This week’s #GOPCThread takes a look at some of the issues that will be up for debate during the second year of the 134th Ohio General Assembly, which kick’s off this week and will come to a conclusion at the end of the year (with a few breaks in between due to the 2022 statewide election cycle).

Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.

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This week, our #GOPCThread is taking a look at what lies ahead for the Ohio Legislature as the second year of the 134th Ohio General Assembly gets underway

While last year saw the legislature enact several state budgets (the first half of the year) & new state legislative + congressional district maps (the second half of the year), 2022 will mostly focus on finishing what was started in 2021 #GOPCThread

Big 2022 issues include ongoing debate around vaccine mandates, criminal justice reform, and streamlining state government.

It's also worth noting that w/ yesterday's decision, redistricting will still remain a priority, particularly over the next month.

Late last year, a House committee approved SB83, which would earmark money to Ohio EPA for brownfield assessments. We are hoping to see this bill approved by the full House & sent to the Governor.

2022 will also see lawmakers take-up two additional budgets, the capital budget and the capital reappropriations budget. These budgets provide $$$ for construction projects at the state and community level.

While the reappropriations budget is for projects that have been previously approved but not completed, the capital budget will fund new projects & include everything from repairs to state buildings & property to the installation of new parks & other local community projects

Lawmakers have set a goal of enacting the reappropriations budget by the end of March, while the new spending bill should be approved by mid-to-late May. 🚨Project requests should be submitted to lawmakers by 3/18 if you are looking for support for projects in your community🚨

Speaking of appropriations, the second tranche of funding from the American Rescue & Recovery Plan (ARPA) will be distributed in May. This (along with the remaining funds distributed last year, may be subject to a spending plan in 2022.

Lawmakers may also have to take-up a citizen’s-initiated bill that would legalize & regulate adult use of cannabis. The group pushing the issue was recently notified they were short in their initial submission of signatures, but is actively pursuing more.

If successful, lawmakers would have 120 days to consider the bill. If they do not - petitioners could take the issue directly to voters (if they collect more signatures) on the November ballot.

Speaking of elections, voters in 2022 will be voting in a number of important races, including U.S. Senate, Governor, Sec. State, AG, Auditor, Treasurer + all members of the state House & 1/2 of the state Senate. 3 seats on the Supreme Court are also up, including Chief Justice

All these races + the need to campaign (for many in new districts) will reduce the overall amount of time lawmakers spend at the Statehouse, meaning that which does get done will happen over a short period of time early & late in the year.

If you don't already, be sure to follow our bill tracker on our website where we provide regular updates about legislation we monitor at the statehouse. And check back here regularly for updates about all that is happening in and around capital square