cindy abrams
Opponents question harsher sentences for illegal gun possession in Ohio
An Ohio House measure aimed at increasing penalties for those who have a gun illegally is advancing in committee. But its opponents argue it won’t change the problems it sets out to fix. Ohio state Rep. Kyle Koehler’s HB 383 raises the penalty for illegally possessing a weapon from a third-degree to a second-degree felony […]
Texting and driving measure heads for Ohio House floor
A little more than a year and a half after its introduction, an Ohio House measure allowing police to pull over drivers using their phones has moved out of committee. Under current law texting and driving is a secondary offense, meaning police can cite a driver for it, but it can’t be the reason they […]
Dayton incident with paraplegic man shines light on state, local police reform efforts
During a traffic stop, late last month, Dayton police officers pulled Clifford Owensby from his car by the hair. Owensby, who is paraplegic, repeatedly told the officers he could not get out of the car, that he wanted them to call a supervisor, that they could hurt him by pulling him from the vehicle. They […]
Lawmakers propose bill to crack down on cell phone use while driving
Ohio lawmakers are proposing stricter rules against cell phone use while driving, with a goal of cracking down on distracted driving in the state. Legislation from state Reps. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, and Brian Lampton, R-Beavercreek, would prohibit using electronic devices while driving in most circumstances. Law enforcement could ticket drivers for even holding their phones […]
There were many efforts to change Ohio election laws in 2020, but few succeeded
More Ohioans voted in the 2020 General Election than in any other election in state history. Elections officials, voter rights advocates and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are still looking into ways to improve voting access for the years to come. There were numerous legislative efforts to change Ohio’s elections system in big […]
Activists say enhanced protest punishments will lead to more police misconduct
Police already have been overly aggressive in this year’s civil rights protests, some protesters say. If Ohio adopts enhanced penalties related to protests, that will only aggravate the problem, they say. Worse, according to the activists, the bill’s provision allowing deadly force by people who feel threatened during “riots” will only encourage people to go […]
Ohio House passes bill to roll back absentee voting access
The Ohio House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday that would prevent executive officials from altering Election Day plans and also shortens the amount of time Ohioans have to request an absentee ballot prior to an election. The bill passed on a party-line vote, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against. Democrats had sounded […]
How should Ohio vote in November and beyond? Here are the proposals.
How will Ohioans cast their ballots in this November’s General Election? How will they do so in the elections that follow? Those are the central questions at hand as America heads into a critical election season amid a nationwide health pandemic. It is unclear the extent to which COVID-19 will play a factor five months […]