Ohio Politics Explained

We discuss rumors about Columbus day cares, the U.S. attack on Venezuela and who Ohio's governor candidates chose as their running mates.

Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporters Laura Bischoff and Jessie Balmert to look back on big moments that happened in Ohio politics in 2025. During this episode, we also talk about what we’re looking ahead to in 2026.

We discuss why childcare is so expensive in Ohio and what state officials are trying to do about it.

We discuss bills before Gov. Mike DeWine that could slash property taxes and change Ohio's recreational marijuana law.

We discuss the end of the federal government shutdown, the latest in the Ohio governor's race and a bill dealing with religious alternatives to health care.

We discuss the Nov. 4 election in Ohio and what the results say about 2026.

We discuss what the federal government shutdown means for SNAP, problems at Central State University and how Ohio's congressional map could change for 2026.

We discuss lawmakers' latest efforts to regulate marijuana and hemp and how the Ohio House wants to cut $2 billion in property taxes.

We discuss Ohio's pause on executions and what the future may hold when Gov. Mike DeWine leaves office.

We discuss the latest action on property taxes, an increase in out-of-state abortions, how abortion opponents want to change health class and why marijuana companies are suing Ohio.

We discuss the Legislature's plan to tackle high property taxes, Ohio's first redistricting meeting and how Republicans are touting unity for the 2026 election.

We discuss the fallout from Charlie Kirk's assassination, union endorsements in the 2026 election and the latest lawsuit involving Ohio's teacher pension system.

We discuss Sen. Bernie Moreno's first months in office, a new Trump directive on sexual education and what's on the agenda when Ohio lawmakers return to Columbus.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's decision to send Ohio National Guard members to Washington, D.C., and how Sherrod Brown's Senate campaign announcement is shaping the 2026 election.

We discuss the first year of adult-use marijuana sales in Ohio and what's in store for the program going forward.

We discuss a viral street fight in Cincinnati and how it became a talking point for Ohio politicians. 

We discuss former Sen. Sherrod Brown's political future, fundraising in the Ohio governor's race and why Vice President JD Vance returned to Ohio.

We discuss why political outsiders, from JD Vance to Vivek Ramaswamy, are becoming more popular with Ohio voters. 

We discuss why Ohio will draw a new congressional map, the latest with a lawsuit over school vouchers and how the Ohio House voted on Gov. Mike DeWine's budget vetoes. 

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget vetoes, a lawsuit over Browns stadium money, what President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" means for Ohio and how LGBTQ advocates are trying to change the state constitution.

We discuss the two-year state budget and what Gov. Mike DeWine may do when it reaches his desk.

We discuss the new leader of the Ohio Democratic Party, the latest with the budget process, a fight over abortion waiting periods and how the Make America Healthy Again agenda is trickling into Ohio.

We discuss the Ohio Senate's proposed budget, a plan that would transform the property tax system and what's next for House Minority Leader Allison Russo.

Ten years ago, Jim Obergefell's U.S. Supreme Court case made gay marriage the law of the land. What does he make of LGBTQ rights in Ohio today?

We discuss a new plan to change Ohio's marijuana law, a surprise pardon from President Donald Trump, why lawmakers want to limit immigrants' property rights and how Trump's budget bill could affect Ohio Medicaid patients.

We discuss a proposed amendment to abolish property taxes, a plan to expand gambling, sexual misconduct allegations against a state lawmaker and why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Ohio.

We discuss leadership changes at the Ohio Democratic Party, a bipartisan plan to relieve medical debt, the latest with Larry Householder and why lawmakers want to ban ranked choice voting.

We discuss the May 6 election, problems with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a bill to revamp state energy policy and the latest with the Cleveland Browns stadium.  

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined Ohio Politics Explained to discuss his new job, higher education and whether he's thinking about a run for governor in 2026.

We discuss how Trump tariffs are affecting Ohio's pension systems, a new House Bill 6 documentary, a court ruling on Ohio's social media law for teens and why lawmakers don't want coroners to be elected.

We dissect Ohio's school voucher program and whether it's working as Republican lawmakers intended.

We discuss the two-year budget that passed the House, a key endorsement for Sen. Jon Husted and a proposal to ban China and Russia from buying property in Ohio.

We discuss a budget plan from House lawmakers, how Ohio Democrats are navigating Trump's second term and a new proposal to limit teens' social media use.

We discuss legislation to regulate hemp in Ohio, Sherrod Brown's next steps, the latest with Ohio's teacher pension system and how a Trump executive order could shape elections.

We discuss the latest on the higher ed bill, Sherrod Brown's next steps, whether Ohio could eliminate the state income tax and a lawsuit over Ohio's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's State of the State address, an Ohio Supreme Court case involving a former Columbus pastor and the latest directive to universities from the Trump administration.

Ohio fails to hold dog owners accountable when their dogs maim and even kill people, an investigation by USA TODAY Network Ohio found.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition, we recap how President Donald Trump called on Congress to eliminate the CHIPS Act, talk about how Ohio’s marijuana program is likely to see some changes, and mention what’s happening with DEI and Senate Bill 1. Finally, we discuss Ohio’s governor race and the endorsements that Vivek Ramaswamy recently received.

We discuss DEI programs at Ohio colleges, a new transgender bathroom law, Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign launch and a bill to change Ohio's marijuana program.

We discuss how the Trump administration could affect Ohio's universities and Medicaid program, possible changes to Ohio's marijuana law and the latest on Gov. Mike DeWine's return-to-work order.

We discuss Jim Tressel's appointment as lieutenant governor, a controversial higher ed bill passed by the Senate, the state of JobsOhio, and more.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget proposal, Larry Householder's appeal, a new bill to regulate underage drinking and the musical chairs of the 2026 election.

We discuss how President Donald Trump's immigration policies are affecting Ohio, proposed changes to the recreational marijuana law, a new plan to end the death penalty and why parents want the state to take action on child care.

We discuss Inauguration Day, the 2026 governor's race, new indictments in the House Bill 6 scandal and a bill that would eliminate DEI at universities. 

We discuss the latest on Inauguration Day, potential changes to Ohio's Medicaid program and how the Ohio Republican Party chair made waves this week.

We discuss the latest with Ohio's Senate appointment, a new legislative session, which bills just became law and the first Democrat to join the 2026 race for governor.

We discuss the end of this year's lame duck session and what's ahead for Ohio politics in 2025.

We talk with one of Ohio's longest-serving lawmakers as he prepares to retire this month.

We discuss the latest on fracking, a bill that would ban the teaching of "gender ideology" in schools, whether lawmakers will pass a hemp ban and which Ohioans got pardoned by President Joe Biden.

We discuss depressed Democratic turnout in the Nov. 5 election, a controversial pension bill, another fight over Ohio's abortion laws and why an Amish order is suing the state.