Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens

Ohio lawmakers didn't pass many bills this year for several reasons, but did make some big changes to state policy in the two-year budget.

A House committee voted 8-7 to pass the bill that goes after complaints conservatives have had about what they call “liberal bias” at public universities, though Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) has said Senate Bill 83 doesn’t have the votes to pass the full House.

House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said he doesn't agree with an idea floated by some Republicans suggesting Ohio lawmakers take power from courts when it comes to the new constitutional amendment on abortion.

A key Republican leader said there's a possibility the 60% voter approval plan could go to a statewide vote in August, three months before an amendment that guarantees reproductive rights could be voted on in November.

House Bill 1 would create a flat tax and change property taxes, but a report estimated those changes will actually hike taxes for Ohio homeowners and farmers.

The priority agendas of Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) look similar, but while Merrin said he wants to partner with Stephens on some issues, there are things that are holding that up.

Ohio's House Bill 1, the top priority for Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and Republican state lawmakers who support him, is estimated to have a huge impact on local governments and schools.