Ohio Controlling Board
Ohio colleges get funding boosts for security
Through recently announced grant funding and boosts from the Ohio Controlling Board, higher education across the state will be able to conduct security improvement projects, and continue an initiative regarding sexual violence on campuses. The controlling board approved several funding requests for state colleges and universities, but they also approved a request from the Ohio […]
Ohio to hire 200 customer service workers to tackle unemployment claims
The Ohio Controlling Board on Monday approved more than $11 million so the state Department of Jobs and Family Services can contract with a D.C. company for customer service representatives. The company, Conduent State & Local Solutions, Inc., would provide “up to 200 tier 1 agents to answer calls from claimants on their unemployment insurance […]
Millions paid out to Ohioans who were wrongfully convicted, imprisoned
The state of Ohio will pay a Cleveland man nearly half a million dollars as compensation for wrongly imprisoning him for nearly two decades. Anthony Lemons will receive $491,000 for the 17 years he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction for murder in 1995. Lemons is among a growing list of exonerated former prisoners […]
Ohio taxpayers again footing the bill for grant project aiding Amazon
The Ohio Senate wants the state to begin “asset testing” for food stamp assistance to ensure government aid only goes to those who truly need it. Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers agreed Monday to spend $1.5 million in taxpayer funds for an expansion project benefitting one of the most profitable corporations in the world. Lawmakers on the […]
Ohio embracing more efficient way to audit state election results
As lawmakers debate proposed changes to Ohio’s election system, the Secretary of State’s Office is planning ahead on ensuring future election results are accurate. County boards of elections conduct General Election audits in midterm and presidential years, in accordance with state law. The results announced on election night are “unofficial” until they are officially certified […]
State rep. again calls for virtual hearings, testimony during pandemic
When Ohio business owners were asked early on in the pandemic to share their concerns with lawmakers, they were given a chance to do so via Zoom video conference. And when lawmakers on the Ohio Controlling Board hold regular meetings, they discuss budgetary issues with agency officials on a similar digital platform. But ordinary Ohioans […]
Mailbag: How Ohio gov’t x-ray funding involved an anime controversy
We’ve reached the end of the 133rd General Assembly, which means farewell speeches at 1 a.m. and late-night trombone solos. Like Sen. John Eklund, The Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag is always in tune. Let’s get to it: Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. This […]
Ohio joins other states in refusing to foot the bill for ballot postage
WASHINGTON — Ohio Democrats are fuming over a recent decision to levy what they call a “modern-day poll tax” on voters this fall: the cost of the stamps needed to mail a ballot. The state’s GOP-led Controlling Board this week rejected a $3 million proposal to pay for postage on absentee ballots and ballot application forms. […]
Some ideas for Gov. DeWine on how to help struggling Ohioans
In his Aug. 25 news conference Gov. Mike DeWine outlined some good work the state is initiating to expand COVID-19 testing in underserved communities — presumably including neighborhoods of Black and Latinx Ohioans and people with low incomes. He indicated he’s open to ideas about how to help all Ohioans — no matter where they […]
Controlling Board gets update on absentee ballots, approved education, COVID-19 testing funding
The state’s controlling board has designated money for schools, election boards and COVID-19 testing, but members of those departments spent most of their time Monday answering questions on future plans. In their regular meeting, the legislative body that distributes funding to governmental entities approved funding to train election precinct officials, and the distribution of CARES […]
CARES Act funding to aid Ohio schools, care facilities
Nursing homes, schools and hospitals are among the places in Ohio that will soon receive an influx of cash to help bolster their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal CARES Act funding was allocated Monday by the Ohio Controlling Board, to be distributed in the coming weeks. In the […]
Controlling Board OKs $3.2M for Ohio National Guard protest responses
Gov. DeWine had deployed Ohio National Guard to Cleveland, Columbus, D.C. Taxpayers will foot the multi-million dollar bill for the Ohio National Guard’s response to recent protests in Cleveland and Columbus. The total cost as approved by the Ohio Controlling Board on Monday comes to $3.2 million for the deployments beginning on May 30. Gov. […]