Rotunda Rumblings <\/p>\n
Health insurance subsidies: Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans could take a financial hit, putting their health care in jeopardy, unless Congress acts in the next few weeks to extend expiring aid on federal insurance premiums, Mary Frances McGowan reports.<\/a> Without the extension, premiums will skyrocket. In Ohio, roughly 513,000 of more than 583,000 people with Obamacare plans \u2013 88% of enrollees — would be affected. These Ohioans are at risk of seeing their health care costs soar, and for some of them, that could mean being priced out of coverage altogether. It is estimated that Ohio could see an additional 140,000 uninsured people because of the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits. <\/p>\n Death of the death penalty? Nearly a year ago, Gov. Mike DeWine said he was preparing to make some sort of announcement about Ohio\u2019s broken-down death penalty system and pledged there would be no executions \u201cas long as I\u2019m governor.\u201d That announcement never came, but Jeremy Pelzer reports<\/a> that this week DeWine hinted that when it does come, it may be to declare his opposition to capital punishment. Meanwhile, Ohio hasn\u2019t seen an execution since 2018, but leaving the state\u2019s death penalty in limbo like this brings its own consequences \u2013 some very expensive. <\/p>\n Donor disclosure: An Ohio lawsuit is challenging the IRS rule that requires charities to report their major donors. The Buckeye Institute argues the practice chills free association, while the IRS says the lists help prevent fraud and protect federal revenue. Anna Staver reports<\/a> how the case raises a larger question about how much the government should know about where people choose to donate. <\/p>\n Here we go again: Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Carl Aveni last week extended a block on Gov. Mike DeWine\u2019s ban on intoxicating hemp products, postponing an injunction hearing for a second time, McGowan reports<\/a>. The hearing was originally scheduled for Dec. 2 but was postponed due to inclement weather. The continuance order rescheduled the hearing to Jan. 29, and the temporary restraining order blocking DeWine\u2019s executive order will remain in effect until further notice. <\/p>\n $400 fallout: Ohio\u2019s Elections Commission cut years of missed campaign-finance penalties for the group that tried to repeal House Bill 6 down to a $400 fine, drawing sharp criticism from Secretary of State Frank LaRose. LaRose said the fine should have been more than $100,000 and called the decision \u201canother weak slap on the wrist.\u201d Staver reports<\/a> the clash comes as the commission is set to shut down in January and be replaced by a new oversight panel housed in the secretary of state\u2019s office. <\/p>\n Vance talks: In a Thursday interview with NBC News<\/a>, Vice President JD Vance said he disagrees with fellow Republicans who have warned of a rise in antisemitism in their party. \u201cJudging anybody based on their skin color or immutable characteristics, I think, is fundamentally anti-American and anti-Christian,\u201d Vance told NBC\u2019s Henry Gomez. He also said<\/a> that he and first lady Usha Vance have found humor in the cottage industry of online speculation about their marriage when she was spotted without her wedding ring. \u201cWith anything in life, you take the good with the bad,\u201d Vance said. <\/p>\n Full Disclosure <\/p>\n Here are five things we learned about Republican state Rep. Meredith Craig<\/a> from her May 14, 2025, disclosure about her 2024 finances. <\/p>\n 1) Craig earned between $50,000 – $99,999 for her work as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce\u2019s director of health policy. She also earned between $25,000 and $49,999 from Americans for Prosperity. <\/p>\n 2) She has a business called Craig Property Management and earned between $10,000 \u2013 $24,999 from a rental property. <\/p>\n 3) Craig owed at least $1,000 to Chase Bank, Capital One, and BPme Rewards Visa. <\/p>\n 4) Ohio State University was the only entity listed as gifting her item(s) that totaled more than $75 in 2024. <\/p>\n 5) Craig listed no payments for meals or beverages in 2024. <\/p>\n On the Move <\/p>\n Amy Acton\u2019s Democratic campaign for governor has made several senior staff hires, including Jordan Hawkins as political director, Maggie Boyle as digital director, Adelaide Bullock as communications director, and Jessie Burton as Ohio finance director.<\/p>\n Hawkins was previously deputy engagement director for the Ohio Democratic Party and executive director of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus. Boyle was previously a campaign and congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, as well as deputy digital director for then-U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown\u2019s 2024 campaign. Bullock was previously national press secretary for 314 Action Fund, a science-focused, Democratic-leaning political action committee. Burton most recently worked at the political fundraising firm Bellwether Strategies, where she managed fundraising for state Rep. Phil Robinson and the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. <\/p>\n State Sen. Jerry Cirino, a Lake County Republican, has received the American Legislative Exchange Council\u2019s<\/a> Legislator of the Year Award. <\/p>\n Birthdays <\/p>\n Molly Vincent, legislative aide to state Rep. Gayle Manning; William Bebb, Ohio\u2019s 19th governor (1802-1873) <\/p>\n Straight\u202ffrom\u202fthe Source\u202f <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Wexner?\u201d <\/p>\n