Politics & Gov
Gun advocates argue for removal of ‘duty to retreat’ in Ohio
A third hearing on a bill to remove the duty to retreat from a self-defense law was eventful and testy at times on Wednesday in its state Senate committee. Senate Bill 237 would expand the current law, often called the Castle Doctrine, which gives Ohio residents legal standing to use force to defend their home […]
Senators hear of need for center line rumble strips on Ohio’s highways
Having lost two sisters in separate fatal car crashes, Emily Ludwig is urging state lawmakers to act to make the state highways more safe for Ohioans. Her sisters, Amanda and Meghann, were both victims in Columbiana County crashes caused by distracted driving. In both the 2012 and 2014 crashes, another vehicle went left-of-center on an […]
Pharmacy board shows support for addiction treatment Ohio House bill
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy on Tuesday spoke in support of a bill that would expand the types of facilities that could provide drug addiction treatment, including help with opioid dependence. The Ohio House’s Committee on Health held the fourth hearing on House Bill 341, which also has the support of the Ohio […]
Landmark prescription drug pricing bill clears U.S. House
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a landmark health care measure Thursday that proponents say would dramatically reduce the rising cost of prescription drugs and significantly expand access to health care benefits and services. The sweeping legislation passed largely along party lines, with 230 lawmakers voting for it and 192 against. Only two House Republicans […]
Bill would set ground rules for electric scooters in Ohio
State Rep. James Hoops gave fellow legislators an offer they perhaps could not refuse. If any senators wanted to ride an electric scooter, Hoops said he knew some people who have one and would let them take a spin. These days, of course, e-scooters are as ubiquitous in Columbus and other big cities as are […]
House moves to impeach; Rep. Chabot calls it ‘tragic mockery of justice’
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee kicked off a vote on impeachment articles Wednesday night with a plea to his Republican colleagues. “I know you,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). “I have worked with many of you for years. I consider you to be good and decent public servants.” He spoke […]
History Thursday: The Afghanistan/Pentagon Papers
Each day in our newsletter, we are highlighting stories and commentary from other media big and small throughout Ohio and the nation. If you’d like to get this feature directly to your inbox, please sign up for our newsletter here. Catching our eye: History Thursday. CNN’s Brian Stelter is reporting, “The Washington Post’s publication of US government papers about the 18-year-long […]
Front license plates still needed in Ohio, police tell lawmakers
Sgt. Richard Forney has a clear reason why he believes Ohio should require two license plates on vehicles: the presence of the front plate helped his department solve the 2017 murder of Reagan Tokes. The Grove City Police Department sergeant was involved in the Tokes murder investigation. Shortly after Tokes’ body was found dead in […]
Tax credit for donors to anti-abortion pregnancy centers moves toward full Ohio House vote
A bill giving a tax credit to donors for pregnancy centers who promote carrying a pregnancy to term was approved in the state House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, moving it toward a full House vote. Supporters and critics of House Bill 297 made their cases in the fourth committee hearing on the bill, […]
Provisions to address toxic ‘forever chemicals’ struck from must-pass defense bill
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats and environmental advocates suffered a stinging setback with the release of a defense policy bill this week that lacks key provisions to crack down on a widespread class of chemicals linked to serious health problems. The must-pass legislation represented the lawmakers’ best hope this year for enacting a comprehensive set of […]
Pew report: Ohio’s tax revenues still have not recovered from recession
Most states have seen their tax revenue fully recovered from the economic recession a decade ago. Ohio is among the notable exceptions, research from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows, with tax collections in 2019’s first quarter still 7 percent below Ohio’s peak. Income taxes have been repeatedly slashed in Ohio budgets over the last decade. […]
Wealth and income inequality in America continuing to explode
Each day in our newsletter, we are highlighting stories and commentary from other media big and small throughout Ohio and the nation. If you’d like to get this feature directly to your inbox, please sign up for our newsletter here. Catching our eye: The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent is writing about, “The massive triumph of the rich, illustrated by […]