AGP Executive Report

DOGE Accountability Fight: The White House says it won’t issue a final accounting of the Department of Government Efficiency before it sunsets July 4, despite bipartisan lawmakers pressing for details on spending cuts and workforce reductions. Child Abuse Case in Ohio: In Hamden/Vinton County, authorities removed 16 children from “deplorable” conditions in a tiny room and charged four adults with child endangerment; neighbors say the situation went unnoticed for years, while some children required hospitalization. PFAS Cleanup: DOJ and EPA announced a multi-state settlement with Chemours over “forever chemicals,” including alleged discharges into the Ohio River, setting up ongoing fights over future permit limits. Public Safety—Fireworks: Springfield fire officials remind residents the city opted out of the state’s holiday fireworks allowance after a fireworks incident left a man in critical condition. Energy & Defense: Centrus finalized a $900M DOE task order to move its HALEU enrichment work in Piketon, Ohio, toward commercial production, while the Air Force also seeks upgrades to the MH-139A helicopter’s EO/IR system.

Child Abuse Case in Vinton County: Ohio AG Andy Wilson says authorities rescued 16 children from a rural Hamden home after finding “conditions you cannot even imagine,” with the kids allegedly confined in a tiny, filthy room for years; four adults—Gary Siders Jr. and Sr., Christina Siders, and Elizabeth Siders—face felony child endangerment charges, and some children were flown to trauma centers. Supreme Court & Immigration: The latest U.S. Supreme Court rulings are reverberating in Ohio’s Haitian community as Temporary Protected Status protections are set to end, raising fears for health-care staffing and families facing deportation. Campaign Finance Shakeup: The Supreme Court struck down limits on coordinated party spending with candidates, a decision that could amplify wealthy donor influence heading into Ohio’s midterms. Local Governance & Elections: Ohio lawmakers are pushing voter ID into the state constitution via HJR 9, even though Ohio already has a voter ID law in place. Ohio Policy Watch: Child Care Cred, a tri-share childcare subsidy program, is extended through 2027 but still has low employer participation, leaving many working parents without help. Ohio in the News: Ohio’s “Mother of Presidents” legacy highlights seven Ohio-born presidents and four vice presidents tied to the state.

Protect College Sports Act: A bipartisan bill to stabilize college athletics and give the NCAA antitrust protection cleared the Senate Commerce Committee and is headed for a July floor vote, with a 60-vote threshold still ahead. Supreme Court & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down limits on coordinated party spending with candidates, a 6-3 ruling that could reshape fundraising and campaign strategy nationwide. Immigration & Voting Access: Red states including Ohio are pushing to restore access to the federal SAVE citizenship database after a judge shut it down, while Ohio’s Haitian community continues to react to the end of TPS. Columbus Somali Flag Controversy: A Columbus parks department post about raising a Somali flag at City Hall was deleted after backlash from Republicans and Somali-American leaders. Child Welfare Crisis in Vinton County: Ohio authorities rescued 16 children from a Hamden home where they were confined to one room for about four years; four adults were charged with felony child endangerment. Food Industry: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, and DOJ reached a $3.3B egg price-fixing settlement with major producers. Energy & Climate: A report warns “behind-the-meter” gas plants for data centers could drive emissions on par with major countries.

Supreme Court Campaign Finance: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal limits on coordinated party spending with candidates, a major shift that could reshape Ohio’s 2026 and 2028 election advertising and fundraising. Immigration & Voting Rights: The Court also upheld birthright citizenship and let states keep transgender athlete bans, while another ruling revived questions about late voter roll purges and how election rules will be enforced. Ohio Politics & Policy: Ohio’s DeWine administration and lawmakers are still wrestling with election administration and voter ID fights, even as national court decisions move the goalposts. Public Safety: Authorities rescued 16 children from “deplorable” conditions in Vinton County and arrested four adults on felony child endangerment charges. Heat & Community Services: Extreme heat warnings continued across parts of Ohio, with reminders to use cooling help and stay hydrated. Local Government & Schools: Canfield schools advanced steps toward a 5.9-mill operations levy, while Mahoning County commissioners approved tax relief changes for homeowners.

Supreme Court Watch: SCOTUS upheld Trump’s birthright citizenship limits bid being rejected and also kept state bans on transgender girls and women in school sports, a double hit that will shape Ohio education and immigration debates. Campaign Finance: The Court struck down long-standing limits on political party spending and coordination with candidates, clearing the way for more money to flow into federal races—Ohio Republicans are already pointing to a GOP-friendly win. Ohio Courts & Governance: A legal fight over the Kennedy Center’s removal of Trump’s name continues, with filings raising questions about how board decisions were made. Energy & Data Centers: PJM asked for emergency authority to bypass environmental rules and potentially force major users—including data centers—to run on backup power during a historic heatwave. Public Safety & Heat: Ohio prisons still lack air conditioning, and the state’s extreme heat response is straining facilities. Local Government: Fairfield Township approved a $10 license-plate fee hike to fund road repairs starting in 2027. Economy/AG: Ohio’s AG is part of a multistate egg price-fixing settlement—$3.3M and 53M donated eggs.

Immigration & TPS: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says the U.S. Supreme Court’s move to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians is “a mistake” and warns it’s a “job killer” for Springfield, where Haitian residents have helped fill labor gaps and revive businesses. Courts & Elections: The Supreme Court rejected a GOP push to stop states from counting mail ballots received after Election Day if they’re postmarked by then—an outcome that keeps Ohio’s approach intact and avoids last-minute rule changes. Digital Rights: A divided Sixth Circuit panel ordered Ohio’s parental-consent social media law for kids under 16 restored, dealing a fresh blow to NetChoice and setting up more appeals. Public Safety: Northeast Ohio braces for an extended heat wave with heat indexes topping 100; Ohio EMA and DeWine’s office issued guidance on hydration and danger signs. Medicaid Oversight: Ohio Medicaid suspended payments to eight more high-risk providers tied to earlier fraud enforcement. Energy & Industry: ODNR data shows Columbiana County’s Utica/Point Pleasant wells hit a new quarterly oil production record. Federal Tech/Ads: The FCC urged a court to reject a fast-track challenge to its political ad guidance, arguing the case is premature. Weather/Local Life: Ohio also promoted safe boating reminders as summer water activity ramps up.

Election Law: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s rule allowing late-arriving mail ballots (postmarked by Election Day) to be counted, but Ohio’s stricter law still stands—meaning Ohio voters won’t get the same grace period. Public Safety: Gov. Mike DeWine and EMA issued a statewide heat safety alert as temperatures push into the mid-90s with dangerous humidity. Energy & Environment: Ohio’s Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved fracking bids opening nearly 15,000 acres of state wildlife and park land in eastern Ohio, drawing sharp protest from conservation groups. Consumer Protection: AG Andy Wilson announced a statewide initiative to bolster the fight against romance scams targeting older adults, including a dedicated hotline and expanded digital forensics. Local Justice & Civil Liberties: In Washington, D.C., the city agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit from an Ohio National Guard protester who played “Star Wars” music during a detention. Jobs & Defense: A Ukrainian drone maker will open its first U.S. assembly and manufacturing center in Lucas County, aiming for at least 300 jobs by 2029. Health & Environment: Ohio EPA will test air at a Clermont County coal ash landfill after neighbors reported a rotten-egg stench and health complaints.

Property Tax Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed a $350 million homestead exemption bonus (HB 479), aiming to deliver about $500 in savings to roughly 710,000 seniors and disabled homeowners, while broader property tax reform remains stalled in the legislature. Elections & Voting Access: Ohio Republicans are weighing whether they can override DeWine’s veto of HB 472, which would have required photo ID for absentee/mail-in ballots—voters’ groups call it a win for privacy and accessibility, while DeWine said it adds burden without real fraud prevention. Immigration Policy: After SCOTUS moved to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urged people to secure permanent status or leave; Ohio’s DeWine criticized the move as a mistake with economic and healthcare fallout. Ohio Politics Watch: A new AARP poll finds the Ohio governor race remains tight—Amy Acton leads Vivek Ramaswamy 47% to 44%, with the biggest split among voters under 50 vs. 50+. Public Safety & Schools: Ohio reports more than 110 districts/schools with armed staff members, as teacher shortages and budget pressures continue to strain staffing. Elder Scam Warning: Ohio’s Commerce Department says elder financial scams are rising, with crypto-related schemes driving major losses.

Immigration & TPS: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told CNN that migrants on Temporary Protected Status must either apply for permanent residence or leave, saying TPS “is not permanent status,” after a Supreme Court ruling cleared the way to end protections for many Haitians and Syrians. Ohio Politics: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine pushed back publicly on CNN, warning deporting Haitians would be a “mistake” and arguing it’s not in Ohio’s interest because TPS holders work in manufacturing, food, and health care. Election Rules: A proposed USPS policy would stop delivering mail ballots in states that won’t provide voter lists to the federal government, raising new concerns about mail voting access ahead of November. Local Government & Jobs: Defiance County’s Community Improvement Corporation briefed efforts to help soon-to-be displaced UPS workers, while Henry County’s CIC discussed confidential “projects” that could bring new jobs and expansions. Environment & Health: Ohio is bracing for a dangerous heatwave, with heat advisories and cooling-center hours in the Akron area, and a new ODA partnership aims to expand conservation incentives for farmers through H2Ohio.

Death Penalty: Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohio should abolish capital punishment, arguing it doesn’t deter crime and that long appeals mean many condemned inmates die before execution—setting up a final stretch of decisions as he leaves office in January. 2028 GOP Politics: A new report finds JD Vance is under pressure to lock in as a top Trump-era choice for 2028, with the president reportedly still weighing whether Vance is the right pick. Public Health: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4 million NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment in about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia, aiming to bring medication prescribing into primary care. Environment: Chemours reached a $450 million PFAS settlement tied to pollution in multiple rivers, including allegations involving Ohio waterways, with major long-term cleanup and drinking-water commitments. Immigration Courts: The fallout from the Supreme Court’s TPS decision is hitting communities, including Ohio, as advocates warn protections are being unwound for Haitians and others. Safety & Crime: FBI says multiple arrests were made in a planned attack targeting the White House UFC event, including suspects from Ohio.

Public Safety: Huber Heights (Montgomery County) will run two OVI checkpoints tonight—Old Troy Pike (6:30-11:30 p.m.) and Brandt Pike—plus an Ohio State Highway Patrol roadside check, with officials urging drivers not to drink and to buckle up. Statehouse & Local Schools: Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 479, a school-construction funding change meant to update how districts calculate their local share, with supporters citing reduced burdens for districts like Heath City Schools. Government Accountability: A new Ohio Auditor of State review gave Geauga County a clean opinion on its 2024 finances but flagged major internal-control issues, including a $215.6 million property-tax reporting misstatement and federal COVID-relief reporting failures. Immigration Policy: After the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, Haitian leaders and advocates are urging Ohio-area TPS holders to prepare and push Congress for protections and permanent residency pathways. Southern Ohio Investment: State Sen. Shane Wilkin announced $14M+ for projects in Ohio’s 17th district included in the Senate’s capital budget bill.

Toledo Violence: Police arrested Eljay Crisp-Carr, 20, charging him with 11 counts of felonious assault after a shooting at Toledo’s Old West End Festival left 12 people wounded, with investigators saying video and witness accounts show he fired indiscriminately into the crowd; a second suspect remains at large. Local Cybersecurity: Perry County commissioners adopted a new cybersecurity policy and sent an IT administrator to Ohio Cyber Reserve training to bolster defenses even though no incidents have been reported. Ohio Courts: The Ohio Supreme Court dismissed six Lancaster City Schools property tax valuation cases, ruling school boards can’t appeal other owners’ valuations. Immigration & TPS Fallout: Catholic bishops urged Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians as the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end protections, raising fears for Ohio communities. Gov. DeWine: DeWine rode across the newly reopened Blaine Hill Bridge after nearly two years of closure. Health Access: Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio will resume accepting Medicaid for preventive services after a federal reimbursement ban expires July 3. Lake Erie Safety: Ohio Sea Grant and NOAA warned residents to keep kids and pets away from expected harmful algal bloom scum on Lake Erie. Legislative Push: Ohio lawmakers passed a package before summer recess, including voter photo ID changes, Medicaid fraud reforms, and a major capital budget.

Immigration & Courts: Gov. Mike DeWine blasted the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, saying it’s not in Ohio’s best interest and warning it will upend the lives of thousands in the state. Elections & Voting Policy: Ohio’s voter photo ID fight is back in focus after DeWine vetoed mail-in ID requirements, with Republicans weighing whether to override. Public Safety & Crime: A new Akron gun-violence analysis argues the problem is bigger than city limits, while a separate federal case in the White House UFC plot adds another Ohio-linked defendant. Local Government & Economic Development: Defiance’s First Quality project update includes a new JEDD structure and tax plan tied to the All Ohio Future Fund. Community & Civic Life: Lorain County Probate Court appointed Antonio Baez to the Lorain Foundation board. Other Ohio Notes: Ohio’s hemp THC rules face renewed legal pressure after a Michigan judge paused parts of Ohio’s hemp law.

Immigration Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, exposing hundreds of thousands to deportation and reshaping asylum policy nationwide. Ohio Legal/Policy: Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed Ohio’s voter photo ID requirement for mail-in ballots, keeping the fight over election rules alive heading into 2026. PFAS Accountability: EPA and DOJ announced a landmark $450M PFAS settlement with Chemours, tied to alleged contamination of the Ohio River and other waterways; Ohio communities and local governments are also seeing settlement payments. Healthcare Competition: Ohio AG Andy Wilson and DOJ reached a proposed settlement with OhioHealth over contract terms that allegedly restrict insurers from steering patients to lower-cost care. Statehouse/Utilities: DeWine vetoed Ohio submetering legislation, calling the model “fundamentally flawed” and raising consumer protection concerns. Local Government & Environment: Bridgeport received another $116,995 installment from a 3M PFAS class-action settlement tied to contaminated drinking wells. Civic Life: Secretary Frank LaRose unveiled a limited-edition America 250 “I Voted” sticker. Community/Workforce: Mid-Ohio ESC ran teacher boot camps connecting educators with local employers and in-demand skills.

Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, putting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians at risk of deportation and limiting lawsuits challenging the move—an Ohio impact as DeWine calls the decision a mistake. Elections & Voting: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed GOP-backed photo ID restrictions for mail-in voting, keeping the state’s current approach in place. Statehouse Oversight: An Ohio AG candidate filed an ethics complaint against JobsOhio board chair Josh Rubin over a proposed $100M nuclear fund that could benefit his AEP lobbying client. Public Safety & Privacy: Columbus disabled nationwide access to Flock Safety license-plate cameras, citing concerns about data being used inconsistently with city goals. Environment & Health: Lake Erie’s 2026 harmful algae bloom is forecast as moderate, with scientists warning toxins could still affect people and pets. Agriculture & Law: The Supreme Court blocked Monsanto/Roundup failure-to-warn lawsuits, strengthening federal pesticide label authority and narrowing one path for plaintiffs. Local Community: The Athens News shut down after nearly 50 years, blaming declining ad support.

Election Integrity & Voting Access: Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have required photo ID for Ohio mail-in ballots, arguing it adds burden without improving security. Courts & Federalism: A new legal fight is brewing over the OCC’s push to expand bank preemption rules, with critics warning it goes beyond Dodd-Frank and could land before the Supreme Court. Healthcare & Labor: Ohio lawmakers are still stuck on nurse staffing fixes, as proposals to set staffing ratios keep hitting roadblocks. Immigration & Local Government: Records show Butler County’s jail made 130+ medical calls since ICE resumed its contract, raising questions about care and oversight. Public Safety & Policy: A federal push to broaden Amber Alert triggers is gaining momentum after an Indiana teen case ended in tragedy. Environment & Industry: The federal government reached a $450M PFAS settlement with Chemours, setting up major cleanup and controls. Education & Eligibility: Ohio courts are set to weigh lawsuits challenging NCAA age-based eligibility changes that would block some athletes from a fifth season.