brian stewart
House lawmaker files resolution to block remote civil trials
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the adoption of remote conferencing, and whether you appreciate working in sweatpants and slippers, or the thought of back-to-back Zoom meetings makes you break out in a cold sweat, those technologies aren’t soon going away. Still, state lawmakers want to draw some bright lines around when video conferencing is and isn’t […]
Attorney fees provision sours support for guardianship overhaul
A bipartisan team of House lawmakers is working on a sweeping update to Ohio’s guardianship laws. The changes stem in large part from recommendations offered by the Ohio Judicial Conference, and they come at a moment when Britney Spears’ conservatorship case has put added attention on the issue. The problem? HB 488 also carries an […]
Ohio lawmaker calls on Congress to investigate opioid consultant
Management consulting firm McKinsey and Company has already been forced into nearly $600 million in settlements over its role in fueling the opioid crisis that’s taken the lives of more than 450,000 Americans the last two decades, but an Ohio state representative wants Congress to investigate the firm further. Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, pointed to […]
Ohio ballots will list party affiliations for top judicial candidates
A change to Ohio’s ballot rules could impact key Supreme Court races in 2022 and influence the leaning of the state’s highest court for years to come. Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law Thursday that will list candidates’ party affiliations on ballots for certain judicial races. This will include races for the Ohio […]
Ohio Senate leadership wants no additional $ for broadband expansion
Lawmakers from both parties had been hopeful Ohio would take a big step forward this year to invest in broadband internet expansion throughout the state. Leaders in the Ohio Senate think otherwise. While their counterparts in the Ohio House of Representatives want to allocate millions of dollars for internet expansion projects, Republican state senators want […]
Ohio creates new program to fund broadband internet expansion projects
Supporters call this a good start in providing digital opportunities for all Ohioans A student being able to finish a school project at home with the help of online research. A farmer selling goods using an online marketplace. A busy parent receiving telehealth services from their own living room. An estimated 1 million Ohioans lack […]
State lawmakers Peterson, Stewart to run for open Congressional seat
Two Republican state lawmakers have announced plans to campaign for a congressional seat that will soon be left vacant by the departure of U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers. Sen. Bob Peterson, R-Washington Court House, and Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, will both vie for the Republican nomination for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District. Stivers, an Upper Arlington Republican, […]
Speaker Cupp: Still no plans to hold vote to expel Rep. Householder
It has been 240 days since former House Speaker Larry Householder was arrested for his alleged involvement in a bribery and money-laundering scheme. Yet the Perry County Republican remains in office as a state representative. And it does not appear his status as an active legislator will change any time soon. Republicans in the Ohio […]
Legislation seeks to provide internet access in unserved areas of Ohio
Ohio legislators are making quick work on the issue of broadband expansion so far in 2021, with the goal of providing internet access to all areas of the state. A Republican-led effort is already seeing progress during the new legislative term. On Wednesday afternoon, the Ohio Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill to finance […]
Householder left off legislative committees as new term gets in full swing
What to know as the 134th Ohio General Assembly’s legislative work ramps up When the Ohio House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus recently announced its committee assignments, one members’ name was noticeably absent: the former House speaker who is on trial for public corruption. Rep. Larry Householder is serving his third term in the 72nd District, […]
Meet the freshmen lawmakers of the 134th Ohio General Assembly
Monday marked the beginning of the 134th Ohio General Assembly, the two-year legislative term that will run through the end of 2022. With each term comes a slate of new faces representing every corner of the state. Here is a quick introduction to the freshman class of the 134th Ohio General Assembly: Ohio House of […]
Mailbag: Answering reader questions about Householder and the bribery scandal
Clad in camouflage from head to toe, Larry Householder aimed his weapon at a television screen across an empty field. That box had it coming, a Householder voiceover intimated, what with all the unfair attacks leveled against him. “A dark money group is airing deceitful ads against me,” Householder said. “They’re anti-Trump gun grabbers and […]