Local –
Update from 8/27/26 Three for Thursday
Columbus City Council approves two ballot measures on new council structure
- This past Monday, council passed two pieces of legislation related to the city’s charter involving the basic structure of council and how members are elected.
- Council President Hardin and Councilmember Rob Dorans introduced the legislation that would create a 13-member council — nine positions focused on specific districts and four at-large seats. Those at-large seats would be phased in over the next four years.
- The proposal would also lower the ballot access threshold — the number of nomination signatures a candidate needs to appear on the ballot — and create a citizen-led districting commission to re-draw maps in 2028.
- Voters will have the opportunity to vote on both measures in the Nov. 3 election.
State –
Ohio REALTORS® Host In-District Meetings With Beatty, Carey
- This week Ohio REALTORS® government affairs team and leadership held in-district meetings with Congressmembers Joyce Beatty and Mike Carey.
- Among the conversation on policy priorities was an expression of gratitude fortheir support of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
- Federal Political Coordinators (FPB), Michael Jones for Rep. Beatty, and John Royer for Rep. Carey led the meetings with support from the Ohio REALTORS® leadership and Ohio REALTORS® government affairs staff.
National –
NAR Joins Supreme Court Property Rights Cases Seeking Clarity on Access to Courts
- The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), joined by a coalition of industry partners, filed a dual-header supporting Supreme Court review in Walls v. Montgomery County and Tedford's Tenancy, LLC v. City of New York.
- Both cases center on the legal doctrine of ripeness and when property owners may bring constitutional takings claims before a court.
- NAR's brief argues that property owners should not be required to navigate endless and potentially futile rounds of permitting, appeals, or other government procedures before gaining access to the courts.
- NAR’s legal advocacy efforts to support private property rights remain a priority. NAR will continue to monitor any developments in this case and provide updates accordingly.
