Five things to know for Monday, Sept. 15

Dems pick Bailey to fill seat Denson abandoned

House Democrats have selected Cincinnati’s Ashley Bryant Bailey to fill the Ohio House District 26 seat that former state Rep. Sedrick Denson recently vacated.

Denson, D-Cincinnati, a lawmaker previously criticized for poor attendance, resigned from his post representing the district that includes portions of Hamilton County. The lifelong resident of Cincinnati was serving his fourth term in office; his resignation took effect on Aug. 8.

DeWine: No need to worry about Fayette County EV battery plant

Despite an immigration raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant under construction, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said the LG/Honda EV battery plant in Fayette County remains on track.

“My office has talked to the Honda team and they do not see a problem,” DeWine told Statehouse News Bureau. “The work there is getting almost done so we do not anticipate a problem.”

Ohio awarded $46 million in motion picture tax credits

Ohio’s Department of Development is awarding $46 million in tax credits to multiple projects, including 11 movies, through the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, WCMH-TV reported. According to the report, the projects could generate more than 1,000 new jobs, create $150 million in “eligible production spending,” and result in roughly $196 million in production-related expenses.

TechCred awards record $12.1 million in July

During the July application period, Ohio’s TechCred program awarded more than $12.1 million in funding to 757 employers.

Officials said the total surpassed the record set during the previous round. It represented the highest total from any round since the program was launched in September 2019.

Family Services gives away nearly $124 million in Summer EBT benefits

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has doled out nearly $124 million in Summer EBT benefits, which are also called SUN Bucks, Director Matt Damschroder announced. According to a release, the initiative served more than 1 million Ohio children.