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Second closed primaries measure gets a hearing in the Ohio House
Two Ohio lawmakers want voters to declare their party months before the primary election. But in its first committee hearing this week the idea was met with pushback from both sides of the aisle. The proposal is actually one of two measures in the Ohio House calling for closed primaries elections. Their most notable difference […]
Misfire: Ohio House adjourns without taking up Second Amendment sanctuary bill
The Ohio House balked Wednesday on a measure that would excise any reference to federal gun statutes in state law. House Speaker Jason Stephens abruptly gaveled out of session without taking up the proposal. Supporters claim the measure, known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, or SAPA, is only meant to keep federal authorities from […]
Measure adding a judge to the Adams County bench advances from Ohio House committee
An Ohio House committee advanced a proposal adding a judge in Adams County on Tuesday. The measure now awaits a hearing on the House floor. The sponsors contend Adams County needs a judge immediately to address court delays. In a press release, Reps. Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, and Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, emphasized how their proposal […]
Ukrainian MPs visit Columbus to drum up support for continued war aid
Last week, members of Ukraine’s parliament fanned out across the U.S. to meet with state officials on their home turf. They’re doing whatever they can to build support for continued aid, as funding dwindles. In Columbus, Ukrainian members of parliament Yehor Cherniev and Lesia Zaburanna visited the Ohio Statehouse as part of that effort. A […]
Ohio lawmakers propose rapid fire timeline to add an Adams County judge
The effort to add a second judge in Adams County relies on a dramatically compressed timeline. Sponsors propose an emergency clause so the measure would take effect immediately. What’s more, the proposal lays out just three days for candidates to file, boards to certify and potential opponents to file protests. From the outside looking in, […]
Ohio House committee tweaks Adams County judge bill after pushback
Ohio House lawmakers are working on a plan to give Adams County an additional judge — it’s one of just five counties in the state with a single common pleas judge. According to the plan’s sponsors, Reps. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, and Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, local leaders are on board. But as The People’s Defender […]
After decades of work, Ohio House removes spousal exemption for rape charges
The Ohio House gathered Wednesday to vote on a handful of bills including a long-awaited measure to eliminate the spousal exception for rape. House lawmakers also took up measures allowing virtual public hearings, elevating offenses against referees and adding organ donation to hunting or fishing licenses. But all in all, it was a relatively slow […]
Checking in on Ohio firearms bills as the year ends
With a new year looming, Ohio lawmakers are trying to spur firearm legislation forward. State senators are holding hearings on a measure banning gun store specific merchant codes, despite credit card companies halting the idea the months ago. Meanwhile in the House, lawmakers want to bring a controversial proposal to the floor restricting local agencies’ […]
‘Send me reinforcements’: U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance urges central Ohio Republicans to back Bernie Moreno
Ahead of Thanksgiving, Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance swung through New Albany to stump for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. Vance endorsed the Cleveland-area entrepreneur months ago, at least in part, to stave off the kind of protracted primary Vance had to navigate in 2022. But while the Republican field in 2024 is […]
While Congress waffles, Ohio grassroots organizations support Ukraine however they can
In a black double-breasted suit and paisley tie, Taras Mahlay looks a bit out of place driving a forklift through a Cleveland warehouse. He got dressed up because the Ukrainian ambassador was in town Friday with former U.S. Senator Rob Portman for an event at the City Club of Cleveland. Mahlay needed to get a […]
Ohio Second Amendment ‘sanctuary’ measure cleared for the House floor
An Ohio House committee has signed off on the Second Amendment Preservation Act, clearing the way for its consideration on the floor. The measure removes references in state firearms law to federal statutes and places strict limits on cooperation with federal officials. The stated purpose being to keep local agencies from enforcing federal laws or […]
Sec. Frank LaRose misses deadline for U.S. Senate financial disclosures
The three Republican candidates hoping to topple U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, go before voters in a few months, and by now should’ve disclosed information about their personal finances. Two of them, state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, and Westlake entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, have already done so. After filing an extension through Nov. 14, though, […]