Five things to know for Tuesday, Jan. 13
In January 2026, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine's first stop of the year was to meet with members of the Ohio National Guard who are providing support in Washington, D.C. While visiting with the Ohio National Guard, DeWine presented eight members with a special challenge coin.
Lawmaker introduces legislation to sometimes use zero-based budgeting
State Representative Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, has introduced House Bill 645, which would require Ohio to “periodically” use zero-based budgeting in developing the state operating budget starting with the 137th General Assembly, which convenes in January 2027. Under the law, lawmakers would use the approach every 10 years, and state agencies would build budget requests based on no previous budget, rather than using previous biennial spending levels as a starting point.
“Zero-based budgeting shifts the focus from what government has spent in the past to what it actually needs to accomplish its mission today,” Dovilla said in a release. “By periodically starting at zero, lawmakers and taxpayers gain a clearer picture of how public dollars are being used and whether those expenditures are delivering measurable value.”
Reps introduce legislation to overhaul the tax appeals framework. State Reps. Gary Click, R-Vickery, and David Thomas, R-Jefferson, have introduced House Bill 613, which would update multiple sections of state law and the Department of Taxation and the Board of Tax Appeals’ reform processes. Changes include a hearing deadline of 180 days, 30 days for taxpayers to review proposed final determinations, and a stop to the accrual of interest after one year on unresolved reassessment petitions.
Hearing set for Athens-area transmission line rebuild. The Ohio Power Siting Board will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Christ Community Wesleyan Church in Albany about AEP Ohio Transmission Company’s plan to rebuild an 8.3-mile transmission line in Alexander, Athens, and Lee townships, the city of Athens, and the village of Albany in Athens County. Officials said the project would upgrade outdated and deteriorating equipment and increase the transmission line capacity from 69 kV to 138 kV.
Officials announce $97 million for roadway safety. Ohio officials announced that 39 transportation projects in 27 counties will receive $97.2 million for roadway safety. Officials said the spending is the largest safety program nationwide based on per capita spending and has led to four straight years of less serious injuries and fewer fatalities.
Electric air taxi company secures space in Dayton. Joby Aviation will acquire a more than 700,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Dayton area. The facility supports the company’s plans to double production to four electric air taxis for commercial passenger service per month in 2027 and for future growth. It also complements Joby’s existing production facilities in California and Ohio.
