In our 7th episode of Season 2 of the OAE Podcast and 4th “WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?!” presentation of the 136th General Assembly, Maria & Ainslee are again joined by experts on the front lines of Statehouse advocacy. In today’s discussion, we go over the controversies that are front and center at the Statehouse and share some predictions about what we expect the rest of the year. Spoiler: Shenanigans are afoot!
Find links to the organizations referenced and calls to action below. And check out earlier presentations to get a deep dive into specific bills under consideration.
Recorded: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Previous Episodes Covering the 136th GA
* WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - February 27, 2026
* WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - November 13, 2025
* WTF is going on at the Ohio Statehouse?! - May 15, 2025
OAE Updates
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Statehouse Schedule & Shenanigan Forecast
Now through sometime in June: “Mini Lame Duck”
They say they want to leave at the beginning of June. They say that every year. Fool us once…
They will return on [REDACTED]
They can technically come back at any time. Sometimes they come back as early as August to do some more campaigning via policy-making. Sometimes they stay out until mid November.
Post election: Lame Duck mayhem
Bills expire on December 31. They will go to the buzzer if they have to, particularly those not returning next session
It’s all theatre all the time. Smile for the Camera
Ever heard, “Don’t wrestle a pig in mud”? Well.. that applies here. They want to earn their viral story, their Fox News guest appearance, their shout-out from Elon.
The wildcards are the ones not coming back
Brenner, Williams to name a few…
The girls are still fighting
There is a lot of discontent within the Republican party. There are going to be a lot of power plays.
THIS WEEK’S SHENANIGANS!
HJR 9/ SJR 10
What it isA constitutional amendment to add voter photo ID requirements (already established in state law) to the Ohio Constitution.
What’s happening this weekTestimony for and against the bill. To change the constitution. For forever. With legislation just introduced this month. Right before they leave for the summer and campaign for their own reelection. Total coincidence we’re sure.
Sign up to stay informedSign up to be part of a phone bank calling Ohio legislators
Medicaid fraud circular firing squad
What it isAfter a viral story from the Daily Wire sparked accusations that there is wide-scale fraud in Ohio’s medicaid system
What’s happening this weekThe State Auditor, the Attorney General Office, and the Department of Medicaid were invited to testify. The State Auditor is currently in a competitive election to become the attorney general. Total coincidence we’re sure.
The committee chair is Representative Gross, who has stated that Ohio is in “crisis” due to widespread medicaid fraud.
WHO WE FOLLOW
Democracy
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
Criminal Justice
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS
* Ohio Families United for Political Action & Change (OFUPAC)
* Ohio Justice & Policy Center
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
* CONGRATS to the Columbus Safety Collective for the passage of Issue 5!
* Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity
Immigration
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
* OPAWL
* LULAC
Environment
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
* Ohio Residents for Responsible Development
* Buckeye Environmental Network
* Local solar power ballot initiative in Richland (narrowly failed)
Healthcare
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR UPDATES & ANALYSIS
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
* New Voices for Reproductive Justice
Important legislative highlights:
* HB 324 (telemedicine ban for a variety of prescriptions)
* TESTIMONY NEEDED! Had proponent testimony last week and we expect that it will have opponent testimony as early as Wednesday June 3rd - if you would like to testify please email Jaime@abortionforward.org -
* people can take action and tell their legislator to vote NO on HB 324 here
LGBTQ+ Rights
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ANALYSIS
ORGANIZING EFFORTS
BILL TRACKERS
Important legislative highlights:
* HB249 (Drag Ban) - has not passed and it will not be passed in time to impact any prides this year.
* HB693 (anti-LGBTQ bill impacting child welfare and foster care systems) - Equality Ohio is looking for families impacted by the child welfare systems willing to speak on the harm of this bill.
Education
Education @ the Statehouse TLDR: Brenner still sucks and doesn’t understand DEI; Introducing some GOOD transparency and accountability bills (SB443)
WHO TO FOLLOW FOR UPDATES & ANALYSIS
BILL TRACKERHonesty For Ohio Education
Important legislative highlights:
* SB443 (voucher transparency & accountability) - GOOD BILL! Bipartisan bill being introduced this week.
* SB113 - DEI ban for K-12
* HB485 and SB310 (Baby Olivia bills) could see opponent testimony scheduled at any time. They further erode our nonexistent health education standards and push “fetal personhood” along with absolutely inaccurate language about fetal development.
* Reminder: Property tax bills inherently impact public school funding!
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More from Ohioans Against Extremism
NEW! Policy Explainers!
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* SB202 Is About More Than Just a Flag (May 14, 2026)
* What HB 1 and HB 292 tell us about the future Ohio lawmakers are building (May 21, 2026)
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