Ohio State University trustees support creating a new civics education center on campus, a plan pitched by Republican lawmakers as a counterweight to what they say is a left-leaning academic setting.

Why it matters: The recent endorsement could be an olive branch to the GOP-controlled Statehouse, which is also pushing for a broader higher education overhaul that OSU and other universities oppose.

State of play: Sens. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) want the proposed center to teach students the "ideas, traditions, and texts" that have shaped American history.

• It would be named for Salmon P. Chase, a famed 19th century lawyer, politician and abolitionist.

What they're saying: "... it is no secret that university faculty are predominantly liberal. This causes a single ideological perspective to dominate academia," Cirino and McColley wrote in support of Senate Bill 117.

• The center is intended to "move the dial just a little bit in favor of true intellectual diversity," Cirino said.

The big picture: Cirino also sponsored Senate Bill 83 — known as the Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act — which would outlaw mandated diversity training and faculty strikes, and prohibit universities from commenting on public policy issues such as abortion rights.

• Labor unions and education groups have criticized the bill, while supporters say it is necessary to ward off ideological discrimination against conservatives.
• The Senate approved the bill, and a House committee is scheduled to discuss it this morning.

Between the lines: As a publicly funded university, OSU is in a difficult position.

• The school opposes SB 83, saying it's unnecessary state overreach that limits the very free speech lawmakers say they're seeking to protect.
• But trustees say they "look forward to working with" lawmakers on the civics center idea, claiming it would "broaden even further intellectual diversity on our campuses."
• "Trustees are unified in their opposition to Senate Bill 83. I'll let their words speak for themselves," an OSU spokesman tells Axios, noting "they welcome a fulsome dialogue with the legislature."

Take a close look at the receipt the next time you dine out.

What's happening: Some local restaurants have started adding "inflation fees" to bills to mitigate rising food and labor costs, rather than increasing menu prices directly.

Zoom in: Pizza Cottage, with several local locations, is charging 3% to all bills, while Forno in the Short North is charging 3% for all credit card transactions, WBNS-TV reports.

What they're saying: "Put quite simply, it is helping many restaurants survive," Ohio Restaurant Association president and CEO John Barker tells Axios in a statement.

The other side: Columbus Redditors criticized the move in some lengthy threads, alleging a lack of transparency regarding the charges.

The big picture: Though unpopular, the trend has been happening for a while nationwide, Axios' Kelly Tyko reported last year.

📬 Let us know: Have you been surprised by fees on your receipt? Hit reply.

🌾 David Brandt, a Fairfield County farmer known for his conservation work and as the face of a meme celebrating "honest work," died recently at the age of 76. (Ohio Country Journal)

🍔 Dublin-based Wendy's ranks No. 64 on the latest Axios Harris Poll 100 gauging the reputation of America's most visible brands. (Axios)

🏡 Former NBA star Kevin Martin is selling his New Albany mansion at a listed price of $3.75 million. (Dispatch)

🚓 Police believe the driver who crashed into an East Linden Elementary's playground yesterday morning is also responsible for crashing into a separate school last winter. (WBNS-TV)

Columbus will host some of the biggest names in rock music over the next four days.

Why it matters: After a three-year hiatus, the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is back.

What's happening: The show starts tomorrow at Historic Crew Stadium. Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, KISS and Foo Fighters will each headline a day alongside dozens of other solid acts.

• Four-day passes are still available: Field admission ($474, fees included) grants main stage pit access, while stadium admission ($296) offers first-come, first-served seating in the stands.

Pro tip: Cheaper single-day tickets are also an option, but field admission for Sunday (Foo Fighters) is already sold out.

• The festival offers a secure waitlist and exchange system, though, and we saw a few secondhand tickets on StubHub selling close to face value yesterday.

👀 The intrigue: The weather forecast looks downright pleasant, which almost never happens.

Go deeper: Tickets, schedules and our Spotify playlist.

👀 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Pilot at Scott's.
2. Director, Content Acquisition Strategy & Operations at ACS.
3. General Utility at Packaging Corporation of America.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

👋 Sam here from Axios Cleveland. I ventured down to Cincinnati's TQL Stadium last weekend for the Hell Is Real Derby and found this unique, cashier-free store on the concourse.

Snacking the news: This is the first pro stadium in Ohio to offer a food and beverage stand using Amazon's Just Walk Out technology.

How it works: Customers enter the store through a special gate using a debit or credit card. A limited selection features prepared pizza slices, beer, pop, chips and popcorn.

• Advanced cameras track customer movement and sensors on shelves determine when items have been picked up.
• Customers then "just walk out" and their payment method is charged.

Yes, but: The theoretical efficiencies gained by avoiding lines are outweighed by the discomfort of being tracked with extreme precision.

• Also, it cost $33 for a single Tecate tall boy and two Diet Pepsis. Even by stadium pricing standards, that's unconscionable.

😮 Tyler's take: Three drinks for the same cost as 330 hot dogs at a Tuesday night Clippers game? Maybe hell is real.