Jeff LaRe
Ohio lawmakers propose ban on city curfews, saying they ‘cater to criminals,’ hurt businesses
State lawmakers in Ohio have proposed a ban on curfews, leaving local governments feelings exasperated by a lack of options against the rise in gun violence. Cities have implemented curfews for decades now in an attempt to curb crime or stop protests from taking place — most recently in Columbus. After continuous shootings in the […]
Ohio House approves fentanyl testing strips, ‘swatting’ legislation
Ohio House lawmakers approved a handful of measures Wednesday, clearing one for the governor and sending several others over to the Senate. Lawmakers gave the thumbs up to legislation allowing the use of campaign funds for child care costs and a regulatory “sandbox” to help new financial products get off the ground. They also approved […]
Measure decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips headed for Ohio House floor
An Ohio House committee has given the go-ahead to a measure decriminalizing the possession of fentanyl testing strips. Current law classifies test strips as drug paraphernalia. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, described the change as “one more avenue” to avoid overdose when she introduced the bill in May. Many people would test […]
Ohio Republican legislative leaders appeal congressional map to U.S. Supreme Court
Ohio Republican legislative leaders have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court a bipartisan Ohio Supreme Court ruling that the state’s Republican-drawn U.S. Congressional map being used for the 2022 Election is unconstitutional. The map was passed along party lines in a vote of the Ohio Redistricting Commission (ORC) after the Republican supermajority General Assembly failed […]
Bail reformers call on familiar evidence to advocate against reliance on cash bail
The day after Ohio House leaders put the brakes on cash bail-centric legislation, a different, long-simmering bail reform measure got it’s third hearing in committee. The measures offer alternative approaches to protecting public safety, and their supporters are invoking some of the same cases to make their point. When the proponents of the cash bail […]
House leaders press pause on cash bail provisions
A proposal directing judges to consider public safety when setting cash bail is in limbo after House leaders backtracked on holding a floor vote. The provisions — one statutory and one meant for the ballot — faltered because some Republican members want to see a broader bail reform measure pass alongside them. “There was discussion […]
‘Public safety’ measures that could expand cash bail racing through House
Legislation meant to reverse a state supreme court decision on how judges set bail is progressing rapidly in the Ohio House. The measures could make their way to the floor this week, despite being introduced just 10 days ago. The plan would direct judges to weigh public safety when determining the dollar value for bail. […]
Lawmakers roll out proposed constitutional amendment that could increase cash bail
Ohio Republicans may be lining up behind a constitutional amendment requiring judges to consider public safety when setting the amount of bail. The proposal is going before lawmakers as a joint resolution backed by Reps. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Township, and D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, in the House and Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Huron, in the Senate. They […]
Rep. Kelly to campaign for Hamilton County auditor
A Cincinnati lawmaker has announced her candidacy for Hamilton County auditor . State Rep. Brigid Kelly, a Democrat, said she is vying for the auditor in 2022 after having spent the past five years fighting “for what matters most at the Statehouse.” “The auditor is supposed to be our local consumer watchdog, and that is […]
Kunze, LaRe campaigning for 15th Congressional District seat
Two more Republican state lawmakers have jumped in the race to fill U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers’ seat in Congress. In total, there are now four legislators that have filed to run on the Republican side for Ohio’s 15th U.S. Congressional district, along with a GOP county commissioner. Stivers, R-Upper Arlington, announced plans to resign on […]