Candice Keller
Ohio abortion clinics praise lifting of global gag rule, set hopes on domestic funding
While local women’s health clinics are optimistic after President Joe Biden lifted a gag rule on federal funding to abortion-related international organizations, they still want to see domestic funding for abortion providers brought back as well. Biden rescinded the “Global Gag Rule,” also called the Mexico City Policy, brought in originally by President Ronald Reagan […]
Ohio GOP should reject ignorance
We live in an era of polarization in our politics, from Washington to Columbus. It is concerning that some choose to build huge and cavernous divides among us when the true level of disagreement is small and, in some cases, non-existent. It is dangerous that some lawmakers choose to exploit these divides — real and […]
Becker files articles of impeachment against DeWine for COVID-19 response
When state Rep. John Becker’s summer plan to impeach Gov. Mike DeWine received quick endorsements from three legislative colleagues, he hoped the momentum would snowball throughout the end of 2020. That did not happen. In social media posts and Statehouse speeches, Republican lawmakers have criticized the governor’s handling of COVID-19. They’ve complained about a lack […]
19 lawmakers declared victory over COVID-19 in June. Now it’s spreading in their districts.
Back in June, 19 state legislators joined together to claim that “Ohio smashed the curve long ago. Mission accomplished!” Months later, as Ohio continues to set new records for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, one of those legislators admits the pandemic has proved to be an “evolving situation.” Another is doubling down on the letter’s message […]
GOP lawmaker wants to see if DeWine can be criminally charged
With his impeachment effort against the governor making little progress, state Rep. John Becker pulled up his email and brainstormed a late-night solution. It was almost 2 a.m. when Becker typed out a request to the Legislative Service Commission, a nonpartisan group that conducts law and policy research for lawmakers. “I believe that Governor DeWine […]
Mailbag: DeWine impeachment, legalized cannabis and local news coverage
The first clue came last Sunday evening. “Big News OHIO,” State Rep. Nino Vitale posted to his Facebook page. “9 am Tomorrow Right Here.” His large social media following got excited. Some thought Vitale was announcing a run for governor. Others presumed it had something to do with Gov. Mike DeWine; Vitale has been on […]
Conservative lawmakers have spent the pandemic targeting DeWine. Now they want to impeach him.
Bill Bader Jr. was fed up. A health order signed by Gov. Mike DeWine had forced his race track to close. Bader threatened to reopen without the state’s permission, which got him in some hot water. He felt frustrated and that nobody would listen. Enter state Rep. Paul Zeltwanger. The Republican lawmaker from Mason serving […]
Handful of conservative House Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against DeWine
Four Republicans in the Ohio House of Representatives have co-sponsored Articles of Impeachment against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: Nino Vitale, John Becker, Paul Zeltwanger and Candice Keller. This follows months of discontent about the DeWine Administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic from these lawmakers and others in the Ohio House. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday […]
Divided party saps DeWine response to spreading coronavirus
The spread of coronavirus continued across Ohio Thursday as Gov. Mike Dewine also continued his struggle to communicate the seriousness of the crisis over the din of influential voices in his own party. Another 1,150 cases were reported Thursday, continuing a steep, upward trend over the past three weeks. Five new counties were added to […]
It’s finally Primary Election Day in Ohio. Here’s what to keep an eye on.
At long last, it is finally Primary Election Day in Ohio. Here are a few things to know today: There is still time to vote If you haven’t yet cast a ballot, you still have an opportunity to do so today. Monday was the postmark deadline to mail in absentee ballots, but if you didn’t […]
‘It’s a reincarnation of Dred Scott:’ Ohio lawmakers mull forcing cities to cooperate with ICE
Ohio House Republicans resumed a push Thursday to force local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities seeking to deport illegal immigrants. Should local governments fail to comply with requests from the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to detain suspected illegal immigrants for up to 48 hours, House Bill 169 would cut them off from […]
How gerrymandering brings about extreme Ohio laws that don’t reflect majority opinion
Recent gun and abortion bills the latest examples For decades, Ohio has been the quintessential battleground state. But in the last 10 years, Ohio has steadily taken a turn to the right — but not because its voters have suddenly become more conservative. Sure, Republicans enjoy supermajority control of both state legislative chambers and hold […]