jason stephens

GOP remains undecided on co-chair, Ohio Statehouse redistricting on hold again

BY: - September 14, 2023

With a week to go before Secretary of State Frank LaRose says legislative districts need to be set for the November election, uncertainty continues to mire the redistricting process in chaos. Republican legislative leaders still can’t come to an agreement on who should be their representative as co-chair on the Ohio Redistricting Commission, creating a […]

COMMENTARY

Ohio voters can expect to get hosed again by gerrymandering in upcoming redistricting charade

BY: - September 7, 2023

As Ohio gears up for another round of Statehouse redistricting, Republican politicians’ gerrymandering games never really ended — they were just intentionally paused to run out the clock on a full, fair, transparent, and good faith process. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has called for the Ohio Redistricting Commission to reconvene on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Ohio […]

Ohio State Rep. Bob Young, R-Green, has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence. (Photo by WEWS.)

Ohio Rep. charged for domestic violence had police called in 2020 for physical domestic disturbance

BY: - August 16, 2023

Years before Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was charged with domestic violence and assault, law enforcement was called to his home for a “physical domestic disturbance,” according to a newly-released report from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Just weeks ago, Young (R-Green) was arraigned and pleaded not guilty on charges related to alleged assaults on his wife […]

Blame game: Issue 1 supporters pointing fingers after resounding loss

BY: - August 10, 2023

As the dust settled on election night, Republicans who led the push to restrict constitutional amendment initiatives with Issue 1 began making excuses, shifting blame and promising retribution. Instead of placing a period on a disappointing months-long campaign, they offered an ellipses — steadfastly refusing to acknowledge their effort was out of step with Ohio […]

‘I acted poorly.’ Ohio Rep. Bob Young indicted by grand jury on domestic violence charges

BY: and - July 19, 2023

A Summit County grand jury indicted State Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) on two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged assault on two family members earlier this month. On the same day, he provided his first comment since the arrest, stating that while inappropriate, he does not believe his behavior was criminal, and he will not […]

Ohio Statehouse drama continues as lawmakers attempt to repeal scandal-ridden coal plant subsidies

BY: - July 17, 2023

The drama continues at the Ohio Statehouse as lawmakers squabble about repealing or protecting scandal-ridden, ratepayer-funded subsidies for coal plants. These subsidies were created from the largest public corruption scandal in state history. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is standing in a very different spot now than when his legislation, House Bill 6, was […]

Ohio lawmakers propose domestic violence prevention bill after representative charged with abuse

BY: - July 12, 2023

Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation to prevent domestic violence following the arrest of one of their colleagues. Northeast Ohio Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) was charged Saturday with domestic violence and disrupting public services after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to Barberton Municipal Court records. Young faces at least one first-degree misdemeanor […]

Ohio House speaker asks Northeast Ohio Rep. Bob Young to resign amid domestic violence charges

BY: - July 10, 2023

The Ohio House Speaker has asked state Rep. Bob Young to resign after the member was charged with domestic violence. The North Canton Republican was charged Saturday with domestic violence and disrupting public services after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday, according to Barberton Municipal Court records. Young faces at least one […]

Ohio House, Senate reach agreement on $191 billion budget, compromising on education initiatives

BY: and - July 1, 2023

A deal has been reached over Ohio’s state budget, with a variety of compromises between the Ohio House and Senate versions. It now goes to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who has line-item veto power. The main focus of both the House’s and the Senate’s budgets was education. The Senate plan was much more conservative, while […]

Ohio lawmakers send 60% supermajority amendment to the ballot

BY: - May 11, 2023

Wednesday, Ohio House lawmakers voted 62-37 to advance a resolution asking voters to raise the passage threshold for constitutional amendments. The vote caps off nearly six months of legislative wrangling largely meant to hobble an abortion rights amendment. Lawmakers are entering questionable legal territory, however, as they set the vote in August through the resolution […]

House leaders tee up supermajority amendment measure for floor vote

BY: - May 10, 2023

The stage is set for a long-awaited House vote on SJR 2. The resolution would ask voters whether the threshold for amending the constitution should be 60% rather than a simple majority. But lawmakers pushing the plan may not be celebrating yet. A parallel effort to send the question to voters before they consider an […]

Supermajority roadmap: Backers have until Wednesday to get 60% amendment on August ballot

BY: - May 9, 2023

It’s a big week for lawmakers attempting to raise the threshold for constitutional amendments in an August special election. The House could vote on a joint resolution sending the question to the ballot as soon as Wednesday. But the legislation setting up the August election is in limbo. Lawmakers in the House and the Senate […]