Monday, October 26th, 2026

Welcome to Monday’s edition of The Pennant. To listen to this newsletter, click the “Listen Online” link in the top right corner of this email.

On this day in 1984, “The Terminator” opened in theaters. The low-budget sci-fi film made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star and topped the box office in its first two weekends.

Top of the Fold: Schools turn to income taxes after losing emergency levies, and most Ohioans oppose data centers, while industry supporters warn a ban carries major economic consequences.

And in today’s editorial: How a popular bill gets the Old Yeller treatment, and why that explains what people really hate about politics.

COLUMBUS — Ohio voters will decide 131 school tax issues Nov. 3, and 68 ask for new money. 

It’s the first general election since lawmakers, overriding Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto, eliminated emergency levies, forcing districts to ask for renewals or brand-new levies. 

Some superintendents say that makes passage harder. 

In Southwest Ohio, districts including Lebanon and Franklin are instead asking for earned income taxes and promising to cut property taxes if they pass. 

In Cincinnati, the school district warns a failed 7-mill levy could bring a state takeover.

ADA — A week and a day before Ohioans head to the polls, with data center bans and charter amendments on the ballot in 18 communities, an Ohio Northern University poll finds most residents oppose building data centers in the state. 

Of 1,650 adults surveyed Oct. 8-14, 55% were opposed and 22% supportive. Opposition to tax breaks hit 65%, including 53% of strong Republicans. 

And 57% said they’d back a constitutional amendment banning large new data centers. Industry supporters warn a ban would send jobs, investment, and tax revenue to other states. 

The poll is here.

COLUMBUS — Private schools are telling parents EdChoice scholarships won’t change this school year, after an appeals court ruled the voucher program unconstitutional. 

The 10th District Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Oct. 15 that EdChoice violates the state constitution’s call for a single system of public schools, but it put its decision on hold. 

The program serves more than 100,000 families. Attorney General Andy Wilson is appealing to the Ohio Supreme Court, and Gov. Mike DeWine called the ruling legally wrong. 

This story continues here.

When people say they hate politics, they usually can’t tell you why. So, as a public service, the editorial board will explain it with a real-life example.

This is the story of House Bill 568.

While this particular bill doesn’t affect most Ohioans, the moral of the story is still troubling.

The bill is simple. There’s some math, but it’s easy to follow. On private construction jobs worth more than $1 million, it would cap what’s known as “retainage” at 5%. That’s the money owners hold back until the job is done. Right now there’s no limit, so contractors who finish their work can wait months to get paid.

Last winter, the parade of supporters for HB 568 was long: the Ohio Chamber, the Ohio Business Roundtable, and just about every contractor group in the state. Not one person testified against it. That’s called unanimous. Hands were shaken. Somebody bought a round and toasted good government.

The bill’s last hearing was Feb. 17. Then nothing. For eight months.

Usually, a bill with that much support becomes a brand-new law. This one is a document waiting to be executed (and not in a good way).

There’s a name for this: Old Yellering a bill. Apparently, sometime after Feb. 17, HB 568 caught a case of political rabies. We’re told most of the Old Yellering happens in the Speaker’s office. Leadership can be a lonely job, so it’s usually Mr. Speaker who is forced to raise his legislative double-barrel, look HB 568 right between its dotted i’s and crossed t’s, and pull the trigger.

Sad, but it’s for the best ... unless you’re a contractor who just wants to get paid on time.

The General Assembly ends Dec. 31, and after next week’s election, it’s lame-duck season. Bills that don’t move by then die a quiet death, out of the public eye.

Plenty of popular bills are put to bed feeling safe and secure. But then, on the next General Assembly morning, they wake up lying next to a lame duck in the early stages of caucus rigor mortis. It’s “The Godfather,” only with poultry instead of a horse.

So the next time someone says they hate politics, now you know why.

This editorial reflects the views of The Pennant Editorial Board. Questions or comments are welcome at [email protected].

Was Charlie Becker's apology a good one?
- Yes -67%
- No - 13%
- He didn't need to apologize in the first place - 20%

The Pennant welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns from readers. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity, and AP style. The Pennant reserves the right to verify all information contained in submissions before publication.

Please send all submissions to [email protected]