News
Report: Ohio absentee ballot applications rejected due to signature issues
Issues with signatures proved to be the difference in thousands of Ohioans not being able to vote in last year’s general election, an Associated Press investigation found. These voters had requested absentee ballots but did not receive them “because of missing or mismatched signatures on their ballot applications,” AP reported. More than 6,500 absentee ballot […]
Bill to give tax deduction for college expenses introduced by bipartisan Ohio House members
Two bipartisan Ohio House members introduced legislation Monday that would allow individuals to deduct up to $4,000 per year from their Ohio income taxes for college-related expenses, the two announced in a news release. State Reps. John Rogers, D-Mentor-On-The-Lake, and Gary Scherer, R-Circleville, announced the introduction of the “Blair Deduction,” calling it the most recent […]
Voting rights, immigrants, medical cannabis, plastic bags and a farmer running against Jim Jordan
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: Interests. Today the Ohio Capital Journal’s Tyler Buchanan reports on the various interests behind the Ohio House […]
A ban on bans: Ohio House approves bill to stop local govts from enacting plastic bag bans
At the heart of it, Ohio House Bill 242 served as a political Rorschach test. The bill, which the House approved on Wednesday, bans Ohio communities from instituting a tax or prohibition on plastic bags and other single-use items such as straws and cups. Supporters, primarily Republicans, see this as a simple matter of commercial […]
Bill to increase hospital billing transparency presented to Ohio House committee
A bill seeking to create more transparency in hospital billing was recently brought to an Ohio House Committee for review. State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, presented Senate Bill 97 to a recent meeting of the House Committee on Health. He said the bill would require hospitals to give estimates to patients at least seven […]
Bill looks to give employers ‘affirmative defense’ in sex harassment cases
A bill that would provide an “affirmative defense” for employers in sexual harassment cases is continuing through the Ohio Legislature. House Bill 352, also called the “Employment Law Uniformity Act,” has been touted by its sponsors as a new way to allow “timely, fair, and efficient resolution of claims for both employers and employees,” according […]
Gun safety group wants background checks on 2021 ballot
A group focused on making background checks required for all gun purchases in Ohio has announced plans to put the issue before legislators and potentially voters statewide. Ohioans for Gun Safety hopes to present the initiative to the statehouse by next year and get it on the ballot if needed in 2021. The initiative would […]
U.S. House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Trump
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump Friday morning along party lines, setting up a likely vote next week in the full House. The Judiciary Committee voted 23-17 entirely along party lines to advance the two articles, which charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction […]
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 […]