Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has taken a stand by filing an amicus brief in Norris v. Stanley, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to address a misinterpretation of Jacobson v. Massachusetts that has expanded government authority over medical treatments.In the amicus brief, David C. Tryon, the director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of protecting individual rights in the face of government overreach. "The government is not the all-knowing purveyor of truth and should not be given deferential treatment when it wants to infringe on...
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and 18 other state attorneys general have expressed their opposition to a new federal program that advocates for the aggressive enforcement of "red flag" gun-confiscation laws. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Yost and his counterparts argue that the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, launched by the Department of Justice in March, undermines fundamental rights in an effort to reduce gun violence.Yost emphasized the importance of protecting citizens' rights, stating, "The solution to gun...
The California-based nonprofit 97Percent has come under scrutiny for its purported anti-gun stance, despite its claims of bipartisanship and inclusionary goals. The organization, which took its name from a debunked poll about support for mandatory background checks, has been accused of masquerading as a centrist group while promoting anti-gun policies.According to the article by Lee Williams, 97Percent's executive director, Olivia Troye, emphasized the importance of bringing gun owners into the conversation to work on reducing gun deaths across the country. However, an...
Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, reacted to Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State speech on April 10, 2024.Hederman expressed his views on various aspects of the Governor's speech. He commended Governor DeWine's emphasis on education, stating, "Governor DeWine started his speech highlighting the importance of education and reading for Ohio’s children." He also acknowledged the efforts made in the previous year regarding universal school choice while emphasizing...
Church safety and security expert, Bob Jewell, has shared his insights on how places of worship should handle concealed carry permissions. According to Jewell, in Ohio, individuals need permission from the church to carry a concealed handgun on church property. He emphasized the importance of churches understanding and following the law, stating, "Even in churches that know the law, I’m told that they suspect a number of people are carrying concealed that have not asked for the church’s permission."Jewell advised that churches should have clear policies in place for...
Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan now offered to all sole proprietorsApr 9, 2024The Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan has expanded its coverage to include all sole proprietors, providing them with access to improved rate stability and potential savings on healthcare costs. This development aims to assist individuals who operate their own businesses in securing affordable health coverage.According to a statement, "Today, farmers and small businesses with employees have a lot of expenses, but many of them are finding affordable health coverage options through...
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Community Revitalization Committee on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of the policies outlined in Ohio House Bill 50 aimed at aiding the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society while ensuring community safety.During the testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing recidivism challenges. Lawson praised the bill for introducing a certificate of qualification for housing (CQH) that will assist in...
A Texas court, in a ruling dated March 29, 2024, has granted a significant legal victory to the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), protecting its members from the federal government's "pistol brace rule." The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay, a President Bill Clinton appointee, marks a substantial win for the NRA and its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights.Judge Lindsay's decision came after the NRA filed suit against the ATF and the U.S. Department of Justice, seeking to challenge the "pistol brace rule" that would have imposed...
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 198, which focus on helping soon-to-be-released individuals reintegrate successfully into society after incarceration. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of post-release employment in reducing recidivism, stating that "post-release employment is the most predictive factor of recidivism." He highlighted the significance of assisting individuals in...
Buckeye Firearms Association volunteers played a key role in this battle for constitutional rights, and stood beside the governor as he signed the bill into law.Dean Rieck, Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, highlighted the journey towards legal concealed carry in Ohio, stating, "None of this was easy. In fact, it has been relentless, exhausting work. But this is what it takes if you're determined to exercise your rights when so many work against you."Dean Rieck emphasized the impact of their efforts, noting, "The payoff? Today, Ohio ranks as one of the...
The third quarter of 2023 brought in $2.8 billion in individual income tax revenue for Ohio, an 18.8% decrease from the second quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has come under scrutiny for its creation of a national Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, described by Larry Keane as a "dangerous journey" that could lead to the denial of due process rights to citizens. Keane, in a critical assessment, pointed out that the center fails to adequately protect the accused's due process rights.Keane highlighted the flaws in the current red flag laws, stating that they infringe upon Second Amendment rights without proper due process. He emphasized the importance of due process in protecting...
Adele Flynn of Wellington has been elected treasurer of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and now holds the third highest elected office in Ohio’s largest and most influential farm organization.The election of Flynn to the position of treasurer signifies a significant milestone in her career within the agricultural community. With this appointment, Flynn is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategies and decisions of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.Flynn's dedication and expertise are expected to bring valuable contributions to the organization,...
The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving the city of Columbus' unlawful gun regulations. The case, John Doe et al v. City of Columbus et al, focuses on the city's illegal gun ordinances passed in fall 2022.City attorney Zach Klein requested the high court to review the case after a lawsuit challenged the city's ordinances, which violate Ohio's preemption law (ORC 9.68). The ordinances include a ban on magazines with more than 30 rounds and a requirement for firearms to be stored to prevent children from accessing them accidentally.The Buckeye Institute...
Ohio residents 21 years or older have the opportunity to participate in the SIG M400 V2 Don't "TREAD" On Me Raffle, offering a prize package worth $3,010. The raffle, organized to support the Buckeye Firearms Association, features a variety of firearms and accessories for enthusiasts.The inspiration behind the rifle's name, the TREAD, comes from the iconic yellow flag of the American Revolution with the words "Don't Tread on Me." The M400 TREAD V2 is an optics-ready, aluminum frame rifle with features like a 16" stainless steel barrel, ambidextrous controls, and a Magpul...
Columbus, OH - The Buckeye Institute has released a new policy memo advocating for a strategic shift in higher education capital budget spending to prioritize the development of a 21st-century workforce. Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of directing funds towards essential educational infrastructure in public universities.Lawson's recommendations are clear: capital budget requests should be allocated solely for buildings necessary for student education, including construction, maintenance, demolition, and repurposing....