Governor Mike DeWine
The Intel project is great news. But what happens if it goes bad?
When it announced in January that it would build two massive new plants in Licking County, semiconductor manufacturer Intel called it the “largest single private-sector investment in Ohio history.” But what is perhaps obscured by that statement is that Ohio is also investing heavily in Intel. A policy-research group recently issued a report advocating ways […]
DeWine reappoints utility commissioner who didn’t do much to protect FirstEnergy customers
Regulatory reform? DeWine reappoints utility commissioner who didn't do much to protect FirstEnergy customers.
Another question about DeWine conflicts in Ohio redistricting
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine has said he doesn’t have a conflict sitting in judgment of a case involving a redistricting commission on which his father sits. That’s because the father, according to his son, is acting in only an official capacity. It’s a claim that some ethics experts have bluntly rejected. The claim […]
Economists: Cutting Ohio gas tax would be a mistake
A panel of economists overwhelmingly thinks that a proposal to cut Ohio’s gas tax is a bad idea — both because it will sap state funds for infrastructure and because it will take away incentives to conserve energy. In 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine pushed for an increase in the state’s 25-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax and got […]
DeWine: Additional transparency not needed in massive Medicaid contracts
Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran apparently held stock in two huge health companies last year as she negotiated and signed multi-billion-dollar contracts with their subsidiaries. But she has refused to say how much she owned as she signed the deals. Nor will the man who appointed her, Gov. Mike DeWine, say he thinks Corcoran should […]
Ohio foodbanks starting to go hungry
As the coronavirus pandemic enters its third year, Ohio’s foodbanks are in a perilous state, an official who helps run them said Wednesday. The centers have gotten through the crisis with special relief funds and help from the National Guard. But as happened repeatedly through the pandemic, foodbanks are facing increasing strains as temporary relief […]
In 2021 the death penalty faded further in Ohio, U.S.
In 2021, the death penalty faded further in Ohio, U.S.
Ohio economists mixed on the benefits of legalized sports betting
The economic benefits of sports-related activity continue to get mixed reviews from Ohio economists. In a survey released this week, 10 of 23 academic economists said they believed the economic benefits of legalized gambling on sports would outweigh the costs. Four said they expected costs to outweigh the benefits and the other nine were uncertain. […]
Firm that facilitated $22B in contracts won’t say if any went to its clients
When the Ohio Department of Medicaid this year selected six companies to manage $22 billion worth of managed-care business, it was supposed to be a competitive process. But some pretty big questions linger about how competitive it actually was. Somehow, an Ohio-based company was dinged because it hadn’t worked outside the Buckeye State. But giant, […]
State says Medicaid director complied with ethics law, won’t share documents
The Ohio Department of Medicaid and the governor’s office last week insisted that Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran complied with state ethics laws as her department entered into massive contracts earlier this year. However, they so far have refused to produce copies of affidavits that seem to be required by state law, and Corcoran is refusing […]
Medicaid department mum on contacts with DeWine-connected lobbyist
A close, long-standing friend of Gov. Mike DeWine registered early this year to lobby on behalf of a giant Medicaid provider — just before Attorney General Dave Yost accused the company of ripping off tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. The company, St. Louis-based Centene, later agreed to pay out $88 million to Ohio and […]
Ohio gov thinks a law is making kids sick and says it’s unconstitutional. He won’t challenge it
Some are questioning Gov. Mike DeWine’s sincerity when he says he’s doing all he can to fight the spread of coronavirus among children. DeWine and the leaders of children’s hospitals are in a panic over the lack of masking in Ohio schools. Hospital admissions of children with covid are up 536% since July and the […]