Five things to know for Tuesday, Dec. 16
(Photo courtesy Americans for Prosperity–Ohio)
Officials gather in Cincinnati for regional policy forum
Roughly 100 grassroots leaders, activists, and local officials gathered last week in Cincinnati for an Americans for Prosperity–Ohio regional policy forum. The event focused on long-term pension sustainability and regulatory and property tax reforms as part of the policy priorities discussed ahead of next year’s elections.
“Ohio families are feeling the pressure of higher taxes, outdated regulations, and unsustainable government systems,” AFP-OH Grassroots Engagement Director Michael Segrest said in a release.“This conversation made clear that there is strong momentum across Southern Ohio to pursue reforms that lower costs, strengthen local communities, and ensure government works for the people it serves.”
Tax Credit Authority approves job credits. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved 17 projects during its monthly meeting. Officials believe the projects will create 2,347 new jobs, retain 8,592 jobs statewide, and lead to more than $148 million in new payroll.
Money for safety. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office awarded more than $23 million in federal tax dollars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for traffic safety programs for fiscal 2026. The money goes to initiatives to reduce serious traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Of the 195 grants, 166 go to 150 local agencies in 68 counties, while 29 support statewide initiatives.
DeWine nominates Nash, Moretti. Gov. Mike DeWine is nominating Lyndsay Nash as director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and Tia Marcel Moretti as director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. Nash and Moretti recently served as the interim directors of the two agencies.
Task force makes 13 human trafficking arrests. Agents with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force arrested two men, charging them with felonies of attempting to buy sex with minors, including one who had previously been arrested for engaging in prostitution. They also arrested 11 other men, including a doctor, a former attorney and a man who was in the country illegally.
