2025 Statehouse Recap

This year in Columbus, we saw what happens when lawmakers prioritize handouts to the wealthy over investments in everyday Ohioans: the legislature moved forward with cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the rich and corporations, including a $600 million giveaway to billionaire Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, all while failing to truly fix our broken property tax system and underfunding schools and Medicaid.

At the same time, there were a few important progressive wins, especially on energy and environmental policy, where we finally rolled back outdated coal subsidies, expanded community solar and clean energy programs, and passed reliability and accountability standards for utilities. Those steps are meaningful silver linings in an otherwise difficult legislative year.

The 2025 state budget does not prioritize working families. Instead of investing in our schools, healthcare system, and communities, lawmakers pushed through income tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy and corporations, shrinking the progressivity of our tax code even as essential services remain underfunded. Major programs like Medicaid were left with flat or reduced support, while headlines focused on tax giveaways and corporate incentives. Many of us warned that this budget would favor the wealthiest at the expense of Ohio families. That warning proved accurate, with cuts to critical community funding leaving Ohioans with fewer supports.

One of the year’s biggest frustrations has been gridlock on meaningful property tax reform. While we have approved bills that deal with property taxes in limited ways, these measures are tweaks, not structural solutions. The underlying system that forces middle-class homeowners to shoulder disproportionate burdens, while corporations and wealthy investors enjoy preferential tax treatment, remains largely intact. True progressive reforms, which we have introduced, such as robust circuit breakers, income-based deferments, and fundamental redesigns, have been discussed but not enacted because the majority caucus lacks the will to move beyond half-measures.

After years of momentum toward responsible legalization, the legislature spent much of the year wrestling with Senate Bill 56, a proposal that would overhaul Ohio’s recreational cannabis laws in ways that many advocates see as a step backward. Instead of respecting the will of voters who legalized adult-use cannabis, SB 56, as passed by the House and Senate, narrows legal protections, imposes new restrictions on consumption and paraphernalia, and limits how adults can share cannabis, creating uncertainty and potential new criminal records for conduct voters previously legalized.

Despite setbacks in other areas, Ohio made significant gains on energy and environmental policy in 2025. We ended longstanding coal subsidies tied to past scandal-ridden plants, relieving utility customers of a costly burden and redirecting energy strategy toward cleaner futures. Additionally, the House advanced policies to expand community energy and solar for schools, and passed utility reliability and accountability measures aimed at improving service and addressing frequent outages. The community energy pilot program will allow consumers to receive credits for subscribing to cleaner energy from local projects, a significant step toward more equitable energy access.

Serving as Ranking Member on the House Energy Committee, helping shape these proposals, and advocating for consumer-focused, forward-looking energy policy have been the highlights of my first year in Columbus, not because the work was easy, but because it moves Ohio closer to equity, sustainability, and local empowerment.

This year, I’ve focused on advancing practical, people-centered solutions that improve everyday life for Ohio families, through legislation I’ve introduced, shaped, and actively supported:

✔ Strengthening Economic Security & Food Access
I introduced bills to fix SNAP EBT cards and stop fraud, protecting food benefits for working families and vulnerable Ohioans.

✔ Defending Civil Rights & Inclusion
I reintroduced the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, affirming dignity and safety for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

✔ Expanding Voting Access
I introduced reforms to make voting easier and more accessible, including proposals for permanent absentee voter lists and process improvements to ensure all Ohioans can participate without unnecessary barriers.

✔ Championing Clean Energy & Environmental Health
I helped advance major energy reforms, including community solar, solar for schools, and utility reliability measures. I pushed to ban fracking under Lake Erie and in state parks to protect our water and public lands.

✔ Protecting Consumers & Utility Accountability
I advocated to prevent utilities from shifting political spending costs onto customers and called for stronger transparency and rate protections in the energy sector.

✔ Bipartisan Public Health & Safety
I introduced bipartisan initiatives to add health screenings for student athletes and support a safe gun storage law, commonsense measures that protect families.

✔ Universal Healthcare Vision
I continue to champion the Ohio Health Care Plan, a framework for universal health coverage that expands access, controls costs, and ensures no Ohioan is priced out of the care they need.

2025 has been a year of clear choices and clear consequences at the Statehouse. I’m proud of the progress we made on energy, environmental stewardship, civil rights, and consumer protections. But the work is far from over, and I remain committed to fighting for equitable taxes, strong schools, accessible healthcare, and a fair Ohio where everyone can thrive. I am honored to serve, and I’m ready for the work ahead.