From the Statehouse to Your House – September, 2026

Join us for OMBA’s bi-monthly advocacy update, From the Statehouse to Your House, where we bring legislative insights straight to you.

In this interactive 30-minute session, OMBA Executive Director Rich Swerbinsky sits down with an OMBA lobbyist to talk through the latest policy and regulatory developments impacting Ohio’s mortgage industry. 

This is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, understand the policy landscape, and engage directly in the advocacy work that protects and strengthens our industry.

Originally aired live on September 8, 2026.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:08

All right. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Richard Swarbinsky. I am the executive director of the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association. Back with the latest installment of our recurring monthly series that we do live here on Zoom. I always forget to mention at the beginning. So if you're listening to this on podcast where most of you consume our OMBA goodness, we do all of these live as well. And if you go to OhioMBA.org and go to our event calendar, you can sign up for the live Zoom version of all of these um virtual sessions we do, including from the State House to your house each month. So uh with that, uh want to thank you all for spending some time with us again this month. And uh want to uh welcome my guest from uh Government Solutions Group. It is our friend Matt Redfield. Matt, great to see you and uh how's things?

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Good to see you, Rich. Everything's going well. It's uh nice that the football season is off to a good start here and ready to go for the fall.

SPEAKER_00 1:13

Buck guys, uh big 56-3 win over Ball State, but things get much more real Saturday night down in Austin, Texas. So yeah, should be a good one. And Matt, you played football Mount Union? Where do you play football? Uh bowling green. Bowling Green, that's right. Yeah, yeah. I remember we you were a linebacker, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:32

Yeah, they're they're they're a little rough these days, uh, haven't been too good, but hopefully Eddie George can uh swoop them around a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 1:39

That's right. Eddie, Eddie, you know, I'm trying to recreate the Urban Meyer bowling green magic.

SPEAKER_01 1:45

Yeah, we'll see. They're a far way off from that right now.

SPEAKER_00 1:49

You you were there probably you were there after Urban Meyer, right? You're way I was, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:53

Yeah, I was there under uh Coach Clausen, who is at Wake Forest now.

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Awesome. And uh Matt and his colleague uh Adam Hewitt, our great partners down in the Ohio Statehouse that uh help advocate on behalf of our members, and uh they join us each month on this episode. If anybody has any questions uh for Matt as we go through this, feel free to just yeah, pump it into the chat and we'll incorporate it into the session. All right, Matt. So we are two months away from uh what is a huge election in Ohio, where we have governor on the ballot, we have Senate on the ballot, a lot at stake in the state and nationally. Um, outside of that, uh treasurer, attorney general. I mean, it is there's all kinds of stuff going on. Let's start at the top. Um, this Amy Acton Vivek race, you know, we've been chronicling it, and you know, most polls have actin' up slightly, it seems like the real clear politics. I think weighted average, she's she's up slightly. Of course, Trump and Trump aligned candidates have not always polled well. So it's you know, I think what we've been kind of talking about here is the, you know, everything you can see publicly shows acton, you know, up a little, but maybe the reality is it's it's a coin flip or uh, you know, maybe Vivek in uh in in there. What are you hearing and seeing down at the statehouse? Where does it seem the momentum has shifted in the gubernatorial race?

SPEAKER_01 3:24

Yeah, so you know, everyone's obviously their airwaves are getting filled with all these ads right now, and you're gonna start probably seeing even more of it, um, especially as it gets closer. I think we're within 60 days now of the election, which is uh slowly coming upon us here. But um, you know, it's been interesting. Usually Labor Day is kind of around the barometer of where people uh start to okay, this might be a real momentum swing for one side or the other. Um, so there's a lot of polls out in the field this week, and I think we should be getting some of those results back um next week or the week after. So that'll give us a little bit more of a barometer now that people are focusing more on their day-to-day lives. Kids are back in school, um, and you know, they're they're really starting to focus on what's going to happen in November. Like you said, um the polls have been going, everything's been within the margin of error. You you'll see Dr. Acton up one or two points, you'll see Mr. Ramaswamy up one or two points. I think it it is right now a dead heat. Um, but like I said, you know, Labor Day is usually the barometer where people start uh really starting to pay attention a little bit more. And so these new polls that'll be coming back in the field um will be very interesting to see if they stay the same. Or, you know, some of the folks are starting to wonder if some of these low propensity uh Trump voters are gonna start getting off the sidelines a little bit and see if those numbers um sway at all.

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Should be interesting. This Senate race, it's been funny. Uh Sherrod Brown, of course, back um facing off against the incumbent John Husted for uh JD Vance's former seat. And at least to me, it's it's felt like the the Brown Husted polls have mirrored the act and Ramaswamy polls pretty largely. Would you would you characterize the state of that race similarly?

SPEAKER_01 5:21

Yeah, yeah, for the most part, it's it's been the same. I I would say it's probably been a little bit more consistent of seeing uh Sherrod Brown up a point or two. Um, but yeah, there it's very closely mirroring what's happening um with the governor's race. You know, it's uh it's a tough race for Husted of having Sherid Brown, he's been around for a long time. Now, you know, uh Senator Husted has also been around for a little bit himself. So that's gonna be an interesting race, especially with all this money coming in um nationally. I think you're gonna start seeing a lot more uh pack dollars come in uh from the third parties, especially around the data center issues um and just home affordability in general. Um, so that that race is probably if if you had to handicap it, maybe Sherrod Brown's up a little bit, but they're still well within striking distance and within the margin of error.

SPEAKER_00 6:14

It's crazy. You just said it. Data centers and home affordability, you know, like two of the top issues as we go into the midterms. There have never been top issues ever in American politics, at least not recently. And yeah, I think just you know, reflective of uh some of the changing landscape uh with AI and just what we've seen kind of inflation, you know, do to Ohio and the country. And yeah, just the voters kind of uh you know, tiring of it. So um, yeah, so buckle up Ohioans for 60 more days. I mean, exactly. You're gonna get inundated mailbacks. Anytime I'm watching anything on TV, I mean, you know, it is just yeah, full court press. Because I mean, the Senate race particularly, I mean, it's one of seven or eight races that really is gonna determine the balance of power uh politically in America.

SPEAKER_01 7:07

And uh yeah, and that's why you're gonna see a lot of these some of this out of state money start funneling in. They're gonna start making their last minute pushes of of trying to get their one candidate over the the finish line over the other. Um, it's gonna be just a total blitz and it should be should be interesting. I think everyone will be sick of the ads by by the end of it.

SPEAKER_00 7:29

And then the uh the broader legislature, Matt, all 99 house seats, uh the the supermajority is it actually in play? Um, you know, uh what does it all mean for some of the property tax stuff potentially that's been done? Um, if you could give us a sense of the broader landscape in the state house.

SPEAKER_01 7:50

Yeah, so it's on the house side, like you said, there's 99 house seats. Um, really what everyone around the state house is keeping their eye on is whether the Republicans can keep their uh veto-proof majority. Um so that that's the big one. It is definitely in play uh for the Democrats to be able to take that that power away from the Republicans. Um I think there's probably you know five or six real races um that are up in the air there that could go one way or the other. Um lot of them are in areas where there's a lot of data centers being built or proposed. And so you see a lot of the anti-development uh coalitions come out and things like that. So it'll be interesting to see where you know there's little pockets of the state of what happens locally um and and who ends up winning those. So that's really uh in the House, you know, the Republicans are gonna keep the majority, the speaker is gonna stay the same, most of the leadership will stay the same. Um, but you know, all the committees will still, the Republicans will still be the heads of those committees. Um, but it's really just gonna be whether or not those Republicans can hold on. And you know, that really uh makes the difference, especially if Dr. Acton wins, uh the Republicans will will have a whole slew of things they will try to pass before she comes in and it you know takes away some of uh her power. So they're really aiming and gearing up for to hold that power, and so the they can they can keep that uh train running how they have been for a long time.

SPEAKER_00 9:25

And then um the other races of note, attorney general, treasurer, maybe just a quick breakdown for the people of of those races and you know the general current state of them as we're a couple months out now.

SPEAKER_01 9:40

Yeah, so there's a lot of musical chairs going on. A lot of the current sitting statewides are running for another uh statewide position. Um, so it's a lot of the similar names uh on the Republican side, uh, all running for different jobs here. Uh for attorney general, you have Keith Faber running against uh John Kulewich. Uh, he is a uh city council member from the Upper Arlington area. Um, you know, all of these races are pretty well within the margin of error, um, just like the gubernatorial and the Senate race, they're all kind of mirroring each other. Everything's been within about three or four points one way or the other. Um, I think you see uh Faber more often than not in the lead for the Attorney General's race. Um and then for auditor, um, you have the current uh Secretary of State LaRose. He's running for for uh state auditor against Blackwell. Um that'll be a very interesting race, um, just with LaRose's name ID, especially up in Northeast Ohio. Um, he's very well known, well liked. Um, been seeing majority of the polling, he's up, you know, a handful of points. Um Secretary of State will be an interesting one. That's one where you've seen a little bit of um separation on the Democrat side. It is uh Robert Sprague, who is the sitting treasurer. Um, she he is going up against Allison Russo, who has been in the state house now, and she was the uh Democratic uh floor leader for the last four years. Um, you see her, she's been up a couple times in in the polls. Uh, a lot of that has to do with name ID, I believe, of with her last name. And so it'll be interesting to see if that sticks, or you know, as this starts getting closer and closer to uh actual election day if if the Republicans start moving the needle the way that they they think they'll be able to. Um and then last she was the House leader for the Democrats, Russo. Yeah, yeah, she was.

SPEAKER_00 11:44

What is her? I don't know much about her. What's her general like political MO, do you know?

SPEAKER_01 11:49

You know, she's very she's very business friendly, she's a moderate democrat. Um, you know, she represents a very affluent part of the city. Um, and so she, you know, she's an interesting she's an interesting uh candidate. She's kind of taken the route of Amy Acton of going down the middle of the road, and she can agree with both sides of the aisle. She's somebody that can you can easily work with one way or the other. Um, and she is uh a tough candidate for for Robert Sprague to go up against. So it'll be interesting um to see this is her first time running statewide, and she's running a really good, uh disciplined race right now. Um, you know, a lot of it's gonna depend on the national temperature for all of these races of what's going on with gas prices and the war and and everything else, but um, she's definitely one to keep an eye on.

SPEAKER_00 12:41

And she's a board member of OFA, says our friend Tom Walker in the chat. So uh that's cool. It's a good thanks for the intel and uh name to keep an eye on Alison Russo up against uh Robert Sprague for the Attorney General, see, right? Uh Secretary of State, Secretary of State. Secretary of State, yeah. So uh yeah, so we'll see what happens with that. You're so right, though. I mean, with all of these races so close, it really just does feel like what is the national temperature, you know? If the elections were today, I think it probably would be pretty good for the Democrats. There is 60 days left. Um, yeah, and what's gonna happen between now and then that's it'll be very interesting. Uh, you know, Trump, lame duck, last two years of his presidency. You you'd think he'd be highly motivated to um, you know, to to to have the the polarity, but it it you know it hasn't seemed like that all, but you know, maybe he's got you know yeah, you know it's gonna be interesting.

SPEAKER_01 13:38

You know, a lot of his I think it was 14 out of the 15 candidates he endorsed on the primary one. Yeah, um, so he still gets his base out to to get out and vote. And you know, the last two election cycles really um you look at the polls and some of the polling, and Republicans kind of lagged by about four or five points, they got under polled. So it'll be interesting to see if that um if that sticks or not. If you know, if they end up being a Ramaswamy wins by four or five points, then you can kind of start to think, all right, the Republicans are lagging and pulling. This is just kind of the habitual thing. Um, we'll see if that sticks. And and if it does, then um I think people will start seeing this as less of a swing state. But if it does go uh the other way for the Democrats, then this is gonna become another purple state for sure.

SPEAKER_00 14:31

Last question on politics and just the elections. Let's just let's briefly uh assume uh a Vivek and a Housted or an Acton and a Brown win. Like as it relates to housing, Vivek is it is it is it maybe doubling down a little bit on some of the property tax uh progress that we made as a first act. I think with actin, it's probably something related to home affordability, would be her opening foray on housing, right?

SPEAKER_01 14:59

Yeah, yeah. She's mentioned a few things about home affordability, different grant programs for home buyers and things like that. So I think she would come at the from the consumer uh side of things. Yeah, I think um, you know, the VAKE would probably hammer down on his promise to lower property taxes one way or the other, um, whether that's a reduction or if that has to do with the school funding formula. There's a few different levers um that they could probably pull there. But I do think uh he's been hitting the campaign trail hard on property tax and home affordability and bigger paychecks. So you can have absolutely bet that um there will be a big slew of uh changes from from both sides is just gonna be a matter of what angle they're attacking it from.

SPEAKER_00 15:48

And then down at the state house, we're entering lame duck season, that as we've chronicled, not a lot gets done. I mean, anything happening, what's going on as it relates to housing, our membership, our members' needs, issues, anything percolating down there of note these last few weeks of interest.

SPEAKER_01 16:05

Yeah, you know, um, it's really gonna depend on election day. Uh, if if there's uh the Vikramaswamy win, then there's not gonna be a whole lot of action. Maybe one or two things get passed, maybe something related to data centers, maybe not. Um, but they won't feel a whole lot of pressure and they'll kind of set the stage for the new Republican governor to come in and put his thumb on the scale how he wants to. If you see a doctor act and win, though, um, it's gonna be a robust lame duck, and they will uh begin passing things uh left and right, and it'll be a very busy uh six weeks for people leading up into the new year. Of, you know, it could have everything to do with property taxes, the school funding, to uh, you know, one thing we've been talking about is not allowing the the uh delinquent property tax sales. I think that's definitely something that would be on the books. Um, there's gonna be a handful of things that all get tossed into a couple bills, and it's gonna be uh it's gonna be a wild ride.

SPEAKER_00 17:07

Anything on the national level on the housing side that has Ohio tentacles that you have your eye on?

SPEAKER_01 17:15

You know, not currently, right now. I think everybody's been focusing so much on November that there hasn't been a whole lot of uh policy discussions, especially on something so big. I think nationally, you know, they obviously struggle of getting some things across the finish line. And so once they kind of get to see shake out who has the Senate majority nationally, who how many votes are they gonna have in the House, you'll you'll actually start to see um, you know, maybe some policy, but I don't I wouldn't expect a whole lot until on next next calendar year.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

It's just quite, you know, we're talking we've been talking about the same issues the last few editions of this show, but it's there's just not a lot going on right now. I mean, it is every is like hurry up and wait. And to your point, right? Like if the Republicans win, I think it's gonna be more hurry up and wait. Let's let Ramaswamy get in there and set the tempo. And if the Democrats win, they're gonna try to do a lot of stuff right out of the gate just because of how aggressive this administration in general has been.

SPEAKER_01 18:15

Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's gonna be uh an interesting uh balance of what happens here uh of inactivity or activities just based off of uh elections, but that's why elections matter. Um, they they set the policy uh you know tenor for for them moving forward. And um that's why that's why it's important for our members to get out and and vote for those candidates that they think will uh support our industry.

SPEAKER_00 18:42

It is important, make sure to get out and vote. It really is important and uh really has been, you know, I've been involved off and on with OMBA over my whole career, but you know, these last 18 months being intimately involved, it is really just impressed upon me like how much it does matter to get involved in state advocacy, uh, to make your voice heard at the ballot box. And um and we bring a big group of members to the state house. Matt set the whole damn thing up last year, it was awesome. We brought like 50 some members. We do a future leaders program with the Ohio MBI that's virtual in February. We'll be posting registration, we'll open for that in the next few weeks. And uh, but it's three days virtual. Um, and then the fourth day is an in-person day at the state house where uh Matt and Adam and uh yeah, they set up a very yeah, just aggressive schedule of pre-scheduled meetings with legislators that are involved in housing and real estate stuff and get a chance to yeah, right into the belly of the beast and talk with the people making the laws. And you know, the thing that's always impressed on me when I do these these things, Matt, is just they genuinely want to hear our feedback on what's going on in the industry. It's makes right there, Jennifer.

SPEAKER_01 19:55

Exactly. They they want to hear from the experts in the field and and hear what's actually happening in their districts, and they only hear that from the people that do it day to day. Um, and so that's why it is so important. And they do rely on our voices to help shape policy and understand how this will impact their constituents and you know the the good things that'll come and the cons that'll come from different policy positions and and just how we can actually help folks get into homes, afford homes, and you know, all everything that goes into that whole conversation. Uh, especially, you know, as there is a new General Assembly coming up in January. We'll want to have everyone be reacquainted with the leaders, some of those people's change and who are in those conversations, especially um there'll be a new uh chairman in the Senate. So getting in front of those people is very important and help uh set the set the conversation.

SPEAKER_00 20:48

Love it. And no, thank you. Greatly appreciate so much you guys uh you know helping lead our advocacy and outreach efforts at the Statehouse, helping set up that day in February, and want to also thank you also for doing this every month with us. So, Matt, really appreciate you making the time as always, day after a holiday. And with what are your three, four-month-old uh baby as well now, right?

SPEAKER_01 21:12

Yeah, yeah. Four months old. She's she's doing well and starting to sleep. So mom and daughter happy.

SPEAKER_00 21:17

Yeah, we're talking pre pre-going live. She's finally getting some extended hours of uh sleep after uh first baby. So, well, Matt, great seeing you. Thanks again for sharing your insight and uh expertise with our listeners. I want to thank those of you who joined us for the live show. And if you're listening on pod, get to ohiomba.org to get signed up for the live versions. And thanks again, Matt. See you, Rich. Have a good one. Take care, everyone. Have a great day. We'll see you on the next one. Bye.