The Buckeye Institute commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, saying, “Ohio’s private sector added 20,900 new jobs in April, easily offsetting the small, 2,500 downward revision to the March report. With April’s report, Ohio’s private sector employment is averaging 15,000 new jobs a month, indicating that businesses intend to hire at a strong clip in 2025.”

The Buckeye Institute commented after Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill 15 into law. “With the signing of House Bill 15, Ohio is now a national leader in smart, free-market energy policy. While more work remains to ensure cost transparency and protect consumers from overpaying for costly infrastructure, The Buckeye Institute-championed policies are pro-consumer and pro-business—ending costly, uncompetitive subsidies, bringing back greater predictability in public utility rate cases, and incentivizing new energy development.”

The Buckeye Institute sent a demand letter to the state leadership of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association insisting that it investigate Tim Federkiel, president of AFSCME/OCSEA Chapter 2200, for violating the Janus rights of The Buckeye Institute’s client Ryan Smith, a United States Marine Corps combat veteran. Given Mr. Federkiel’s actions, Buckeye demanded that OCSEA rescind any agreement between Mr. Smith, the union, and any of its affiliates, including any membership application or dues deduction authorization.

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Education Committee on the K-12 budget in Ohio House Bill 96—Ohio’s biennial budget. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, noted that “putting students first means funding students rather than systems” and praised this budget for doing just that. 

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio House Medicaid Committee in support of Ohio’s proposed Medicaid waiver, which enhances the program’s integrity and promotes economic stability, financial independence, and improved health outcomes. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, reminded lawmakers that Congress designed Medicaid to offer healthcare to “those unlikely to be employed, such as expectant mothers, the elderly, disabled adults, and children.”

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Wolford v. Lopez, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and tell lower courts they are bound by the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on the Second Amendment. In its brief, The Buckeye Institute urged the U.S. Supreme Court to grant the petition and reverse the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, sending a clear message to lower courts that they must respect and follow U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, commented after the Ohio General Assembly passed Ohio House Bill 15. Once signed, the policies in the bill will help ensure a healthy supply of affordable, reliable energy to meet growing demand. The bill now goes to Governor DeWine for his signature. “The passage of Ohio House Bill 15 is the best news for Ohioans worried about affordable, reliable energy in more than a quarter of a century.”

The Buckeye Institute submitted written testimony to the Ohio Senate Energy Committee on the policies in Ohio House Bill 15, which, if adopted, would help ensure a healthy supply of affordable, reliable energy to meet growing demand. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, noted that the policies in the bill adhere to the “sound energy policies recommended [] by The Buckeye Institute and Americans for Prosperity.”

Ohio’s Eighth District Court of Appeals handed The Buckeye Institute and its clients a victory in Wos v. Cleveland, ruling that the lower court erred in dismissing the case. The appeals court ordered the case returned to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for further proceedings consistent with the appeals court’s ruling. “While this case is not over, today’s ruling is good news for The Buckeye Institute’s clients and taxpayers in Cleveland.”

The Buckeye Institute, joined by the Pelican Institute, filed an amicus brief in Crowe v. Oregon State Bar, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the First Amendment rights of lawyers and end laws that force attorneys to join state-sponsored bar associations that lobby on inherently political and ideological issues. “When bar associations engage in advocacy and speak on matters of public concern, they are engaging in inherently political speech.”