Ohio
Struggling public schools and districts need our investment, not F’s
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signaled recently that he is open to changing the A-F report card system for public schools and districts in our state. With state Reps. John Patterson, D-Jefferson, and Robert Cupp, R-Lima, continuing to work toward a constitutional funding model for Ohio’s public schools, now is a good time to reevaluate the […]
How gerrymandering brings about extreme Ohio laws that don’t reflect majority opinion
Recent gun and abortion bills the latest examples For decades, Ohio has been the quintessential battleground state. But in the last 10 years, Ohio has steadily taken a turn to the right — but not because its voters have suddenly become more conservative. Sure, Republicans enjoy supermajority control of both state legislative chambers and hold […]
Improvements coming to Ohio’s state parks in 2020
Better customer service, improved signage and more frequent naturalist programming. Those are among the numerous suggestions on how to reform Ohio’s state parks system. These ideas were developed by a task force of nature experts and educators. They spent the summer of 2019 traveling to many of the 75 state parks to evaluate them for […]
Trump rule could end food stamp access for thousands in Ohio
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration this week finalized a regulation that’s expected to knock nearly 10,000 — or perhaps as many as 45,000 — Ohioans off food stamp benefits. It’s one of three controversial policies the administration is pursuing that aim to limit eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The numbers are complicated, […]
GM, LG Chem to build new Lordstown plant, create 1,100 jobs
A partnership with General Motors and South Korean company LG Chem will lead to a new factory for electric vehicle batteries and reportedly create 1,100 jobs in Lordstown, Ohio. The facility will be located “in the Lordstown area,” GM announced on Thursday, the site of a former assembly plant that GM closed earlier this year. […]
Ohio’s coming minimum wage increase still falls far below 1968 state and national peak
Everyone who works full time deserves to make enough money to cover the basics. In Ohio, too many people work hard — sometimes in more than one job — but still live in poverty. Because Ohio voters took action, at least those earning the minimum wage won’t get a pay cut from inflation in 2020. […]
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 […]
Ohio teachers union speaks out against religious liberties bill, sponsor decries ‘urban myths’
As Ohio teachers speak out against a “Student Religious Liberties Act” that was passed by the Ohio House, the lead sponsor of the bill is calling out “inaccuracies” given about the bill, which he says have been spread by the media and “misinformed individuals on social media.” House Bill 164 amends certain sections of the […]