The morning newsletter of the Ohio Capital Journal
Reporting for the People
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By Susan Tebben | Ohio Capital Journal
Good morning Ohio!
Ohio state lawmakers have approved a 90-day gas tax holiday at the urging of Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy.
Republican candidate for governor, Vivek Ramaswamy (speaking), flanked by his running mate and Senate President Rob McColley shortly after lawmakers approved a 90-day tax holiday. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)
By Nick Evans
The House and Senate also cobbled together the two-thirds supermajority necessary for an emergency clause which ensures the measure takes effect immediately.
By Megan Henry
Ohio’s public school teachers make less than the national average and Ohio’s candidates for governor say they want to pay teachers more.
By Patrick O’Donnell, The 74
Ohio officials are tackling the math struggles of students with an effort resembling its science of reading push, but have yet to deal with perhaps the most fundamental issue — how instruction should change.
COMMENTARY
(File photo.)
By Dr. Christina Collins
Starting in January, Americans can “donate” $1,700 to a "scholarship granting organization" (or SGO) and get every penny back on their federal taxes. The program, created in last year’s reconciliation bill, was sold as a way to subsidize private school tuition.
The big challenges and policy issues that cross state lines.
STATELINE
By Alex Brown
Over the past year and a half, a dozen states have embraced a new vision for solar power: small, cheap panels that can be hung from a balcony or porch, be plugged into a standard wall outlet and take a dent out of residents’ utility bills.
THE RUNDOWN
News from other states
By Piper Hutchinson
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and her counterparts in Arkansas and Alabama announced Wednesday they are suing three Democratic-led states over laws that grant immunity to doctors who prescribe abortion-inducing medication to people in states where it is illegal.
NATIONAL NEWS
By Jacob Fischler
A federal grand jury indicted 10 noncitizens for unlawfully voting in Minnesota, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday, highlighting the administration’s effort to keep election security a top issue, in line with President Donald Trump’s longstanding unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.
By Jennifer Shutt
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated Wednesday that should Democrats regain control of the chamber following the elections, they plan to block judicial nominees sent up by President Donald Trump, including for any possible vacancies on the Supreme Court.
HISTORY THURSDAY
On this day in 1890, an act of Congress created Yosemite National Park. Read more at History.com
CATCHING OUR EYE
SNAP. The Ohio Newsroom’s Kendall Crawford is reporting, “Ohio will lose an estimated $38M to administer SNAP. Metro areas will be hardest hit.”
The federal government will pay less to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs run starting on Thursday.
Historically, SNAP administrative costs have been shared by the federal government and the state. But, under the Trump administration’s HR1, or “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the portion the federal government covers will go down.
On Oct. 1, the federal government will cover 25% of administrative costs, rather than 50%.
Around 1.4 million Ohioans are enrolled in the program that provides low-income people monthly funds for groceries.Minimum wage. WTOL’s Dave DeNatale is reporting, “Ohio's minimum wage will increase starting on Jan. 1, 2027.”
The minimum wage in Ohio will increase to $11.40 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.70 per hour for tipped employees beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce's Bureau of Wage and Hour, the minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $420,000 per year, an increase from the current $405,000 threshold.
Currently, Ohio's minimum wage is $11 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.50 per hour for tipped employees.Paper products. WBNS’ Kristen McFarland is reporting, “Chillicothe paper mill prepares to restart production.”
The former Chillicothe paper mill is back in the spotlight as paper production is set to return just one year after the mill shut down.
The new owners, U.S. Paper Mill LLC, are currently manufacturing and selling nitrile gloves and other personal protective equipment at the site.
The company said it is now hiring employees as it prepares to restart paper production.
THE POD
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, FOLKS.
Mahalo!
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