Politics & Gov
U.S. Senate votes to ax DeVos student loan policy
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to overturn a controversial regulation from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that her critics say hurts defrauded student loan borrowers. Senate Democrats forced the vote under the Congressional Review Act, a law that allows Congress to overturn federal rules within 60 days after they’re finalized. The U.S. House […]
With Ohio schools closing, foodbanks association calls for help to address hunger
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, he has ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close for several weeks. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks is calling for federal, state, and public help for low-income families with children who will miss school lunches and parents who will lose […]
Ohioans can still vote early or mail-in: Here’s what you need to know
Ohioans are urged to take advantage of early voting and mail-in voting — in the short time remaining that those options are still available. The opportunities allow residents to avoid busy polling locations during the upcoming primary election on March 17. Due to the coronavirus, nearly 150 polling places inside nursing homes have been relocated. […]
Bipartisan bill coming to make charter schools nonprofit, public
Two House members have come together with a bill looking to make charter schools more accountable to taxpayers. The “Community (Charter) School Operator Accountability Act” aims to take for-profit charter schools and require them to become nonprofits, and make records of their spending subject to public scrutiny and audit. “By removing that profit incentive, it’s […]
Bill prohibiting mandatory nurse overtime moves on to Senate
A bill prohibiting overtime as a condition of employment for nurses is headed to its second hurdle to passage. A Senate committee will now consider the bill that has the support of nurses groups and individual medical professionals, along with a House vote approving the bill on an 80-13 vote. Speaker Larry Householder voted in […]
Top health officials warn of coronavirus: ‘It’s going to get worse’
WASHINGTON — Trump administration officials painted a dire picture of the novel coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday, warning members of Congress that the public health crisis is far from over. “Is the worst yet to come?” House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious […]
Here is a map of all the Ohio polling places affected by the coronavirus
Many Ohioans have been assigned a new polling location for the March 17 primary election, and voters are urged to use the state’s search tool to determine their correct polling place. The change to nearly 150 polling locations is due to recent coronavirus concerns. The locations are within nursing homes, and Secretary of State Frank […]
DeWine asks colleges to go remote; sporting events to block fans to slow COVID-19 spread
Gov. Mike DeWine ramped up efforts Tuesday to curb the novel coronavirus in recommending — though not ordering — colleges to hold classes remotely, professional and collegiate teams to prohibit spectators, and other changes in nursing homes, churches, and prisons. The requests mark an escalation in Ohio’s preventative efforts after officials announced Monday that three […]
Congress rebukes Trump’s bid to slash CDC funding amid outbreak
WASHINGTON — U.S. House lawmakers resoundingly rebuffed a Trump administration request to cut funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid the coronavirus crisis. The CDC director testified Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee, where Republicans and Democrats alike said Congress won’t comply with the budget cuts requested in Trump’s fiscal year 2021 […]
Secretary of State announces more polls to be relocated amid COVID-19 fears
Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced plans Tuesday to relocate at least 125 polling locations just seven days before primary voting begins, a number that has swelled as a result of mounting COVID-19 related concerns. At a press conference, LaRose said he could not immediately say how many voters are among those assigned to those […]
Federal bill seeks more sick days for workers as coronavirus cases increase
A federal bill co-sponsored by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown wants to extend the sick day policies for all workers in light of continuing reports of coronavirus. The legislation would allow workers to accrue a week of paid sick leave, along with an additional two weeks being made available “immediately in the event of any public […]
Democrats look to energize as primary comes to Buckeye State
Does it feel like 2004 to you? That year’s political landscape looked strikingly similar to the one facing Ohio primary voters next week. A Republican governor … a Republican-controlled General Assembly … a Republican president running for re-election who had won the electoral college despite losing the popular vote … a longshot Ohio Democrat for […]