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Ohio senators mulling major revisions to medical marijuana system
Ohio senators have filed legislation that represents a broad revision of the state’s medical marijuana system. Among the changes is language expanding access to the drug if a physician “reasonably” believes their patient’s symptoms would be relieved or they would otherwise benefit from marijuana. It’s a potentially massive expansion of eligibility for patients after years […]
Secretary of State to oversee Franklin County elections board
State officials are stepping in to oversee the board of elections in Ohio’s most populous county after a voter reported being able to vote twice to the secretary of state’s office. A review turned up two other instances that look similar. None of those votes will be included when the final results are certified, and […]
“You’re fired.” Dem gov. candidate Cranley promises to clean house at PUCO
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful John Cranley is promising a scorched earth response to Ohio’s HB 6 scandal: fire every member of the public utilities commission. The former Cincinnati mayor contends a clean slate is the only way to restore trust in the Pubic Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, and he has additional reforms in mind […]
GOP releases proposed congressional maps preserving their huge advantage
In committee hearings Wednesday, Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate unveiled their plans for new congressional districts. In both cases Democrats complained the maps were shared at the eleventh hour, leaving members unable to properly analyze the proposals before them. Procedural votes along partisan lines and unanswered questions about the drafters’ intent seem to […]
Republican Mike Carey wins OH-15 special election
Republican former lobbyist Mike Carey has won a special election to represent Ohio’s 15th Congressional District. The race raised the profile of an otherwise typical off-year election dominated by local offices like city council or school board. The contest was seen by some outside Ohio as one of the latest proxies for determining former President […]
Legislation refiled putting AG in charge of lethal use of force investigations
A measure in the Ohio Senate would put the Attorney General’s office in charge of investigating officer involved shootings. The idea, sponsored by Cleveland Democratic Sen. Sandra Williams, has been filed in every session going back to 2016, but has yet to gain traction. It was the very first recommendation offered by an Ohio Supreme […]
Dayton Commission mailers rope state party into fight between progressives and centrists
From Congress to city councils, progressives and centrists in the Democratic party are wrestling over whose vision should define the party’s future. In Dayton, that fight is playing out in the race for city commission, and a pair of mailers attacking two progressives have roped in the state Democratic party. The mailers attack commission candidates […]
Justice DeWine defends redistricting recusal decision despite murky track record
Since taking his seat on the Ohio Supreme Court bench, Justice Pat DeWine has recused himself from 37 cases. Perhaps most colorfully, he’s bowed out of eight tied to a doctor accused of performing medically unnecessary spinal surgeries, who then fled to his native Pakistan to avoid prosecution. In court filings, DeWine explained he was […]
Cuyahoga grand jury declines to charge officer in January shooting
East Cleveland police officer Larry McDonald will not face charges in the January shooting that left Vincent Belmonte dead. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the Cuyahoga County grand jury’s decision Friday. The incident stems from a traffic stop on the morning of Jan. 5, this year. McDonald was on traffic patrol, training fellow officer […]
Ohio representatives file new anti-trans bill, targeting health care providers
Ohio House lawmakers are running back a fight over trans youth in the state. But this time, instead of focusing on school sports, the proposal would prohibit offering minors any kind of gender affirming treatment — from hormones to surgery. The measure, H.B. 454, puts the onus on health care providers by defining that treatment […]
County officials pushing for more tax abatement reporting
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would collect statewide information about property tax exemptions, and add that data to the list of tax breaks reviewed by state officials every other year. The information itself already exists — county auditors deliver it to the Ohio Department of Taxation regularly. But backers believe the move could shine […]
Dayton incident with paraplegic man shines light on state, local police reform efforts
During a traffic stop, late last month, Dayton police officers pulled Clifford Owensby from his car by the hair. Owensby, who is paraplegic, repeatedly told the officers he could not get out of the car, that he wanted them to call a supervisor, that they could hurt him by pulling him from the vehicle. They […]