Senate Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 1, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), which would rename the Department of Education as the Department of Education and Workforce and would create the position of Director of Education and Workforce. The bill also would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 into law. The bill eliminates the August special election, except in instances when the August special election is to nominate or elect candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives or if a school district is under a fiscal emergency. The bill also allows a school district whose entire territory is located within the congressional district that is on the August ballot to put certain levies on the August ballot. The bill also makes…
House activity
The Ohio House voted to elect Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) as Speaker of the House by a vote of 54-43. Rep. C. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) was re-elected as minority leader by a vote of 73-14. Additional leadership positions elected include:
- Speaker pro tempore: Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton)
- Assistant minority leader: Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus)
- Minority whip: Rep. Jessica D. Miranda (D-Forest Park)
- …
General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent the following bills to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature:
House Bill (HB) 45- sponsored by Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield). The bill would allow the state tax commissioner to administer a two-month amnesty program in 2023 with respect to delinquent state, local sales and use taxes and also certain fees. Earlier in the week, the bill was amended in the Senate Finance committee and included…
Senate activity
The Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 178, sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), by a 22-7 vote. The bill would reform the functions and responsibilities of the State Board of Education (SBOE), the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), and would implement the following provisions:
- create a Department of Education and Workforce with a…
Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the list of schools receiving funds from the K-12 School Safety Grant Program. A total of 708 schools will receive $57.8 million in grant funding to enhance student and staff safety. Click here for the list of schools. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) will administer the funds using procedures determined by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of…
House Leadership
The House Republican caucus met and selected Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) to be the speaker in the upcoming General Assembly that begins January 3, 2023. In addition, the other majority leadership members selected are as follows:
- Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) as speaker pro tempore;
- Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) as majority floor leader;
- Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) as assistant majority floor leader;
- Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) as majority whip;
- Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) as…
State Board of Education
The State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Executive Committee passed a resolution that would start the process of selecting a search firm to assist in hiring a state superintendent of public instruction.
Additionally, the SBOE Executive Committee discussed a resolution that would support Ohio’s Attorney General’s participation in a lawsuit challenging proposed federal rules that interpret Title IX as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender…
State Teachers Retirement Board
The State Teachers Retirement Board (STRS) unanimously voted to direct staff to seek legislation to authorize the STRS Board to increase the employer contribution rate. Click here for the Legislative update presentation and here for the recording.
Federal update
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State Board of Education
The State Board of Education voted 12-7 to send a resolution to the executive committee for further consideration. The resolution opposes the proposed changes to the federal rule that would interpret Title IX as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Click here to read the resolution.
The Ad…