Ohio’s data center boom fuels nuclear power plans: Capitol Letter

Rotunda rumblings

Big nuclear bet: Ohio’s data center boom is riding a new wave of nuclear power, but the timeline is a problem. New reactors are years away, while electricity demand and utility bills are rising now. Anna Staver deep dives into how that gap raises a tough question: who pays while Ohio waits for the power to arrive?

Caught off guard: Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been relying on bodyguards who either let their Ohio security‑guard registration expire or didn’t have one in the first place. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, at least two bodyguards were spotted with the Columbus-area entrepreneur at recent events despite not being registered with the state, which can hit violators – and their employers – with fines and even prison time. The news comes after a bodyguard for Ramaswamy’s family was arrested on federal drug‑trafficking charges, prompting the family to cut ties with his security firm, ARK Protection Group.

Digital dragons: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno urged a complete social media ban for anyone under age 18 during a Thursday Senate committee hearing that examined protecting children from technology harms, with expert witnesses backing strict age restrictions, Sabrina Eaton reports. “This is worse than cigarettes for this generation,” the Westlake Republican said. “A parent can see, ‘Hey, my child is smoking a cigarette. I’m going to stop that behavior.’ You may not be able to see what they’re seeing on social media.”

Thin ICE: Rep. Max Miller tells constituents that ICE focuses narrowly on dangerous criminals, but analyses of government data by The Washington Post and The New York Times show that a majority of people arrested in recent ICE operations had no criminal convictions or pending charges, Eaton writes. The data indicates at-large arrests have surged to levels far exceeding prior years, with the share of detainees who have criminal records falling sharply nationwide. Immigrant advocates and civil rights groups say the numbers contradict official messaging and have fueled lawsuits accusing ICE of broad, unlawful enforcement rather than targeted action.

Taxing school issues: Outrage from homeowners across Ohio over rising property taxes that prompted reforms from legislators and sparked a drive to abolish them permanently have public school districts concerned, Laura Hancock reports. Money derived from property taxes is by far the largest funding source for the state’s public school districts. The fury has prompted some districts to act, taking steps such as educating voters and considering new funding sources as they brace for what the storm may bring.

Feisty public forum: Aaron Baer, the director of the controversial, conservative Center for Christian Virtue, didn’t back down Friday when a crowd at the City Club of Cleveland challenged him for his views on religion, rights for gay and transgender people, and abortion, Hancock reports. But he didn’t appear to win any converts, either.

On the road again: Trump administration officials visited a Ford manufacturing plant on Friday to promote the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative, a plan to rollback federal fuel efficiency standards that President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled in December, Mary Frances McGowan reports. Duffy, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were joined by U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, a Bowling Green Republican whose district includes Lorain County, and Moreno for a tour of the facility. Officials said they chose the Buckeye State to discuss the initiative because years of policies that pushed automotive factories overseas hurt places like Ohio the most.

Civic duty: Moreno has a certain type of vehicle in mind as consumers and the auto industry grapple with concerns about affordability, the Detroit Free Press reports. “I would love to see many more Honda Civics, which is a car that’s under $25,000,” Moreno said Jan. 15 during a “fireside chat” on the second day of the Detroit Auto Show. Honda does advertise a Civic starting at under $25,000, although more expensive trims are also offered.

Lobbying lineup

Five organizations registered to lobby on House Bill 186 through last December. It was one of the major property tax reform bills that passed last year. It capped school tax increases and expanded tax credits for homeowners. HB186 was estimated to save taxpayers about $1.7 billion over three years.

1. County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio
2. Ohio Association of REALTORS
3. Ohio School Boards Association
4. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
5. Ohio Soybean Association

On the Move

Katie Seewer is moving jobs within the Ohio Democratic Party, from press secretary to a communications advisor focused on the 2026 Ohio governor’s race.

Birthdays

Rob Secaur, former Ohio Republican Party executive director/campaign manager for Jane Timken’s 2022 U.S. Senate campaign

Straight from the Source

“Our vice president, JD Vance, has made sure that all members of this cabinet at all times of every day, we always have Ohio top of mind.”

-EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on one of the reasons why the administration chose Ohio to promote the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative.

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