A controversial bill that opponents say would encourage discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans cleared a House panel this week. But the “Ohio Pastor Protection Act” isn’t at the top of Statehouse leaders’ agendas for its last scheduled week of the lame-duck session, and it’s unclear whether the measure will even get a […]
Ohio lawmakers may vote on bill to expand where concealed handguns may be carried
November 30, 2016 by
In the wake of Monday’s attack at Ohio State University, state lawmakers plan to continue to move ahead with legislation to loosen rules for carrying concealed handguns on campus. The Ohio Senate may vote as soon as Wednesday on House Bill 48, which would allow colleges and universities in the state to decide whether to […]
Ohio House approves legislation that would hold traffickers responsible for drug overdoses
November 21, 2016 by
State Representatives Jonathan Dever (R-Madeira) and Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) last week applauded the Ohio House’s passage of House Bill 270. The legislation, which they jointly sponsored, provides additional judicial discretion when dealing with Ohio’s heroin epidemic. House Bill 270 would allow a judge to distinguish between a drug trafficker and a user. Under the legislation, […]
Goodman sworn in as State Representative of 87th Ohio House District, including part of Marion County
November 18, 2016 by
Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) this week announced that Wesley A. Goodman (R-Cardington) has been sworn in as state representative of the 87th House District. Goodman fills the seat vacated by former Representative Jeff McClain earlier this fall. Hailing from a family farm in Morrow County, Goodman earned his Bachelor of […]
Rep. Pelanda elected as Majority Floor Leader for 132nd General Assembly
November 14, 2016 by
On Thursday, the Ohio House Republican Caucus elected its leadership team for the 132nd General Assembly with State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) being elected by her colleagues to serve as majority floor leader. “It is an honor and a privilege to serve as part of Speaker Rosenberger’s leadership team, and I am humbled by the […]
Rep. McClain resigning from House for position with Ohio Chamber
September 21, 2016 by
Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has announced that State Representative Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) will be resigning from his seat in the Ohio House to take a position as Director of Tax and Economic Policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “I’m looking forward to pursuing new goals and projects in […]
Warnings issued over medical marijuana scams, misinformation
September 16, 2016 by
Medical marijuana advocates say Ohio patients should be cautious of schemes promising patients a legal way to obtain marijuana before state-licensed dispensaries open here. Ohio’s medical marijuana law went into effect last week, but state officials have two years to set up the program. Until then, it’s unknown how patients caught with marijuana will be […]
Medical marijuana legal in Ohio, but legal purchase is a ways off
September 9, 2016 by
Medical marijuana is now legal in Ohio, but patients won’t be able to legally buy it here for at least a year, maybe two. Until then, Ohio’s new medical marijuana law gives patients an “affirmative defense” against a drug charge, if they have a doctor’s note and meet other criteria. But patients haven’t had much […]
Ohio Supreme Court rules Good Samaritan Law applies to everyone
August 31, 2016 by
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state’s Good Samaritan law applies to everyone who provides emergency assistance, not just emergency personnel. The law shields people who provide emergency treatment or care to another from civil liability provides immunity from their actions unless their actions constitute willful or wanton misconduct. In a 4-3 ruling, […]
Ohio Bill would push start of school to after Labor Day
August 24, 2016 by
It’s back to school time in Ohio, but future first days might not happen until after Labor Day. Sen. Gayle Manning introduced a bill last week that would push back the first day for public and private schools into September. Manning said she heard from several Northeast Ohio parents who were upset with mid-August start dates. Manning, a […]
