Ohio Governor John Kasich gave final approval Monday to sweeping budget review legislation that includes expanded tax cuts and credits and major new restrictions on new wind turbines in the state. Kasich, speaking at a signing ceremony held at a food bank in suburban Columbus, praised the tax cuts, as well as funding for issues […]
State Lawmaker Proposes Elimination of Birth Control from State Insurance Plans
June 6, 2014 by
There’s a bill under consideration in the Ohio legislature to eliminate coverage for many birth control pills from the health plans of state employees, according to a story from WOSU. Republican State Representative John Becker, of Union Township, says those types of birth control effectively amount to abortion, and he wants to eliminate all coverage […]
Bill Would Allow Students to Receive Credit for Religious Instruction
June 5, 2014 by
State Representative Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives has concurred with Senate changes to Amended House Bill 171. The legislation permits students of a public school to receive credit for attending released time courses in religious instruction. The bipartisan legislation, which Rep. McClain sponsored with Rep. Bill Patmon (D-Cleveland), […]
Lawmakers Approve State Income, Business Tax Reductions, Increase for Earned Income Tax Credit
June 5, 2014 by
State lawmakers approved changes Wednesday to Ohio’s income tax rates that move a reduction planned for next year to this year. Legislators also bolstered a tax deduction available to small businesses with income that is reported on individual tax returns. And they doubled the size of the Earned Income Tax Credit available to Ohioans with […]
Bill Would Require Seatbelts on All Ohio School Buses
June 3, 2014 by
Ohio school buses would have to be outfitted with safety belts under legislation introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. House Bill 578 would require all school buses bought, leased, or rented after January 1, 2016 be equipped with lap and shoulder safety belts for all passengers. The bill also would require school districts to […]
Ohio Senate Approves More Income, Small Business Tax Cuts
May 22, 2014 by
The Ohio Senate on Wednesday approved one-year expansions of state income and small-business tax cuts, as well as raising tax credits and exemptions for poorer Ohioans. The Republican-sponsored measures in House Bill 483, which passed the Senate, 24-8, come as a result of higher revenues and lower state spending than expected. Under the revised budget […]
Bill to Tweak Ohio Education Policy Headed to Conference Committee
May 22, 2014 by
A mechanism to revise Ohio’s Common Core standards and a reprieve for educators implementing them next year were among several education policy tweaks made in legislation passed Wednesday. The House is expected to reject the changes, sending the legislation to a conference committee of lawmakers from both chambers and sides of the aisle to sort […]
Ohio House Committee Approves “Enhanced” Driver’s Licenses, Full House Vote Expected Soon
May 21, 2014 by
Legislation allowing Ohio to issue “enhanced” driver’s licenses and identification cards sailed through a House committee on Tuesday afternoon. Following the 10-1 vote, the bill’s sponsor said he hopes to see a full House vote on the measure before the legislature departs next month for summer break. Supporters say the enhanced licenses, which include a […]
Ohio Committee Expected to Vote on “Enhanced” Driver’s License
May 20, 2014 by
A contentious proposal to allow Ohio to issue “enhanced” driver’s licenses and identification cards is set for a legislative committee vote on Tuesday. Supporters say the enhanced licenses, which include a radio chip and barcode, would allow truckers and tourists to quickly cross into Canada and Mexico without needing a passport or other paperwork. Some […]
Ohio Bill Would Require Immunizations for Children in Daycare
May 15, 2014 by
Ohio children would be required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend licensed day care and preschool under bipartisan legislation introduced Tuesday. Ohio is the only state without immunization requirements for children in licensed pre-kindergarten settings. House Bill 536 would require children be immunized according to the schedule set by the Centers for Disease […]
