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Blog

Ohio sets energy policy standard for policymakers nationwide

Rea S. Hederman Jr. and Donovan O’Neil September 23, 2025

In The Washington Times, The Buckeye Institute and Americans for Prosperity-Ohio put a spotlight on Ohio’s recent energy policy reforms as a standard for policymakers nationwide. “Ohio’s sweeping energy policy reforms have taken a bold, market-based turn that state and federal policymakers would be wise to follow. Evolving from Rust Belt factories to a high-tech haven, Ohio has seen the technological future, and it needs energy — reliable, affordable energy — and a lot of it.”

Buckeye Institute supports a review of the billions in Ohio special-interest tax breaks

Greg R. Lawson September 22, 2025

At Cleveland.com, The Buckeye Institute calls on lawmakers to re-establish a committee to review all of Ohio’s tax loopholes, writing, “While not all tax expenditures should be eliminated, they should all be reviewed to ensure they are accomplishing the goals for which they were created. And closing loopholes —as recommended by The Buckeye Institute — would allow lawmakers to pursue broad-based tax reform benefiting all Ohioans, not merely the well-connected few.”

Can we keep the American way of life? It hinges on our Constitution.

David C. Tryon September 17, 2025

The Buckeye Institute marks Constitution Day with a piece in The Columbus Dispatch, writing, “When Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government the American framers had created, he wryly replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ This Constitution Day, on the brink of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is fitting to wonder whether we have, in fact, kept what the Founders gave us — and how.”

Ohio’s future Labor Days look bright

Rea S. Hederman Jr. August 28, 2025

“Ohio workers and families have much to celebrate,” writes The Buckeye Institute in Crain’s Cleveland Business. “Despite the state and national unemployment rate climbing, the state’s economy continues to rise and overcome broader challenges by embracing new technologies and attracting new and growing firms. Policymakers have pursued pro-growth energy and tax reforms that make Ohio more attractive to employers and more rewarding to employees. More work remains to be done, but Ohio is still at the heart of it all.”
 

Untie Ohio’s knotted local tax-and-government issue

Greg R. Lawson August 13, 2025

Legend holds that the Gordian Knot was so intricately woven that for centuries no one could untie it. Tired of trying, Alexander the Great drew his sword and cut it. His reward was eternal glory. Today, Ohio homeowners and policymakers struggle with their own Gordian Knot of sorts — the state’s complex system of local government, public services, and escalating property taxes. The expensive tangle prevents young families from purchasing homes and threatens many fixed-income seniors with losing theirs.

Ohio Joins the Flat Tax Revolution

Rea S. Hederman Jr. July 28, 2025

In National Review, The Buckeye Institute applauds Ohio’s new flat income tax—the second-lowest in the country, writing, “A flat tax regime is well worth defending. Greater economic growth, higher productivity, and a more competitive and transparent tax code that helps voters hold their officials accountable are immediate benefits of flat tax systems. Ohio may be just the latest to jump on the bandwagon, but there are still plenty of seats available.”

Crain’s Cleveland Business Urges Property Tax Reform Working Group to Listen to The Buckeye Institute

July 24, 2025

In a July 24, 2025, editorial, Crain’s Cleveland Business wrote that the Property Tax Reform Working Group would “[D]o well to take seriously a list of recommendations from The Buckeye Institute.” The Buckeye Institute outlined 10 specific recommendations to reform local government and reduce the soaring property tax burden afflicting Ohio homeowners.

Newark brewer appealing federal court’s dismissal of lawsuit over home distilling ban

June 26, 2025

The Newark Advocate featured an article on Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury, The Buckeye Institute’s case challenging the federal government’s ban on home distilling, arguing that this ban exceeds Congressional authority under Article I of the U.S. Constitution and violates the Tenth Amendment. Buckeye is representing John Ream, of Licking County, Ohio. Read more about The Buckeye Institute’s case and stay up-to-date on its progress at: BuckeyeInstitute.org/ReamvUSTreasury.

Buckeye Institute CEO is bringing his father’s ashes to the Seven Summits

June 23, 2025

Robert Alt’s, president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute and founder of PROFOUND CLIMBINGTM, summit of Mt. Everest is featured in The Columbus Dispatch. Robert never got to complete a major climbing expedition with his father when he was alive. He is now on a journey to bring his father’s ashes to the Seven Summits — the highest mountain on each continent.

Blowing up Ohio property taxes would be draconian step. There is a better plan.

Greg R. Lawson June 17, 2025

In The Columbus Dispatch, The Buckeye Institute offers a better plan to address Ohio’s high property taxes—local government reform. “The road to property tax recovery and good economic health doesn’t require the constitutional abolition of property taxes, but it does require county commissioner approval for all local levies, streamlining village dissolutions to remove unnecessary local layers more quickly, and eliminating special property tax breaks that benefit developers at the expense of homeowners.”