Ohio’s budget process lasted nearly six months, so we should be highly suspicious of items thrown in at the very last minute. Clearly, someone didn’t want you to notice those new laws.
For example, in the final days of the process, Ohio Republicans added language hiding most of their emails, texts, and other messages from public view.
The Ohio Public Records Act was written to let Ohioans request and receive information about how laws are being made.
It helps us see who is influencing our elected officials and understand the reasoning behind each bill. This law exists to help keep politicians honest.
But Ohio’s Republican politicians don’t like being held accountable. So they’re gutting the law.
We asked Governor DeWine to veto this language, but he chose to sign it anyway.
WHAT THEY ADDED:
Control-F or Command-F search SENCD7 in this document to see the changes Republicans made to public records law
WHAT IT DOES:
Ohioans will no longer be able to request most communications that state legislators send to each other and/or their staff
Ohioans will no longer be able to request most communications that Statehouse staff send to each other and/or legislators
The language stops the public from seeing most communications from Ohio legislators and their staff to other legislators and their staff during the 2-year term in which the conversations occur.
And their explanation? Brace yourself. It’s bad.
That is State Rep Brian Stewart — who leads the Ohio House Finance Committee — just openly saying he doesn’t think Ohio voters should be involved in policymaking. Silly peasants. Your rulers are speaking to one another.
Politicians should be forced to resign in disgrace over comments like that.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1.) Get your public records requests in now
The new, laughably weak version of Ohio’s Public Records Act goes into effect on September 30th. Submit your public records requests now, and demand that they fulfill your request before the end of September.
Ohio Bar Association — How To Make a Public Records Request
2.) Contact Rep Brian Stewart
Tell him exactly what you think of politicians who don’t respect the people they represent
Twitter (best way to get in touch with him personally): BrianStewartOH
Phone: 614-466-1464
Email: rep12@OhioHouse.gov
Fax: 614-719-3961
3.) Don’t let Ohio forget.
This shady new law, passed in the shadiest possible manner, essentially ensures that all Ohio lawmaking in the future will be kept secret from the public. Make sure your community knows who voted to Make Ohio Corrupt Again.
Here is the record of all votes taken on the state budget bill. The 59 Republicans who voted “yea” on 6/25/25 voted to gut Ohio public records law. Hold them accountable — while you still can.
This is bad AND fascist. We need an attorney familiar with the Ohio Constitution to weigh in on this. Because it sounds to me like they passed a law that goes against several rights we're guaranteed by our state via our Constitution. Who can help with this?