John Becker
A legislator wanted to charge Gov. Mike DeWine with terrorism. The prosecutor wants his money back.
The former Clermont County prosecutor is asking for a refund after a former state legislator asked him to investigate the Ohio governor for terrorism. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told the 12th District Court of Appeals that he, too, thinks former state Rep. John Becker should pay “reasonable attorney fees” after filing an affidavit asking […]
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 […]
DeWine again caught in middle of tug-of-war over COVID-19 response
Ohio has reached another crossroads in the battle against COVID-19. Gov. Mike DeWine is once again caught in the middle as the state repeatedly sets new records for virus cases and hospitalizations. After months of a decentralized approach and emphasis on personal responsibility, DeWine now says Ohio faces “a monumental crisis.” As much as the […]
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 […]
Ohioan reports being recruited for plot targeting Gov. DeWine at his home
Note: This story has been updated. A Miami County resident reported to police being recruited to take part in a citizen’s arrest of Gov. Mike DeWine at his Cedarville home a week ago, but the plot evidently never materialized. The plot is alleged to have involved Renea Turner, a former write-in candidate for governor who […]
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 […]
GOP lawmakers proposing new bill to limit powers of Ohio health director
Two Republican state lawmakers are proposing new legislation that would strip the state’s health director position of much of its power to respond to a pandemic. The bill is being proposed by state Reps. Ron Hood of Ashville and Reggie Stoltzfus of Minerva. The two sent a cosponsor request to colleagues in the Ohio House, […]
Some Republican legislators need to grow up, stop stoking anger and peddling misinformation
This past week we’ve seen Americans at a fever pitch over stay-at-home orders imposed to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve seen men armed with semi-automatic rifles in militia cosplay storm the Michigan Statehouse, screaming in the faces of the police officers preventing them from entering the Michigan House of Representatives. We’ve seen unhinged […]