haraz ghanbari
Will Norfolk Southern’s political spending help shield it from consequences?
Officials are all singing from the same hymnal. Republican and Democrat; state, local and federal; all agree Norfolk Southern will be, must be, held accountable for the train accident in East Palestine. Wednesday, U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance, R-OH and Sherrod Brown, D-OH, put pen to paper, introducing legislation for rail safety. But the company has […]
Adult-use marijuana won’t pass Ohio legislature this year, but sponsors say it’s coming
In their first and likely only hearings of the session, two adult use marijuana measures came up Tuesday in a House committee. The proposals — one Republican and one Democratic — aren’t going anywhere this year. Sponsors remain optimistic about their chances in the next session, but even they acknowledge any change may have to […]
Anti-hazing ‘Collin’s Law’ passes Ohio House
As Collin Wiant’s family looked on and applause rang out, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a billed Friday that would further criminalize the actions that led to his death. Senate Bill 126 received unanimous approval from the Ohio House, which sends it one step closer to the governor’s desk, and enactment into law. The […]
With drawing days away, Ohio legislation seeks to stop Vax-A-Million program
Five Ohioans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are about to win $1 million through a new vaccine lottery program, but a Republican lawmaker wants to call the whole thing off. State Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, is drafting legislation that would prevent the state from administering any vaccine lottery program. Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans […]
Vax-A-Million seen as unorthodox, but legal way to promote vaccines in Ohio
New Jersey is offering free beer and New York is offering tickets to Yankee stadium. Ohio, meanwhile, is offering a much bigger incentive to getting the COVID-19 vaccine: $1 million in cold, hard cash. Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement of a “Vax-A-Million” lottery has turned heads this week, with Ohioans debating the merits of the program […]
DeWine endorsements highlighted in suburban legislative districts
Though Gov. Mike DeWine remains controversial among some Republican state legislators, the political party is still highlighting endorsements from Ohio’s top executive in select races. DeWine has faced an onslaught of criticism and legislative rebuke from the Ohio Statehouse related to his year-long response to the coronavirus pandemic. Much of the backlash has come from […]
Many Ohio lawmakers use campaign $$ to subscribe to hometown papers
Dozens of Ohio legislators are choosing to spend their donors’ money in the interest of local journalism. In total, 35 state representatives and senators paid for news subscriptions using campaign funds in 2019, a review from the Ohio Capital Journal has found. And though the president bemoans the alleged problem of “fake news,” it is […]