Politics & Gov
Critics take aim at HB 6 coal subsidies
A 2019 energy bill at the heart of a historic Ohio scandal has plenty of critics and it contains plenty of provisions of which they’re critical. There’s more than $1 billion to prop up two nuclear reactors that supposedly can’t compete on their own. And there’s $102 million in annual revenue guarantees for FirstEnergy, a […]
U.S. Senate confirms Vilsack for a second stint as Agriculture secretary
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday in a 92-7 vote confirmed former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a second time. Vilsack, 70, also headed the $151 billion agency under the Obama administration, for eight years. But he has garnered criticism from Black and minority farmers for his treatment of […]
Bills seek party labels on ballots for Ohio Supreme Court
When voters cast their ballots for the Ohio Supreme Court, the justice candidates are not labeled by party affiliation. That could change if a new bill proposed by a pair of Northern Ohio Republicans is successfully enacted. Senate Bill 80, introduced by Republican state Sens. Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green and Jerry Cirino of Kirtland, […]
Big uptick in vaccine supplies for states expected soon
WASHINGTON — Executives from five COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers told Congress Tuesday that they expect to significantly boost the number of shots delivered to states in the coming weeks. Pfizer will increase weekly shipments to more than 13 million doses by mid-March, an increase from the 4 to 5 million doses shipped weekly in early February, […]
Half a million deaths later, Ohio gov says he didn’t foresee magnitude of pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has been grinding on for so many months that it’s easy to become numb to its staggering cost. But now, as the United States is crossing the grim milestone of 500,000 dead from the disease, it seems as if February 2020 marked the end of a different, easier era. In Ohio, where […]
Ohio National Guard security detail after Jan. 6 cost state $1 million
It cost the state of Ohio more than $1 million to send hundreds of troops to the Ohio Statehouse last month to protect against acts of political violence. All told, taxpayers spent millions of dollars to pay for enhanced security in Columbus and Washington, D.C. following the Jan. 6 events at the U.S. Capitol. After […]
Feds ship out COVID-19 vaccines delayed by winter storms
WASHINGTON — White House officials said Monday that thawing temperatures and a weekend of around-the-clock work has begun to clear a backlog of 6 million COVID-19 vaccines that were delayed due to last week’s devastating winter storms. On Monday, 7 million doses were set for delivery across the country, a figure that includes both delayed […]
Biden pick for Interior secretary likely to face rocky confirmation hearing
U.S. Senate Republicans may use next week’s Interior confirmation hearing for Rep. Debra Haaland to air their grievances about the Biden administration’s energy policies, running the risk of alienating Native Americans in Western states. GOP Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Steve Daines of Montana sit on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which will […]
FirstEnergy touts openness, critic questions it
The Ohio power company at the heart of a historic scandal has taken steps in recent months to move on from it. Akron-based FirstEnergy conducted an internal investigation that resulted in the firing of its CEO and other top executives. It agreed to forgo revenue guarantees that resulted from the corrupt legislation, House Bill 6, […]
Bill would remove biz penalties for violating COVID-19 health orders
A Republican lawmaker wants to spare Ohio businesses from facing consequences for violating public health orders enacted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova, introduced House Bill 127 to halt enforcement of coronavirus health orders going forward. It would also require the state to reimburse businesses fined for having violated health orders […]
Vaccinations slow after storms delay shipments of 6 million COVID-19 doses
WASHINGTON — The extreme cold weather across much of the country has delayed 6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, slowing a vaccination rate that has been steadily rising since the Biden administration took office last month. The backlogged doses account for roughly three days’ of delayed shipments affecting all 50 states, due to road closures, snowed-in […]
A complete abortion ban isn’t law in Ohio, but some Ohioans still think abortion is illegal
Currently, abortion is legal in Ohio for pregnancies up to 22 weeks gestation. But an analysis by researchers in the state says the legislative back-and-forth over abortion and the length of time Ohio’s lawmakers and governors have been talking about it have impacted public opinion, even without successfully banning all abortion. “The discourse and debate […]