Ohio’s Political Landscape Undergoing Major Shifts Ahead of 2026

Health Care Expansion Proposed for Ohio Farm Families

Energy Policy in the Spotlight

The need for more energy is getting significant attention in Ohio’s Statehouse.

Similar bills—HB 15 and SB 2—have been introduced and appear to be on a fast track for passage by summer. Both measures propose significant reforms to Ohio’s electricity regulations, impacting market competition, consumer protections, and billing practices. The bills mandate changes in how electric service providers operate, shifts regulatory oversight, and strengthen consumer rights.

A recent study from the Ohio Business Roundtable (OBRT) reveals significant energy challenges that could derail economic momentum if not addressed quickly. The OBRT says electricity demand will surge 50% by 2034, driven by manufacturing expansion, data centers, and increased electrification. Meanwhile, power plant retirements have outpaced new generation since 2019, creating potential energy shortfalls by 2027.

The gap between supply and demand is already impacting business:

• Power disruptions cost Ohio businesses $1.3 billion annually
• Grid congestion limits expansion in key growth areas
• Energy concerns deterred major investments in 2024
• Aging transmission infrastructure struggles to keep pace

OBRT recommends several reforms to strengthen Ohio's energy future:

• Create an Office of Energy Resilience to oversee strategy and grid stability
• Streamline energy project approvals to 90-day timeline
• Establish Priority Investment Areas with tax incentives for energy infrastructure
• Enable private investment in self-generation and microgrids
• Fast-track critical transmission projects
• Deploy new technologies to improve grid efficiency

Finally, the 29th Annual Energy Symposium, hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, was held last week. Hundreds of industry leaders, experts and policymakers convened for two days to discuss Ohio’s energy future, grid reliability, and regulatory changes. The summit provided a vital platform for collaboration, shaping policies that will impact Ohio’s energy landscape.

Major Changes to Ballot Process and Legislature Proposed

State Sen. Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Township) has introduced two proposals to reform Ohio's ballot initiative process and expanding the General Assembly's size.

The first measure would streamline initiated statutes by:

• Reducing required signatures to 3% of last gubernatorial election turnout
• Eliminating the two-step signature gathering process
• Requiring 60% legislative supermajority to modify voter-approved measures for two years

According to the sponsor, the change would make statute-level reforms more accessible while preserving constitutional amendments for fundamental issues.

A second proposal would expand the legislature to to 51 Senate seats (up from 33) and the House to 153 seats (up from 99).

Blessing contends smaller districts would better reflect Ohio's political diversity. However, Senate Minority leadership argues meaningful change requires redistricting reform rather than adding seats. Critics also raise concerns about increased operational costs.

Hicks Partners Launches AI Budget Insider

As a valued Hicks Partners Insider subscriber, we’re excited to give you exclusive access to our Budget Insider 1.0, your go-to resource for the Ohio FY 2026-27 Operating Budget.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Key budget documents & summaries
• Expert analysis
• A mini-AI assistant trained on the latest budget data to help answer your questions

Access the Budget Insider 1.0 here: https://hickspartners.com/hicks-partners-budget-insider/ and look for more updates and refinements as the budget process proceeds.

We appreciate your engagement and look forward to keeping you informed throughout the budget process!