Ohio Capital Journal

1 day ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Rob Moore

by Rob Moore, Ohio Capital Journal May 13, 2025 Early this budget season, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman said school funding cuts were on the horizon. His House budget certainly follows up with that promise. According to analysis by the Ohio River Valley Institute, the FY2027 school allocation under the House Plan falls $2.7 billion short of what the General Assembly agreed to invest in public education in the 2022 Fair School Funding Plan.

5 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Megan Henry

by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal May 9, 2025 More than 20 people spoke out against a bill that would change Ohio’s marijuana law. Thirty-five people submitted opponent testimony against Ohio House Bill 160, which would reduce THC levels and redirect most of the tax revenue. State Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, introduced the bill two months ago and opponents testified against the bill for more than three hours during Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee meeting.

5 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Nick Evans

Ohio senators heard from supporters Wednesday of a proposal establishing guardrails around media produced with artificial intelligence. The proposal would prohibit the use of AI to create deepfake porn — particularly involving minors. But with provisions requiring watermarks and punishing identity fraud, the bill’s impact could extend far beyond the creation of pornography. Senate bill 163 The bill’s sponsors, state Sens.

6 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Marty Schladen

by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal May 8, 2025 Every single library levy on Tuesday’s ballot passed in Ohio, and none of them were close. The victories come as Republican officials at the state and federal level look at cutting library funding. There were 13 levies on the ballot — eight renewals, two replacements, two new ones and a bond. The least successful of those — for the Delaware County District Library and the Troy-Miami County Public Library — passed with 56% of the vote.

6 days ago | ohiocapitaljournal.com | Megan Henry

by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal May 8, 2025 Ohio House Republicans are trying to ban diversity and inclusion in K-12 schools. House Reps. Beth Lear, R-Galena, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, recently introduced House Bill 155. This is a companion bill to Ohio Senate Bill 113, which has had two hearings so far in the Senate Education Committee.