susan manchester
Campaigns brimming with optimism ahead of Tuesday election
In the final weekend of the midterms, every campaign believes the race is coming their way. Whether honest assessment or false bravado, they’ll readily explain how this poll or those returns are good for their prospects. From the outside looking in, it’s as though the biggest threat now is not a gaffe or a new […]
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 […]
An Ohio county heard mixed messages on COVID-19. Now it’s a hotspot.
With the coronavirus raging in Darke County and health officials promoting a much-needed testing opportunity earlier this month, an area lawmaker offered a different message to her constituents in western Ohio. Quoting President Reagan, state Rep. Jena Powell wrote to her thousands of social followers: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: […]
DeWine again caught in middle of tug-of-war over COVID-19 response
Ohio has reached another crossroads in the battle against COVID-19. Gov. Mike DeWine is once again caught in the middle as the state repeatedly sets new records for virus cases and hospitalizations. After months of a decentralized approach and emphasis on personal responsibility, DeWine now says Ohio faces “a monumental crisis.” As much as the […]
19 lawmakers declared victory over COVID-19 in June. Now it’s spreading in their districts.
Back in June, 19 state legislators joined together to claim that “Ohio smashed the curve long ago. Mission accomplished!” Months later, as Ohio continues to set new records for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, one of those legislators admits the pandemic has proved to be an “evolving situation.” Another is doubling down on the letter’s message […]
House Republicans introduce bill to eliminate prevailing wage
Amid a flurry of other legislative activity, two Republican state representatives introduced a bill this week to repeal prevailing wage in Ohio. State reps. Ron Hood of Ashville and Bill Dean of Xenia introduced House Bill 663 on Tuesday, four months after first pitching the bill to colleagues in January. Eight Republicans join them as […]
Bipartisan proposal would cut prescription costs, lawmakers say
State Reps. Thomas E. West, D-Canton, and Susan Manchester, R-Waynesfield, unveiled legislation last week they say would cut out-of-pocket prescription costs for patients. Patients with chronic, complex conditions such as multiple sclerosis and hemophilia rely on copay assistance programs through organizations like drug manufacturers, charities, and churches to help cover the costs of their prescription […]
Efforts to curb prevailing wage in Ohio a Republican trend
Republican lawmakers have tried for years to curb prevailing wage law in Ohio, and the most-recent effort calls for removing the law entirely. The Capital Journal has reported that two Ohio House members, Ron Hood of Ashville and Bill Dean of Xenia, plan to soon introduce legislation to end prevailing wage. Many of the sponsoring […]