Five things to know for Thursday, Oct. 16

Report: Tim Ryan has not decided on gubernatorial run

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan may run for governor, but a spokesperson said a decision hasn’t yet been made.

Dennis Willard, the former congressman’s spokesperson, told WCMH-TV that while Ryan asked his “closest advisors” to begin planning a run, he has “not made a definitive decision yet.” He will likely face entrepreneur and Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy, should he win the Democratic primary.

DeWine calls first meeting of redistricting commission

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has called the first meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The bipartisan commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21 in the Senate Finance Committee hearing room.

The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission has until the end of October to adopt a plan, which must be approved by both Democrats and Republicans on the ORC. If that does not happen, it will be up to lawmakers to pass new congressional district maps.

Authorities make arrests as part of state’s partnership with Cincinnati

Authorities said they made multiple felony arrests in Cincinnati as part of the city’s joint violent crime reduction initiative with the state. Arrested were a teenager possessing a firearm, a man accused of assaulting a police officer, and someone wanted for strangulation.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval launched the initiative in Cincinnati last month.

Federal government shutdown? What shutdown?

When it comes to the states most affected by the federal government shutdown, Ohio isn’t that bothered.

A new ranking by personal finance site WalletHub found that the Buckeye State is the 41st most affected state by the shutdown, which has dragged on for more than two weeks. Unsurprisingly, the District of Columbia, which isn’t a state, was most affected by the shutdown.

Group: Bills would help ensure government lives within its means

Americans for Prosperity–Ohio representatives testified in support of two measures: House Bill 280 to bolster the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund’s financial footing and House Bill 186 to limit property tax growth.

“These bills share a common theme: ensuring government lives within its means and builds systems that are stable, transparent, and accountable,” Americans for Prosperity–Ohio State Director Donovan O’Neil said in a statement. “HB 280 acknowledges the true cost of our commitments and replaces political guesswork with actuarial reality, while HB 186 makes sure Ohio families can plan for the future without fearing unpredictable tax spikes. Together, these efforts represent responsible governance and long-term protection for taxpayers.”