Kristina Roegner
As pandemic rages and uncertainty looms, Ohio legislature takes the backseat
For nearly two months now, Gov. Mike DeWine has pulled the levers of government power via executive orders, announced in real time at televised briefings every afternoon. Ohio’s chief executive and his health director have blocked mass gatherings of people, canceled in-person learning at K-12 schools, and shuttered “non-essential” businesses. The General Assembly, meanwhile, has […]
DeWine reversal on mask mandate follows pressure from public, fellow Republicans
On Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine made his position on wearing masks at reopened businesses very clear: “No mask, no work, no service, no exception.” As it turned out, there was an exception: some people being “offended” by that mandate. The result was a complete reversal on Tuesday. DeWine announced his administration would not require any […]
Push for death penalty elimination continues with upcoming legislation
Current and former legislators, religious leaders and advocacy groups came together Wednesday to announce an upcoming bill to eliminate the death penalty in Ohio. State Sen. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, brought the groups together to promote the concept of life without parole being the highest criminal punishment in the state. The legislator has introduced a bill […]
Gun advocates argue for removal of ‘duty to retreat’ in Ohio
A third hearing on a bill to remove the duty to retreat from a self-defense law was eventful and testy at times on Wednesday in its state Senate committee. Senate Bill 237 would expand the current law, often called the Castle Doctrine, which gives Ohio residents legal standing to use force to defend their home […]
Supreme Court denies review of Kentucky ultrasound law
The United States Supreme Court declined to review a decision allowing Kentucky to require doctors performing abortions to conduct ultrasounds and describe the procedure’s findings to women. While the law allows women to decline to look at the ultrasound screen and request for the volume be turned down on the machine, it requires the ultrasounds […]