In addition to working to save taxpayer dollars, 2020 has presented The Buckeye Institute with opportunities to fight for worker freedom, eliminate burdensome government regulations, and provide a better way to keep Ohio’s communities safe and secure.

The Buckeye Institute, which filed the first significant post-Janus challenge with the US Supreme Court, continues its fight for worker freedom through the courts. Buckeye’s appeal to the US Supreme Court in Reisman v. AFUM, along with its two other cases—Uradnik v. IFO and Thompson v. MEA—have raised the question: If it violates the First Amendment to compel financial support for union advocacy, how can states require these same public employees to speak through unions that many of them choose not to join?

Recognizing that for too long entrenched interests have prospered from a restrictive occupational licensing regime while those seeking to work and to advance in their careers have been disadvantaged, Buckeye has called on Ohio policymakers to adopt universal occupational licensing reciprocity. A recent Buckeye report outlines why this policy—which the Ohio General Assembly is considering—is good for Ohioans and good for Ohio’s economy.

Ohio’s cash bail system is broken but reforms pending in the General Assembly could save hard-earned taxpayer dollars while making Ohio communities safer. Buckeye’s research and work to reform the system has resulted in proposed changes to Criminal Rule 46, which governs how Ohio treats people who have been accused of a crime but are awaiting trial.