Ohio lawmakers' texts, emails blocked from public scrutiny under new secrecy law Updated: Sep. 24, 2025, 2:40 p.m. [View all]

Ohio lawmakers’ texts, emails blocked from public scrutiny under new secrecy law
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/09/ohio-lawmakers-texts-emails-blocked-from-public-scrutiny-under-new-secrecy-law.html


Updated: Sep. 24, 2025, 2:40 p.m. Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Starting next Monday, Ohio lawmakers’ text messages and emails between each other and their staff will be exempted from public-records disclosure for up to two years.

The changes, included in part of Ohio’s new state budget that takes effect next Monday, are the most significant restrictions to state public-records law regarding the legislature in more than a quarter century.

Proponents of the new limits argue that lawmakers need to be able to frankly discuss bills without fear that everything they type will end up coming under public scrutiny. They also note the new rules will mirror federal public-records limits.

But critics say the new restrictions will allow lawmakers to keep the inner workings of the lawmaking process secret from the public – including potentially scandalous activity, embarrassing comments, and revealing information about lobbyists’ influence on bills they introduce and vote on.

What are the new rules?
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‪League of Women Voters of Ohio‬
‪@lwvohio.bsky.social‬
· 10h
Starting next Monday, text messages and emails sent between Ohio lawmakers and staff will be off-limits to public-records requests until start of next legislative session.
Critics fear it will keep inner workings of lawmaking process secret from the public
www.cleveland.com/news/2025/09...

Starting next Monday, text messages and emails sent between Ohio lawmakers and staff will be off-limits to public-records requests until start of next legislative session.
Critics fear it will keep inner workings of lawmaking process secret from the public
www.cleveland.com/news/2025/09...

— League of Women Voters of Ohio (@lwvohio.bsky.social) 2025-09-25T11:41:05.763Z