Few states are deadlier for infants than Ohio. In 2010, Ohio had a mortality rate of 7.72 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That rate was the fourth highest among all 50 states. It’s an unacceptable distinction for two Ohio senators, who […]
Ohio House Committee Expected to Approve New, Tighter Rules for Teen Drivers
February 11, 2014 by
After about eight months of deliberation, a House committee is expected to vote Tuesday and approve a bill tightening restrictions on teenage drivers. House Bill 204 would impose new restrictions on young motorists — concerning when and with whom they can drive. Except for certain school or work activities, drivers with a probationary license would […]
Lawmaker Proposes More Prison Factories in Ohio
January 29, 2014 by
A prominent Republican legislator proposes for Ohio to build and operate prison factories that would employ inmates to make and publicly sell goods that American manufacturers don’t offer. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Butler introduced legislation last week to set up a pilot program. The size and location of the program would depend on the […]
Governor Urges Legislature to Give Schools Break on Calamity Days
January 28, 2014 by
School districts that in many cases already have used up their five calamity days for the year with several weeks of winter yet to come could be in line for some relief from the state. Gov. John Kasich on Monday urged the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio Department of Education to work together on legislation […]
Ohio Bill Would Expand Who can Carry Weapons in Schools
January 27, 2014 by
A bill that allows peace officers to carry weapons in schools and make school boards keep secret the names of employees they designate as people who can carry guns cleared the Ohio House this week. In debate on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Kristina Roegner, a Republican from Hudson who sponsored the bill, said the […]
Local Officials Applaud Ohio Bill that Would Establish Greater Rights for Foster Youth
January 24, 2014 by
The Ohio House of Representatives recently passed legislation to revise Ohio law pertaining to child custody, guardians ad litem, and foster caregivers, to ensure that minors who are involved with Ohio’s children services agencies are treated just like every child in the state of Ohio. The proposed changes are being welcomed by local child welfare […]
Gun Suppressor Numbers Nearly Double in Ohio, Bill Would Expand Use to Hunting
January 22, 2014 by
The number of noise suppressors, or silencers, for firearms more than doubled throughout Ohio from 2012 to 2013 — and two representatives aim to let the state’s hunters put those accessories to use. Starting March 2012, noise suppressor registration totals spiked by about 144 percent to a total of more than 25,000 silencers by April […]
Ohio Democrats Call for Death Penalty Changes following Latest Execution
January 21, 2014 by
In the wake of Dennis McGuire’s controversial execution last week, legislative Democrats are ramping up efforts to halt — or at least modify — the death penalty in Ohio. State Sen. Edna Brown, a Toledo Democrat, called for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and announced she would introduce legislation to abolish its practice […]
Bill Would Prevent Ohio Tax Officials from Holding Refund Money
January 16, 2014 by
Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled legislation requiring state tax officials to automatically notify and issue refunds when businesses overpay their taxes. The two companion bills – one each in the state House and Senate – come after state investigators found that the Ohio Department of Taxation wrongfully held onto more than $30 million in […]
Ohio Law Already in Compliance with Proposed Federal Gun Regulation
January 8, 2014 by
A new Ohio law named for a Clark County sheriff’s deputy who was fatally shot by a mentally ill man puts the state in compliance with federal regulations proposed last week to keep mentally ill people from buying guns, the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said on Tuesday. The “Deputy Suzanne Hopper Act” […]
