policy Center has released Unlocking Opportunity: Ohio's Brownfield Remediation Fund Awards & The Benefit of Brownfields. The white paper examines the $341 million awarded through all three rounds of the Brownfield Remediation Fund and makes the case for additional funding. More Info
GOVERNOR SELECTS AGRICULTURE DIRECTOR & TAX COMMISSIONER
Gov. DeWine selected Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) to be the next director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture -- taking over for Director Dorothy Pelanda, who retired at the end of 2022.
The governor also selected Patricia Harris to be the next commissioner of the Ohio Department of Taxation. Harris is currently the chief operating officer at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. She will be taking the place of former Tax Commissioner Jeff McClain, who also recently retired.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SEEKING SURVEY INPUT
The Ohio Department of Health is inviting a broad range of stakeholders, including local governments, to complete a survey to provide insights regarding health-related priorities, strengths, challenges, and emerging trends that will help inform the next iteration of the State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan. More Info
ONE OHIO RECOVERY FOUNDATION TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR EXPERT PANEL
The OneOhio Recovery Foundation -- aimed at advancing the state's addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts as a result of the opioid settlement -- is accepting applications to join a group of independent advisors that will guide the distribution of more than $400 million. Ohioans with expertise in addiction prevention, treatment and recovery, pain management, public health and other related fields are encouraged to apply. More Info
NLC UPDATE: CONGRESSIONAL PRIORITIES LOCAL LEADERS ARE WATCHING IN 2023
The 118th Congress is in session with a host of new members and a slim majority that will affect how to advocate for the priorities of America’s cities and villages. This year, the House will balance its slim majority with policy and political challenges, and the split between the chambers will mean an arduous path to find consensus between the House and Senate. More Info
FEDERAL GRANTS AVAILABLE
OML was recently provided a list of federal resources and assistance that may be useful to communities and other organizations pursuing community capacity building and other revitalization efforts. The Excel list contains links to federal grants that are currently accepting applications and can be downloaded here.
RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
The National Wildlife Federation has an interactive database for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for sustainable planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience. This includes reducing flood risks, tackling erosion, creating recreational space, restoring and protecting wetlands, and more. More Info
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