Buckeye Forum

Columbus Dispatch senior editor Darrel Rowland speaks about campaign contributions in Ohio. During this episode of the Buckeye Forum politics podcast Rowland provides a snapshot of the top 16 donors in the state and give details on each of them.Top 16 donors: #1$2.31 million Virginia “Ginni” Ragan, Columbus  #2$2.24 millionFrances, John and David Pepper, Cincinnati#3$1.90 millionBoich family, Columbus, Miami Beach#4$1.34 millionRatner family, Cleveland area#5$913,000Leslie and Abigail Wexner, New Albany#6$904,000Karen Wright and Thomas Rastin, Mount Vernon#7$869,000Bill Lager, Columbus#8$838,000Geraldine and David Warner, Cincinnati#9$820,000Ronald Wilheim, Cincinnati#10$704,000Lindner family, Cincinnati#11$681,000Donald and Gayle Oeters, Cincinnati#12$607,000Richard W. Pogue, Cleveland#13$529,000Lee and Patti Schear, Dayton#14$522,000Anthony and Becky Alexander, Akron#15$495,000David Maltz, Cleveland#16$441,000Richard and Katherine Rosenthal, Cincinnati

Dispatch political reporters Rick Rouan and Randy Ludlow recap the opening night of the online Democratic National Convention on the latest episode of the Buckeye Forum. During this episode we discuss what speakers John Kasich, Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders all had to say during Monday night’s digital DNC.

Dispatch political reporters Rick Rouan and Anna Staver discuss how things are going to be very different at this year’s Democratic National Convention. During this episode we talk about how this digital DNC will impact Ohio’s Biden delegates as they watch this convention from their homes. Finally, we mention how this virtual convention is now a series of nationally broadcast speeches, Zoom lunches, and conference calls.

Columbus Dispatch political reporters Rick Rouan, Randy Ludlow, and Anna Staver discuss the latest in Ohio politics on the newest episode of the Buckeye Forum podcast. During this episode we talk about how Dr. Amy Acton has resigned as the state’s health director, what precautions the state has been taken amid the coronavirus pandemic, and where we might see things go from here. Finally, we discuss what the Ohio General Assembly has done so far this year, and mention what we can expect to see when they return from summer recess.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and politics reporter Rick Rouan discuss election security and what this means for voters in Ohio. Next we talk about what election officials are doing regarding the upcoming 2020 election. Finally, we discuss what the terms sockpuppets and catfishing mean, and what’s being done with social media to control the flow of disinformation. Read more: Voters again to face tsunami of online disinformation, experts warn What you need to know about the language of disinformation 8 Ohio counties fail to meet election security deadline Elections board member LaRose forced to resign over security concerns fires back

Ohio purged more than 460,000 voter registrations in 2019. Reporters from The Columbus Dispatch and USA TODAY Network dug into those registrations that were wrongly targeted for cancellation.

Columbus Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with politics reporters Rick Rouan and Anna Staver to recap Lara Trump’s recent visit to Columbus, discusses Donald Trump’s first 2020 campaign visit to Toledo, Ohio last night, and talks about what Ohio’s suburbs might look like for this upcoming presidential election. Read more: Killing of Iranian terrorist leader touted by Donald Trump in Ohio rally, first of 2020 Lara Trump stumps for father-in-law in Columbus Fact-checking Trump’s claims about tanks, cars and Ohio’s ‘best’ economic year

Columbus Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and politics reporter Cathy Candisky explain the latest findings in the ongoing Side Effects series. During this episode we talk about why you are paying so much for your prescription drugs, explain what “AWP” means, and talk what are three things currently wrong with the average wholesale pricing model.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with politics reporter Anna Staver on the latest edition of the Buckeye Forum podcast. During this episode we discuss Ohio’s school voucher system, explain how school are able to obtain a voucher, and talk about what could potentially be changed with these rules. Finally, we discuss how these new voucher rules could impact Ohio’s schools in the future.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with politics reporters Randy Ludlow and Anna Staver on the latest episode of the Buckeye Forum podcast. During this episode we discuss what Governor Mike DeWine has been up to since he took office, talk about how sports betting in Ohio might be legal soon, and mention whether to put the Ohio Casino Commission or the Ohio Lottery Commission in charge of sports betting. Finally, we talk about DeWine’s gun control plan and what this could mean for the state of Ohio.

Columbus Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with politics reporter Rick Rouan on the latest episode of the Buckeye Forum podcast. During this episode we talk about what defines a suburb, what has been going on in these Ohio suburbs politically speaking, and look ahead to how these suburbs might be impacted for the upcoming 2020 general election.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with politics reporter Rick Rouan on the latest episode of the Buckeye Forum Politics podcast. During this episode we preview the Democratic debate in Westerville, Ohio and tell you what to look out for. Finally, we address topics such as gun control, health care, and how Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently had a heart attack.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with reporter Rick Rouan on the latest episode of the Buckeye Forum Politics podcast. During this we discuss Ohio’s voter purge process, talk about where things currently stand with this, and what happens to people when they get placed on the purge list. Next we talk about how this list is complicated, the current problems associated with it, and how some voters were incorrectly placed on this list. Finally, we explain what happens when you move within the same county, and discuss what provisional ballots are.

Vice President Mike Pence called out two Magna workers during a groundbreaking ceremony for the company's new manufacturing facility in Lancaster, Ohio. He also spoke of Lancaster native Sgt. Joseph Collette, who died on March 22 during a combat mission in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province from injuries resulting from enemy fire. The Lancaster native joined the Army in November 2010 and was assigned to the 242nd Ordnance Battalion, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Dispatch public affairs staff Darrel Rowland, Randy Ludlow, Cathy Candisky, and Marty Schladen reflect on reporter Jim Siegel’s life. July 12th, 2019 is exactly one month to the day since Dispatch legislative reporter Jim Siegel passed away. During this podcast we share memories about our time working with Jim, talk about the love and devotion that Jim had for his wife and family, and recognize the talented journalist he was.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland speaks with reporters Jim Siegel and Ben Deeter regarding the topic of abortion. During this we discuss the current laws that Ohio has in place regarding abortion, what the so called “heartbeat bill” entails, and look at what other states are doing nationally on the topic. Finally, we explain how the Ohio Right to Life group is involved in this, discuss what the “Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act” consists of, and speculate if the Supreme Court’s decision of Roe v. Wade could be overturned.

Dispatch public affairs reporter Jim Siegel speaks with state superintendent Paolo DeMaria and Chad Aldis, VP for Ohio policy and advocacy for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute about the latest effort to establish state high school graduation requirements.

Washington D.C. reporter Jessica Wehrman talks about how a community wrestles with what to do about reports that the region outside their middle school is contaminated with radioactive contamination.

Dispatch reporters Marty Schladen and Cathy Candisky discuss the latest findings in the Columbus Dispatch’s Side Effects series. During this we discuss how the efforts in Ohio to reform pharmacy benefit managers have helped this issue to gain national attention. We also talk about a new bill signed by the Arkansas governor which bans spread pricing, other reform laws around the country, and how pharmacy benefit managers are profiting off spread pricing in Michigan.

Dispatch public affairs reporter Jim Siegel talks with Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Policy Institute and Julie Wagner Feasel, member of the Olentangy Board of Education regarding Ohio school funding. During this we address issues of why Ohio school funding is still broken, what is wrong with the current school funding formula, and how we got to this point.

Jack Torry, Washington bureau chief of the Columbus Dispatch, talks about the Mueller report and what it means for President Donald Trump's administration.

Dispatch Public Affairs Editor Darrel Rowland speaks with reporter Jim Siegel to discuss the latest gas tax that the Ohio legislature recently approved, talk about what the House and Senate originally proposed on this tax during the negotiations, and what this tax money will be used for. Finally, we discuss some of the different details of this gax tax and how Ohio drivers soon won’t need a front license plate.

Washington D.C. reporter Jessica Wehrman speaks with Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington on the latest edition of the Buckeye Forum Politics podcast. In this episode we discuss Trump's emergency declaration on the border, civility, Trump's Twitter account and why he reads so many nerdy government books.

Dispatch Public Affairs Editor Darrel Rowland speaks with reporter Jim Siegel on the proposed Ohio gas tax hike, where the funds for this proposed gas tax will go, and discuss the initial gas tax proposal from Gov. Mike DeWine. Finally, we talk about the proposed plan from the Ohio House and the potential new fee that will be applied to electric and hybrid vehicle owners.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivers his first State of the State address. During this the republican delivers his first assessment of the state and highlights some of his plans for Ohio during his first term as governor.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland talks with reporter Marty Schladen on the latest special Side Effects investigative Buckeye Forum podcast series. During this we discuss the news of how Attorney General Dave Yost announced that he is seeking repayment of nearly $16 million paid to pharmacy-benefit manager OptumRx by the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. We further address the question of if any corruption is involved regarding this ongoing investigation of Ohio’s pharmacy-benefit managers.

Washington D.C. reporter Jessica Wehrman speaks with Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan on how he is seriously considering a run for president in the 2020 election. During this we talk about his potential timeline of when he could make this announcement, why he is concerned about our country, and proposals that Ryan might be concerned about. We also discuss big issues like health care and climate change. Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan ‘seriously considering’ running for president in 2020

Washington D.C. reporter Jessica Wehrman speaks with congressman Troy Balderson about his first weeks in congress as a sophomore, Troy explains his first bill passed regarding government shutdowns, and, what is currently happening in Ohio’s 12th district.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and reporter Jim Siegel talk about what’s new in the Ohio House, breakdown the new leadership that is currently in place, and what could look different with Larry Householder as the Ohio House speaker. Finally, we discuss Ohio’s gas tax, transportation, and charter schools in Ohio.

Columbus Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and reporter Marty Schladen discuss Ohio’s dilemma with a death row inmate scheduled for execution February 13th, even though a federal judge ruled last week that Ohio’s execution protocol is akin to fatal “waterboarding.” Ohio’s execution method likened to waterboarding, fire in veins - but won’t change

Columbus Dispatch Washington D.C. bureau reporters Jack Torry and Jessica Wehrman discuss the latest news in the government shutdown. We further discuss how President Donald Trump still wants to build a wall to enhance border security, why this is such an unusual shutdown, and what we can expect to see in the upcoming weeks.

Public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and political reporter Marty Schladen discusses the recent news in the ongoing Side Effects series produced by the Columbus Dispatch. During this episode we address how Walmart has blasted CVS Caremark and would stop doing most business with them. We further explain what pharmacy benefit managers are, what this means if you get your prescription drugs from Walmart, and unpack the current issues that Walmart has with CVS.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and political reporter Jim Siegel discuss what’s been going on in The Ohio Statehouse. During this we breakdown Monday’s news of how Larry Householder was elected Ohio House speaker, how things might change in the Ohio House, and what’s been going on in the Ohio Senate.

Dispatch reporters Cathy Candisky and Lucas Sullivan talk about the newest installment in the on-going Side Effects series. During this we talk about what pharmacy benefit managers are doing in Ohio that increases drug prices here, across the country. We further discuss the current rebate process, what this entails, and ask the question of if these rebates are actually kickbacks. Finally, we talk about how these rebates relate to Ohio and how this can raise the price of your drug costs.

Dispatch projects reporter Lucas Sullivan discusses the latest findings in our Side Effects series. During this we talk about how the Dispatch asked Medicaid about CVS slashing reimbursements and how Medicaid has ordered CVS to reinstate the prices. Finally, talk about the potential move for a carve out of PBMs altogether in the state of Ohio.

Keith Faber, a former president of the Ohio Senate and now a state representative from Celina, is seeking to be the next Ohio auditor. We talk to him about his plans for the office and his record.

Zack Space, a former Democratic congressman from Dover, is his party's nominee for state auditor in an unusually competitive election year. We discuss his vision for the office and why he thinks he's better suited than his Republican opponent.

Democrat Louise Valentine, is taking on Republican Rep. Andrew Brenner in the 19th Senate District, which includes northern Columbus, along with Delaware and Knox counties. Valentine, a consumer analyst for L Brands, sits down to talk about health care, education and why she thinks this red district has become a competitive fight.

It's not just between Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray. A pair of minor-party candidates, the Green Party's Constance Gadell-Newton and the Libertarian Party's Travis Irvine, also are running for Ohio governor. They discuss their candidacies, and their objections to major party rule, in the latest Buckeye Forum podcast.

Democrat Danny O’Connor, who lost by less than 1 point in the August special election, is hoping for slightly better results this time as he once again duels Republican Rep. Troy Balderson in a district that includes northern Franklin County, Delaware County and all or parts of five other counties. O’Connor sits down to talk about health care, infrastructure, the Republican tax cut plan, and Nick Bosa’s decision to leave the Buckeyes.

Democrat Mary Lightbody talks about her views on a variety of issues, including education, health care and taxes, as she seeks to represent the district that covers Gahanna, New Albany and Westerville. The former public school teacher is now a senior lecturer at the Ohio State University-Newark, where she teaches future teachers. She is running against Republican Tim Barhorst, an insurance agent. The seat is currently held by Rep. Anne Gonzales, R-Worthington, who is term limited.

We talk to Veronica Escobar, the El Paso woman who is likely to fill the congressional seat now occupied by Beto O'Rourke, the Democrat who is challenging Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. We talk about the border, trade, immigration, family separations and, of course, whether Beto actually can turn Texas Blue.

Dispatch reporters Lucas Sullivan and Marty Schladen talk about the details behind how taxpayers may be paying twice for the same Medicaid drug services. 

The two candidates in one of the state’s most competitive Ohio House seats, which includes Upper Arlington, part of Hilliard and Clintonville, and a western swath of Franklin County, come together to debate education, health care, taxes and other state policies. Russo has spent nearly two decades advising decision makers on heath care policy, most recently as policy research director for a health policy consulting firm. Yassenoff is CFO of his family's commercial real estate business and spent seven years as a policy adviser for the Kasich administration and eight years on Upper Arlington City Council. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jim Hughes, R-Upper Arlington, who is running for judge.

The two candidates in one of the state’s most competitive Ohio House seats, which includes Dublin and Worthington, come together to debate education, health care, taxes and other state policies. Liston, a Democrat, is a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics and a medical instructor. Harris, a Republican, is an attorney and veteran member of the Dublin Board of Education. The seat is currently held by Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, who is term limited.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and reporter Cathy Candisky talk with Democrat Kathleen Clyde on why she believes she is the correct candidate for secretary of state. We further discuss some of her proposals regarding voter registration, cyber security, and what’s the biggest difference between her and the opponent Frank LaRose.

Dispatch public affairs editor Darrel Rowland and reporter Cathy Candisky talk with Republican Frank LaRose on why he believes he is the best fit for secretary of state. We further discuss Ohio’s voter purge system and talk about his proposal on voter registration. Finally, we hear his thoughts on how to get more people voting, and what types of machines they should be voting on.

Columbus Dispatch reporters Cathy Candisky, Lucas Sullivan, and Marty Schladen discuss the breaking news regarding Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Medicaid. We further talk about how the Ohio Department of Medicaid is ordering the termination of contracts with pharmacy middleman that use "spread pricing," putting an end to a practice that has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions.  Finally, we talk about how Medicaid officials directed the state's five managed care plans to move to a more transparent pass-through pricing model effective Jan. 1.

Columbus Dispatch reporters Lucas Sullivan and Cathy Candisky recap what the definition of spread pricing is and how it plays a role in Pharmacy Benefit Mangers. Next we discuss how rebates demanded by pharmacy middleman from drug manufacturers are driving up the cost Americans pay for prescription drugs by billions of dollars. Finally, we provide some of the numbers regarding rebates that we found out during our investigative reporting.

Columbus Dispatch political reports Jim Siegel and Cathy Candisky talk about how the Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled against ECOT earlier this week. We further discuss what came from 4-2 ruling against ECOT, and mention some issues that are still lingering. Finally, we talk about where former ECOT students have gone since the school’s closing in January. Ohio Supreme Court backs state action, rules 4-2 against ECOT