General Assembly Sends Major Utility, Tax, Budget Legislation to Governor |
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Lawmakers had a burst of activity last week, advancing a natural gas utility overhaul, a four-bill property tax relief package, and a sweeping budget clean-up measure to Governor DeWine's desk. SB 103 Clears Final Hurdle The House unanimously passed SB 103, extending last year's electric utility ratemaking reforms (HB 15) to natural gas, water, and sewer utilities. The legislation: - Replaces most capital riders with predictable, multi-year rate plans under strict timelines
- Creates a large load rate plan enabling negotiated contracts for industrial customers tied to economic development
- Establishes consumer protections while modernizing regulatory frameworks
Budget Clean-Up Addresses First Responders, Nursing Homes HB 184 allocates $40 million for post-traumatic stress support for first responders and amends nursing home quality payment formulas following a Supreme Court ruling with potential $1 billion fiscal implications. Property Tax Package Finalized After months of negotiation, lawmakers approved several bills to provide property tax relief to homeowners: - HB 129 - Brings fixed-sum levies into the school district 20-mill (and JVSD 2-mill) floor calculation starting in 2026. Allows districts to use fixed-sum levies for limited, five-year terms. A key amendment lets pre-2026 substitute levies be renewed as fixed-sum levies.
- HB 186 - Caps growth in certain school levies to the rate of inflation over three years, with a credit to offset excess charges. Expands the owner-occupied rollback from 2.5% to 15.38% over four years, while phasing out the 10% nonbusiness rollback (except for agricultural property).
- HB 309 - Gives county budget commissions more authority to adjust levies annually when collections exceed need. New amendments shorten the lookback period to one year and add more public hearing options.
- HB 335 - Limits growth in inside millage during reappraisal years to the three-year GDP deflator, with an option for subdivisions to maintain prior-year revenue if needed.
The Senate is expected to come back into session for one day in December to advance hemp-related legislation, while the House is not expected to meet again until early 2026. |
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 Investment-friendly utility regulation combined with aggressive property tax action and budget corrections, demonstrate lawmakers willingness to move fast when economic and electoral pressures converge. |
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Tim Ryan Won’t Run for Governor—Setting Up Acton vs. Ramaswamy |
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Former Congressman Tim Ryan announced Friday he will not run for governor in 2026, clearing the way for Amy Acton to emerge the Democrat standard-bearer. Ryan’s exit removes the only Democrat with comparable name recognition and statewide campaign infrastructure, effectively solidifying Acton’s path to the nomination. With Democrats coalescing around Acton and Republicans lined up behind Vivek Ramaswamy, the matchup for 2026 is coming into focus. Both bring national profiles and strong bases but sharply contrasting styles and priorities. |
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 Ryan’s decision allows Acton to avoid a bruising primary, but she'll now face greater scrutiny as the leading Democratic candidate. Ramaswamy will use his incredible fundraising advantage to further define Acton early, reminding Ohioans of her role as the leading voice for Covid-era shutdowns. |
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| Ohio Launches New Economic Development Funding |
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The DeWine Administration will begin deploying hundreds of millions in economic development funds next month targeting housing and brownfields. REDD Program: A new Residential Economic Development District initiative will deploy $25 million to expand housing near major job centers, specifically within 20 miles of large-scale projects. - $10 million will be available in FY26; $15 million in FY27
- Counties, townships, and municipalities can apply for site readiness, capital, and administrative support
- Applications open Dec. 16 through Jan. 16.
Brownfield Remediation: Another $88 million becomes available Dec. 5 under the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program. - The budget commits $200 million over the biennium with a $1 million minimum per county
- Since 2021, the program has backed 681 projects with nearly $717 million in awards
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 The coordinated rollout signals a deeper alignment of Ohio's economic strategy. With the REDD program addressing workforce housing gaps near major projects, the administration is knitting together foundational pieces for sustainable growth. Local governments and developers should note the tight application windows; preparation now will be critical. |
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Hicks Partners Named 2025 Business of the Year |
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Hicks Partners was honored as the 2025 Business of the Year at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation’s Third Annual Benefit Gala on November 20. The award recognizes the firm’s long-standing contributions to Ohio’s business community since its founding in 2003. For more than two decades, Hicks Partners has supported clients across government affairs, strategic communications, public relations, business development, grant writing, and association management—helping organizations secure funding, navigate regulatory challenges, and strengthen stakeholder engagement. Other honorees included Atomic Credit Union (Small Business of the Year), Sierra Nevada Corporation (Innovative Business of the Year), and J.P. Nauseef of JobsOhio (Visionary Leader Award). |
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Our Grant Alert list is updated! Review the list of ongoing grant opportunities, click the link below. |
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