Ohio lawmakers are increasingly under the gun to pass a state budget before state government funding runs out at the end of the month. Few, if any, are worried that a new two-year budget won’t be in place by June 30, when the current budget expires. But legislators are leaving themselves little time to resolve […]
With big differences expected, state lawmakers running out of time to pass new budget
June 8, 2015 by
Senate’s state budget proposal includes raises for some county officials
June 4, 2015 by
The version of the state budget that the Ohio Senate is working on will include raises for judges, county prosecutors and sheriffs across the state. Senate President Keith Faber, a Republican from Western Ohio, said the final numbers were still being worked out, but in principle, senators have agreed to include the raises. He expects […]
Rep. Pelanda’s bill to modify agriculture laws passes house
June 2, 2015 by
State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) announced that the Ohio House has passed House Bill 131, legislation that updates various sections of state law pertaining to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “This bill is about clarity and common-sense reform to aspects of the agriculture industry that have daily impact on the way business is conducted in […]
Ohio House passes powdered alcohol, pure caffeine…again
May 28, 2015 by
For the third time in seven months, legislation to ban powdered alcohol has cleared the Ohio House. But this time, it appears ready to pass the Senate as well. The proposed ban, passed by the House 92-3 on Wednesday, comes after a federal regulator approved sales of powdered alcohol, which turns into vodka, rum, or […]
Rep. Dorothy Pelanda Introduces Legislation Expanding Authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
May 26, 2015 by
During a press conference at the Statehouse recently, State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) discussed legislation she has introduced that will modernize various provisions regarding Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ (APRN) duties. APRNs include nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified clinical nurse specialists. Also attending the press conference were Candy Rinehart, Director of […]
Some changes announced for PARCC testing
May 22, 2015 by
PARCC, the 11-state Common Core testing partnership, will slightly shorten its tests next year and have just one testing period, not two. PARCC announced that member states voted to approve the change Wednesday. PARCC’s press release said that it will cut testing time by 60 minutes in math and 30 minutes in English. That change […]
State Auditor proposes constitutional ban on initiatives creating economic monopolies
May 15, 2015 by
Worried about efforts to allow a small number of growers to sell legalized marijuana in Ohio, state Auditor Dave Yost is pushing for a constitutional amendment to ban ballot initiatives that create economic monopolies. Speaking Thursday before some members of the Constitutional Modernization Commission, Yost offered draft language for an amendment he said would stop […]
Ohio Bill would require bike helmets for those under 16
May 11, 2015 by
Bike riders younger than 16 would be required to wear a helmet, under new legislation introduced in the Ohio Senate this week. Under Senate Bill 157, if a young rider is caught without a helmet, his or her parents would receive a $25 fine for a first offense and a $100 fine for each subsequent […]
Ohio House committees to start hearings on four new gun bills
May 5, 2015 by
Four gun bills are scheduled to get their first hearing before a state legislative committee on Wednesday. Three of the bills before the House State Government Committee would significantly roll back Ohio’s gun laws, including: House Bill 35, which would make it a first-degree felony for law enforcement officers or others to enforce any new […]
Bill approved to allow “outdoor refreshment areas” in Ohio cities
April 30, 2015 by
State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would allow outdoor alcohol consumption in areas such as Cleveland’s East Fourth Street. House Bill 47, which easily cleared a final Ohio House vote, would allow the more than 60 Ohio cities with a population greater than 35,000 people to create “outdoor refreshment areas” that are […]
