Ohio Politics: Fraud concerns, voucher lawsuit |
The Ohio legislature is back in action after a quiet primary season, which means there will be tons to cover between now and lawmakers’ summer break come June.
I’ll catch you up on some of the latest action from Columbus and from further afield. As always, I’m happy to take questions, tips, or concerns. Reach me at Avery.Kreemer@coxinc.com or on X at @AveryKreemer.
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💵 DeWine imposing Medicaid changes to address possible fraud, waste
• The story: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine imposed new limitations on aspects of the Medicaid program that critics have accused of lacking oversight or proper checks, making the program vulnerable to potential fraud or misuse.
• Context: This comes as states prepare to lose millions annually for their Medicaid programs following last year’s federal reconciliation bill — or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• Impact: DeWine instructed the Ohio Department of Medicaid to seek permission from the federal government to impose a moratorium on new home-healthcare and hospice businesses being able to become Medicaid providers. He also plans to issue an executive order that would lead to more stringent oversight of certain providers already part of the Medicaid program.
• Spending: In its most recent fiscal year, Ohio Medicaid spent about $43.2 billion on Medicaid, including both state and federal dollars, according to the department’s budget reports. This was about $137.2 million under budget, including total services being $100.3 million under budget while total administration was $36.9 million under budget.
• Here’s our reporting from Samantha Wildow.
⚖️ EdChoice private school voucher lawsuit goes before appeals court
• The story: Arguments began this week in Ohio’s 10th District Court of Appeals over whether the state’s private school voucher system is constitutional.
• History: A Franklin county judge already ruled Ohio’s universal voucher system, which uses tax dollars to subsidize private school tuition, to be unconstitutional. The state appealed that decision, bringing it to the appeals court. And, whatever decision the appeals court lands on, it will likely be appealed again up to the Ohio Supreme Court.
• Present: Despite the lower court’s ruling, the program has been allowed to continue until the case finishes up. Local districts, including Dayton Public Schools, Centerville City Schools, Kettering City Schools, the Montgomery County Educational Service Center and Fairborn City Schools, are part of a coalition behind the lawsuit.
• Defense: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who is leading the state’s side of the argument, said EdChoice is a program allowing thousands of families to access private education. “We’re asking the court to protect parental choice in education by upholding established legal precedent and allowing the program to continue,” Yost said.
Local political news of the week
• 🗳️ Contradiction?: Property taxes are still a major issue for many taxpayers, but voter support for levy requests on the May primary ballot doesn’t necessarily illustrate the outrage people are voicing. Here’s Denise Callahan.
• 📱AI: Local schools have been adopting policies that limit the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom after a law passed last summer requiring Ohio school districts to have an AI board policy, but the debate has still led to conflict. Here’s Eileen McClory.
• 📜 Shaping legislation: A pending Ohio House bill spurred by the death of seven-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr. also looks to change Ohio law in response to the killing of Miami County’s Vivian Gardner, a one-year-old who died two weeks after being slammed to the floor by her babysitter’s husband in 2024. Here’s my reporting.
State political news of the week
• 🔍 Looking into it: The Ohio General Assembly announced a new joint legislative committee dedicated to studying data centers, which have become a major issue in Ohio’s political landscape as projects — some gargantuan — continue to crop up across the state. Here’s my reporting.
•🏠 Credit check: Two area representatives are making the case that Ohio’s single-family housing development tax credit is underutilized and needs retooled to actually incentivize development. Here’s my reporting.
• 💼 New temp: Former Clark County Prosecutor Andy Wilson, a longtime ally of Gov. Mike DeWine has been appointed to become Ohio Attorney General following AG Dave Yost’s resignation earlier this month, effective June 7. Here’s Jen Balduf.
•⚕️Work requirements: Ohio will implement work requirements for Medicaid participants starting on Jan. 1, 2027. Samantha Wildow has what you need to know.
National political news of the week
• ✈️ Wright-Patt: The message of support for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was a familiar one, but that didn’t make it any less important as business and civic leaders from the Miami Valley reminded Congress and the Pentagon this week that the region is more than ready to support the base and see its operations expand for the future. Here’s Jamie Dupree.
• ❌ Discipline: The Air Force has upheld a letter of counseling against a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base colonel for his role in September’s Operation Honor — and that colonel is now seeking a congressional inquiry as well as a new Air Force Investigation. Here’s Thomas Gnau.
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