Biz & Labor
Ohio leading seven-state lawsuit challenging NCAA’s transfer rules
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is leading a lawsuit against the NCAA alleging its transfer policies amount to collusion. The seven-state lawsuit contends the NCAA’s arbitrary use of waivers creates a de facto “no-poach” scheme among competing schools without providing any benefit to college athletes. “It is ironic,” the complaint reads, “that this rule, stylized […]
Recreational marijuana is legal in Ohio, but bills are trying to change the law
Marijuana is now legal in Ohio, but lawmakers are continuing to try and tinker with the law. The Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday night with major changes to the law that the Ohio House could bring to the floor for a vote next week. Meanwhile, the Ohio House has a bill in committee that adds […]
Tax the buildings or just the land? Ohio economists debate the benefits
It’s a hot topic in the economics world: Would it be fairer and better public policy if we were to tax just the land on which buildings sit instead of the land and all the improvements as well? Proponents of the land-value tax argue for what they see as its obvious benefits: A land tax […]
Ohio Senate votes to approve changes to the marijuana law. DeWine urges bill’s passage
Ohio’s marijuana law goes into effect Thursday under Issue 2 — which Ohioans passed with 57% of the vote. But a bipartisan majority in the Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday with various modifications. The bill now heads to the Ohio House next week, where it would require passage before it would go to Ohio […]
Regulatory capture: Bribery indictment indicates takeover at Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Things were already pretty industry-friendly at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio when Sam Randazzo took the reins of the regulator in February 2019. For example, it had granted more than $1 billion in non-refundable electric rate increases that were later declared illegal by the Ohio Supreme Court. But according to an indictment that was […]
Ohio Senate Republicans are trying change Ohio’s marijuana law before it goes into effect
Ohio Senate Republicans are trying to significantly change the state’s marijuana law before it goes into effect Thursday. Despite Ohioans passing Issue 2 with 57% of the vote, the Ohio Senate General Government Committee approved a substitute bill Monday morning that would, among other things, eliminate home grow as well as raise the tax rate, […]
New bill by Republican lawmaker would change Ohio’s marijuana law
The race is on to alter Ohio’s marijuana law before it goes into effect Thursday. Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, recently introduced House Bill 341 — which would change how the revenue funds would be allocated and allow municipalities to ban marijuana dispensaries and home grow. Ohioans passed Issue 2 with 57% of the vote, which […]
Still more Ohio CVS pharmacies accused of staffing-related problems
In hearings into conditions at one of its Ohio stores, lawyers for pharmacy giant CVS last month told regulators that problems were due to understaffing and extra tasks imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. But the Ohio Board of Pharmacy continues to find such problems — which could threaten patient safety — at CVS stores across […]
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted subpoenaed in civil suit over bailout scandal
Plaintiffs in a civil suit related to a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal have subpoenaed documents from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and they’re scheduling a sworn deposition with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. There have been four criminal convictions so far in the scandal and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker has said the investigation is continuing. […]
More signs that criminal investigation into Ohio utility bailout continues
Five have been charged and four have been convicted in a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal, but there were more signs this week that the federal criminal investigation is continuing. In court documents filed in a separate case on Monday, a special master said that a major player in the conspiracy — Akron-based FirstEnergy — […]
Director of Ohio teachers pension fund placed on leave
Bill Neville, executive director of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, has been placed on leave while special counsel hired by the Ohio Attorney General’s office investigates allegations made against him by system employees. The complaints, first reported by NBC4, appear to be separate from other controversies over the fund’s performance and investment strategies. […]
OH AG forces Dollar General to pay up — by supporting food banks
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Thursday announced that Dollar General would pay $750,000 to Ohio’s food banks. It was part of $1 million the chain — which typically locates itself in underserved neighborhoods — is paying to settle allegations that it ripped off customers by posting one price on store shelves and then charging […]