Ohio Job Growth Labeled Sluggish by State Think Tanks
According to recent data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released on January 23 Ohio added just 3,500 jobs in the final month of 2025. The state’s unemployment rate remained flat at 4.5% which continues to rank in the bottom half of national rankings for employment. Experts from both the Buckeye Institute and Policy Matters Ohio noted that while the rate is stable by historical standards the private sector isn't growing fast enough to help communities truly thrive.
The sluggish numbers have sparked a debate over state economic policy. Critics point out that despite significant tax shifts intended to spur growth the labor force participation remains a challenge. There is a growing push for more aggressive private-sector job creation to address long-term inequality and ensure more Ohioans are entering the job market as national gains begin to slow.
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Political Reaction Intensifies Following Second Fatal ICE Shooting
The recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24 has triggered a wave of responses from Ohio’s political leaders. Pretti was killed during an encounter with federal agents just weeks after a similar fatal incident involving Renee Good. Ohio U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and former Senator Sherrod Brown have called for increased accountability and reform within the Department of Homeland Security with Kaptur specifically calling for the resignation of the DHS head.
In contrast other state leaders like Senator Jon Husted have defended the agency's general performance while acknowledging the incidents as tragedies. The debate has become a focal point in the lead-up to the midterm elections with some U.S. Senators threatening to block agency funding unless oversight is increased. The situation has heightened concerns about federal law enforcement tactics in local communities across the country.
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Federal Funding Shifts Could Impact Ohio Food Assistance
Reports surfaced on January 26 regarding a provision in the federal "Big Beautiful Bill Act" that may change how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is funded in Ohio. The law introduces strict new error-rate requirements for states. If Ohio fails to meet these low error thresholds the state would be forced to pick up a much larger portion of the bill for food assistance currently covered by the federal government.
The new requirements are so stringent that only seven states nationwide would have met the standard in 2024. Local advocates worry that if the state cannot meet these technical benchmarks it could lead to a significant reduction in the availability of food assistance for Ohio families. This change comes alongside other permanent tax policy shifts and new work requirements for programs like Medicaid.
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Statehouse & Elections
New Bills Target School Vouchers and Marriage Age (Jan 27): Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill to cap school voucher eligibility at families making $500,000 or less and another to ban marriage for 17-year-olds.
Full StoryThe High Cost of Ballot Initiatives in Ohio (Jan 26): Advocacy groups say bringing a constitutional amendment to Ohio voters has become harder and more expensive due to strict signature requirements and shifting ballot board language.
Full Story2026 Congressional Races Heating Up (Jan 21): Competitive races are taking shape in the 7th, 10th, and 14th Districts as challengers focus on rising health care and consumer costs.
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Community & Health
Columbus Sees Major Marijuana Tax Influx (Jan 27): While Cleveland received $740,000 in recreational marijuana tax revenue Columbus brought in $4.7 million largely due to having a higher concentration of dispensaries.
Full StoryHealth Marketplace Enrollment Slumps (Jan 23): Ohio's insurance marketplace enrollment dropped 21% this year after federal subsidies expired making coverage more expensive for moderate-income families.
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Immigration & Enforcement
Springfield Prepares for Protected Status Expiration (Jan 21): Local charities are helping Haitian residents prepare for February 3 when legal protections are set to expire potentially leading to mass deportations.
Full StoryStudent Walkouts Protest ICE Activity (Jan 23): High school students in Franklin County continue to protest federal immigration activity near schools citing concerns over student safety and family separation.
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