AGP Executive Report

Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 to suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent diesel tax for 90 days, with lawmakers using emergency status so it takes effect immediately; officials say the savings should reach drivers, though timing and how prices adjust remain unclear. Campaign Affordability Clash: In the governor’s race, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson traded proposals aimed at cutting driving-related costs as gas prices stay a top voter issue. Election 2026 Prep: Ohio voters can request absentee ballots by mail using forms printed in Sunday papers; early voting begins Oct. 6, and photo ID is required for in-person voting but not for absentee. Statehouse Watch: Ohio lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the gas-tax holiday in an election-year sprint, while Democrats criticized the process and timing. Public Safety Data: Ohio’s AG says more than 900 agencies missed required sexual assault kit reporting, prompting a working group to find the gaps. Education Policy: The Trump administration’s federal scholarship tax credit program is set to expand school choice nationwide, with new Treasury guidance on how states and scholarship-granting organizations will participate. Ohio Economy/Workforce: DeWine announced ARC POWER funding for Appalachian workforce and economic revitalization projects. Tech & Power Demand: A new study projects AI data centers could reach about 1% of global electricity demand by 2030, intensifying the debate over costs and ratepayer impacts.

Gas Tax Relief: Ohio lawmakers suspended the state’s gasoline and diesel tax for 90 days, a move framed as immediate relief for drivers but criticized as election-year politics. SNAP Funding: Ohio faces an estimated $38 million loss in SNAP administration funding starting Oct. 1, raising pressure on state and local eligibility operations. Data Centers & Power Costs: Senate Democrats blocked a data center electricity rate bill aimed at lowering costs, keeping the fight over hyperscale growth and ratepayer impacts front and center in Ohio’s midterm politics. Elections & Voter Access: Ohio election officials urged voters to double-check registration and ID/poll details as early voting begins, while LaRose pushed a statewide education campaign on election resources. Local Governance: Youngstown leaders and officials are still scrambling over the SOBE steam heat crisis, with Sen. Bernie Moreno saying heat won’t be cut off this winter but no final plan is in place. Courts & Public Safety: The 6th District Court of Appeals vacated a conviction tied to Dad’s Place in Bryan, sending the case back to address constitutional defenses. Justice System Oversight: Ohio launched a working group to close sexual assault evidence kit reporting gaps, targeting missing annual inventory data. Business & Jobs: Gov. DeWine announced five projects approved through the Ohio Tax Credit Authority expected to create 1,173 jobs and drive $431 million in investment. Sports Betting Legal Fight: Kalshi lost an appeal after the 6th Circuit ruled Ohio and Tennessee can regulate its prediction-market contracts under state gambling laws.

Election Law Fight: A federal judge ruled FEMA can’t withhold more than $200M in public safety grants unless states and localities change election practices, rejecting the idea FEMA can force federal election preferences. Ohio Voting Access: Early voting for Ohio’s Nov. 3 general election starts Tuesday for most voters, with registration deadlines and county board options highlighted. Campaign & Data Centers: Republicans are pushing a final pre-midterm vote on a bill tied to data centers and energy costs, with Ohio Sen. Jon Husted facing a tough reelection fight. Local Government: Springfield’s city clerk Regina Jeffers will retire at month’s end; commissioners appointed Sarah Gillis as her successor. Courts & Public Safety: Caleb Flynn was found guilty in his wife’s murder case and is set for sentencing Monday. Business & Growth: OpenAI and SoftBank visited southeastern Ohio to discuss the Ports-Pike AI data center and announced $6M for local childcare. Community & Culture: The Wall That Heals Vietnam memorial is set to tour the Ohio Valley, arriving in Belmont County. Public Notices: Lucas County sheriff’s sales list online auctions for Toledo properties.

E-Check Rollback: Gov. Mike DeWine has asked Ohio EPA to start the process of ending mandatory vehicle emissions checks in Northeast Ohio, arguing the region now meets federal ozone standards—though critics warn it’s like removing batteries from a smoke detector. Midterm Politics: With five weeks left, Republicans are shifting from Georgia and North Carolina to defending other seats, while Trump says he’ll campaign for 32 days, including stops in Ohio. Gas Tax Fight: Ohio Senate Republicans advanced a 90-day gas tax suspension proposal tied to election-year affordability, but Democrats are split and lawmakers are debating how it would be paid for. Schools Under Pressure: Cincinnati Public Schools faces a projected $44.5M deficit and has been placed in fiscal caution status, with a recovery plan due by Nov. 30 ahead of a levy vote. Ohio Election Logistics: Early in-person voting starts Oct. 6; registration ends Oct. 5, and absentee deadlines are set for late October. Public Safety & Justice: Caleb Flynn was convicted of murdering his wife in Tipp City; AG Andy Wilson praised BCI and announced a working group to improve sexual-assault evidence kit reporting. Local Government: Franklin County Board of Elections rejected a residency challenge to state Rep. Ismail Mohamed. Health & Consumer: CareSource and Molina will exit the ACA Marketplace in Ohio in 2027, while Ohio AG Wilson formed the evidence-kit reporting working group.

Ohio Governor Race: A new Suffolk/USA TODAY Ohio Network poll has Democrat Amy Acton leading Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, a rare-looking result amid other surveys showing a tighter contest. U.S. Senate Race: Trump is set to campaign in Ohio for Sen. Jon Husted as the Brown-Husted fight stays competitive, with younger voters showing a bigger tilt toward Brown in recent polling. Campaign Strategy: Republicans in close races are quietly downplaying Trump on their websites as his approval sags and candidates try to focus on affordability. Courts & Elections: The Ohio Supreme Court blocked a Wilmington data-center zoning initiative from the Nov. 3 ballot, ruling the proposal improperly lets private citizens sue over zoning violations. AI & Liability: AI safety advocates are pushing states toward laws that would hold AI developers liable for harms, not just regulate systems before they cause damage. Federal Policy: A judge blocked the Trump administration from tying FEMA anti-terrorism grants to election-security requirements. Cannabis Insurance: Ohio lawmakers’ CLAIM Act would protect insurers serving state-legal marijuana businesses from certain federal penalties. Education: Solon City Schools topped Ohio’s School Report Card for student achievement. Local Governance: Lakota parents are urging crosswalk staffing back at three elementary schools after adult supervision was removed.

Ohio Defamation Reform: The Ohio House passed HB 441 to reset the clock on defamation lawsuits, moving from a one-year window to a four-year deadline after the statement is made—aimed at reversing a 2025 Ohio Supreme Court interpretation. College Sports Antitrust: The Senate cleared the Protect College Sports Act, setting up an NCAA antitrust exemption plus a national standard for athlete pay and eligibility length. Election Integrity Warnings: Ohio officials warned voters about “misleading” third-party registration mailers that mimic government notices ahead of the general election deadline. Prediction Markets Crackdown: Gov. DeWine says Ohio will hold Kalshi accountable after a federal appeals court ruling that Ohio can enforce its sports betting laws against the platform. Capital Defense Pay: The Ohio Supreme Court raised hourly rates for public defenders in death-penalty cases, citing complexity and cost. Gas Tax Fight: Lawmakers are preparing a 90-day gas tax suspension plan, with funding coming from general revenue rather than ODOT money. Data Center Politics: The Ohio Supreme Court blocked a Wilmington ballot measure tied to data center zoning rules. Criminal Justice & Courts: A federal judge blocked Trump administration efforts to tie counterterrorism grants to election changes; separately, Ohio Medicaid fraud indictments hit three Dayton-area providers. Local Politics: A North College Hill superintendent’s district social media post promoting Democrats is under legal scrutiny.

Trump Midterm Push in Ohio: President Donald Trump will rally in Vandalia Oct. 3 at Butler High School to boost GOP turnout and support for Sen. Jon Husted and Gov. race contender Vivek Ramaswamy, as both Senate and governor contests tighten. Ohio Governor Race Signals: Ramaswamy publicly framed his bid around safer streets, better schools, and lower costs, setting up a high-profile contrast with Democrat Amy Acton. Senate Race Pressure & National Politics: New polling shows Democrats narrowing their House advantage, while Ohio’s Senate fight between Husted and Sherrod Brown remains a major spending magnet. Campaign Messaging Shift: Republicans are leaning harder into “crime and public safety” attacks tied to “defund the police” themes as they try to blunt voter frustration. LGBTQ+ After SB1 at UC: University of Cincinnati student leaders launched an inaugural Queer Mentorship Program mixer, aiming to rebuild community support after Ohio’s SB1 closures. Local Government & Public Safety: Toledo police investigate repeated vandalism of Flock cameras, and a Butler County crash involving a USPS van sent a motorcyclist to the hospital by air ambulance. Health & Daily Life: Berlin Seeds recalled alfalfa sprouting seed tied to an outbreak investigation, and Medicaid changes are set to cut off coverage for many Northeast Ohio legal noncitizens starting Oct. 1.

Trump in Ohio Politics: President Donald Trump is set for a midterm rally in Vandalia Oct. 3 to back Sen. Jon Husted in a competitive race against Democrat Sherrod Brown, with the Ohio GOP calling Trump a key turnout driver. Data Centers & Secrecy: Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman is pushing the bipartisan “No Secrets for Data Centers Act” to ban NDAs tied to AI data center deals, after residents say they learned about projects only after negotiations were done. Election Competitiveness: Analysts say more southwest Ohio House seats could be in play as Democrats’ polling improves, including districts long viewed as safe for Republicans. Privacy & Surveillance: Columbus paused its Flock Safety license plate reader cameras amid a misuse investigation, but hundreds of similar cameras still operate across central Ohio. Courts & Gambling: A federal appeals court says Ohio can enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi, deepening the fight over how prediction markets should be regulated. Health & Law: The U.S. EEOC sued Mercy Health in Youngstown alleging a Jewish surgeon was fired for religion, while a separate report highlights how many Ohio health insurance denials get overturned only when patients appeal. Statehouse: Ohio lawmakers advanced a package of bills on school discipline, village governance, driver’s license suspensions, and hospital security.

Religious Discrimination Lawsuit: The U.S. EEOC sued Mercy Health in Youngstown over claims it fired an orthopedic surgeon after antisemitic remarks tied to the Oct. 7, 2023 Israel attacks. Abortion-Rights Amendment: A Butler County judge dismissed a challenge to Ohio’s 2023 voter-approved abortion and reproductive rights amendment, ruling the plaintiffs lacked standing. Surveillance Oversight: Columbus paused Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras tied to an officer misuse probe, but reporting shows hundreds of similar cameras remain across central Ohio. Election Safety & Campaign Security: A judge ordered no-contact rules after a man allegedly charged toward Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at a Youngstown event. Immigration Enforcement: The U.S. published names and photos of 176 Nigerians and Ghanaians slated for deportation. Data Center Politics: Gov. DeWine paused new Ohio tax exemptions for data centers as the energy-cost debate heats up ahead of the governor’s race. Courts & Voting Rules: Appeals court rulings kept Ohio’s citizenship proof requirement in place for voter registration. Local Governance & Schools: Ohio lawmakers passed a package including school discipline changes, hospital security requirements, and limits on driver’s license suspensions.

Medicaid Work Rules: Work requirements for some Medicaid beneficiaries start in January, but several GOP-led states are demanding medical documentation immediately—raising fears for Ohioans who can’t afford doctor visits; Statehouse: Ohio lawmakers approved a package covering school discipline, village audits, driver’s license suspensions, and hospital workplace violence, sending bills to Gov. DeWine; Energy & Utilities: AEP Ohio is rebranding as the Ohio Power Company and rolling out a redesigned monthly bill starting Oct. 1; Data Center Politics: DeWine paused new Ohio tax exemptions for data centers, a move that keeps the issue front-and-center in the governor’s race; Courts & Gambling: A federal appeals court ruled Ohio and Tennessee can treat Kalshi prediction-market contracts as gambling under state law; Elections & Polling: A WSJ poll finds Trump’s approval at 37%, the lowest for any president heading into midterms since 1990; Nonprofit Finance: New IRS-based local rankings highlight how much some Ohio nonprofits rely on government grants, with several cities showing grant shares near or above 90%.

Kalshi Prediction-Market Fight: The 6th Circuit dealt Kalshi another setback in its bid to operate sports event contracts, deepening a split with other federal courts and raising the odds the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in. Midterm Money & Messaging: Republicans are pouring unprecedented cash into “safe” red-state races as they fear midterm losses, with GOP super PAC spending concentrated where Trump won big in 2024. Ohio Election Rules: The Supreme Court reinstated an expanded immigration database used for citizenship checks tied to voter rolls, a move critics say could disrupt eligible voters. Gas Tax & Cost of Living: Ohio lawmakers are again circling a potential gas tax suspension as voters react to high prices, while GOP leaders try to pivot on affordability. Data Centers & Power: A new push to regulate or restrict data-center secrecy and electricity impacts is emerging as a major campaign issue, with voters focused on land, water, and transmission lines. Local Ballot Watch: Amherst School District is asking voters for a Nov. 3 operating levy after major cuts. Nonprofit Finance Snapshots: New IRS-based rankings highlight how some Ohio nonprofits rely heavily on government grants, including Springboro, Greenville, South Euclid, Findlay, Troy, Youngstown, and West Union.

OVI Enforcement: Mahoning County plans two separate OVI checkpoints tonight in Youngstown (10 p.m.-midnight near 3600 Market St, then 12:30 a.m.-3 a.m. near Glenwood Ave/Playhouse Ln) plus saturation patrols over the weekend. Courts & Elections: A 6th Circuit ruling blocks Kalshi’s prediction markets push, saying Ohio and Tennessee can regulate event contracts under state gambling laws—raising the odds of Supreme Court review. Voting Rules: A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration at BMV offices, pausing a lower-court block ahead of Nov. 3. Gas Tax Fight: Gov. Mike DeWine called a proposed 90-day gas tax suspension “very, very bad idea,” warning against using ODOT funds to backfill lost revenue. Homelessness: Toledo shelters are near capacity as winter approaches; leaders warn a delay in funding for additional crisis beds could force more people into warming centers. Public Safety & Schools: A 12-year-old was charged after a gun was found in a backpack at West Clermont Middle School. Energy/Transit: Akron Metro workers ratified a six-year contract; AEP Ohio is rebranding as Ohio Power Co. with a new monthly bill format. Data Centers: A new federal bill would curb NDAs and boost transparency around data center projects as the 1st District campaign heats up.

Voting Rights & Midterms: Legal experts warn 2026 voters face intimidation and eroding trust, urging turnout efforts and grassroots safety measures as DOJ civil-rights enforcement shifts under the Trump administration. Ohio Elections Law: Appeals court coverage continues around Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for BMV voter registration, with courts reinstating and upholding the rule. Gas Tax Fight: Gov. DeWine calls Vivek Ramaswamy’s push to suspend Ohio’s gas tax a “very, very bad idea,” while lawmakers weigh a 90-day pause and the politics of bypassing standard timelines. Data Centers & Senate Race: A new NBC News survey finds voters trust Democrats more on data centers, feeding Sherrod Brown’s attacks on Jon Husted in Ohio’s deadlocked Senate contest. Nonprofit Funding Watch: New IRS-based rankings spotlight Ohio nonprofits heavily reliant on government grants, including major grant-driven totals in cities like Columbus, Lima, Lorain, and Independence. Public Safety & Courts: Hamilton and Monroe County booking reports add to local criminal justice updates, while a Wilmington College case alleges a man hid in a women’s locker room ceiling to take photos. Health: Ohio reports a horse testing positive for West Nile virus, with officials urging mosquito-bite prevention.

Voting Rights Fight: A federal appeals court ruled Ohio can require proof of U.S. citizenship for BMV voter registration, reversing a lower court block and setting up another high-stakes fight ahead of the 2026 midterms. Energy & Utilities: AEP Ohio is rebranding as the Ohio Power Company starting Oct. 1, with a redesigned bill format approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Gas Tax Politics: Lawmakers weighing a 90-day gas tax suspension next week face an estimated $700M hit, with both governor candidates arguing for a holiday and debating how to replace the lost revenue. Public Safety: A man sentenced to 32–36 years for a crash that killed four near Dayton International Airport. Higher Ed Sports: A bill backed by Sen. Jon Husted would cap international student-athletes at 20% of varsity rosters. Health & Community Services: Leaders of a local traumatic brain injury resource center say its future is uncertain after the building was put up for sale. Elections & War Powers: The U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a resolution demanding Trump end the Iran war or seek authorization, with Ohio Republicans among those voting against.

Space & Economic Development: Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing to bring the U.S. Space Academy to Ohio, pointing to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA’s Glenn Research Center, and forming an 11-person group to prepare the federal application. Education & AI: Ohio districts are implementing state-required AI policies, with local leaders emphasizing safe use and student mental-health risks as generative tools spread in classrooms. Reproductive Rights Litigation: A Butler County judge dismissed another GOP-backed legal challenge to Ohio’s abortion-rights amendment, ruling the plaintiffs lacked standing and failed to show specific laws blocked by the vote. Energy & Local Policy: City council in Logan heard from SOPEC about incentives for solar and EV charging, including debate over siting an EV station at Aqueduct Park. Elections & Voting Integrity: Ohio Secretary of State is warning about election-related scams, while courts continue to shape Ohio’s midterm voting rules, including proof-of-citizenship requirements. Public Safety & Health: A Cleveland elder-abuse law firm opened a new office to expand nursing-home abuse representation across Ohio. Consumer/Business Watch: Florida regulators move to revoke an Ohio-based renters insurance company’s license over alleged fake cancellation notices.

Ohio Gas Tax Fight: Ohio governor candidates are again pushing a temporary gas tax pause as fuel prices stay high, with Vivek Ramaswamy backing a 90-day suspension and Amy Acton calling for a holiday—setting up a fast-track fight over how to pay for roads if lawmakers move quickly. Election & Voting Rules: A federal appeals court greenlit Ohio GOP’s proof-of-citizenship voter registration requirement for the midterms, while separate reporting highlights how noncitizens may have been added to voter rolls—raising fresh election-security pressure. Immigration Enforcement in Ohio: Haitian advocates say ICE detentions of Haitians have surged since TPS ended, including the case of a Springfield pastor released on bond and a funeral set for a student who reportedly died after being forced to wear an ICE ankle monitor. Child Sex Abuse Laws: Ohio lawmakers are pushing to end the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases, aiming to remove deadlines for both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Surveillance Oversight: The debate over Flock Safety license-plate cameras continues as Ohio communities move to shut down or limit the systems, while Ohio’s AG warns against hasty bans. Statehouse Watch: Senate Republicans are split on whether to subpoena Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden after Utah Sen. John Curtis’ request, as the NRSC shifts focus to defending key seats including Ohio. Local Government & Courts: Mahoning County’s clerk of courts is accused of falling behind on utility bills for satellite courts, and charges were dropped in a North Olmsted brother-killing case after a self-defense review. Health & Services: Cuyahoga County’s developmental disabilities board kicks off a levy campaign to preserve services for people with disabilities.