jon cross
Lawmakers hung up on hiring restrictions in Second Amendment “sanctuary” bill
A measure eliminating federal firearm provisions from Ohio law is facing a skeptical audience in the Statehouse. Drafters modeled the so-called Second Amendment Preservation Act on a recent Missouri law currently tied up in federal court. Supporters are particularly angry about regulations proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. They’ve repeatedly raised […]
Inconsistencies in Ohio’s home rule authority highlighted by tobacco legislation
The following article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. State lawmakers in Ohio have been able to pick and choose which local […]
DeWine hints at possible veto after tobacco measure picks up local preemption language
Among the flurry of legislation in the Ohio General Assembly’s marathon final session was a measure restricting local governments’ ability to regulate tobacco. The move comes days after Columbus approved an ordinance banning flavored tobacco. Gov. Mike DeWine has signaled he has reservations with the bill. The initial bill, offered by Reps. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, […]
House GOP leader on Supreme Court impeachment: ‘All options are on the table’
A ranking House Republican left open the possibility of impeaching the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, which this week rejected Republicans’ third proposed legislative redistricting map. During a private GOP caucus phone call Thursday, House Majority Leader Bill Seitz and Rep. Jon Cross voiced support for impeaching Justice Maureen O’Connor, according to a […]
Lawmaker pitches tax breaks and financial aid to “GROW” Ohio
Ohio has ceded one of its congressional seats in the coming decade thanks to growth rates that haven’t kept pace with other states around the country. Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, is making a stab at reversing that trend with legislation he’s calling the GROW Ohio Act which aims to attract and then retain college students. […]
Should Ohio businesses have their COVID-19 health violations expunged?
Last spring, a Tiffin bar was caught serving alcohol for on-site consumption when Ohio bars were supposed to be closed. In the fall, a Parma Heights bar was cited for serving alcohol past 10 p.m. in violation of the pandemic curfew. Two weeks later, it was cited again. On Sunday, an Athens bar was cited […]
Mailbag: What’s up with the proposed $50 million ad campaign for Ohio?
Welcome back to another installment of the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag, the only column that is single-handedly driving coastal millennials to relocate to the Buckeye State. Let’s get to it: Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. I’m curious what the $50 million ad campaign […]
Ohio GOP lawmakers seek to recognize ‘President Donald J. Trump Day’
Two Republican lawmakers are seeking to recognize June 14 in Ohio as “President Donald J. Trump Day.” State Reps. Reggie Stoltzfus of Paris Twp. and Jon Cross of Kenton are planning to introduce a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives making this designation. June 14 is Trump’s birthday. The date is already observed as […]
Three more Ohio lawmakers test positive for COVID-19 in past week
A trio of state legislators have tested positive for COVID-19, each announced, bringing the total to more than a dozen so far in 2020. Democratic Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown and Casey Weinstein of Hudson announced their positive tests on Tuesday. Republican Rep. Jon Cross of Kenton announced his last Friday. In a statement, Lepore-Hagan […]
Ohio Biz Fairness Act passes House to prevent future COVID-19 shutdowns
‘All businesses are essential,’ lawmaker says A bill seeking to prevent any future COVID-19 business shutdowns as part of a pandemic response took a major step Wednesday toward reaching Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. House Bill 621, nicknamed the Business Fairness Act, passed the Ohio House of Representatives with bipartisan support and now awaits action by […]
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 […]
Bill seeking business fairness in health shutdowns passes in committee
On a day when Ohio set more records for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, some Republican lawmakers turned their attention once more to reining in the state health department’s authority in trying to curb the spread of an infectious disease. For much of 2020, Ohio Republicans have introduced and approved various pieces of legislation that targets […]