Mike's Blueprint For Ohio
Strengthening Ohio's Schools
Every child deserves a quality education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life. Ohio’s schools should focus on teaching the fundamentals while equipping students with the practical skills employers need.
My Priorities
Strengthen school funding by increasing the state’s investment in public education while encouraging districts to spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently through shared services and administrative partnerships.
Reduce bureaucracy by eliminating unnecessary administrative burdens and ensuring that state and federal governments fully fund the mandates they impose on local schools.
Expand career and technical education to prepare students for high-demand careers in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, skilled trades, and other essential industries.
Prepare students for the workforce by expanding work-based learning opportunities, requiring every student to graduate with a resume, and teaching the durable skills needed for lifelong success.
Create better learning environments by limiting cell phone distractions in classrooms so students can stay focused on learning.
Address the student mental health crisis by increasing access to mental health resources and support services.
Invest in early childhood education by expanding Pre-K and early learning programs, giving children the strongest possible foundation for future success.
Why It Matters
Ohio faces serious educational challenges that require action.
Half of Ohio’s third graders are not proficient in reading, putting many students at risk of falling behind before they reach middle school.
Student mental health continues to decline. Nearly one-third of Ohio high school students report their mental health is poor most or all of the time, and nationally, 40% of students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Career-technical education works. Nearly 95% of Ohio career-tech graduates are employed, continuing their education, serving in the military, or participating in apprenticeships within six months of graduation.
Ohio can build stronger schools by investing in students, supporting teachers, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and preparing every graduate with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
Strengthening Higher Education
Ohio’s colleges and universities should prepare students for successful careers while creating opportunities that encourage graduates to build their futures here at home.
My Priorities
Expand internship opportunities so every college student has access to meaningful work experience with Ohio employers before graduation.
Increase financial aid for students pursuing degrees and credentials in Ohio’s most in-demand careers.
Keep talented graduates in Ohio by creating incentives for colleges, universities, and employers to connect students with career opportunities across the state.
Prioritize Ohio students by ensuring public colleges and universities admit qualified in-state applicants before out-of-state students.
Improve college affordability by requiring clear, upfront price transparency so families know the true cost of attending college before they enroll.
Why It Matters
Ohio invests in educating thousands of students every year, but too many graduates leave the state to begin their careers elsewhere.
Only about half (51%) of recent Northeast Ohio college graduates remain in the region after graduation, highlighting the need to strengthen the connection between higher education and Ohio’s workforce.
By expanding career pathways, improving affordability, and creating more opportunities for graduates to succeed here at home, Ohio can build a stronger workforce and a stronger economy.
Growing Ohio's Economy
Ohio should be the best place in America to start, grow, and expand a business. By reducing unnecessary regulations, developing a skilled workforce, and encouraging workforce participation, we can attract new employers, create better-paying jobs, and strengthen Ohio’s economy.
My Priorities
Make Ohio the nation’s most business-friendly state by reducing burdensome regulations that discourage investment, innovation, and job creation.
Build a workforce for the future by aligning K-12 schools, career-technical education, colleges, and universities with the needs of Ohio employers.
Increase workforce participation by creating incentives that help able-bodied adults reenter the workforce and fill thousands of open jobs across the state.
Why It Matters
Ohio’s economic success depends on having both a strong business climate and a ready workforce.
Nearly one-third of working-age men are not employed or actively seeking work, leaving employers struggling to fill critical positions.
About 18% of adults ages 18–34 still live with their parents, underscoring the need for greater economic opportunity and pathways to financial independence.
By supporting job creators, reducing unnecessary government barriers, and preparing more Ohioans for rewarding careers, we can build a stronger economy that creates opportunity for every community.
Property Tax Relief
Property taxes have risen dramatically in recent years, putting many homeowners—especially seniors on fixed incomes—under increasing financial pressure. No Ohioan should be forced out of their home because of rising property taxes.
My Priorities
Provide targeted property tax relief for seniors by using state resources to help reduce the burden on homeowners living on fixed incomes.
Reward responsible local government by incentivizing schools and local governments to eliminate waste, share services, and do more with existing taxpayer dollars.
Encourage local solutions that diversify revenue sources, lower property tax rates where possible, and expand senior property tax credits.
Why It Matters
Ohio families are feeling the impact of rapidly increasing property tax bills, while taxpayers expect the government to spend their money wisely.
Property taxes have increased significantly since 2020, placing added strain on household budgets across Ohio.
Between 2000 and 2020, Ohio’s inflation-adjusted spending per student increased by 25%, while statewide test scores showed little overall improvement, highlighting the need for greater accountability and efficiency in public spending.
Ohio can provide meaningful property tax relief by protecting seniors, demanding greater government efficiency, and giving local communities the flexibility to reduce the burden on homeowners.
Affordable & Reliable Energy
Ohio needs an energy strategy that produces more power, lowers utility bills, and supports economic growth. By expanding energy generation, modernizing our electric grid, and reducing unnecessary government barriers, we can make Ohio an energy leader while keeping costs affordable for families and businesses.
My Priorities
Increase energy production by supporting an all-of-the-above approach—including natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, and solar—and streamlining the permitting process for new generation projects.
Modernize Ohio’s electric grid by directing the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to encourage more efficient transmission infrastructure that improves reliability and reduces costs.
Provide temporary relief at the pump by using surplus state revenue to pause Ohio’s gas tax while global instability continues to drive up fuel prices.
Why It Matters
Affordable, reliable energy is essential to Ohio’s economy and quality of life.
Lower energy costs help families keep more of their hard-earned money while making Ohio a more attractive place for businesses to invest and create jobs.
A stronger, more reliable energy grid supports economic growth, strengthens national security, and ensures Ohio has the power needed to meet future demand.
Ohio can become an energy-dominant state by producing more power, reducing unnecessary regulation, and putting consumers—not bureaucracy—first.
Lowering Healthcare Costs
Healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and focused on keeping people healthy—not just treating illness. By increasing accountability, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and helping more Ohioans enter the workforce, we can improve health outcomes while lowering costs for families and taxpayers.
My Priorities
Protect Medicaid for those who need it most by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse so more healthcare dollars reach eligible Ohioans.
Promote work and independence by providing incentives and support to help able-bodied Medicaid recipients find employment and transition to employer-sponsored health coverage when possible.
Build healthier future generations by promoting nutrition, physical activity, and healthy habits in schools and communities.
Reward healthy choices by creating wellness incentives in state programs, including Medicaid, for preventive care, exercise, and healthy eating.
Partner with employers to encourage workplace wellness programs that improve employee health and help reduce healthcare costs over time.
Increase competition in the healthcare marketplace to give Ohio families more affordable insurance options and greater choice.
Why It Matters
Healthcare spending continues to place a significant burden on taxpayers and families across Ohio.
Nearly 3 million Ohioans—about one in four—receive health coverage through Medicaid.
Approximately 2.5 million Ohioans are enrolled in Medicare, meaning nearly one in five Ohioans relies on the program.
Ohio’s Medicaid program costs approximately $40 billion annually, with roughly $23 billion funded by the federal government.
More than half of Ohioans receive health insurance through a government-funded program, making responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars essential.
By improving accountability, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and helping more Ohioans achieve independence through work, we can strengthen our healthcare system while making coverage more affordable for everyone.
Keeping Our Communities Safe
Public safety is the government’s most fundamental responsibility. Every Ohioan deserves to feel safe in their home, at work, and in their community. That means supporting law enforcement, holding violent offenders accountable, and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to crime.
My Priorities
Support our law enforcement officers by ensuring they have the training, resources, and backing they need to protect our communities safely and effectively.
Hold violent offenders accountable by strengthening bail and sentencing policies for repeat violent criminals and ending the practice of releasing dangerous offenders back into our communities.
Expand jail capacity so violent offenders can be held appropriately while awaiting trial or serving their sentences.
Address severe mental illness by improving access to treatment and crisis services, allowing law enforcement to focus on preventing and responding to crime.
Why It Matters
Safe communities are the foundation of a strong economy and a high quality of life. Families should feel confident that violent criminals will be held accountable, victims will be protected, and police officers will have the support they need to do their jobs.
By backing law enforcement, enforcing meaningful consequences for violent crime, investing in public safety infrastructure, and improving mental health services, Ohio can build safer neighborhoods and stronger communities for everyone.
Expanding Housing Opportunities
Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, but rising home prices and limited housing supply have put it out of reach for too many Ohio families. Ohio must build more homes, reduce unnecessary costs, and give communities the tools to grow responsibly.
My Priorities
Increase Ohio’s housing supply by encouraging the construction of more homes across the state to help meet demand and improve affordability.
Reduce the cost of new construction by simplifying unnecessary building regulations and streamlining the approval process while maintaining strong safety standards.
Support smart local planning by requiring communities to adopt long-term economic development plans that identify where housing, businesses, and other growth should occur.
Why It Matters
Ohio needs more housing to keep pace with demand. A limited supply of homes has contributed to rising prices, making it harder for young families, first-time homebuyers, and retirees to find affordable places to live.
Ohio builds fewer new homes each year than neighboring states like Indiana, contributing to a tighter housing market and higher prices.
Home prices have increased dramatically since 2020, making homeownership less attainable for many Ohio families.
By increasing housing supply, reducing unnecessary construction costs, and promoting thoughtful community planning, Ohio can make homeownership more affordable while preserving the character of our local communities.
Creating a Healthier Ohio
A healthier Ohio means longer lives, lower healthcare costs, a stronger workforce, and better opportunities for our children. By promoting healthy habits early in life and rewarding preventative care, we can improve quality of life while reducing the burden of chronic disease.
My Priorities
Give kids more time to be active by increasing daily recess requirements in elementary schools from 30 minutes to one hour.
Expand health education by growing initiatives like Jim Tressel’s Team Tressel Fitness Challenge to teach students the importance of nutrition, exercise, and quality sleep.
Reward healthy choices by creating wellness incentives within health insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare for exercise, preventive care, and healthy eating.
Improve nutrition assistance programs by encouraging healthier food choices through SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs.
Partner with employers to expand workplace wellness programs, modeled after successful initiatives like the Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Choice Program, that improve employee health while lowering healthcare costs.
Why It Matters
Ohio faces growing health challenges that affect families, employers, and taxpayers alike.
Roughly one-third of Ohio children ages 10–17 are overweight or obese, increasing their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions later in life.
Adult obesity in the United States has more than tripled over the past six decades, rising from 13.4% in 1960 to more than 40% today.
Research suggests that lifestyle choices—including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management—can influence how many of our genes are expressed, underscoring the powerful role healthy habits play in long-term health.
By investing in prevention instead of simply treating illness, Ohio can improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and help every generation live longer, healthier lives.
Fighting for Ohio's Future
I’ve seen too many young people leave our community to build their future someplace else.
I’m running to change that, to make Northeast Ohio a place where you can start your career, raise your family, and build your future, right here at home.
Join My Team
Our community deserves leaders who will listen, work hard, and deliver results. I’m committed to building a stronger future for Ohio — a future where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and every voice is heard.
Join my team today and let’s move Ohio forward together.