The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 90, which will help businesses bring new products to market safely. “Senate Bill 90 adopts a universal regulatory sandbox to help Ohio businesses and regulators work together to bring products to market safely and with fewer bureaucratic hurdles,” and the bill’s policies will benefit “entrepreneurs, business startups, and consumers by encouraging teamwork between businesses and state regulators.”

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 268, which offer well-targeted, commonsense reforms to bring greater transparency to Ohio’s administrative rulemaking process. The Buckeye Institute noted that Ohio has a “robust regulatory oversight structure, with internal checks and balances designed to keep bureaucratic burdens in check,” and cautioned state officials to “remain vigilant to ensure that new regulatory provisions and model rules are drafted in the light of day.”

The Buckeye Institute joined the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute in filing a public comment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging the commission to reject PJM Interconnection’s one-size-fits-all energy pricing proposal.

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio House Development Committee on the policies in Ohio House Bill 161, which, if adopted, will impose new taxes on homeowners who rent their homes for short-term stays. House Bill 161, which extends Ohio’s lodging tax to short-term rentals, is a “misguided move that undermines private property rights and costs families supplemental income when they need it most.”

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio House Local Government Committee on the policies in Ohio House Bill 361, which, if adopted, will cut government red tape that slows construction projects, limits housing supply, and increases the cost of a home. By requiring local building departments to complete building plan reviews and inspections within 30 days of a request, House Bill 361 “creates a transparent and fair expectation for government timeliness.”

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Education Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 328, which will help Ohio’s students build pathways to successful careers. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a senior research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, noted that Ohio “finds itself playing a meaningful role at the center of technological transformation,” but that “economic development announcements and press releases do not guarantee prosperity.”

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Health Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 230, which, if adopted, will provide more access to healthcare by permitting pharmacists to test and treat patients for common illnesses. In adopting the policies in Senate Bill 230, Ohio would join 13 states that allow pharmacists to independently test and treat patients, and deliver “low-risk, quality patient care at an affordable cost.”

The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio House Technology and Innovation Committee on the policies in Ohio House Bill 646, a “timely and commendable initiative” that creates a Data Center Study Commission to assess the impact of data centers in Ohio. In the testimony, Buckeye noted a Data Center Study Commission could “help dispel inaccurate myths, better inform communities about data center benefits, including job creation and tax revenue.”

The Buckeye Institute submitted a public comment to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services offering its recommendations on how the state can better align its workforce, education, and employment programs. Buckeye urged policymakers to enhance financial stability and economic mobility for Ohio families, offer clear paths to high-demand careers, and ensure a reliable road to self-sufficiency, with every promotion signifying real financial progress.

The Buckeye Institute submitted written testimony to the Columbus City Council on its proposed rental registry ordinance, which will “raise housing costs for Columbus renters.” In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a senior research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, noted that while “improving housing conditions and safety is laudable and understandable,” the “proposed ordinance will be more harmful than beneficial.”