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Gov. DeWine deploys National Guard to hospitals as COVID deaths surpass 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine is deploying more than 1,000 national guard troops to Ohio hospitals ahead of a busy holiday season that could swell the number of COVID-19 patients. The state is also in talks with a hospital staffing agency that could bring in additional workers from out of state. “This will allow for Ohio hospitals […]
Democratic state rep running for AG
State Rep. Jeff Crossman, D-Parma, has announced a bid to be Ohio’s next attorney general. The first-time statewide candidate would likely face off against Attorney General Dave Yost — a Republican who has held statewide office since 2011. Crossman is an attorney who served on the Parma City Council before running for the Ohio House. […]
Senate sends homebrew legislation to governor
Elmer Steingass’ friends call him Goose, and his brown ale took home a gold medal at a recent homebrewing competition. It’s going to be tough to get a taste, though. That’s because homebrewing falls into a bit of a grey area under Ohio law. A measure on its way to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk would […]
Attorney fees provision sours support for guardianship overhaul
A bipartisan team of House lawmakers is working on a sweeping update to Ohio’s guardianship laws. The changes stem in large part from recommendations offered by the Ohio Judicial Conference, and they come at a moment when Britney Spears’ conservatorship case has put added attention on the issue. The problem? HB 488 also carries an […]
Lawmaker pitches tax breaks and financial aid to “GROW” Ohio
Ohio has ceded one of its congressional seats in the coming decade thanks to growth rates that haven’t kept pace with other states around the country. Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, is making a stab at reversing that trend with legislation he’s calling the GROW Ohio Act which aims to attract and then retain college students. […]
With bans or fees off the table, study suggests nudge can reduce plastic bags
Across the country, numerous states or municipalities have imposed restrictions to discourage the single-use plastic bags you might use while picking up groceries. But even if they wanted to, the latest state budget bars cities in Ohio from banning or imposing fees on those bags. A recent study suggests there are still ways to reduce […]
Cranley calls for lottery commission oversight of sports betting
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful John Cranley is calling on state lawmakers to abandon a sports betting measure that has already passed the Senate, and instead establish sports gaming under the Ohio Lottery Commission’s existing authority. Cranley argues that approach would avoid a lengthy court battle and make more funding available for public schools. The Cincinnati mayor […]
Struggle between large, small growers takes center stage in marijuana reform measure
A Senate measure that would expand significantly the state’s medical marijuana system for businesses and patients got its second committee hearing Tuesday. The proposal is beginning to move as a different and more expansive recreational measure gathers signatures for next year’s ballot. It’s been five years since state lawmakers approved Ohio’s current medical marijuana framework, […]
House passes bill creating electric vehicle commission
The Ohio House has approved legislation that would set up an Electric Vehicle Commission to help advise state lawmakers on policy while also providing tax breaks for EV manufacturers. Those tax incentives run through the end of 2026 and apply to components like batteries specifically designed for EVs. But legislative analysts raised questions about the […]
What Ohio’s Senate map says about GOP redistricting strategy
Early next month, new state legislative districts go before the Ohio Supreme Court. The congressional map approved last week is on its way to court, too. In both cases, Ohio Republicans controlled the process throughout, and approved maps that garnered no support from the minority party — directly at odds with the stated intent of […]
VP Harris takes infrastructure victory lap in Columbus
Vice President Kamala Harris braved the November chill to tout the bipartisan infrastructure bill in Columbus Friday. The measure, signed into law earlier this week, sends more than $10 billion to Ohio over the next five years, funding investments in roadways, broadband, the energy grid and water lines. Dignitaries and guests packed rows of red […]
Ohio House approves congressional maps largely along party lines
The Ohio House has approved new congressional districts that will give Republican candidates a significant electoral advantage for the next four years. The map will only be in place for those two election cycles because not a single Democratic member voted for it. The map now heads for Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. If DeWine signs […]