Ohio Legislature searches for property tax answers

August 8, 2025

Though there are enough Republicans in the Ohio House to override vetoes from Gov. Mike DeWine, the legislative body fell short of its goal when it held a special session. The July 21 session was intended to override three of the vetoes from DeWine, who’s also a Republican. There was support for only one override, and it was for the least consequential of the three. An override needs at least 60 votes, and there are 65 House Republicans. Three Republicans didn’t attend the July 21 special session, announced July 8, and state Rep. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, voted against ...

Could GOP reunite Valley in one district?

August 1, 2025

With Republican leaders in Ohio seeking to draw congressional districts to give the party more seats in the U.S. House, the possibility exists that Mahoning and Trumbull counties could be reunited in a single district. Republicans currently hold 10 of the state’s congressional seats with the other five in the hands of Democrats. When Republicans drew the lines in 2022, the intention was to give Democrats two safe seats and have three tossup seats that slightly favored Democrats that could be won by GOP candidates. Democrats won those three tossup seats in 2022 and 2024. U.S. Rep. ...

Rulli’s loyalty to Trump on display in resolution

July 25, 2025

The 6th Congressional District is a Republican stronghold. In last year’s presidential election, Republican Donald Trump got 66.4% of the district’s vote to 32.8% for Democrat Kamala Harris with other candidates picking up 0.8%. So Trump beat Harris by 33.6%. In that same election, U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, got 66.7% of the vote to 33.4% for Democrat Michael L. Kripchak of Youngstown. Rulli won by 33.3%. Kripchak said he will again challenge Rulli in the 2026 election and Democrat Malcolm Ritchie of Dover has filed a statement with the Federal Election Commission to run ...

GOP fails to foil Frenchko

July 18, 2025

Niki Frenchko isn’t the type to be quiet when she feels she’s been wronged. So it was almost as if those who wanted her to resign as auxiliary chairwoman of the Trumbull County Republican Party didn’t understand her at all. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone paying attention that the support to remove Frenchko from the position isn’t there. Party Chairwoman Julia Shutt came to that realization late last week when she canceled a meeting scheduled for this past Tuesday to vote on removing Frenchko as auxiliary chairwoman. Shutt told me: “When I want to have ...

A battle royale over White’s mayoral candidacy rages on

July 11, 2025

As he did four years ago, John White wants to run for Youngstown mayor as an independent – and just as in 2021, his eligibility is in question. The Mahoning County Board of Elections will have a hearing Monday to listen to arguments about the issue and make a determination as to whether White will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. The word “and” as well as how it’s interpreted will play a huge factor in the board’s decision. The board met three days ago to rule on the eligibility of independent candidates and those running in Campbell city elections. The board made decisions ...

State legislators take aim at DeWine property tax vetoes

July 4, 2025

While school districts throughout the state are breathing a collective sigh of relief over Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of significant property tax changes, state legislators are thinking about overriding his decisions. The legislators I spoke to said they were disappointed and surprised about the vetoes, but I could definitely sense frustration and some anger with DeWine. Legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, said the top issue they hear from their constituents is property tax relief. We all feel it. Recent property tax reappraisals saw property values go up 38% in Mahoning ...