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New voter ID requirements put out-of-state college students “between a rock and a hard place”
A new law changing voting ID requirements makes it more challenging for out-of-state college students to vote. House Bill 458 requires a photo ID to vote — meaning an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, a state ID card, U.S. passport or military card — so out-of-state college students must get an Ohio issued ID card if […]
Ohio BMV will refund disabled veterans after incorrectly charging for license plates
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will issue refunds to nearly 2,000 disabled veterans who were wrongly charged for specialty license plates. The BMV recently realized it did not implement a change in Ohio law that went into effect in October 2019 that allows certain disabled veterans to receive up to two free disabled veteran […]
22 Ohio school districts have staff members authorized to carry weapons on school grounds
Twenty-two Ohio school districts and one Christian school have staff members who are either authorized or in the training process to carry weapons on school grounds as of Wednesday, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 99 — which grants local boards of education authority to decide […]
Supporters of Ohio’s higher education overhaul argue it would promote intellectual diversity
Five educators spoke up in support Wednesday of a gigantic higher education bill proposed by lawmakers that would, among other things, require American history courses and tenure evaluations based on if the educator showed bias or taught with bias, and prohibit university staff and employees from striking. Proponents of Senate Bill 83, introduced earlier this […]
Proponents speak in favor of barring trans athletes from Ohio women’s sports
Those who spoke in support of a controversial bill that would keep trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports in college and youth athletics were met with lengthy — and sometimes sassy and sharp — questioning. State Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, two former Ohio State student-athletes, a former high school softball and baseball coach, […]
Ohio AG Dave Yost asks U.S. Dept. of Education not to rescind part of religious rule
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Education sent last week asking to keep a rule from the Trump administration requiring public universities to uphold the First Amendment when it comes to religious groups on campuses. The current rule, which the federal education department is trying to get rid […]
Gov. DeWine’s proposed budget includes teaching children how to read that’s backed by science
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants to make sure children learn how to read correctly and in a way that’s backed by the science of reading — which is a portion of his proposed budget. “I truly believe there’s nothing more important than the science of reading, and making sure that every single child in the […]
Bill would require Ohio colleges and universities to disclose costs, financial aid and alum income to students
A new higher education bill would require Ohio colleges and universities to be more transparent and forthcoming with costs, financial aid, student loan repayment, and alumni income. House Bill 27 was introduced last month by state Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, and state Rep. Jim Thomas, R-Jackson Twp. “This simple common sense bill will help graduating […]
New bill would eliminate retention under Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee
A new bill would eliminate retention under Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee and is almost identical to a previous bill that died in the last General Assembly. House Bill 117 was introduced last week by state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and state Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon. “I have nothing against retention,” Manning said. “But […]
Gov. Mike DeWine highlights education components of his proposed budget
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine talked about the various education pieces of his proposed budget to Ohio school board members Tuesday morning at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square. DeWine talked about school funding, literacy, career tech schools, and higher education at the State Legislative Conference, which included the Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Association […]
First four projects of $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program announced
The first four development projects of Ohio’s $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program were announced Monday. The projects, which in total will receive a total of $50 million in development grants, will benefit Athens, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Mahoning, Meigs, and Perry counties, said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “New doors are opening […]
Higher education bill would prohibit Ohio staff and employees from striking
A massive higher education bill that would prohibit university staff and employees from striking was introduced last week and is already drawing harsh criticism from labor unions. State Senator Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, introduced Senate Bill 83 which would have wide-ranging effects on colleges and universities around the state. “I would describe the bill as a […]