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BWC Board Approves Major Expansion of Employer Safety Program
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) announced a major expansion of its Safety Grants program Friday with an additional $30 million in FY20-21. Board directors approved the request, saying heavy employer demand will require dollars just to finish out the current fiscal year. Read more in Friday's Hannah Report.
Brunner Calls State to Mutual 'Respect, Diversity' in Supreme Court Bid
Former Ohio Secretary of State and sitting 10th District Judge Jennifer Brunner is launching a grassroots arts campaign as part of her Ohio Supreme Court bid that calls Ohioans to the goal of "respecting one another amidst our great diversity." Read more in Friday's Hannah Report.
Supreme Court Gets Last Word in Ballot Dispute over HB6 Energy Subsidies
The legal and political battle over energy subsidy bill HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) came to an official end Friday as the Ohio Supreme Court granted Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts (OACB) and Secretary of State Frank LaRose's joint motion to dismiss five certified questions from the U.S. District Court on referendum activities during the 90 days between a bill's signing and effective date. Read more in Friday's Hannah Report.
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Monday, Feb. 10, 2020
Experts Predict Increasing Disinformation Before Election
Online disinformation related to the 2020 election is expected to increase, experts told the Columbus Dispatch, and some has already been seen regarding the Iowa caucuses. In the runup to the 2016 election, false information circulated that ballots for Hillary Clinton were stockpiled in a Columbus warehouse. That claim drew responses from the Franklin County Board of Elections and then-Secretary of State Jon Husted.
Ohio Unions Gave Equally to Democrats, Republicans in 2019
Organized labor groups gave relatively similar campaign contribution totals to Democratic and Republican candidates in Ohio during 2019, the Cincinnati Enquirer found, even as national labor donations are around 90 percent to Democrats. This has been due to a pragmatic outlook by unions, the appeal of Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and the HB6 issue as union members sought to keep two nuclear plants open and preserve 1,400 jobs.
Negotiations to combine over 100 lawsuits by local governments and the state of Ohio into a single opioid damages settlement with pharmaceutical groups are progressing, the Columbus Dispatch reported, citing an anonymous source close to the talks. Issues to be resolved included how the settlement, potentially in excess of $1 billion, will be divided up and what portion will go to outside lawyers.
Ideastream Issues School Voucher Q&A as Lawmakers Debate Possible Fix
Ideastream of Ohio provides an overview of the 14-year-old EdChoice Scholarship Program and its pending expansion as members of the House and Senate attempt to work out differences over private school vouchers' impact on local school districts and communities.
Lehner's Dyslexia Interventions Bill Spurs Pushback from Superintendents
Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Peggy Lehner's (R-Kettering) bill to require dyslexia screening and special programs for children under six is spurring pushback from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), which says SB102 (Brenner-Lehner) as written constitutes an unfunded mandate, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Medical Pot Posed for Bengals, Browns Fans 'To Help You Get through It'
"Could it be considered a medical condition? Sure." That is Cincinnati resident and long-suffering Bengals fan Vincent Morano's advice to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, which is considering his proposal to qualify Cleveland Browns and Bengals faithful for medicinal pot, Cleveland.com reports.
Ohio Farmers Could See Increased Exports under New U.S., China Trade Deal
The new "Phase One" U.S., China trade agreement signed Wednesday by both countries could have big implications for Ohio farmers, given China's promise to spend $200 billion more than it did in 2017 on U.S. exports, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Products that could see the greatest benefits include soybeans, pork, dairy and steel, all of which were previously hit hard by tariffs.
Ohio Supreme Court Continues Push for Bail Reforms
The Ohio Supreme Court submitted 46 pages of amendments to court rules and procedures to the General Assembly Wednesday, including a rule that would affect non-violent felony suspects being held in county jails because they can't afford to post pre-trial bonds, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The proposed rule states bonds "shall be in an amount and type which are least costly to the defendant."
Lawmakers Push for Delay of Medicaid Work Requirements
Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Thomas West (D-Canton) wrote in a letter to Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran that outstanding errors in the Ohio Benefits system provide reason to delay implementation of Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied individuals under 50 set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) is one of eight Republican members of Congress selected by the White House to defend President Donald Trump during the U.S. Senate's impeachment trial, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Cleveland.com reports.
Ohio Increasing Jail Inspections after Deaths, Lawsuits
Following inmate deaths in Dayton, Cleveland and elsewhere, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) has tripled its jail inspection team and will soon begin surprise visits to the state's 313 jails and temporary holding facilities, the Dayton Daily News reports. DRC will also conduct more thorough inspections than in the past, the newspaper says.
Drop in ER Opioid Prescriptions Draws Mixed Reviews
While some health care industry representatives say the significant decrease in emergency room (ER) opioid prescriptions will keep patients safer from addiction, some doctors are saying patients are now being under-treated for pain and are needlessly suffering, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Nine Ohio Democrats, all women, endorsed the presidential candidacy of Joe Biden. He holds the most endorsements among the Democratic field, Cleveland.com notes, as it summarizes the various endorsements the candidates have secured so far.
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is asking the Ohio Legislature to eliminate the 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2022 and 2023, reducing the pension system's $24 billion unfunded liability by $3.44 billion, the Columbus Dispatch reports -- a tough ask in an election year. And this is a separate issue from the cut in health benefits OPERS is expected to implement.
Bill Proposes to Make 'Texting while Driving' Primary Driving Offense
Following up on statements from Gov. Mike DeWine that Ohio should make texting while driving a primary offense -- meaning police could pull drivers over without first witnessing another traffic violation -- a Columbus Democrat introduced a bill doing just that, the Dayton Daily News reports. That bill, from Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville), would reference "handheld electronic devices."
The Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee has scheduled a special meeting Thursday night to reconsider its endorsement of 65th House District candidate Joe Dills, who admitted to having an account on a dating website that helps people cheat on their spouses. While Dills said he created the Ashley Madison account in 2013 when he was single, Ohio GOP leaders received information linking Dills to another account in 2015, after he was married, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
A total of 717,740 children -- 2,400 more than last school year -- are receiving publicly-funded free or reduced price school lunches during the 2019-2020 school year, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The statistics, considered a particularly reliable indicator of the economy's health, represent the first uptick in National School Lunch Program participation after three years of declines, according to the newspaper.
Both Ohio Senators Write NYT Pieces on Impeachment
While U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) explained in his New York Times op-ed why he voted to acquit President Donald Trump despite his "improper" effort to withhold military aid to Ukraine until the foreign country opened an investigation into Trump's political rivals, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote in a separate op-ed that many of his Republican colleagues privately admit Trump is "reckless and unfit" for office but chose to vote "not guilty" out of fear of dealing with new nicknames, mean tweets and Trump-backed primary opponents.
JobsOhio Works to Attract New Air Service to State
President J.P. Nauseef told the City Club of Cleveland that JobsOhio, the economic development arm of state government, is looking to help Ohio's airports attract new flights to the state, including transatlantic service, by setting aside $4 million that can be used to waive fees or provide marketing support to the airlines. Better air service is seen as key to attracting businesses and people, Cleveland.com reports.
Administration Releases Report on Children Services Transformation Initial Findings
Gov. Mike DeWine Wednesday released a preliminary report summarizing the state's efforts around foster care reform since he took office. It includes an overview of the feedback from the 10 community forums on foster care held across the state. To learn more, see Wednesday's Hannah Report.
LaRose Reports on Security Efforts by Local Boards of Elections
Giving an update on county boards of elections' efforts to meet his election security directive Wednesday, Secretary of State Frank LaRose said 80 of 88 counties are 100 percent compliant and seven more have a plan to become complaint within the next 13 days before early voting starts. However, he said because it has not come up with a plan to become compliant, his office is putting the Van Wert County Board of Elections under administrative oversight. Read more in Wednesday's
Hannah Report.
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Monday, Feb. 3, 2020
Enquirer Looks into Ouster of Firearms Group Lobbyist/Board President
Displeasure by Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) over a Buckeye Firearms Association posting on its website opposing HB354 (Plummer-Swearingen), an alternative to Gov. Mike DeWine's gun proposal, caused a frenzy in the group and led to the ouster of the group's long-time president and lobbyist Jim Irvine, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. He still has not been replaced.
Rep. John Becker (R-Cincinnati) said in his recent newsletter that he had been offered a $50,000 bribe by a "high ranking Clermont County Republican Party official" in exchange for an endorsement in 2019. He said he reported it to the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee at the time, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
More than a dozen families joined with Citizens for Community Values and others to sue the state today over the delay of the EdChoice scholarship application window. Read more in Monday's Hannah Report.
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Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020
Poll: Trump Trails Generic Dem in OH, MI, PA, WI
A new Great Lakes Poll from Baldwin Wallace University (BW) shows that a to-be-determined Democratic candidate is leading President Donald Trump in Ohio (44.3 percent to 39.4 percent), Pennsylvania (47.1 to 37.3), Michigan (46.8 to 33.9) and Wisconsin (47.5 to 34.1), Cleveland.com reports. However, the large number of undecided voters in each state means Trump has an opportunity to increase his support, BW Community Research Institute Associate Director Lauren Copeland told the website.
Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts (OACB), an organization seeking to overturn energy subsidy bill HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), has filed a motion in federal court to dismiss its appeal to obtain more time to gather signatures to place HB6 on the ballot, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The group also plans to drop its case in the Ohio Supreme Court, OACB spokesperson Gene Pierce told the newspaper.
Supreme Court Rejects Top Recommendation of Bail Task Force
The Ohio Supreme Court voted 5-2 against a proposal requiring judges to have access to "risk assessment tools" to measure whether an offender should be released, the top recommendation of the Task Force to Examine the Ohio Bail System, the Associated Press reports.
Starbucks Nook Serves as Dealmaking Den for Cap Square Politicos
A semi-secluded nook at the back of a Starbucks in the Sheraton hotel across the street from the Ohio Statehouse is a popular place for Capitol Square politicians, lobbyists and others involved in politics and government to hold intimate and often productive meetings, Cleveland.com reports.
Alice DeWine Gets $104K from Federal PAC in Local Race
The Protecting Ohio Action Fund, a federal super PAC that incurred debts of $104,000 in 2019 for polling and digital advertising for Alice DeWine's Republican primary campaign for Greene County prosecutor, is legally withholding the names of its donors of more than $200 until after that race is decided, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Alice DeWine is the daughter of Gov. Mike DeWine, who started his career as an elected official in the office she is now seeking.
RNC Mails 'Census' Document Seeking Donations, Personal Info
People in Northeast Ohio recently received a "2020 Congressional District Census" from the Republican National Committee (RNC), a document encouraging recipients to send money and provide personal information such as political affiliation, age, level of support for President Donald Trump and social media habits, Cleveland.com reports. "When they call something a 'census' during a census year, there is no reason to do that unless you want to be confusing," Common Cause Ohio Executive Director Catherine Turcer said in the article.
Statues of real women are relatively rare on the grounds of statehouses, the Associated Press reports. Ohio could join the ranks of those who do, with the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission proposing a memorial honoring Ohio's role in the suffrage movement.
Gun Rights Group Asks for Repeal of 'Second Amendment Sanctuaries'
As local governments around the country pass resolutions declaring themselves "Second Amendment sanctuaries," the Cincinnati Enquirer reports similar efforts in Ohio have found an unlikely opponent - gun rights groups who fear such resolutions could lead to tougher gun laws and "anti-gun sanctuaries."
One Year in, Ohio's Medical Marijuana Program Has Growing Pains
It has been a year since the first four medical marijuana dispensaries opened in Ohio. The Plain Dealer reports that the program has been slow to develop, with high costs of marijuana and some areas of the state left without any dispensaries.
Two Miami University Students Being Checked for Coronavirus
Health officials are investigating the state's first possible cases of the corornavirus in two Miami University students, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Nationwide, the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is tracking 110 possible cases.
House, Senate Continue Negotiations on School Voucher Bill
Faced with a Saturday deadline, House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate what they might do to address a major expansion of Ohio's voucher program. Changes are expected to be rolled into HB9 (Jones-Sweeney), which is currently in the Senate Higher Education Committee. A conference committee on HB9 already has been set for Wednesday, Jan. 29. Early Tuesday, the Columbus Dispatch reported on the proposals and their potential stumbling blocks.
Dayton Three-Way Senate Primary Shaping Up to Be Contentious, Hard Fought
The race for the Republican nomination in the 6th Senate District pits not only three candidates -- Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg), Rachel Selby and Greg Robinson -- against each other but also state and local GOP leaders who are split in their support as they seek a candidate to replace the term-limited Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), reports the Dayton Daily News.
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Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020
ODH Develops Overdose Database for State, Counties
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has a new interactive database updated each month to provide information on the number of suspected overdoses in each county, along with state- and county-level trend and demographic data, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Gov. Mike DeWine said the effort will provide more timely information on emergency department treatment of suspected overdoses.
JobsOhio executed a $20 million revitalization grant for further site work as part of the state's efforts to land a proposed $5 billion ethane cracker plant in Belmont County, Columbus Business First reports. PTT Global Chemical America is expected to make a decision in the first half of the year, and the project would provide thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of full-time positions.
Trump Campaign Tells Ackison to Remove Photos of Her with Trump
President Donald Trump's re-election campaign has demanded Ohio Senate candidate Melissa Ackison remove photos of her with Trump from campaign materials as they suggest an endorsement, the Toledo Blade reports, but Ackison said she has no plans to do so. She is running for the 26th Senate seat against current Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin).
LaRose: Voter Registration System 'Unacceptably Messy'
Ohio's current county-by-county voter registration system, under which a significant number of voters have been wrongfully purged from the rolls, is "unacceptably messy" and should be handled by the state, Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the Columbus Dispatch and USA Today. "If I'm going to be held accountable for this, I want to make sure that it's operating at the level of accuracy and efficiency I would expect. It's not currently doing that, and we need to make a change," he told the newspapers.
Wexner Trims Political Donations, Gives to Both Parties
After leaving the Republican Party over his disgust with President Donald Trump, L Brands CEO Les Wexner -- formerly a lavish GOP donor -- has sharply reduced his political contributions and now gives money to both Democrats and Republicans, Columbus Business First reports.
DOJ Files Brief Supporting Down Syndrome Abortion Ban
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an amicus brief in support of Ohio's law banning doctors from performing abortions based on Down syndrome diagnoses, with Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband writing, "The federal government has an interest in the equal dignity of those who live with disabilities," the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Ohio GOP Urges Endorsed Candidate to Quit over Ashley Madison Account
Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken is calling on Joe Dills to drop out of the 65th House District race after the candidate admitted to signing up for an account with Ashley Madison, a dating website designed to help people cheat on their spouses or significant others, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The Ohio GOP recently endorsed Dills over House Speaker Larry Householder's (R-Glenford) preferred candidate for the seat, former U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt.
DRC Seeks Upgrades for Prisons with Violent Inmates
Saying its current facilities for violent prisoners are "functionally obsolete," the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) is asking Gov. Mike DeWine to approve a two-year design study of its options to improve its high-security sites as part of the capital budget, the Associated Press reports.
French Escalates Fundraising Efforts in Supreme Court Race
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French (R), who is defending her seat in 2020 against former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D), told the Lima News that she's had to step up her campaign fundraising efforts to compete this year as Democrats seek to win back the majority on the state's highest court, which Republicans currently control 5-2.
Cancer Lobby Pushes GA to Triple Tobacco Prevention Funding
The American Cancer Society and Health Policy Institute of Ohio are pushing the state Legislature to triple the tobacco prevention funding level over FY19 following the outbreak of illnesses related to vaping, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), as co-founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, had earlier questioned the Trump administration's delay of congressional aid to the country and had condemned Trump's July 25 call with Ukraine's president. As early as this week, Portman will help decide whether to subpoena witnesses in the president's Senate impeachment trial, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Columbus Schools Await Findings of District-Wide Curriculum Audit
Ohio's largest school system awaits the results of its first curriculum audit in two decades after more than 800 classroom visits and admissions by its chief academic officer that district lesson plans are not "centralized." A primary goal of the audit is to ensure equal opportunities for students citywide, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
As the House and Senate moved toward setting up a conference committee on school voucher legislation, House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) indicated a fair amount of work remains to bridge their differences. Householder said his chamber is eyeing changes that would result in fewer than 200 schools on the EdChoice eligibility list, versus the 400-plus slated under the Senate-passed plan. Read more in Wednesday's Hannah Report.
Protesters Oppose Passage of SB33
Dozens of people are protesting committee passage of critical infrastructure bill SB33 (Hoagland) Wednesday in the south wing of the Statehouse. "Whose House? Our House!" opponents are yelling outside Hearing Room 116. "Halt the harm, not the people of the Ohio!" Read more in Wednesday's Hannah Report.
Wexner Reportedly Looking to Step Away from L Brands, Sell Victoria's Secret
Les Wexner, after nearly 60 years, is reportedly looking to step away from L Brands and possibly sell Victoria's Secret, according to Columbus Business First. Based on a Wall Street Journal article, discussions are ongoing. According to analysts, the companies face some challenges including criticisms of product comfort, brand image and Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) now holds a seat that was previously represented by both her mother and father. The Columbus Dispatch reports, however, that as minority leader, Sykes has plowed her own path, getting Democratic priorities passed despite having only 38 seats in the Ohio House.
Ohio Sees First Decrease in Drug Overdoses in Decade
More than 10 Ohioans died a day from unintentional drug overdoses in 2018, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The Plain Dealer reports that the 3,764 who died from an overdose was a decline of 22.7 percent from the previous year and is the first decrease since 2009.
Community Health Centers Say PBMs Siphoning Money from Drug Program
Health advocates and community health centers tell the Columbus Dispatch that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have been diverting savings from a federal drug pricing program that allows qualified health care providers to buy medicines from drugmakers at reduced prices back to themselves rather than paying for patient care.
The Toledo Blade reports that, even though the campaign finance deadline has passed, Ohioans have little idea what groups funded both sides of the HB6 debate. The group opposed to the ballot measure on HB6, Ohio Clean Energy Jobs Alliance, reported receiving $90,000 from a group that is not required to report where the money came from. The group seeking the statewide referendum on HB6, Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts, has yet to file a report.
Gov. Mike DeWine and his staff continue to evaluate his departments' capital appropriations requests, with the Columbus Dispatch reporting that some directors "have big eyes." DeWine declined to predict when the proposals would surface in bill form for the General Assembly's consideration.
Becoming Clearer: Coronavirus Outbreak Effect on Ohio
Businesses throughout the state are beginning to see fallout from China's coronavirus outbreak, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Some companies are temporarily closing facilities abroad and stopping travel. Others are beginning to see disruptions to their supply chains.
New Group Encourages Senators to Support DeWine Gun Proposal
A new 501(c)(4), Standing By Ohio, is running Facebook ads calling on Ohioans to encourage a number of senators to support Gov. Mike DeWine's gun proposal. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the nonprofit has ties to groups backing DeWine and his daughter Alice DeWine's campaign for Greene County prosecutor, but little other information is available about it.
DeWine, Yost Back Proposed Opioid Settlement Distribution Plan
Cleveland.com reports that Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost support a proposed plan on how to divide up settlement money Ohio may receive in opioid-related lawsuits against drug companies, but that plan does not yet have enough support among local government leaders. The proposal has been worked on in a series of meetings, including the latest held Tuesday.
Gas Tax Information Being Added to Fuel Pumps around Ohio
After a delay, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has sent out labels with information on the state's gas tax increase that will be placed on gas pumps by county and city officials around the state. The Columbus Dispatch reports the labels were required as a transparency measure; they list how much customers pay in state and federal taxes and how that money is distributed.
Corcoran Says Ohio Won't Seek Federal Medicaid Block Grant
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran told the Columbus Dispatch the state does not plan to pursue a Trump administration offer for greater flexibility in Medicaid spending in exchange for limits on how much the federal government contributes. She said the proposal, criticized by Democrats, is directed more toward states that have not expanded Medicaid programs.
LaRose Calls 'Stealing an Election' Rhetoric 'Unfortunate' after Ohio GOP Email
Asked about an email sent under Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Jane Timken's name that said Democrats were working "to steal the 2020 election," Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he did not want to get involved in fights between parties but such language is "unfortunate." The ORP responded that he should take his own advice and not get involved in fights between parties, Cleveland.com reports.
Lordstown Area Battery Plant Construction Delayed until July
Construction on an electric vehicle battery-cell plant in the Lordstown area, part of a joint venture between General Motors and South Korean company LG Chem, Ltd., has been delayed from April to July, the Youngstown Vindicator reports. The delay is due to timing issues with state and federal environmental permits, as well as work on gas wells at the site. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles) said he remains "1,000 percent" in support of the project.
Opioid Settlement Proposal Details Split of Undetermined Amount
While the exact settlement amount was not specified, the Dayton Daily News reports a proposed resolution to lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies would include 11 percent for attorney's fees, while the remainder would be divided with 30 percent for local governments, 55 percent to a new foundation and 15 percent to the attorney general's office. The foundation would spend its share to address the opioid epidemic, and the 25 board members would be appointed by state, legislative and local leaders.
O'Connor Convenes Task Force on Reducing Wrongful Convictions
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has formed the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Postconviction Review, Cleveland.com reports, in an effort to examine ways to reduce wrongful convictions. Task force members have not been announced yet but will begin meeting in the coming weeks and issue recommendations at the end of the year.
Cincinnati Mayor Cranley Announces Gubernatorial Campaign
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Politics Extra columnist Friday that he is exploring a run for governor in 2022. Cranley, term-limited at the end of 2021, has been touring Ohio recently and said Cincinnati's "comeback" represents an example of "a better way forward" for the state as the middle class "has been shrinking under the weight of the state's failed policies" for years.
OPERS Considers Cuts to Health Benefits for Retirees
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) could vote as early as this week to reduce health care benefits for retirees as the pension's health care fund faces exhaustion by 2030, the Dayton Daily News reports. Changes could include reducing the monthly allowance provided by OPERS to offset health care costs.
While the state's transportation budget that included an increase in the gasoline tax took effect last July, the state has yet to produce fuel pump stickers that explain the increase, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The Ohio Department of Agriculture expects the labels to be produced within the next two to three weeks.
Trump Administration Food Stamp Changes Could Affect 20,000 Ohioans
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Monday released an estimate of Ohio adults who could lose their food stamp benefits as part of changes being implemented by the Trump administration to require stricter work requirements, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Conservative Group 'Concerned' about Executions Forming Tuesday
As the state's execution backlog grows, the Columbus Dispatch reports a conservative group "concerned" about the death penalty will officially form Tuesday and includes former Gov. Bob Taft. Gov. Mike DeWine has been "tight-lipped" on the subject, while House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) has raised questions and Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) opposes repealing the death penalty, citing examples such as serial killers.
Trump's Budget Proposal Wouldn't Fund Projects on Asian Carp
While he referenced protecting the Great Lakes from Asian carp and other fish at a recent campaign event in Michigan, President Donald Trump's proposed budget does not include needed funding for two projects to help keep the invasive species from entering the Great Lakes, the Columbus Dispatch reports. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) said she is working to correct that.
The Associated Press reports Annie Glenn, widow of astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn and an advocate on communication disorders, turned 100 years old Monday. While she is doing well, a spokesman for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University said, she has continued to remain largely out of the public eye since John's death at 95 in 2016.
DeWine Continues to Dodge Questions about His Position on Death Penalty
Gov. Mike DeWine continues to refuse to publicly say whether he personally supports the death penalty even as he froze all Ohio executions a year ago, Cleveland.com reports.
The EdChoice debate underway in the General Assembly hinges, in part, on the use of state report cards to grade schools. However, the Plain Dealer finds that Ohio doesn't issue report cards for any of the private schools receiving about $400 million in tax-funded tuition aid, adding there is no data to reliably determine if the "voucher" schools offer a better quality education.
A new series of articles from Cleveland.com, Building from Strength, looks at the economy of the Cleveland area and of the state, noting that Ohio needs to view Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati jointly as an economic force as they account for 40 percent of Ohio's gross domestic product (GDP). Cuyahoga's GDP of $87.7 billion is the largest in Ohio, ahead of Franklin County's $86.5 billion.
The Kent State University committee planning the 50th anniversary event commemorating the May 4 shootings does not appear likely to back down on its plans to hire Jan Fonda as a speaker, despite criticism from Secretary of State Frank LaRose and others about her actions during the Vietnam War, the Record-Courier reports.
Report Finds Disparate Effect on Diverse Students from Tuition Debt Collection Law
The Dayton Daily News reports on research from think tank Policy Matters Ohio on the effects of a state law requiring unpaid college tuition bills to be sent to the attorney general's office for collection, finding high fees and interest rates and a disproportionate effect on students of color.
Distant Fundraiser Overlaps with EdChoice Deliberations
Scheduling conflicts added another wrinkle to negotiations on the EdChoice saga, as the top two Senate leaders left the state for a fundraiser in Florida. A Senate spokesman told Cleveland.com the House didn't consult the other chamber before setting a conference committee schedule that overlapped with the fundraising trip.
DeWine Continues to Dodge Questions about His Position on Death Penalty
Gov. Mike DeWine continues to refuse to publicly say whether he personally supports the death penalty even as he froze all Ohio executions a year ago, Cleveland.com reports.
A new series of articles from Cleveland.com, Building from Strength, looks at the economy of the Cleveland area and of the state, noting that Ohio needs to view Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati jointly as an economic force as they account for 40 percent of Ohio's gross domestic product (GDP). Cuyahoga's GDP of $87.7 billion is the largest in Ohio, ahead of Franklin County's $86.5 billion.
The EdChoice debate underway in the General Assembly hinges, in part, on the use of state report cards to grade schools. However, the Plain Dealer finds that Ohio doesn't issue report cards for any of the private schools receiving about $400 million in tax-funded tuition aid, adding there is no data to reliably determine if the "voucher" schools offer a better quality education.
FirstEnergy Fires CEO, Two Others, amid Federal Investigation of Nuclear Bailout Bill
FirstEnergy Corp. announced Thursday evening it fired its CEO, Chuck Jones, effective immediately along with two other senior executives amid multiple federal investigations related to an Ohio nuclear bailout law passed last year and on the heels of the plea bargain reached by two individuals indicted in the scandal. The company said the three executives were fired after an internal review committee determined they “violated certain FirstEnergy policies and its code of conduct,” Cleveland.com reports.
First Guilty Pleas in HB6 Case Lack Cooperation Agreements with Prosecutors
Jeffrey Longstreth and Juan Cespedes admitted that they took part in a massive pay-to-play scandal involving HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) and the billion-dollar bailout of two nuclear plants Thursday, but their plea agreements did not spell out whether they would cooperate with federal investigators. Cleveland.com reports cooperation could shave years off their sentences while helping authorities to accelerate investigations.
DeWine Says Ohio is Prepared for Possible Violence at Polls on Election Day
Gov. Mike DeWine said the state is taking some actions to ensure tensions on Election Day don't translate to violence at polling places, the Statehouse News Bureau reports. The governor said he's been in talks with the highway patrol, Ohio National Guard and others. “We basically have a war room and if we need to do things, we will do them …," DeWine said.
Polls suggesting a tight race in Ohio were ultimately disproven Tuesday night when President Donald Trump won Ohio by a similar margin to his commanding 2016 victory. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Trump's dominance in Eastern Ohio, previously dark blue territory, Democrat Joe Biden's inability to pick up enough votes in suburbs, and other factors all led to a win for the president.
Despite Indictment, Householder Wins Reelection, Though Write-Ins Await Final Totals
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) has apparently won reelection in the 72nd Ohio House District despite being indicted in July on racketeering charges. Householder received 30,546 votes in the three-county district, but vote totals for his four write-in opponents were not yet available on the secretary of state's website, the Newark Advocate reports.
Ohio Republicans Expand Majority in Races Dominated by Urban, Rural Divide
Ohio Republicans overcame the state's largest political bribery scandal to expand their majorities in the state House and potentially the Senate. The Columbus Dispatch reports the wins and losses of Tuesday night represent an increasing divide between urban and rural areas in Ohio. While Democrats held on to three and flipped one seat in the suburbs, they lost three seats to the GOP in more rural areas.
National Unemployment Rate Reaches Historic Levels
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate reached 14.7 percent for April -- "the highest rate and the largest over-the-month increase" since the data began being sent out in 1948. "Employment fell sharply in all major industry sectors, with particularly heavy job losses in leisure and hospitality." Read more in Friday''s Hannah Report.
Acton''s Popularity Means GOP May See Her As Political Threat
As Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton has become the focus of increased criticism from some Republican state lawmakers, Cincinnati Enquirer''s political columnist Jason Williams writes that Acton may be a tempting political recruit for the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) because of her popularity in the state, particularly with suburban women. Williams said one Republican suggested Acton could challenge U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) in his reelection bid and reported Acton is a Democrat with some political engagement. Acton''s spokeswoman, meanwhile, says Acton has "no aspirations to run for public office."
Coronavirus death data indicates that large shares of the state''s deaths have been from Northeast Ohio, nursing homes statewide, and the oldest Ohioans. According to a report from Cleveland.com, the 13 counties from Lorain to the Pennsylvania border and south to Canton account for 51 percent of the deaths reported to date, despite having just 33 percent of the state''s population. Additionally, 41 percent of the known deaths statewide were of patients at long-term care facilities, and just over half of all deaths have been of people age 80 and over.
DeWine Launches Crime Scene Matching with GPS Locations of Ex-Felons
Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) Monday to implement a series of changes to state monitoring of former inmates recommended by the Governor''s Working Group on Post-Release Control, including real-time crime scene matching with the GPS locations of ex-felons tracked by a central database. Read more in Monday''s Hannah Report.
Statewide Officials Use Tax-Funded Cars for Personal Tasks
Four of Ohio''s statewide elected officials -- Treasurer of State Robert Sprague, Attorney General Dave Yost, Auditor of State Keith Faber and Secretary of State Frank LaRose -- have utilized taxpayer-funded vehicles for personal and political purposes despite ethics laws that generally prohibit public employees from using state vehicles for non-state business, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Midwestern Agriculture Communities Face Suicide Crisis
Farmers, mental health professionals and other experts across the Midwest say the high suicide rate among agricultural workers needs to be addressed immediately, noting people in rural areas are experiencing worsening economic and environmental problems while having poor access to mental health treatment, USA Today reports.
https://tinyurl.com/wk7bxl3
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020
House GOP Re-elects Cupp, Announces Leadership Team for 134th GA
House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) was unanimously re-elected to serve as speaker for the 134th General Assembly (GA), the House Republican Caucus announced Wednesday. The caucus also announced that Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem) will serve as speaker pro tempore; Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) will serve as majority floor leader; Rep. Rick Carfagna (R-Westerville) will serve as assistant majority floor leader; Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) will serve as majority whip; and Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) will serve as assistant majority whip. Read more in Wednesday’s Hannah Report.
Franklin County Board of Elections Certifies Win for Kunze; Automatic Recount on Horizon
The Franklin County Board of Elections Wednesday certified its election results, showing Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) winning re-election over Democratic challenger Crystal Lett by 116 votes. That result, however, is within the margin requiring an automatic recount under Ohio law. Read more in Wednesday''s Hannah Report.
DeWine Sticking by PUCO Charmin after FBI Search
Gov. Mike DeWine stuck by his appointed chairman of the state''s utilities regulatory panel, the Toledo Blade reports. Federal agents were seen carrying boxes out of the home of Sam Randazzo, chairman of the powerful Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Monday morning. However, DeWine said Tuesday there is "no indication he''s under investigation or a target of an investigation … We''ll wait until we find additional facts …."
Governor Was Warned of Former PUCO Chair''s Ties to Utility
Gov. Mike DeWine disregarded warnings in early 2019 that his choice to lead the powerful Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Sam Randazzo, had deep business ties with the state’s largest electric utility and had long been hostile to the development of wind and solar power. Randazzo, whose home was searched by FBI agents last month, is now under scrutiny as a wide-ranging bribery and corruption investigation continues in Ohio, the Associated Press reports.
Unemployment Overpayments Create New Headaches for Ohioans
Ohio made about $48 million in unemployment overpayments during the first six months of the COVID-19 outbreak and has recouped about half that amount. Those overpayments are still causing problems for Ohioans who have struggled to contact the state and follow unemployment guidelines, the Associated Press reports. Unemployment claims are now on the rise again, jumping 31 percent for the week ending Nov. 28.
Will Ohio Lawmakers Override DeWine''s Veto on Bill Limiting ODH Powers?
Some lawmakers are pushing to quickly override the governor''s veto of SB311 (McColley-Roegner), which would limit the Ohio Department of Health''s (ODH) power to quarantine or isolate people. However, that override didn''t happen during Wednesday''s Senate session, and the Cincinnati Enquirer reports lawmakers may choose instead to use the override as leverage to negotiate for other policies they want.
Medical Experts Weren''t in Charge of Setting Ohio''s Reopening Guidelines
Business leaders drove the panels that established guidelines for reopening Ohio''s economy while doctors and disease experts took a secondary role, the Columbus Dispatch reports. For example, the 22-member restaurant advisory group has 16 industry officials and four medical experts. Infectious-disease experts who reviewed the guidelines mostly supported what panels came up with but industry officials and medical experts differed on one key facet of the reopening: masks.
Ohio cities, including Columbus, have based their economic growth strategy on offering tax and development incentives to businesses in return for new jobs to generate more city income taxes, but that model is being threatened by a growing work-from-home (WFH) model rushed into place as a result of COVID-19. The potential for lost revenue is large: about 80 percent of Ohio businesses are located in a municipality and upsetting the revenue stream could threaten the financial sustainability of those communities, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
DeWine May Begin to Impose COVID-19 Restrictions on County-by-County Basis
As the number of reported coronavirus cases in Ohio continues to climb, Gov. Mike DeWine said he''s looking into imposing restrictions on a county-by-county basis, an approach he had previously dismissed as a "disaster." During the stay-at-home order, several rural GOP state lawmakers asked DeWine to ease restrictions in their areas because there had been only a fraction of the cases and deaths compared to urban areas, but back then DeWine resisted the pressure, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Some Ohio Stay-at-Home Protesters Carrying Anti-Semitic Imagery
At Saturday''s protest of the stay-at-home order around the Statehouse, a pair of men were photographed carrying an anti-Semitic sign. As protests gain more attention in Ohio and across the country, Cleveland.com reports on the backgrounds of the groups organizing these events.
With 1,950 out of about 2,500 prisoners and about a third of the prison''s workforce having tested positive for coronavirus, Marion Correctional Institution is now the nation''s top hot spot for the virus, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The rise in cases comes as advocates for inmates and corrections officers say the state is not doing enough protect either group.
Columbus Public Health to Study How Race Plays into Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic amplifies racial disparities in Ohio and across the U.S., Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city officials announced Monday the creation of a Center for Public Health Innovation in the city health department to study racial health disparities and recommend improvements, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Primary Delay Leaves Local Candidates, Ballot Issues in Limbo
As the General Assembly moves to extend the deadline for absentee ballots, Cleveland.com reports on the local candidates and ballot issues left with an uncertain path forward as a result of the delayed primary, including an operating levy for Brunswick City Schools and the race for Medina County commissioner.
Ohioans Left Abroad as Global Pandemic Sweeps U.S.
As the number of coronavirus cases increases daily in the U.S. and Ohio, The Blade reports on the Ohioans stranded abroad, who often left the country before the virus had become a serious global threat and are now unable to return.
Pandemic Reveals Gaps in Schools'' Ability to Cope with Crisis
The Columbus Dispatch reports that while all 610 school districts are required to develop and adopt school safety plans, a pandemic response plan is not required, and as students, educators and administrators strive to work within the confines of virtual learning, some students are being left behind.
Statehouse Damaged in Protests over Death of George Floyd
An initially peaceful protest in Columbus over the death of George Floyd turned violent Thursday night, with some protestors breaking windows of the Ohio Statehouse and entering the building, while others overturned trash cans and threw objects at police, according to Cleveland.com. Floyd died in a Minneapolis hospital after a police officer held his knee on the back of Floyd''s neck while he was handcuffed.
DeWine''s Daily Coronavirus Briefings Becoming Less Frequent
Cleveland.com compares Gov. Mike DeWine''s daily coronavirus briefings to "the Ohio coronavirus version of President Franklin Roosevelt''s Great Depression-era fireside chats," but those briefings are becoming less frequent, with only two being held this week. DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said the governor has committed to do "at least two" per week.
A Wednesday night show from Columbus-based cover band Popgun at Natalie''s Music Hall & Kitchen in Grandview marked one of the first in-person live music performances in the state since the coronavirus shutdown, with the band performing for about 50 people, according to Columbus Alive. Natalie''s co-owner Charlie Jackson brought the issue of live music to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who said there was never a prohibition on live music, but "erroneous" Ohio Department of Health guidance said otherwise. Guidance has since been updated to allow for live music with social distancing.
Householder, Husted Criticize Protesters for Red Paint Handprints on Statehouse
A small band of protesters put red paint handprints on the western wall and pillars of the Statehouse building late Thursday, triggering social media criticism from House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. One of the protestors said the red paint was supposed to be symbolic of how minorities have been victims of police brutality and that the paint was acryllic and washable and the intent was to make a statement -- not to deface, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
DeWine Talks Police Reform, Managing COVID-19 As State Reopens
In an appearance on PBS NewsHour Thursday evening, Gov. Mike DeWine commented on police reform proposals, saying reforms have been tried before, but "this is the opportunity. This is the time. If we cannot get these things done now, I don''t know when will ever get them done." He also said reopening the economy even as the state sees sharp increases in COVID-19 cases in some regions is about managing a balance and the economy will only move forward if people feel safe.
State to Start Ending Unemployment for Those Who Don''t Meet COVID-19 Exceptions
New guidance signed by DeWine earlier this week details what is considered a "good cause" to remain on unemployment even if an employer asks a person to return to the office. Benefits could continue if someone is 65 years or older, has proof he or she is at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and can''t work from home, and several other reasons. Not among the exceptions -- a lack of child care, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Trump Says Cleveland to See Surge in Federal Agents to Combat Crime
President Donald Trump said Cleveland is among the cities that will see a surge of federal law enforcement agents in the coming weeks in an aim to "restore safety and peace in U.S. cities" as part of "Operation LeGend," meant to address high crime communities. Cleveland.com reported local officials contacted Wednesday said they were not aware of the anticipated surge.
DeWine''s Top Lobbyist Once Led Dark Money Group Accused of Wiring Contributions in Bribery Scheme
Gov. Mike DeWine''s legislative director, Dan McCarthy, was previously president of the 501(c)(4) Partners for Progress Inc. which was accused of funneling money from FirstEnergy Corp. to Speaker Larry Householder''s (R-Glenford) efforts to gain control of the House, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer investigation.
Article Examines Role of ''Dark Money'' in Passage of HB6
An article based on the work of a collaboration of investigative reporters and published earlier this year on the Energy News Network examines the passage of HB6, the nuclear plant subsidy legislation at the heart of the federal case against Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford). It looks at the many players and provides a schematic of their interconnections written before the revelations of this week.
Greenspan Identified as Unnamed Representative Who Spoke with FBI about HB6
Newly released public records show Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake) is the unnamed Ohio lawmaker reported to have met with agents in the FBI''s public-corruption unit while he was being pressured by former Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) to vote for the energy bailout bill HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), Cleveland.com reports.
Before Limiting Ballot Drop Boxes, Top Election Official Consulted Advocate of Debunked Voting Fraud Fears
After Black union workers petitioned for multiple secure ballot drop boxes, the deputy to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Grant Shaffer, contacted the Heritage Foundation''s Hans von Spakovsky, a leading advocate for the discredited argument that American elections are tainted by widespread voting fraud, ProPublica reports.
Cleveland Moves to Avoid Costs of Presidential Debate
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson signed legislation to allow the city to provide security and essential services for the first presidential debate, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m., but also to collect reimbursement for its costs from the organizers of the debate. Cleveland.com reports the cost for the debate is likely to run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Federal Judge Orders Ohio to Accept Electronic Signatures for Ballot Initiatives
A federal judge has ruled Ohio must allow groups proposing local marijuana initiatives and minimum wage and voting rights measures to collect signatures electronically because of the pandemic. Officials also must extend the deadline to file signatures for the two statewide measures from July 1 to July 31, per the judge''s order. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose plans to appeal the ruling, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Models Show COVID-19 Cases Likely to Rise as State Reopens
Even if Ohio maintains strict social-distancing measures, there could be a 200 to 350 percent increase in person-to-person moving contact as the state reopens, according to projections from MetroHealth. The increase in person-to-person contact will likely result in an increase in coronavirus infections. Public health experts say the trick is to keep that increase manageable, Cleveland.com reports.
Ohio Prisons Again Accepting Inmates as COVID-19 Death Toll Continues to Rise
After freezing the admission of male inmates in April, Ohio''s prisons have begun accepting new inmates again, even as prison deaths from coronavirus continue to rise. Cleveland.com reports the decision was needed because courts around Ohio are reopening and again sentencing people to prison time. But some civil liberties groups are criticizing the decision, saying it will inevitably result in more people dying from the virus.
Lawmakers Threaten Subpoena to Get Answers on Medicaid Spending Report
Sen. Dave Burke (R-Marysville), Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee chairman, said he will seek to subpoena officials if needed for access to undisclosed data from an analysis of the Medicaid program, the Columbus Dispatch reports. "I don''t know what else to do at this point other than have a [hearing] on the issue and potentially solicit the Senate president and speaker of the House for my authority as JMOC chairman to issue a subpoena," he said.
With Time Extension Stalled, Census Speeds Up Count Schedule
The U.S. Census Bureau has sped up the timetable for crunching 2020 Census numbers after a request for an extension stalled in the Senate, the Associated Press reports. Census experts and civil rights activists worry the sped-up deadline could affect the thoroughness of the count, which determines how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is distributed and how many congressional districts each state gets.
New Electoral Map Ratings Show Biden over 270, Ohio One of Few Toss-Up States
In the race to 270 electoral votes, a new analysis by NPR shows former Vice President Joe Biden ahead of President Donald Trump 297 to 170. Additionally, the analysis classifies Ohio as one of five toss-up states.
Signs Show Ohio May Be in Play for November Election
Two recent polls showed the presidential race in Ohio to be in a statistical tie -- a tantalizing opportunity for former Vice President Joe Biden, the New York Times reports. Turnout in the Ohio primary elections was higher for Democrats than Republicans, evidence of enthusiasm in the Democratic base. And the Trump campaign recently booked $18.4 million in fall TV ads in Ohio, more than in any state besides Florida -- a sign that Trump is on the defensive in a state that once seemed locked down for Republicans.
DNC Chair Thought Ohio Democrats Would Return Their PPP Loan
The chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) praised Florida''s Democratic Party for returning a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan it accepted and told reporters he thought the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) planned to return its $333,867 loan. However, ODP spokeswoman Kirstin Alvanitakis said the party had not changed its mind about returning the money, Cleveland.com reports.
Anti-Trump Republican Groups Targeting Ohio with New Ads
The Lincoln Project super-PAC is aligning with Republican Voters Against Trump in an effort dubbed "Operation Grant." The effort will kick off with an ad attacking President Donald Trump''s response to COVID-19 which will air Friday through Monday in Columbus, Cleveland, Akron and Canton. Lincoln Project co-founder and former political adviser to Gov. John Kasich, John Weaver said the groups have 20,000 volunteers in Ohio and are planning a town hall meeting next week, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Ohio National Guard to Help Nursing Homes with Coronavirus Testing
State leaders say the Ohio National Guard will be helping with COVID-19 test collection and temporary staffing at long-term care facilities. Early data indicates 70 percent of Ohioans who have died from COVID-19 were nursing home and assisted living residents. The Ohio National Guard has already provided medical support to a few nursing homes throughout the state. The details of how this will be paid for was still not clear as of Thursday afternoon, the Dayton Daily News reports.
Most Householder-Backed Candidates Win in Republican Primary Elections
Four of the five Ohio House candidates in Republican primaries backed by the Growth and Opportunity PAC, which helped House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) win his primary in 2018, won their elections. The political action committee spent nearly $800,000 to help Householder win in 2018 and dropped another $1 million on the five primary races in Ohio in 2020, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Elkton Prison Looks to U.S. Supreme Court to Delay Inmate Releases
Federal prison officials are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to delay a judge''s order to begin the process of releasing medically-vulnerable inmates from the Elkton Federal Correctional Institution, the Canton Repository reports. Earlier this week, a U.S. District Court judge ordered prison officials to begin steps to release the about 837 eligible inmates -- those at risk due to COVID-19 -- into home confinement or another prison.
Ohio''s Republican Statewide Officeholders Scarce at RNC
While the Republican National Convention (RNC) has drawn appearances from GOP governors and U.S. senators from other states, Ohio''s statewide officeholders, despite all being Republicans, have been scarce at the RNC and even at events around Ohio, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted recorded videos to be played at convention watch parties, but they do not plan to attend, while U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) is not even holding a media call this week.
House Democrats to Return Campaign Cash after Corruption Case
At least six Ohio House Democrats have announced plans to return political donations from FirstEnergy -- commonly accepted to be "Company A" in the federal indictment -- after it secretly sent money to former House Speaker Larry Householder and four associates in a bribery scheme, the Associated Press reports. Senate Democrats who received money from FirstEnergy have not yet commented on whether they will return the funds.
After Illness, Maharath Seeks to Criminalize Knowingly Spreading COVID
After she and several of her family members contracted COVID-19, Sen. Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) said she plans to introduce a bill to criminalize knowingly spreading COVID-19 to others, including coughing in someone''s face or going to a party while infected with the disease, WBNS reports.
A special committee charged with considering plans to repeal and replace HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), the controversial energy law at the center of an alleged $60 million bribery scandal, has suspended its meetings until further notice. Gov. Mike DeWine said he now hopes the "tainted" bill is repealed after the Nov. 3 election, the Dayton Daily News reports.
Statehouse Lobbyist Writing ''Tell-All'' Book Featuring HB6 Scandal
Neil Clark, a fixture at the Ohio Statehouse since 1980, recently told a reporter from the Columbus Dispatch he is finishing a "tell-all" book on several Statehouse scandals, including HB6. “It’s everything I participated in from the time I walked in the Senate. … It tells everything. There is not a stone that goes unturned. There is not a (significant) Republican member that goes untouched,” Clark said.
Former Homeland Security Administrator Calls Ohio ‘Epicenter’ for Home Grown Terrorism
Home grown terrorism groups like the one charged with plotting to kidnapMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are in Ohio and their prevalence is growing, according to former chief of staff with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Miles Taylor, the Statehouse News Bureau reports. “Ohio is definitely at the epicenter of this. It’s important the administration focus on the problem …," Taylor said recently.
Ohio Lawmakers Had Long ''To-Do'' List - Then Vouchers Came Along
At the beginning of 2020, Ohio lawmakers hoped to address Ohio gun laws, lower certain drug possession felonies to misdemeanors, legalize sports betting, revamp school funding and pass a capital budget. That was before solving an impending voucher explosion landed on their laps, the Columbus Dispatch reports, complicating priorities even more.
In analyzing the Super Tuesday primary results, the Toledo Blade reports Democratic candidates Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg invested heavily in Ohio and Michigan before taking big losses on Tuesday. Bloomberg ended his campaign for president Wednesday, and Warren did not hold any events as she evaluates her next move.
While Democrats made big gains in state legislative races among Ohio suburbs and continue to look at those areas as their key to defeating President Donald Trump, Republicans tell the Columbus Dispatch that they will continue to campaign door-to-door to win suburban voters, even if some Republican candidates may have to separate themselves from Trump first.
DeWine Appoints Working Groups to Advise on Reopening of Certain Industries
Gov. Mike DeWine has created at least 11 working groups to advise the him about how to reopen certain industries including restaurants, hair salons, libraries, travel and tourism, outdoor recreation, amateur sports, professional sports, gyms, theater and arts, child care, and adult day cares. The groups will consist of business people and experts from the industry. DeWine said some groups will act "fairly quickly" and noted the restaurant group already met on Friday, Cleveland.com reports.
Demonstrators Protest COVID-19 Restrictions Outside Acton''s Homes
On Saturday, a group of about 25 protestors gathered outside the home of Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton to air their grievances with the state''s stay-at-home order and other restrictions put in place due to the pandemic. Cleveland.com reports that protestors remained on the sidewalk outside Acton''s home and did not step on her lawn. While some held signs, the group did not shout. For the past couple weeks, groups have been protesting outside the Statehouse, some carrying rifles. The protests have been peppered with signs professing support for President Donald Trump, the anti-vaccination movement, and a "conspiratorial, prejudiced distrust" of Jewish people. Acton is Jewish.
Medical Workers Gather at Statehouse in Support of Acton
On Sunday, about 35 doctors and other medical workers wearing masks and white coats stood quietly outside the Statehouse to show their support for Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton. The demonstration was organized by Physicians Action Network. Individuals stood six feet apart and passed around hand sanitizer as well as held signs praising Acton. The demonstration comes as Acton faces growing criticism and attention from protestors unhappy with the state''s COVID-19 restrictions, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
DeWine, Once Hailed for Virus Action, Faces New Pressure
Gov. Mike DeWine, whose early actions to combat the coronavirus pandemic drew widespread praise, has since backtracked away from a statewide mask mandate, delivered mixed messages on large gatherings, faced a mutiny within his party over business closures and juggled listening to both health experts and those who doubt them. Now as the virus is surging again in Ohio, DeWine is encountering criticism from all sides: those who think that his edicts have gone too far and those who believe he''s backed down from protecting the public, the Associated Press reports.
Congressman Steve Chabot Won''t Attend Republican Convention
U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Cincinnati) won''t be attending the Republican National Convention next month in Jacksonville because "he''s hyper-focused on delivering positive results for Ohio families and the small businesses that employ them," Chabot''s campaign spokesperson said. Chabot -- who is not a voting delegate but is an honorary chair for President Donald Trump''s Ohio reelection campaign --attended both the 2016 Republican convention in Cleveland and the one in 2012, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ohio''s Liquor Laws Shaped by Prohibition, Great Depression
Attorney General Dave Yost''s crackdown on out-of-state liquor and wine sellers has cast a light on Ohio''s stringent regulation of alcohol sales, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Laws regulating the sale of spirits in the state are the legacy of Prohibition, which ended in 1933, and the Great Depression, when tax revenue was down and Ohio decided to use the alcohol business as a way to raise money for the state.
Former ODH Director Amy Acton Gives First Major Interview Since Leaving Post
Former Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Amy Acton broke her silence for the first time since leaving the post in June. In an interview with The New Yorker, she discusses the state''s early response to COVID-19, the politics of the pandemic, and the need for dignity and humanity in a moment of deep division.
Voters Experience Delays at Polls As Franklin County Switches to Paper Pollbooks
The Franklin County Board of Elections shifted to paper pollbooks this morning, which could make the voting process slower in Ohio''s largest county. The county normally uses electronic pollbooks, which allow poll workers to quickly check in voters at their precinct, but due to technical problems poll workers will now have to manually search through paper records to check identification as voters present it, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Top 10 Ohio Legislative Races to Watch on Election Night
The major fights for Ohio legislative seats are taking place in the suburbs this year, and while Republicans are all but certain to maintain control in the House and Senate, Democrats have a shot at netting enough seats to break the GOP supermajority that allows them to override gubernatorial vetoes and put measures on the statewide ballot without Democratic votes. Cleveland.com reports on the 10 races to watch this election night.
Weekly Unemployment Claims Set Record for Second Time in Row
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Thursday that initial unemployment claims for the week ending Saturday, March 28 reached 272,117, the second weekly record in a row. Claims for the past two weeks totaling more than 468,000 compare to 364,000 filed in all of 2019. Read more in Thursday''s Hannah Report.
Study Shows Ohio''s Emergency Preparedness Funding Lags behind Other States
An analysis by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio shows that health departments in the state receive less funding for emergency preparedness than nearly every other state and Washington, D.C. Only three states -- Arizona, Nevada, and Missouri -- spend less on public health per resident than Ohio, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Hobby Lobby Closes Again after Yost Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter
Hobby Lobby has once again closed its Ohio stores after reopening them Monday. The craft store was sent a cease-and-desist letter by Attorney General Dave Yost who also reacted to the issue via Twitter on Wednesday. Yost questioned why Hobby Lobby would open stores when neither the stay-at-home order nor the health crisis had changed, Cleveland.com reports.
Convicted Coin Dealer Tom Noe May See Release amid COVID-19
Tom Noe, the former Toledo-area coin dealer convicted of stealing $50 million from the Ohio Bureau of Workers'' Compensation, may see release as the governor attempts to reduce crowding in state prisons. Noe is one of 26 nonviolent inmates over the age of 60 with a clean record and a chronic health condition, The Blade reports. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/Coronavirus/2020/04/07/former-toledo-coin-dealer-tom-noe-on-list-to-be-released-from-prison/stories/20200407094
Ohio Hospital Releases Guidelines to Allocate Limited Medical Supplies
As the growing pandemic places more strains on already limited medical supplies, the Ohio Hospital Association released a 54-page document this week with suggestions on how hospitals can implement a Resource Planning and Allocation Team (RTAP), which would include a triage committee -- a group to determine who should receive resources when they are not available for every patient, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
After experiencing multiple layoffs, staff at The Plain Dealer faced news that the paper will end its coverage of stories in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and Summit County and anything that might be deemed a "statewide" issue, Cleveland Scene reports. Those content areas will now fall under the editorial jurisdiction of Cleveland.com, The Plan Dealer''s non-union sister newsroom.
Cleveland Hospitals to Begin Testing Patients for COVID-19
Once their tests are validated, the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals will be able to start testing patients for the coronavirus in-house, which could significantly reduce the time it takes to obtain results, the Plain Dealer reports.
Universities Starting to Discuss Financial Effects of Coronavirus
While most Ohio institutions of higher education haven''t addressed whether they will refund student charges related to room and board, tuition and other fees, "All of these issues are part of the discussion that''s happening on university campuses," Inter-University Council of Ohio President Bruce Johnson told the Columbus Dispatch as part of the newspaper''s story on how colleges and universities are moving forward after suspending in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
''MeToo Jordan Knew'' Latest Stunt in Wild Senate Primary
Melissa Ackison, the Marysville businesswoman taking on Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) in the Republican primary for the open Ohio 26th Senate District seat, was recently kicked out of a Marion County GOP event where U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) was the featured speaker because she brought former Ohio State wrestlers who say Jordan knew about sexual abuse by Richard Strauss but did nothing, Cleveland.com reports. The incident was the latest dramatic storyline in "one of the most memorable state-level elections in recent years," according to the website.
Federal Lawsuit Seeks to Allow Summer Music Festivals
A federal lawsuit was filed Thursday against former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and two local health departments to allow two music festivals in Ohio to go on as planned in August, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Under Increased Scrutiny, Public Health Officials Resigning, Pushed Out
As the nation has fought the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials who usually work behind the scenes have found themselves front and center, according to the Associated Press. As the pressure and scrutiny rise, many more have chosen to leave or been pushed out of their jobs.
Acton to Appear with Sesame Street Characters in Town Hall
Former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton will appear with characters from "Sesame Street" to educate children and parents about coronavirus safety during a CNN town hall on Saturday, Cleveland.com reports.
Ohio''s Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose told the New York Times that there were no serious irregularities in this year''s presidential election in an article where the Times sought comment from top state elections officials across the nation on whether they know of fraud in their state''s elections. LaRose said there may be "tens or dozens" of people who voted improperly, but he has not uncovered evidence of systemic voter fraud.
FBI Agents Posed as Hotel Developers to Hook Bribery Suspects
Details have emerged on how suspects in two apparently unconnected bribery cases were caught by FBI agents who were posing as hotel developers for Monarch Development Inc., according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Pastor, arrested Tuesday, and lobbyist Neil Clark, a key player in the $60 million FirstEnergy bribery scandal, both interacted with the undercover agents.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has complicated annual plans to honor veterans, especially older veterans, the Dayton Daily News reports. One event in Fairborn, OH honoring the town''s oldest veteran, 101-year old Herman Holt, with a 21-gun salute will go on, but not without special considerations for Holt''s health, including social distancing measures.
Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent Hasn''t Been to Statehouse in More Than One year
Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D-Columbus) hasn''t attended committee meetings, voted on legislation or set foot in her Riffe Center office since she alleged two members of the House Democrats'' staff blocked her from entering a room in May 2019. Kent says she has spent the past 14 months working from home on issues affecting her constituents, but other members of her party are wondering what the lawmaker has been doing to earn the more than $70,000 that Ohio has paid her during those months, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
DeWine''s First Veto May Be Bill Limiting Power of Public Health Orders
Gov. Mike DeWine says he''ll veto a bill passed last month that hits at the power and reach of public health orders issued during the pandemic. SB55 (Gavarone) started out as a measure to increase penalties for drug trafficking near rehab facilities, but lawmakers tacked on a provision reducing fines and prohibiting jail and criminal convictions for violating state or local health departments'' orders. This bill is just one of the proposals aimed at countering DeWine''s COVID-19 response and orders, the Statehouse News Bureau reports.
A federal Paycheck Protection Program loan accepted by the Ohio Democratic Party for $333,867 is drawing criticism from Republicans who argue a partisan political organization shouldn''t receive tax dollars intended to help small businesses. Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken said it was hypocritical for ODP to take the loan while questioning if the loans were reaching small businesses. She said they should fully repay the loan. Meanwhile, ODP says it followed proper procedures in getting the loan and was transparent about it, Cleveland.com reports.
Local Boards of Elections Voice Concerns on Mail-in Ballot Deadline
Ohioans legally have until Oct. 31 to request an absentee ballot, but local boards of elections have told the Dayton Daily News that might be too late for a ballot to be mailed, returned and counted. Jan Kelly, director of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, recommended voters submit their ballot requests by Oct. 27, and said, "If people request their ballot on the current deadline, they''re not going to be able to get their ballot and vote."
Sen. Kristina Roegner''s (R-Hudson) SB352 would reverse a tax change made in coronavirus omnibus HB197 (Powell-Merrin) to specify that individuals who are now working from home, but previously commuted to a city office, would pay taxes in the municipality where they live rather than in the city where they previously worked. "The intention is to make sure that the tax revenue goes to the municipalities that are providing the services to the people," Roegner told Cleveland.com.
Differences Emerge in City, Rural Back-to-School Plans
Many schools in or near Ohio''s big cities will start the 2020-21 school year with either all-online or blended learning, while most rural schools plan to return to the classroom five days a week, according to data from the governor''s office, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
DeWine Would Veto Legislation Limiting Health Director''s Power
Gov. Mike DeWine''s office said the governor will veto legislation limiting the authority of the Ohio Department of Health Director (ODH) Amy Acton. The Republican-led bill, SB1 (McColley-Roegner), which would limit any stay-at-home order issued by ODH to 14 days, passed the House Wednesday. DeWine criticized the move in a statement, saying "creating more uncertainty" is the "last thing" the state needs now, WBNS-10TV reported.
Child Care Centers Face Uncertain Future As State Reopens
As Ohio begins to reopen its economy, child care centers face the difficult task of following safety precautions and providing education to young children, all while staying financially viable. Jorge Perez, president and CEO or the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, said child care is costing organizations two to three times more than normal. And some changes, such as mask-wearing, can inhibit a toddler''s sight of caregivers'' facial expressions, which defies best practices for social development. Additionally, a recent survey shows many centers that closed due to COVID-19 are questioning whether they can reopen at all, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gov. Mike DeWine''s office has not released reports of recommendations by the 11 working groups he formed to advise on the reopening of different industries. Cleveland.com reports requesting the records Tuesday, shortly after DeWine said they would be available "within the next day." Ohio''s public records laws require that any public record be "promptly prepared and made available" upon request. On Monday, DeWine said the groups were near completing their work, and experts say the reports are being created for a public purpose.
Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Runs Deep among Ohio Lawmakers
Several state legislators have expressed anti-vaccine attitudes and the trend seems to be increasing. Both Rep. Scott Lipps (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Health Committee, and Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Butler (R-Dayton) have met with Health Freedom Ohio, a prominent anti-vaccine political group, and expressed a desire to move the group''s work forward, Ohio Capital Journal Reports.
Kasich''s Biden Endorsement Doesn''t Mean Ohio Will Go Blue
Former Republican governor of Ohio John Kasich spoke at the Democratic National Convention, urging people to vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, but strategists say Kasich''s endorsement doesn''t mean Ohio will. Ohio is no longer a swing state but one expected to vote for Republicans in presidential contests, although the race has tightened according to recent polls, the Washington Post reports.
Coingate Figure Noe Gets License to Marry Former Prison Guard
Tom Noe, the Coingate figure recently released from prison due to the spread of the coronavirus, is preparing to wed a former guard who worked at the southern Ohio state prison where he was once incarcerated, The Blade reports.
FirstEnergy Filing Alleges Potential Financial Harm from Householder Investigation
FirstEnergy Corp. has revised its second quarter earnings report to account for the potential of financial losses due to the federal bribery and racketeering investigation brought against former Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and several others, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Ohio Republicans Rail Against ''Universal'' Mail-in Voting But That''s Not Ohio''s System
Ohio Republicans, including Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville), are criticizing Democrats for promoting universal vote-by-mail as they it is a system ripe for voter fraud. However, The Blade points out Ohio isn''t among the states with universal mail voting, in which registered voters don''t need to request a ballot to receive one in the mail.
Democrats Eyeing Statewide Runs in 2022 Look for New Ways to Network amid Virtual Convention
Without an in-person Democratic National Convention (DNC) this year, Democrats eyeing a statewide run have few of the same networking opportunities as in past years. Local officeholders rumored to be considering 2022 runs including Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley have had to move to virtual luncheons, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
With a month left for lawmakers to send bills to Gov. Mike DeWine''s desk, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports bills limiting the governor''s power (which he has promised to veto), repealing HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), expanding "stand your ground" laws, as well as dealing with the capital budget and school funding, among other issues, are all expected to be debated through the lame duck session.
After Contracting COVID, Ohio Prisons Director Strives to Protect Inmates, Staff
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith tested positive for COVID-19 in July, but the surge in cases now has her concerned about a likely uptick in virus cases in Ohio''s prison. The director said cases in prisons usually trail those in the community, though the department is taking measures to prevent spread like testing wastewater samples for signs of the virus before infections are otherwise evident, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Possible 2022 Challengers to DeWine Already Shaping Up
Potential Republican challengers to Gov. Mike DeWine in 2022 are already shaping up with political insiders noting former Congressman Jim Renacci of Wadsworth as a potential candidate to face off against DeWine in the Republican primary. The Columbus Dispatch reports Reps. Warren Davidson (R-Troy) and Jim Jordan (R-Mansfield), both of whom have been extremely critical of DeWine, may also be potential challengers.
Ohio Mental Health Director Tests Positive for COVID-19
Lori Criss, director of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has tested positive for COVID-19, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Criss has been featured at several of Gov. Mike DeWine''s coronavirus news briefings to urge Ohioans to look after their mental and emotional health during the pandemic. DeWine has not had recent contact with Criss or her staff, a spokesman said.
Licking County GOP: Trump Should Concede; No Widespread Voter Fraud
Few GOP officials have publicly acknowledged Democrat Joe Biden''s presidential win, but local Republican officials in Licking County, such as Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) and Rep. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark), say it''s time for President Trump to concede and that there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the election, the Newark Advocate reports.
President Trump won Ohio by over eight points for the second time this year, but Democrats are still hopeful they can unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman in 2022. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Warren) are among the names being floated to challenge Portman, who won his seat by large margins in 2010 and 2016. However, some experts wonder if Republican turnout will fall without Trump on the ballot, Spectrum 1 News reports.
Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Pastor, Associate Arrested on Federal Bribery Charge
FBI agents have arrested Republican Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Pastor on federal bribery charges related to the potential development of the former Convention Place Mall in downtown Cincinnati as well as tangential ties to the charges against former Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and lobbyist Neil Clark, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Where Ohio''s GOP Leaders Stand on Election Outcome
Some, but not all, Ohio Republican officials have appeared to distance themselves from President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that the election was stolen from him, the Ohio Capital Journal reports. Gov. Mike DeWine has congratulated now President-Elect Joe Biden and Secretary of State Frank LaRose has affirmed Biden''s win, but others, like U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, remain unclear on their stance.
Ohio Congressional Map to Be Redrawn after Decade of Gerrymandering
Ohio''s congressional map is set to be redrawn following the 2020 U.S. Census results. Much attention is expected to be paid to the redistricting process as the effort comes after a federal court ruled in 2019 that the now-retired map was drawn “to disadvantage Democratic voters and entrench Republican representatives in power,” the Ohio Capital Journal reports.
Reineke Campaign Misquotes Blade Article on Primary Challenger
A mailer paid for by Friends of Bill Reineke targeting Melissa Ackison, the representative''s primary opponent in his 2020 Senate race, quoted the Toledo Blade as writing that "Ackison defies Trump, lies to Ohio voters," but the Blade article does not contain those words. The campaign has agreed to stop using the mailer, according to the paper.
Casinos Build ''Outdoor'' Patios to Allow for Smoking While Gambling
Ohio casinos are building "outdoor" patios enclosed by screens and equipped with heating lamps and exhaust fans to allow customers to smoke while gambling, according to the Dayton Daily News. Health advocates have voiced concerns, but Dayton Raceway general manager Dan Kennedy told the paper, "You''re right, there is smoke out here. The state law is on indoor smoking. This is an outdoor patio."
Wrongful Convictions Sent 83 to Prison over Past 30 Years
A total of 83 Ohioans have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned over the past 30 years, representing a cumulative loss of 888 years of their lives for an average of 10.6 years each, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O''Connor has announced she will establish a Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Postconviction Review in an effort to end wrongful convictions.
Some House Democrats to Miss Part of Lame-Duck Session over COVID Concerns
House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and two other Democratic representatives plan to miss this week''s lame-duck session due to possible exposure to COVID-19, Cleveland.com reports. House Democratic spokeswoman Amber Epling also suspects other Democrats will stay home for the entire lame-duck session because of concerns that their Republican colleagues refuse to wear masks or follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
Ex-Ohio GOP Leader Matt Borges Rebuts Bribery Charges
Former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges spoke with the Cincinnati Enquirer to say he never bribed anyone or broke the law, and his role in the nuclear bailout scandal has been dramatically overstated. Borges and four others were arrested July 21 and later indicted on racketeering charges in connection with an alleged conspiracy to pass a law to subsidize nuclear plants in northern Ohio.
DeWine Considering New COVID Curfew on Many Ohio Businesses
Gov. Mike DeWine was exploring a 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew on many businesses in a bid to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. DeWine has been discussing the move with Ohio business groups, but has received pushback on late-night closings, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks told the Columbus Dispatch. DeWine''s office would not comment ahead of his 2 p.m. briefing Tuesday.
Cincinnati Enquirer Fact Checks Ohio Shoutouts in First Presidential Debate
From Big Ten football to the auto industry, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden argued over several issues central to Ohio in the first presidential debate held in Cleveland on Tuesday. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports on the legitimacy of both candidates'' claims.
Appeals Court Reverses Decision on Emailed Absentee Ballot Applications
The 10th District Court of Appeals Tuesday reversed a Franklin County judge''s order that required Ohio boards of elections to accept absentee ballot requests by email and fax, though the judges said Secretary of State Frank LaRose would have the power under state law to do so if he chose at a later date. Read more in Wednesday''s Hannah Report.
Poll Worker Numbers Surge, But Worries Remain
While most counties in Ohio have met minimum staffing goals for the election despite the pandemic, most have not met the higher staffing standard put in place by Secretary of State Frank LaRose to guarantee there will be enough workers in the event some precinct officials fail to show up on Nov. 3. Election officials are now striving to find and train 55,000 workers -- or 18,000 more than usual, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ohio Dairy Farmers Dumping Milk as Stores Set Purchase Limits
As some stores have set purchase limits on the amount of milk consumers could buy after increases in stockpiling occurred at the beginning of the pandemic, Cincinnati Business Courier reports some farmers have begun dumping milk because their supply is becoming too large for processors to handle.
Ohio Cities'' Reliance on Income Taxes May Have Disastrous Economic Outcomes
Four of the five most income-tax dependent large cities nationally are in Ohio, with Columbus topping the list as having the highest percentage of its revenue derived from income taxes of 139 cities. As Ohio cities are overwhelmingly dependent on municipal income taxes to fund their operations, they may be particularly vulnerable to the financial consequences of the coronavirus, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
As the economic impact of Ohio''s COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt in increased unemployment and reduced business activity, the state''s many safety net programs are also seeing the strain. The Columbus Dispatch reports on the effects of the virus on Ohio''s foodbank programs, Medicaid systems and unemployment assistance programs.
Feds Block States from Using Medicaid to Address Coronavirus
The Trump Administration has not allowed states additional flexibility in spending Medicaid funds to address the coronavirus crisis, the LA Times reports. Past administrations Republican and Democrat have loosened Medicaid rules to address emergencies, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the H1N1 flu outbreak and Hurricane Katrina.
CDC to Award $15.6M to State for Coronavirus Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will grant $15,620,977 to Ohio to support the state''s coronavirus response efforts, the Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian reports. The funds can be used broadly, and may be directed toward "preparedness and response," as well as developing tools and strategies, providing technical assistance and program support, and ensuring ongoing communication among public health agencies and partners.
Elections Boards Scramble to Find Poll Workers amid Crisis
With Ohio''s presidential primary election set for March 17, state boards of elections are scrambling to find workers who will brave the polls amid the coronavirus crisis, the
Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Many planned poll workers have cancelled, with Hamilton County Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland saying she is looking for "younger" poll workers to fill vacancies.
First Data on COVID in Schools to Be Released Next Week
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) said the first state data on COVID-19 cases in schools will be released Thursday, Sept. 17, the Dayton Daily News reports. The announcement comes after an order from ODH Interim Director Lance Himes that states the department "shall publish aggregate weekly and cumulative case data by school ... or school district, including a breakdown by students and staff, every Thursday."
Yost Files Brief Supporting Armed School Employees in Supreme Court Case
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost supported a Butler County school district''s policy to allow non-security school employees to carry firearms on school grounds, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio after parents sued to prevent the school from implementing such a policy.
Cleveland.com Launches Reporting Series on Election Processes, Security
Cleveland.com has launched a new reporting series called "Election Truth" aiming to assure voters of the security of the upcoming November election amid the coronavirus pandemic and claims of election fraud. The series will feature interviews with local elections officials and step-by-step voter guides.
Columbus, Cincinnati Sue to Block Nuclear Bailout Fees
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein filed a lawsuit alleging a fee on Ohioans'' monthly residential electric bills to subsidize two northern Ohio nuclear plants is an "unconstitutional tax" because it''s based on a fraud. Without legal or legislative action, the 85-cent fee will hit Ohioans'' electric bills on Jan. 1, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Republican Lawmakers Who Declared Victory over Virus in June Now Seeing Spikes in Their Districts
In June, 19 Republican lawmakers joined together in a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine to claim victory over COVID-19 and maintaining original projections overestimated the toll of the virus. Now, of the 30 counties represented by letter signers, 12 are labeled as having "very high exposure and spread" on the Ohio Department of Health’s coronavirus advisory system. The other 18 also have "increased exposure and spread,” the Ohio CapitalJournal reports.
Bloomberg Funds Last-Minute Advertising for Biden in Ohio, Texas
Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is funding about $15 million of television advertising in Ohio and Texas in an effort to bolster Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the final days of campaigning. The New York Times reports Bloomberg''s private polling found President Donald Trump vulnerable in two of the country’s largest red states.
BWC Approves $1.6 Billion in Payments to Employers in Emergency Meeting
Ohio Bureau of Workers'' Compensation (BWC) directors approved Gov. Mike DeWine''s $1.6 billion proposed dividend payment to employers in an emergency meeting Friday morning to soften the economic damage of COVID-19. Following a hastily assembled Audit Committee vote and rule change, Chairman Chan Cochran acknowledged the board''s fiduciary duty to perform risk assessments. "I don''t think any of us envisioned a risk as great as the one before us now," Cochran said during the teleconference. Read more in Friday''s Hannah Report.
Early Intervention Pays Off in Ohio
Though some said Gov. Mike DeWine''s early actions to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Ohio were extreme, those decisions are now paying dividends as the state has fewer than a third the number of people with the coronavirus than in three comparably sized states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois. And Ohio has just a small fraction of the deaths reported in those states, the Washington Post reports.
Ohio''s Amish Community Makes Medical Gear in Fight against COVID-19
As the coronavirus spreads not only in cities but in rural communities, Ohio''s traditionally isolated Amish community has become increasingly involved in the fight against the disease. The New York Times reports that when the Cleveland Clinic needed thousands of face masks and protective gear, the Amish community of Central Ohio mobilized to meet that need.
DeWine Unsure State Can Match Federal Unemployment Funds under Trump Plan
After President Trump signed an executive memo extending a $400 per week bonus to unemployment benefits with states covering 25 percent of that cost, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told CNN''s Dana Bash he was unsure the state could afford to cover the $100 per week under Trump''s plan, citing other costs related to the coronavirus such as expanding testing, according to the Dayton Daily News.
COVID Cases in Prisons Still Higher than General Public
Ohio prisoners are still more likely to contract COVID-19 and die from the disease, with prisoners presenting a 9 percent rate of infection compared to a 1 percent rate of infection among the general public, the Columbus Dispatch reports. In addition, prisoners comprise 2.5 percent of all of Ohio''s COVID deaths, despite making up only 0.5 percent of the state''s population.
Property Damages from Protests Amount to More than $1.2 Million
Property damage to businesses, nonprofits and a state office total more than $1.2 million following vandalism in late May amid protests around Capitol Square and the Short North in Columbus following the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd at the hands of police, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The Ohio attorney general''s office reported the most damage, at $360,000, while a total of 115 entities reported damages over four days.
FBI Arrest Former Senate Candidate on Corruption Charges
Former Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful and current Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld was arrested by the FBI early Thursday morning on federal charges of accepting bribes in exchange for his vote on development deals, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Sittenfeld ran for the nomination against former Gov. Ted Strickland in 2016.
DeWine Promises Veto of Bill Restricting His Authority
Gov. Mike DeWine will veto HB621 (Cross-Wilkin), which allows businesses to remain open despite a health order if they meet certain safety precautions, if it reaches his desk, the Toledo Blade reports. The bill passed the House on Wednesday.
Gov. Mike DeWine traveled the state Wednesday, urging residents to downsize their Thanksgiving plans and avoid gatherings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. He told folks the "state is on fire" from the virus as he anticipated the start of his curfew Thursday night, Cleveland.com reported.
Trump Says As Soon As Election Day Ends, ''We''re Going In with Our Lawyers''
Speaking on Sunday in one tightly contested battleground, President Donald Trump made it clear that he is planning to quickly push the presidential contest into the courts, the Washington Post reports. “We’re going to go in the night of, as soon as that election is over, we’re going in with our lawyers,” Trump told reporters in Charlotte, NC.
Long Wait Times As Thousands Cast Ballots at Close of Weekend Early Voting
At least 2.8 million Ohioans already have voted early and thousands more cast ballots Sunday in the final day of weekend early voting -- some standing in line for hours. The Statehouse News Bureau talked with some of those voters in line at the Franklin County Board of Elections about the election and why they''re willing to wait in line for hours to cast their ballot.
Here''s Which Counties Could Indicate How Ohio Will Swing on Election Night
While final results might not be clear until late-arriving absentee ballots or provisional ballots are counted two weeks after Election Day, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that results in some key counties could be a good indication how Ohio will swing. Political scientists say Democrat Joe Biden needs to cut Trump''s margins in eastern Ohio and get upwards of 65 percent of the vote in urban counties to win.
Vote-by-Mail System Garners Low Participation as Deadline Approaches
With the deadline to vote in Ohio''s primary election less than a week away, the Columbus Dispatch reports three out of every four registered voters have not even asked for a primary election ballot. With a new vote-by-mail system underway in the middle of a pandemic and a presidential primary that has already been decided, it is unclear how much interest voters have in the election. Data does show that Democrats continue to dominate the early voting turnout in Franklin County -- Republicans have gained about 40 percent more voters, but Democrats have more than doubled, increasing about 102 percent.
Preliminary data for March released by the Ohio Highway Patrol show that there were half as many accidents during the second half of the month, with fatalities also dropping. During the first 15 days of the month, there were 8,108 accidents, 38 of which involved fatalities, in Ohio. But during the final 16 days of the month -- when coronavirus restrictions came into effect -- there were 4,033 accidents, 25 of which involved fatalities, Cleveland.com reports.
Technical Issues Arise for Ohio Channel with Record Viewing of DeWine''s Briefings
With Gov. Mike DeWine''s daily coronavirus briefings bringing more viewers to the Ohio Channel in a month than they normally see in a year, technical glitches have forced Ohio''s information technology (IT) services to bring in additional servers for the channel and work around other issues as demand swells, Cleveland.com reports.
Ohio Reports More Than 46,000 New Unemployment Claims
For the week ending May 16, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported 46,062 initial unemployment claims. "The number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the last nine weeks (1,215,756) is more than the combined total of those filed during the last three years," ODJFS said in a release. Read more Thursday''s Hannah Report.
Battelle''s Mask Cleaning Tech Comes under Scrutiny
A new report from NBC News questions the cost and efficacy of Battelle''s system for decontaminating medical face masks. Columbus Business First reports Battelle CEO Lou Von Thaer has continued to praise the technology and said the report "has many factual errors in it." According to nurses at hospitals where the systems are deployed, masks begin to degrade after as few as two cycles instead of the 20 for which they were approved.
Statewide auto traffic has begun to pick up again in recent weeks, according to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) data, though passenger traffic remains far below last year''s levels, Columbus Business First reports. Passenger traffic dropped 50 percent from 2019 levels for the four weeks from March 22 to April 18. In the three weeks since then, the drop has been less severe. ODOT has said the resultant reduction in motor fuel tax revenues could delay some construction projects. That tax accounts for almost a third of ODOT''s annual revenues and has brought in about $1 billion for the past five fiscal years.
Investigation Finds Utility Giant Funded Dark Money Spending on HB6 Campaign
Empowering Ohio''s Economy Inc., a nonprofit operated solely with funds from American Electric Power (AEP), contributed $350,000 towards campaigns for the passage of HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) and to help ensure Larry Householder (R-Glenford) had the votes to become House Speaker, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
White House Coronavirus Response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx stopped in Columbus over the weekend to meet with Gov. Mike DeWine and state and local health officials to discuss her concern that Columbus and other cities are on their way to becoming the next COVID-19 hot spot, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Crash-Related Fatalities Increase Even with Less Traffic
While fewer drivers on roadways have resulted in a lower crash rate, fatalities are actually up, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Experts say the reason is that people are speeding more with less cars on the road.
Data behind the seven metrics used to determine county ratings under Gov. Mike DeWine''s new four-level public health alert map is not all publicly available, clearly presented or easy to understand reports the Cincinnati Enquirer. And some Ohio counties are questioning just how they made the "red" level.
Both Millennials and Boomers have been "smacked" at a pivotal time in their lives, reports the Associated Press. Boomers see the pandemic as more of a health crisis while young adults worry more about the economic impact as the article talks with a Cincinnati father and son about the differences in generational views of 2020.
DOJ Resumes Executions after SCOTUS Approves Single-Drug Protocol
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) executed its first prisoner in 17 years Tuesday morning, the
Washington Post reports. The execution followed an early morning 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) which rejected a challenge to the single-drug protocol used by authorities in the lethal injection. A second execution is set for Friday, July 17.
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Former Treasurer Josh Mandel, Wife Divorce; Records Kept Sealed
Two years after dropping out of the U.S. Senate race, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and wife, Ilana, went to another county to get a divorce and have the records sealed. Cleveland.com reports the news is another surprise in Mandel''s political and personal life. The staunch conservative who regularly featured his family in campaign ads had often been considered a rising star.
Patrick Sweeney, who served as a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1967 to 1997 and was a member of the Ohio Senate in 1997 and 1998, died Monday morning of natural causes. He had just celebrated his 81st birthday Sept. 2, Cleveland.com reports.
Six Percent of Ohioans Who Filed for Unemployment Were Overpaid
Of the nearly 800,000 Ohioans who have been paid regular unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic in March, about six percent have been alerted to being overpaid, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Some of those claimants are being required to repay the funds.
Trump Makes Visits While Biden Runs Ads As Candidates Compete in Buckeye State
As President Donald Trump and Democratic Nominee Joe Biden look for ways to motivate Ohio voters, the candidates are taking different campaign approaches. While Trump''s campaign has made numerous stops throughout Ohio in recent weeks, Biden is dominating Ohio''s TV airwaves. Next week, both candidates will be in Cleveland for the first presidential debate, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Justice Annoyed by Prosecutors'' Refusing to Take Part in Task Force Examining Wrongful Criminal Convictions
The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association is refusing to participate in a task force convened by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O''Connor to find ways to avoid wrongful convictions. The association''s execute director said he has concerns about the separation-of-powers constitutionality of the task force, while O''Connor says she sees no issue in that regard, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
OSU Becomes Site of Ohio''s Largest COVID-19 Outbreak
Ohio State University''s count of positive COVID-19 tests has now surpassed that of Marion Correctional Institution, making the outbreak at the Columbus campus Ohio''s largest so far. The university is reporting over 2,500 cumulative positive tests although the spread of COVID-19 at the university is trending downward, Spectrum News 1 reports.
SCOTUS Rules Trump Administration Acted Improperly in Attempt to End DACA
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision Thursday that the Trump administration had not followed required procedures in its attempt to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and said the attempt was "arbitrary and capricious." The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said the issue was remanded to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to be reconsidered. Read more in Thursday''s Hannah Report.
Ohio Bought Millions of Drug Now Banned by FDA for Treating COVID-19
ODH spent more than $600,000 to purchase 2 million hydroxychloroquine pills and also received a donation of 2 million more in an effort to combat COVID-19, but the FDA no longer allows the drug to be used to treat the virus. The number of pills stockpiled by the state is equivalent to nearly two years-worth of prescriptions the state typically uses in its managed care programs, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Female Public Health Officials Face Harassment over Coronavirus Response
Following Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton''s stepping down after facing long hours, public criticism and harassment, the Lily, a Washington Post publication, reports Acton isn''t the only female health official resigning from office amid the coronavirus. As public health officials have been cast into high-profile positions during the pandemic, they''ve been subject to ill will and personal attacks. While leaders of public health official organizations say the harassment seems evenly distributed between women and men, attacks on women are more personal and tend to be cruder and sexualized.
In a state where Republicans have been preparing to solidify control, the arrest of House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) may throw a shadow over the political future of his party, the Associated Press reports. Democrats have already begun soliciting political donations in support of the GOP''s ouster, saying their candidates could end a "culture of corruption" they blame on one-party rule.
Householder''s Corruption Charge Upends Ohio''s Already Chaotic Political Environment
While the immediate consequences of Speaker of the House Larry Householder''s (R-Glenford) arrest may seem clear as numerous lawmakers and political leaders call for his resignation, the case may have far-reaching implications for both parties given the wide range of people intertwined with Householder and HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), Cleveland.com reports.
At the root of the racketeering case against Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford), HB6 had its beginnings in April 2019. The Dayton Daily News spells out a detailed timeline of how the bill worked its way through the Statehouse and beat back a referendum.
Removal of Householder, Election of Cupp Illustrate House GOP Division
Following the removal of former House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) on bribery charges, the election of new House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) was a contentious one that revealed divides among House Republicans, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Cupp sought removal of all Householder-appointed party leaders in the House, but so far only Assistant Majority Whip Rep. Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) has stepped down.
Regulatory Agencies Exercise Broad Powers amid Health Crisis
Agencies including the Ohio Department of Health, the office of Gov. Mike DeWine, and the Ohio Liquor Control Commission have found broad powers in efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, despite protests and legal challenges, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Daniel Skinner, an associate professor of health policy at Ohio University, told the paper that the limits of such agencies'' powers have not been tested in recent history to the extent they are now.
Ohioans on Pandemic Unemployment Insurance May Not Qualify for $300 Federal Bonus
With President Trump''s memorandum providing for an additional $300 per week in bonus federal unemployment insurance benefits, it remains unclear whether that will apply to programs such as Ohio''s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance created for people who don''t qualify for traditional unemployment, or if it will only apply to traditional unemployment benefits, the Dayton Daily News reports.
Cost of Columbus Police Misconduct Investigations Revealed
Columbus taxpayers will shell out about $50,000 for a law firm and $84 an hour for a retired FBI agent to investigate claims of police misconduct during recent protests downtown, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The city hired a retired FBI agent to investigate at least 16 allegations of potential criminal misconduct by officers as well as signed a contract with the law firm BakerHostetler, which has done work for the city for years, to investigate another 40 incidents of potential administrative misconduct. The no-bid contract did not have a process for competition or comparison before BakerHostetler was selected, and campaign finance records show that the firm has donated at least once to the campaign funds of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other city officials.
COVID-19, Retirements Cause Worker Shortage at Jeep''s Toledo Plant
Between coronavirus cases and a wave of retirements, Jeep''s Toledo North Assembly plant is facing manpower issues as the automaker tries to rebound from the pandemic. UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower said 31 Jeep employees in Toledo have tested positive for the virus since the plant reopened in May, though that number if unconfirmed by Fiat Chrysler. Baumhower also said senior employees are retiring in mass -- as many as 30 in one day. The shortage has led to employees not being permitted to take off certain days, The Blade reports.
Cases of Serious Heart Condition Double amid Coronavirus, New Research Finds
A new Cleveland Clinic study found the number of cases of "broken heart syndrome," or stress cardiomyopathy, doubled compared to before the pandemic. "It''s been associated with severe emotional stress, but it could be any type of stress like breakups, loss of a loved one, a heated altercation with a family member or severe depression," said Dr. Ankur Kalra, an Akron General cardiologist who led the study. Patients experience the same symptoms as a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath, but usually do not have acutely blocked coronary arteries. In some cases, it can be fatal, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Task Force Aims for Prescription Drug Cost Savings
The Prescription Drug Transparency and Affordability Advisory Council met for the first time Wednesday under chairman Matt Damschroder, who is also director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, with the goal of benefiting patients and saving taxpayer dollars, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Damschroder said savings could be realized through making more bulk purchases and improving efficiency of delivery.
Second Consecutive CIIC Director Resigns under Pressure
The Correctional Institution Inspection Committee (CIIC) accepted its second letter of forced resignation from an agency head Thursday. Executive Director Charlie Adams resigned under pressure -- this after former Executive Director Joanna Saul resigned under pressure in 2016. Adams had worked for CIIC for a number of years but occupied the director''s office for only seven months, during which committee members said an "investigation" was opened into undisclosed concerns. Chairman Doug Green (R-Mt Orab) and House Chief Deputy Legal Counsel Paul Disantis would not elaborate after the meeting but said a spokesman would follow up with a statement. Read more in Thursday''s Hannah Report.
OSU Head Drake to Retain $892,000 Salary for One Year after Retirement
Ohio State president Michael Drake will step into a post-presidency role starting July 1, 2020 that will last through June 30, 2021, where he will continue to represent the university and the board of trustees, maintaining his current salary of $892,000, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Democratic Surge in Absentee Ballot Requests Might Trigger Election Night Angst
As Ohio Democrats continue to seek absentee ballots in record numbers, the trend has implications for the presidential election. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Democrats'' early voting numbers may give Democratic candidate Joe Biden a quick lead on election night, but it''s unclear if it will last as President Donald Trump is expected to dominate in-person voting.
President Donald Trump won Ohio by eight percentage points in 2016, and Republicans dominated the midterms again in 2018, but heading into the first presidential debate Tuesday, Cleveland.com reports that even by the most conservative estimations, Ohio is once again a toss-up state with the two candidates in a dead heat according to multiple polls.
Biden to End Cleveland Debate with Train Tour of Ohio, Pennsylvania
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden plans to leave the Cleveland presidential debate via train with a tour that will stop in Alliance as well as other Pennsylvania cities. The Washington Post reports the trip is meant to help Biden connect with voters who supported Trump in 2016 as well as highlight the "Scranton vs. Park Avenue" contrast between the two.
Candidates to Replace Householder as Speaker Begin to Emerge
With members of the current House GOP leadership team seen as "tainted" due to their association with House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford), potential candidates to become the next speaker include Reps. Bob Cupp (R-Lima), Rick Carfagna (R-Westerville), Scott Lipps (R-Franklin) and Craig Riedel (R-Defiance), Cleveland.com reports.
Columbus political consultant Tyler Fehrman -- identified as "CHS 1" in the FBI''s criminal affidavit detailing a $60 million racketeering conspiracy involving nuclear subsidy law HB6 (Callender-Wilkin) -- wore a wire to help build the case against House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford), former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges and others, Cleveland.com reports.
''Final Arguments'' in Landmark Lake Erie Case Occurring Friday
U.S. District Court Judge James Carr of Toledo is scheduled to consider "final arguments" in the total maximum daily load (TMDL) case brought by the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Advocates for a Clean Lake Erie and Lucas County commissioners against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on Friday, the Blade reports. There has never been a TMDL for a body of water as large as Lake Erie in the U.S., the newspaper noted, making the case a significant one across the country.
How Maharath, 33 Family Members Contracted COVID-19
Following an August wake for her brother-in-law, Sen. Tina Maharath (D-Canal Winchester) and 33 of her family members contracted COVID-19, two of whom died and five of whom were hospitalized, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. Six weeks after her positive diagnosis, Maharath said she still feels symptoms of the disease, including lung pain and coughing.
Trump Says He May Intervene with Delphi Employees'' Pensions
President Donald Trump told Gov. Mike DeWine and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) he is considering intervening in a situation where salaried employees of auto parts maker Delphi received drastically reduced pensions amid the company''s bankruptcy and the 2009 auto bailout, the Dayton Daily News reports. Peter Navarro, an assistant to Trump on trade and manufacturing policy, called the issue an "Obama-Biden betrayal."
Nuke Plant Owner Won''t Say If Profitable amid HB6 Repeal Talks
Following a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout through HB6 (Callender-Wilkin), the company that owns the Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear power plants along Lake Erie, Energy Harbor, won''t disclose whether the plants are profitable, according to Cleveland.com. The General Assembly is considering a repeal of HB6 following a federal bribery case against former House Speaker Larry Householder. A spokesman for new House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) said, "The question of need and its determination will be an important consideration."
