Politics & Gov
Ballot issues on hold amid election day confusion
As the pause in the election continues, cities and school districts are left hanging on whether the funding they have asked for from voters will be coming. More than half of the Ohio counties have municipal or school issues on the ballot. In Franklin County, that includes a renovation and improvement bond issue from Columbus […]
Ohio’s pollworkers left in the dark throughout lengthy Monday turmoil
The confusion set in early for the pollworkers in Williams County. It was a little after 3 p.m., with the last day of early voting all wrapped up ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. Then someone came in with news: Did you hear? The governor is postponing the election! That wasn’t exactly true, as they’d later […]
Ohio state representative proposes remote meetings for public bodies
As closures and restrictions tighten across the state, one legislator wants the state to allow remote meetings for public bodies. State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, D-Toledo, filed House Bill 557 in response to other measures put in place in response to COVID-19. The bill’s language would only apply when a state of emergency is declared by […]
Judge rejects plan to postpone Ohio election; DeWine says polls closed regardless; poll workers left in lurch
With the polls set to open just 12 hours later, a Franklin County judge on Monday rejected a lawsuit — filed at the behest of the governor and secretary of state — to delay Ohio’s primary election until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ruling, Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement just […]
New poll finds Biden well ahead of Sanders in Ohio
Joe Biden has the wide support of Ohio Democratic voters over Bernie Sanders, a poll released a day before the primary election finds. Both candidates have narrow leads over Trump in theoretical match-ups, a broader survey of Ohio voters shows. An NBC News/Marist poll of “likely voters” in Ohio, conducted March 10-13, shows Biden with […]
Lawmakers debate paid sick leave as COVID-19 closes businesses, schools
State and federal legislators are criticizing the lack of action on paid leave policy as the COVID-19 pandemic causes the closure of schools, sporting events and businesses. Some state leaders have been urging administration to handle the ripple effects of the public health crisis as they balance the health risks of the disease. House Minority […]
DeWine to close restaurants and bars; 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ohio
Taking what he called a “drastic” step, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Sunday the closure of all bars and restaurants in Ohio indefinitely except for carry-out and delivery. The announcement marks the latest salvo in a series of escalating moves from the state to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio. State officials have closed schools […]
U.S. House passes coronavirus response bill; 40 Republicans dissent
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House early Saturday morning approved an emergency stimulus package to combat the coronavirus pandemic after President Donald Trump signaled his support for the bill. The multi-billion dollar package aims to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, and mitigate its economic effects as fears of recession […]
Amid COVID-19 pandemic and economic cratering, evictions continue in Ohio
On Sunday, after the publication of this story, the Franklin County Municipal Court suspended most hearings, including eviction proceedings, for three weeks. You wouldn’t know there’s a pandemic from looking at room 11b in Franklin County Municipal Court. There, as in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and beyond, Ohio’s court system is advancing the legal process of […]
Statehouse staffers to work from home; sessions, committees pushed back
The effects of COVID-19 have reached the Ohio Statehouse. Staff members of the Ohio General Assembly are being asked by leaders to work from home. The Ohio House of Representatives will not be holding voting sessions or committee hearings in the foreseeable future, Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, wrote in a Friday memo. The Ohio Senate […]
COVID-19 puts final stretch campaigning at a standstill
There will be little to no gladhanding in the days leading up to the March 17 primary election. Political parties and candidates themselves are taking special precautions in Ohio as COVID-19 has forced much of society to a halt this week. Gone are the usual grassroots efforts in the final stretch of campaign season. Jane […]
Census vital to rural infrastructure, services, mayors say
From a McDonald’s parking lot to a Ferris Wheel on West Union Street in Athens, mayors across the state are pushing every method of getting a full count in the 2020 Census. Southeast Ohio was particularly represented as the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress came together at the Statehouse with Ohio Development Services Agency Director Lydia […]