While the campaigns for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Ohio Supreme Court, and to a lesser extent the Ohio General Assembly will dominate media attention, we still anticipate activity at the Statehouse....more
1/9/2024
/ Comment Period ,
Community Development ,
Congressional Committees ,
Executive Orders ,
Governor DeWine ,
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Transgender
For an “Off-Year” in Ohio’s election cycle, this November election day is shaping up to be a very busy one. While Issue 1 and Issue 2 made it the ballot in different ways, both could have a lasting impact on Ohioans of all...more
Governor Mike DeWine signed into law this week the state’s new two-year state spending plan totaling $86.1 billion. After settling on more than 900 matters of difference, the Ohio legislature passed Ohio’s new budget with...more
The Ohio House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly passed a bi-partisan version of the two-year state budget that features numerous changes from the one Governor DeWine introduced, most notably a $1 billion income tax...more
2023 is just getting started, and already there have been important developments in Ohio involving cannabis with the promise of much more to come. Secretary of State Frank LaRose got things started on January 3 when he...more
In his most recent annual State of the State address, Governor Mike DeWine focused on children and families by calling on the Legislature to pass tax breaks while increasing spending on economic development and social...more
What Didn't Happen -
The 134th General Assembly wrapped up its work last week putting the final touches on a marathon lame duck session. Benesch secured numerous big wins for our clients, including an amendment to the tax...more
Legal sports gaming is coming to Ohio on January 1, 2023. Thanks to the law signed by Governor Mike DeWine (HB 29) last year, which legalized and set forth the regulatory framework for sports gaming, Ohioans will be...more
If 2021 was the appetizer, expect 2022 to be the main course for cannabis laws in Ohio. Three separate efforts were launched in 2021 to expand upon Ohio’s existing medical marijuana program....more
1/4/2022
/ Cannabis Act ,
Citizen Initiative Campaigns ,
Congressional Investigations & Hearings ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Expungement ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Pending Legislation ,
Recreational Use ,
State Legislatures
It has taken more than three years and hundreds of hours of debate, but Ohio has finally passed legislation to legalize sports betting. In 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the federal Professional and Amateur...more
Ohio House of Representative leadership announced recently that they plan to consider a capital budget bill in 2022 to include funding for community projects.
The capital budget provides appropriations for state agency...more
Last week, Governor Mike DeWine signed the $74 billion state operating budget, which builds on the Governor’s vision for the future. The two-year spending bill (HB 110), includes nearly $162 billion in all funds...more
Several bills have been sent to the Governor’s office this week as the Ohio General Assembly finalized its work for the year. Here is a snapshot of some of the highlights of the bills that have passed...more
On November 11, 2020, Governor DeWine held a press conference to announce additional public health orders to enhance requirements for mask-wearing and to issue a warning about restaurants, bars and fitness centers.
DeWine...more
11/12/2020
/ Bars ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Governor DeWine ,
Holidays ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Masks ,
Public Health ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Safety Precautions ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
The Ohio General Assembly is expected to return after the election to work on priority issues through the end of the year, also known as “Lame Duck” session. This is always a time of fast-paced legislative activity....more
11/9/2020
/ Background Checks ,
Broadband ,
CARES Act ,
Gaming ,
Governor DeWine ,
Gun Laws ,
Lame Duck Session ,
Law Enforcement ,
Nuclear Power ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Telehealth ,
Virtual Meetings