nino vitale
Citing a hazy memory, former rep seems to distance himself from scandal
CINCINNATI — Former state Rep. Nino Vitale on Tuesday testified that he didn’t have much of a memory for — nor was he much interested in — raising money or campaigning for office. At several points, the Republican from Urbana even said he didn’t remember what year he was first elected to the legislature (it […]
Ohio politicians condemned for pandemic comparisons to Nazi Germany
To Ohio lawmaker Kris Jordan, the mask requirement and the roll out of optional COVID-19 vaccines are two steps toward an American genocide like that of the Holocaust during World War II. “It’s just a mask, wear it. It’s just a shot, take it,” reads a March 31 Facebook post from Rep. Jordan, a Republican […]
Householder left off legislative committees as new term gets in full swing
What to know as the 134th Ohio General Assembly’s legislative work ramps up When the Ohio House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus recently announced its committee assignments, one members’ name was noticeably absent: the former House speaker who is on trial for public corruption. Rep. Larry Householder is serving his third term in the 72nd District, […]
Lawmaker’s alleged campaign finance violations to be heard by elections commission
The Ohio Elections Commission voted Thursday to hear a case alleging a Republican state representative committed several campaign finance violations ahead of the 2020 General Election. Secretary of State Frank LaRose referred several “potential” violations involving state Rep. Nino Vitale, R-Urbana, to the Ohio Elections Commission in August. LaRose’s office, which oversees elections and campaign […]
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 […]
Bill seeks to improve Holocaust understanding in Ohio
Most young Americans believe anti-Semitism exists in the United States today. Yet a striking number have little to no knowledge about the Holocaust. That is a problem Ohio legislators hope to resolve through a proposed commission to better educate people about the atrocities of genocides. Around 1-in-8 Millennials and members of Generation Z have never […]
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 […]
Vitale under review for alleged campaign finance violations
State Rep. Nino Vitale is being referred to the Ohio Elections Commission for “apparent violations of campaign finance law,” Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced on Wednesday. LaRose said his office began investigating the Urbana Republican in June after the lawmaker’s campaign committee missed a campaign finance reporting deadline, eventually submitting a blank report a […]
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 […]