The Buckeye Institute commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, saying, “In a positive sign, Ohio’s private-sector hiring surged in June, adding 11,600 new jobs, erasing the 6,300 job loss in May…Along with the positive signs, there is concern. Ohio lags the national average and needs to generate more job opportunities for Ohioans.”

The Buckeye Institute secured a victory for Anthony Alfieri—a South Carolina resident—against the city of Cleveland, when the city refunded Mr. Alfieri more than $18,000 in income taxes illegally taken in 2021 and 2022. Mr. Alfieri’s victory follows a win The Buckeye Institute secured for Dr. Manal Morsy in May 2024, when Cleveland agreed to 1) fully refund the taxes it illegally took from Dr. Morsy, 2) pay the interest owed to her according to Cleveland City Ordinance, and 3) reimburse her court costs.
 

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Thomas v. County of Humboldt, California, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and declare that the right to a civil jury trial—enumerated in the Seventh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution—applies to the states under the Fourteenth Amendment’s privileges or immunities clause. “This case presents the court with an opportunity to reinvigorate the privileges or immunities clause and restore it to its respected place in American jurisprudence.”

The Buckeye Institute filed a new lawsuit in another union wage theft case, this time against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on behalf of Cindy DuPuis and Tiffany Binder, both of Lucas County. The Buckeye Institute filed DuPuis v. AFSCME in Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. “Ms. DuPuis and Mrs. Binder ended their contracts with AFSCME on the day they quit the union, and under Ohio law, all dues deductions should have ended immediately.” 

Five nationally renowned policy organizations and public interest law firms filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit supporting The Buckeye Institute’s case, Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury, which challenges the federal government’s ban on home distilling. The groups that filed amicus briefs in support of The Buckeye Institute’s case were Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Cato Institute, Center for Individual Rights, Liberty Justice Center, and Southeastern Legal Foundation.

The Buckeye Institute was just named a finalist for the prestigious national Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement in the “Biggest Win for Freedom” category, which honors the public policy victory with the most impact in the country for the year. This nomination recognizes Buckeye’s role successfully advocating the best energy reform policy in a generation—Ohio House Bill 15. “The Buckeye Institute is profoundly gratified even to be in contention for the illustrious Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement.”

The Buckeye Institute commented after Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 96—Ohio’s biennial budget, saying, “With Governor DeWine’s signature, Ohio advances a pro-growth agenda with a flat income tax that puts the Buckeye State in a better position to compete for jobs and workers. Regrettably, the governor also vetoed the closure of several tax loopholes and some long-needed policies to reform local government...”

The Buckeye Institute commented after the budget conference committee report was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. House Bill 96—Ohio’s biennial budget—now goes to Governor DeWine for his signature. “The budget that passed both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly contains a lot of good, pro-growth policies—a flat income tax, closing tax loopholes, reining in Medicaid, and smart property tax reforms…”

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Center for Arizona Policy v. Arizona, calling on the Arizona Supreme Court to recognize that Proposition 211—Arizona’s expansive donor disclosure requirement—is not only unconstitutional, but also dangerous. “Four years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down California’s requirement that nonprofit organizations turn over sensitive donor information to the government. Arizona’s law is worse than California’s—and should likewise be struck down.”

The Buckeye Institute filed its opening brief on appeal in Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. John Ream of Licking County, Ohio, represented by The Buckeye Institute, is challenging the federal government’s ban on the home distilling of spirit beverages, arguing that this ban exceeds Congressional authority under Article I of the U.S. Constitution and violates the Tenth Amendment.