The day after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called for expanded use of the life-saving opioid overdose antidote naloxone in the nation’s burgeoning heroin epidemic, Ohio Gov. John Kasich made that expansion a little easier here. Kasich Tuesday signed into law House Bill 170, stripping restrictions that formerly allowed only advanced paramedics and people addicted […]
Bill Would Require Ignition Interlocks for 1st Time OVI Offenders
March 7, 2014 by
A bill introduced Thursday in the Ohio House of Representatives could put more ignition breathalyzers into the cars of convicted drunken drivers. Sponsored by Republican Reps. Terry Johnson, of McDermott, and Gary Scherer, of Circleville, House Bill 469 would require first-time alcohol-related OVI offenders to use ignition interlocks in order to drive during court-appointed times. […]
Ohio House, Senate Disagree on School Calamity Days
February 27, 2014 by
How much longer Ohio schoolchildren might have to stay in class this summer will be up to a legislative conference committee, after the Ohio House and Senate each passed differing proposals. At issue is how many days school districts should have to make up after rough winter weather in recent weeks caused repeated class cancellations. […]
Statewide Times and Dates Set for Early Voting
February 27, 2014 by
Ohioans will be able to vote in person on two Saturdays and no Sundays ahead of this year’s general election, under a statewide early-voting schedule released Tuesday by Secretary of State Jon Husted. Husted said the statewide early-voting hours – a first for an Ohio gubernatorial election – will guarantee every voter in the state […]
Rep. McClain Named Chairman of Ohio House Ways and Means
February 26, 2014 by
Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) recenlty announced that he has appointed Rep. Jeff McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) as the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The House Ways and Means Committee chiefly works on taxation and budgetary issues. “Having served as a county auditor for more than 26 years, […]
Governor Proposes Tax Cuts, Education Program Changes in State of the State
February 25, 2014 by
Saying Ohio has made progress, but is “not at the summit yet,” Gov. John Kasich laid down a series of goals Monday in his State of the State address to further lower taxes, help veterans and increase educational opportunities from pre-kindergarten through college. “Together, we’ve breathed new life into Ohio in just three short years, […]
New Laws Eliminate Voting “Golden Week” and Restrict Unsolicited Absentee Applications
February 24, 2014 by
Gov. John Kasich signed into law Friday changes to Ohio’s election rules on early voting and handling of absentee ballot applications. The administration announced the bill signings with little comment. The bills would take effect in time for the November election. Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols noted that the changes to absentee voting rules will make […]
Ohio House Approves Waiving Two Calamity Days, Adds Teacher Development Days
February 20, 2014 by
The Ohio House passed on Wednesday a bill to give schools two additional calamity days and two teacher professional development days, a response to winter weather causing Ohio school districts to exhaust the five calamity days allowed by law. Schools don’t have to make up five school days canceled due to hazardous weather, disease epidemics […]
Ohio House to Vote on Adding Calamity Days, Senate May Stall Plan
February 19, 2014 by
The Ohio House of Representatives plans to vote — again — on a plan to excuse schools from rescheduling up to four days of classes cancelled due to extreme winter weather. House Republicans delayed a vote last week because of concerns about the state paying for days when school wasn’t in session. The bill is […]
More School Calamity Days? Not So Fast
February 13, 2014 by
Disagreement among House Republicans stalled a planned Wednesday vote on a bill that would give Ohio school districts up to four more snow days. State law allows school districts to forgive up to five “calamity days” for hazardous weather, disease epidemics and other emergencies each year, but harsh winter weather has led many school districts […]
