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Ban on intoxicating hemp by Gov. DeWine goes up in smoke

Gov. Mike DeWine’s ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp items ended before it could even take effect. DeWine, a Republican who has long opposed the sale of the products, announced Oct. 8 that he was declaring an “adulterated consumer product emergency,” effective Tuesday because the items present “a threat to public health and safety.” The products contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and aren’t regulated like the state’s adult recreational and medical marijuana industry. DeWine has long argued that several of the products are geared toward children as they are in packets ...

Reforming property tax gains steam among Ohio legislators

A substitute bill, sponsored by state Rep. David Thomas, to limit unvoted property taxes collected by school districts has a tremendous amount of momentum in the General Assembly as legislators work as quickly as possible to pass property tax reform. The bill would limit the revenue school districts can receive from what is known as the 20-mill floor to inflation. Thomas, R-Jefferson, who represents portions of Trumbull County, said the bill would save Ohio homeowners nearly $1.7 billion over the next three years, starting with the second half of the 2026 tax bill. The amendment, ...

Firefighter Recruitment Portal offers opportunity for volunteers to serve

As Ohio’s 39th State Fire Marshal, I’ve dedicated my career to protecting the safety and well-being of our communities. Today, I’m calling attention to an urgent matter facing our state— one that threatens the foundation of emergency preparedness in Ohio upon which we have come to rely. Across the nation, including right here in Ohio, we’re experiencing an alarming decline in the number of volunteer firefighters. Many people don’t realize that about 70% of Ohio’s nearly 1,200 fire departments rely on volunteers. That’s right, the majority of firefighters in this state ...

Our universities must lead the way

Freedom of speech has always demanded courage, and courage is the one virtue universities cannot delegate. When free speech becomes fatal speech —as it did recently with the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus — Americans demand — and deserve — a change. As president of Youngstown State University (YSU), I feel compelled to make a commitment to help make that change, and I believe our nation’s university presidents like me can lead the way. The facts already announced by authorities are enough to deduce that the killer of Charlie Kirk opposed the viewpoints he ...

Never seemed that Tressel’s heart was in governor run

A Vivek Ramaswamy-Jim Tressel matchup for the Republican gubernatorial nomination would have been fascinating. But Tressel, who went from retired Youngstown State University president and a famed former college football coach to being appointed lieutenant governor, opted not to run in 2026 for governor. It never seemed that Tressel’s heart was in a governor’s campaign. It’s understandable considering he was named lieutenant governor a little more than seven months ago after never running for public office. Tressel constantly deflected questions about his candidacy while only ...

Columbiana County auditor working for property tax reform

To the citizens of Columbiana County: A few weeks ago, I shared with you that my office, in compliance with Ohio law, was in the process of completing what is known as the Triennial Update with the Department of Taxation. I know that for many of you, property taxes have become a tremendous burden. As I shared with you previously, it is my strong belief that the current process of property evaluation is flawed and in desperate need of reform. Until that happens, my office and I have worked diligently to send evaluation proposals to the state that would serve to keep your tax ...