Congrats @abdulelsayed.bsky.social! Michigan voters sent a powerfully important message that the many can beat the money. It’s time to unite around our Democratic nominee for Senate and win this race in November.
Officials across the country have sought to burden the direct democracy process with restrictions that may seem modest in isolation but collectively threaten to render these rights unusable, writes @derekclinger.bsky.social in a new explainer.
The Quiet Campaign Against Direct Democracy
As citizens have increasingly employed their powers to make or change law, state officials have used a variety of tactics to make doing so more difficult.
statecourtreport.org
The city quietly released a new ADU handbook with lots of good info. The Greater Ohio Policy Center also released a new report that highlighted an issue that is driving up the cost of building one in Columbus.
ADU Update: City Releases New Handbook, Advocates Push for More Changes - Columbus Underground
The City of Columbus has released a new handbook for residents interested in building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on their property. Posted online last month with little fanfare, the new document...
columbusunderground.com
Ginther's 2026 budget proposal omits the Columbus Promise; Hardin vows to find money for the tuition-free college program for CCS graduates.
Ginther says he can't keep Columbus Promise. Hardin vows to find a way
Ginther's 2026 budget proposal omits the Columbus Promise; Hardin vows to find money for the tuition-free college program for CCS graduates.
bit.ly
Tonight, Council took emergency action to support our neighbors affected by the federal government shutdown. Now, we’re calling on our community — individuals, businesses and organizations — to step up. Donate or volunteer with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective: mofc.org/shutdown.
“Gone are the days when we are a state of ‘no’ and ‘slow.’ We will be the state of ‘yes’ and ‘now.’” — @govwesmoore.bsky.social 🔥🔥🔥
Gov. Moore’s sprawling executive order aims to boost Maryland housing stock
It’s unclear how many more units the governor’s executive order would induce, and to what extent it fills Maryland’s housing gap.
thebanner.com
Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social led the first public hearing on Yes in God’s Backyard, a proposal to allow faith-based groups to build affordable housing. It was also the first hearing under Columbus Forward. More: columbusforward.us.
How can churches and faith organizations help tackle Columbus’ housing crisis? Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social joined WOSU’s All Sides with Amy Juravich and Rev. John Edgar to talk about Yes in God’s Backyard and other strategies.
New plan will use church land to develop housing in Columbus
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin is a convert and it’s part of his overall housing plan for the city.
wosu.org
"We're going to bring together our finite resources ... and work as hard as we can to make sure we keep as many folks in their homes as possible." www.dispatch.com/story/news/l... By @lairdwrites.bsky.social #housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
As federal pandemic rent assistance ends, Columbus gets creative with much smaller program
As a large federal rental assistance program ends, Columbus is launching a much smaller program to try to keep as many as possible in their homes.
dispatch.com
City won't give landlords a license to rent unless they allow inspection of apartments to make sure they're up to code. Landlord: That's an unconstitutional condition! 6th Cir, per J. Nalbandian: No, it's a reasonable condition. No 4A violation. www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf...
This week, Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social brought together dozens of Columbus faith leaders to talk about affordable housing. With land, space, and a mission to serve, congregations across the city are exploring how they can help. www.dispatch.com/story/news/2...
Could church land help with Columbus' lack of affordable housing? Shannon Hardin thinks so
City officials talked to faith leaders about how some churches have large plots of land that could be used to create affordable housing in Columbus.
dispatch.com
Led by Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social, Council approved over $3.6 million to support residents facing eviction or homelessness: • $625,000 to provide additional funding for Emergency Rental Assistance • $3 million to launch the Columbus Resilient Housing Initiative
“Being safe, healthy, well-rested, and ready to learn each and every school day can make the difference between a student thriving or struggling.” Via: @oklahomawatch.bsky.social
Data Ties Childhood Evictions to Chronic Absenteeism in Schools - Oklahoma Watch
Housing instability in Oklahoma is contributing to the state’s chronic absenteeism rates.
oklahomawatch.org
📣 🚨 The village of Brice is operating as little more than a speed trap. It needs to be stopped. Share this tweet so Columbus neighbors know what’s happening and give me your take: should I put this billboard up at the city-village border? 🧵 (1/8)
Urban infill: columbusunderground.com/work-starts-...
Work Starts on First of 27 New Scattered-Site Homes - Columbus Underground
A groundbreaking ceremony was held earlier this week on the Near East Side. A new single family home is being built on the empty lot at 90 N. Ohio Ave., the first of 27 scattered-site houses planned f...
columbusunderground.com
Council is taking action to address housing insecurity. Sponsored by Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social , two newly approved ordinances will invest over $1 million in emergency rental assistance and establish a new Division of Housing Stability.
You think you are ready for notorious conman Vivek Ramsawamy to wage the most annoying gubernatorial campaign of all-time, but when he uncorks an idea like teaching Bitcoin literacy in schools, and you realize you are not, in fact, prepared.
Council President @shannonhardin.bsky.social, Chair of the Housing, Homelessness and Building Committee, will hold a public hearing to discuss the City’s proposed housing bond package and housing stability division.
This Administration wasn’t going to bring or enforce the Fair Housing Act, Title VII, ECOA or any other civil rights statute in any case. But ordering the review & presumably fed withdrawal of all existing DI cases and consent decrees….that’s bad. *btw disparate impact is not unlawful.
Sherrilyn Ifill@sifill.bsky.social · last yr.Bad EO on disparate impact. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
A new analysis of state public health systems shows Ohio's has some of the worst funding support in the nation, and that funding could go down even more in the newest state budget buff.ly/5zjHeYA
Ohio public health one of the worst funded in the country, faces further cuts in state budget • Ohio Capital Journal
A new analysis of state public health systems shows Ohio's has some of the worst funding support in the nation, and that funding could go down even more in the newest state budget.
buff.ly
The Ohio House’s version of the budget would eliminate the independent group charged with enforcing state campaign finance laws. Lawmakers slipped the provision into the 5,000-plus page bill as part of a wide-ranging amendment the day before the vote. buff.ly/IF8KuxB
Ohio House budget would eliminate independent campaign finance oversight • Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio House’s version of the budget would eliminate the independent group charged with enforcing state campaign finance laws. Lawmakers slipped the provision into the 5,000-plus page bill as part…
buff.ly
University of #Toledo is ending a huge number of programs out of fear of SB 1. An absolute slaughter. Every corner of my hometown will feel the impact #Ohio's Republican politicians passed this bill. Don't let anyone forget it news.utoledo.edu/index.php/04...
As Ohio lawmakers consider overhauling a voter-approved initiative legalizing adult-use marijuana, my forthcoming Case Western Reserve Law Review essay argues their power to do so is much more limited than commonly assumed. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
As Chair of our Housing, Homelessness & Building Committee, tonight’s vote is a great step in addressing housing with dignity. Through strong partnerships, Knoll View Place will provide 50 units of permanent supportive housing for our most vulnerable neighbors on the Near East Side.
Despite all the work over the past several years, Ohio Republicans are ready to kill Amtrak expansion once again: columbusunderground.com/passenger-ra...
Passenger Rail Funds Dropped from State Budget - Columbus Underground
Advocates are sounding the alarm after Ohio House Republicans yesterday revealed an updated budget proposal that does not include the small amount of funding requested to support passenger rail in the...
columbusunderground.com
Watchdog Agency to Investigate Attempted Cuts to Fair Housing Groups www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/r...
Watchdog Agency to Investigate Attempted Cuts to Fair Housing Groups
The inquiry is another roadblock to efforts by HUD and DOGE to slash funds earmarked for the enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.
nytimes.com
New opinion piece takes a closer look at housing possibilities: columbusunderground.com/opinion-sacr...
Opinion: Sacred Ground, Shared Responsibility: Can Columbus Churches Help Ease Our Housing Crisis? - Columbus Underground
Every day, I drive through Italian Village, and I pass by church after church. Beautiful, historic buildings. Deep roots. But more often than not, they’re sitting silently with little to no activity.
columbusunderground.com
Minneapolis joins Philadelphia, Berkeley, and San Francisco in passing bans to address this corporate collusion. Portland, Providence, Chicago, San Diego, and San Jose are also exploring their own bans.
