Ohio Statehouse
Reproductive rights battles will continue after small election changes to judiciary, legislature
While anti-abortion groups claim victory in Ohio with little change to the majority conservative Ohio legislature, abortion-rights groups are ready for continued fights in the Statehouse and in the courts. The Ohio Supreme Court saw one seat flipped, with Judge Jennifer Brunner overtaking incumbent justice Judith French in unofficial results Tuesday. It doesn’t flip the […]
2020 Election: Ongoing live coverage in Ohio
Follow along here as we update you throughout Election Day on what’s going on in Ohio. Polls are open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Unofficial results will start coming in after the polls close, though full results may not be known election night due to outstanding absentee and provisional ballots that will need […]
History Thursday: A surprising 1920 discovery at the Statehouse
In recent years, The Washington Post newspaper has leaned on a catchy slogan: “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” That was almost literal a century ago in the Ohio Statehouse. In March 1920, Senate custodian E.S. Bryant directed a few workers to inspect the dark ceiling of the legislative chamber. “(W)orkmen found that the ceiling of the […]
‘Operation Grant’ looks to turn Republican voters against Trump
One speaker after another offered a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump. The president is an “incompetent sociopath.” He uses “vile and despicable language.” And he’s the wrong leader in these “dangerous times.” These comments did not come from Democrats and liberals, but rather from a group of lifelong Republicans who are straying from the party […]
Should anyone be surprised by Householder’s downfall?
Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s dramatic tumble from power last month shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone who has followed his career since 1996 when he was first elected to represent southeast Ohio’s 78th House District. As editor of The Athens NEWS, an alternative/community newsweekly in Athens, Ohio, I was uniquely situated to […]
The complications of history: Public policy must provide a full picture for true education
Ohioans are understandably proud of the fact that their state was abolitionist from its inception. Predictably, this aspect of our state’s history has been evoked within the context of the anti-racist discussions of the past few months. I recently took some time to read David McCullough’s, “The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who […]
Columbus statues in Columbus: Their legacy and future
Standing in a light rain at City Hall, U.S. Sen. John Bricker marveled at the 20-foot bronze figure unveiled in a city which bears its likeness’ name. It reminded Bricker of the harbor in New York City. He predicted the new statue of Christopher Columbus would be viewed in Ohio as a “symbol of friendship,” […]
Mother: Pols should focus on helping children with Down syndrome, not abortion bans
My name is Emily Chesnut and I am a mother of a child with Down syndrome, her name is Nora and she recently turned 9. I write this to on behalf of my family and many friends who also love someone with Down syndrome. I am especially thankful to Dr. Leesha Thrower, a dear friend […]
Ohio Fairness Act fills hearing room with advocates, business groups
It wasn’t the many hordes of people that crowded into a Statehouse hearing room that got people’s attention on Tuesday. It wasn’t even the more than 250 testimonies filed on the issue at hand. It was the 11-year-girl bending the microphone so she could reach it, telling her story of being bullied by kids and […]
Dayton shooting, universal background checks brought up in gun reform bill hearing
Supporters of gun reform measures proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine said the legislation would be an important first step in curbing gun violence, but wouldn’t agree that universal background checks were a better solution. The Committee for Government Oversight and Reform met Wednesday to hear proponent testimony as they review Senate Bill 221, which proposes […]
Welcome to the Ohio Capital Journal, reporting for the people
We live in a world of uncertainty. Some of that uncertainty stems from the human condition, the nature of existence and the nature of civilization. Some of it is intentionally manufactured by those acting in bad faith to further personal and professional ambitions, or to cover up corruption and wrongdoing. The role and responsibility of […]