bill johnson
Ohioans in the U.S. House and Senate have introduced rail safety bills, how do they differ?
Ohio’s congressional delegation was quick to promise legislative action in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment. Now, lawmakers have introduced bipartisan measures in both chambers of Congress. In a moment of divided government and fever-pitch partisanship, it’s notable lawmakers from both parties came together to propose substantive policy changes. However, proponents could still […]
‘For them it’s just one train.’ A view from East Palestine and an update on response efforts
Angela Hacker’s East Palestine home backs up to the train tracks. “Literally, my fence goes up against the railroad tracks,” she explained. “And when this happened, the train was stopped by my house for three days until they backed it out.” “That was the safe part of the train, but still — when you see […]
Congressional delegation and EPA visit East Palestine to hear from residents impacted by derailment
In East Palestine Thursday, an Ohio congressman, both U.S. Senators and the EPA administrator heard from residents impacted by the train derailment earlier this month. Officials insisted they would do everything in their power to hold the train company Norfolk Southern accountable. U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance voiced skepticism on multiple fronts during his visit. He […]
Last minute donations: Who gave to Ohio’s federal candidates in the final weeks of the election?
Donors spent a lot of money in Ohio during this year’s election. Campaign advertising tracker AdImpact estimated $344 million went into ads on TV, online or over the radio. OpenSecrets, which tracks federal campaigns, showed candidates raising about $100 million — and that didn’t take into account the final week of fundraising. During the final […]
America is amusing itself to death and hack politicians are taking advantage
In 1985, Neil Postman’s crowning achievement, “Amusing Ourselves To Death,” provided the most prescient analysis and forecast of the current lobotimization of American public discourse. Postman’s work drew a distinction between the Orwellian vision of a totalitarian government seizing individual rights and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” where freedom and rights were voluntarily sacrificed in […]
GOP mum, Majewski irate after AP story questions his characterization of military record
Republicans are holding their tongues after the Associated Press published a story indicating GOP congressional nominee J.R. Majewski exaggerated his service record. Majewski himself is lashing out at the AP, threatening to sue and insinuating they worked with his opponent U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-OH. On the campaign trail Majewski has presented himself as combat […]
Trump rallies for slate of Ohio GOP candidates in Youngstown
Former President Donald Trump walked onto the stage in Youngstown to “I’m Proud to be an American.” During the last half of the song he simply stood there, squinting into the spotlights, closed smile plastered on his face, basking in the crowd’s applause. The back quarter of the 7,000-seat Covelli Centre was less than half […]
Republicans win congressional dustup on the baseball diamond, amid DC turmoil
WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans on Wednesday night were the victors in an annual charity baseball game against Democrats, 13-12, even as a bitterly divided Congress struggles to pass major legislation this week. There were some feel-good moments, like when President Joe Biden passed out ice cream bars in the dugouts and Republican Rep. Greg Steube […]
Mailbag: Will any Ohio lawmakers run for Rob Portman’s seat?
Welcome back to another installment of the Mailbag, the only column in Ohio that politicians are giving serious consideration to reading. Let’s get to it! Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. Anyone in the Ohio legislature looking at running for Sen. Rob Portman’s seat? […]
For years, Portman navigated the shifting political climate. Now he wants out.
Rob Portman of Ohio will not be seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate, with the Cincinnati Republican citing increased polarization in American politics as a reason to not campaign for a third term The surprise announcement on Monday morning set off an early-week scramble for politicians of both parties to consider a run at the […]
Republican politicians betrayed our country for Donald Trump
Before all hell broke out at the U.S. Capitol, I wondered if we the people could still summon outrage about anything. Surely, we had exhausted what was left of our fury quota last year. The human psyche can only sustain so much abuse, right? Safe to say we’re there. After being mercilessly pummeled with an […]
GOP Rep. Gonzalez joins Ohio Democrats in voting to impeach Trump
One Ohio Republican joined four Democrats in voting to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday as part of an effort to remove the president from office with a week remaining in his term. U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Rocky River, was one of 10 House Republicans in voting yes to impeach the president. The final vote […]