Hannah News Service

Speaker of the House Matt Huffman (R-Lima) announced that the House will be in session on Monday, July 21 for the purpose of considering overriding line item vetoes made by the governor in the FY26-27 budget bill, # . Specifically, the House will consider items 55, 65 and 66 pertaining to property tax reforms. “Other items may be considered at future scheduled sessions.” The House will meet in the Senate chambers due to air conditioning maintenance/replacement in the House area of the Statehouse.

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague Wednesday announced he would be supporting Vivek Ramaswamy for governor in 2026. Ending his own bid for governor, Sprague instead filed paperwork to run for Ohio Secretary of State.

Former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of the late Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) announced Thursday.

Attorney General Dave Yost launched his bid for Ohio governor Thursday, making his campaign official after teasing his announcement for months.

Former state Sen. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) Thursday launched his campaign for secretary of state, becoming the first Republican candidate in the race.

Noting the importance of the bill to majority Republicans, Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) announced the reintroduction of his higher education reform bill from last session, 135-SB83 (Cirino), as SB1, with the bill expected to be on the fast track for passage. Cirino said the bill is largely unchanged from the previous version, with new additions including shortening board of trustee terms to six-years, the return of a ban on strikes by faculty, and a complete ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at institutions of higher education.

Gov. Mike DeWine Thursday ordered that the U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at full-staff on Monday, Jan. 20 "in honor of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump ...." The flags will be lowered "back to half-staff in honor of former President James Earl Carter, Jr. on [Tuesday,] Jan. 21, 2025 and shall remain lowered until sunset on [Tuesday,] Jan. 28, 2025."

Hannah News was there when the portrait of retired Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton was unveiled by her husband Jack Lundberg and son Tyler Stratton. The painting of the "Velvet Hammer" by Frank Kocian Morris will now hang in the halls of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Mike Dittoe will return to his role as House chief of staff next year, Senate President and incoming House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) announced Thursday. Dittoe, now a partner at High Bridge Consulting, served as chief of staff under former House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and as communications director under former House Speaker William Batchelder.

Pictures from Sen. Kirk Schuring's laying in state Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse. A memorial service will be held beginning at 2 p.m. in the Atrium.