Ohio Capital Journal

1 day ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Megan Henry

by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal June 26, 2025 Opponents of Ohio Republican lawmakers’ higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, have failed to collect enough signatures to put a referendum on the ballot this year to block it. Members of the Youngstown State University’s chapter of the Ohio Education Association tried to get a referendum on the Nov.

1 day ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Morgan Trau

Ohio Republicans passed a $60 billion operating budget that includes tax cuts for the wealthy, funding for a new Cleveland Browns stadium, and restrictions on education. The GOP says it is a fiscally conservative and responsible budget. The Democrats say it is a budget for billionaires — not the working-class Ohioans. In the dead of night, the Republicans on the Conference Committee approved a final budget. But while Ohioans were sleeping at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning — we were there.

2 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Megan Henry

The final version of Ohio’s two-year state operating budget retains anti-LGBTQ provisions, requires Governor’s Merit Scholarship recipients pledge to remain in Ohio after graduation, and ties state funding to compliance with a new higher education law. The budget now heads to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for his signature, which he must sign by June 30. He can line-item veto provisions in the budget.

2 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Morgan Trau

Ohio active and retired educators will have less of a voice on the state’s retired teachers’ pension fund board under the proposed final budget. Amid legislators’ concerns of an alleged corruption scheme threatening the fund, they have decided to reduce the number of elected positions and add more political appointments.

2 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Morgan Trau

Ohio legislative leaders say a compromise has been reached on the state’s operating budget — sharing early details that the wealthy will get a tax cut and the Cleveland Browns get hundreds of millions for their new stadium. Despite efforts, there has been no word on education funding as of Tuesday evening. The lawmakers have been writing like they’re running out of time. Because they are. The legislation must be passed by the end of June.