Matt Dolan
Experts overwhelmingly agree rural broadband will grow Ohio’s economy, reduce inequality. Senate leaders don’t
The great majority of a panel of Ohio economists agree: Better rural broadband would be an economic boon to the state and it would help to reduce a growing gap between haves and have nots, according to a survey that was released Monday. The results of the survey are likely to be grist for those […]
Ohio Senate passes state budget, negotiations with House to follow
The two legislative chambers have approved their respective versions of the two-year state operating budget. Now comes the heavy negotiating. Lawmakers in the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives have until the end of June to find common ground among their differing spending priorities. The goal is to send a finished version to Gov. […]
Educators favor House school funding overhaul over Senate rewrite
Officials representing Ohio’s teachers say the Senate’s new version of the public school funding overhaul leaves much to be desired, unlike the House version it would replace. “It is a matter of political will and it’s a matter of priorities, and prioritizing public education just doesn’t seem to be where the Senate is when you […]
Ohio Senate leadership wants no additional $ for broadband expansion
Lawmakers from both parties had been hopeful Ohio would take a big step forward this year to invest in broadband internet expansion throughout the state. Leaders in the Ohio Senate think otherwise. While their counterparts in the Ohio House of Representatives want to allocate millions of dollars for internet expansion projects, Republican state senators want […]
Mailbag: Will any Ohio lawmakers run for Rob Portman’s seat?
Welcome back to another installment of the Mailbag, the only column in Ohio that politicians are giving serious consideration to reading. Let’s get to it! Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. Anyone in the Ohio legislature looking at running for Sen. Rob Portman’s seat? […]
Unfinished business: 5 legislative priorities in Ohio pushed to 2021
The 133rd Ohio General Assembly wrapped up its term with a flurry of lame-duck activity last week, closing out a challenging year of legislating amid a global pandemic. Lawmakers hurried to get priority bills passed and sent to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for a signature before the two-year term ended. There were, however, a number […]
Mailbag: What’s the deal with the Ohio school funding reform effort?
Procrastinating on your errands? Rushing to get your Christmas shopping done? Whatever the case, just blame your troubles on lame duck. It’s time for another Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag: Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. As a public school teacher, I am curious about […]
Keys to the Ohio Statehouse legislative elections
Two years ago, Democrat Jessica Miranda won her state representative seat by just 56 votes — barely enough to fit in a row or two at Madeira High School’s football stadium in her 28th district. A few counties north, Republican J. Todd Smith won his 43rd District seat by 137 votes. Miranda is running for […]
DeWine, state leaders announce $430M in coronavirus relief
DeWine, state leaders announce $430M in coronavirus relief
Ohio Senate passes bill to prohibit widespread stay-at-home orders
The Ohio Senate has approved a bill that would restrict the state health director from issuing broad quarantine and stay-at-home orders in battling a pandemic. Senate Bill 311 is one in a string of bills introduced by Republican legislators this year seeking to rein in power of the Ohio Department of Health, all while the […]
Senate begrudgingly agrees to House’s EdChoice delay
After nearly a full week of debate and back and forth, the Ohio Senate decided to agree to a 60-day delay for the private school voucher education program, with the hope of a better plan as a result. “I have to vote yes because I can not in clear conscience at midnight tonight… allow those […]