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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, ...

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 ...

New Dem congressional map for Ohio goes nowhere fast

You’ve got to give Democratic state legislators a little credit for their quixotic congressional redistricting map proposal. At least they offered something even though the map was never going to go anywhere. The Democratic redrawing of lines would take the current map that favors Republicans 10-5, though two of the Democratic districts are very much tossups, and make it an 8-7 map in favor of the GOP. The Democrats introduced the map Tuesday. By Wednesday, the House Rules Committee, controlled by Republicans, didn’t even bother to refer the bill to a committee. Not that it would ...

We must break China’s grip on U.S. defense supply chains

China’s Xi Jinping appeared supremely confident at a recent military parade in Beijing with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Xi’s assurance likely isn’t just a reflection of China’s growing military might. It’s also that China now holds the U.S. defense industrial base in the palm of its hand. Xi is well aware that China’s dominance of global mineral supply chains has ensnared both the U.S. economy and America’s military. According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 80,000 parts used in America’s weapons systems are manufactured with ...