Concealed handgun permit holders caught carrying on school grounds and other gun-free sites would no longer be subject to prison time under a bill introduced in the Ohio House. Rep. John Becker, a Clermont County Republican, sponsored a bill decriminalizing the violation. Under House Bill 233, a concealed handgun license holder, with a concealed firearm, […]
Ohio lawmakers, FOP propose stronger “move over” law
May 12, 2017 by
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers are proposing harsher penalties for drivers who fail to move over for an emergency vehicle if his or her actions result in injury or death after two Northeast Ohio officers were killed while working on the side of the highway. Ohio’s “move over law” requires drivers to move for stopped […]
Ohio Bill would effectively ban most abortions after 13 weeks
May 5, 2017 by
Most second trimester abortions would be banned in Ohio under a bill introduced Thursday in the Senate. Senate Bill 145 would ban dilation and evacuation, an abortion method typically used between 13 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Its sponsors are Republican Sens. Matt Huffman of Lima and Steve Wilson of Maineville. During the procedure, also […]
Ohio House passes new 2-year state budget, Marion Rep. votes no
May 3, 2017 by
The Ohio House on Tuesday passed a $63.7 billion, two-year state budget with additional money to fight Ohio’s opioid crisis. The bill passed 58-37, mostly along party lines, and now heads to the Senate, which will make its own revisions over the coming weeks. Both chambers must agree to a bill before the new fiscal […]
Ohio House passes new budget with over 300 changes
April 26, 2017 by
Boozy ice cream, drug prevention taught in driver’s ed and a new mileage reimbursement for state lawmakers were among the additions made Tuesday to Ohio’s next two-year operating budget. The House Finance Committee accepted more than 300 amendments to the budget bill, touching everything from taxes and health care to airport improvements and video poker […]
The State Budget: Being Responsible Stewards of Taxpayer Dollars
April 24, 2017 by
As we put tax day behind us, discussions are intensifying about how the state will be spending your money over the next two years. House Bill 49, which sets the budget for the next two fiscal years, is currently under consideration in the House and will move on to the Senate in early May. Anyone […]
State agrees on final medical marijuana rules
April 19, 2017 by
Medical marijuana will be grown on up to 24 licensed sites statewide — subject to some of the highest fees in the country — under the final rules presented to lawmakers Monday. The cultivator portion of the rules, which also details the application and license fees for retail dispensaries, product processors and testing labs, cleared […]
Proposal would avoid 2018 high school graduation crisis
April 14, 2017 by
The state school board has lined up behind a proposal to avoid a graduation crisis for the class of 2018 by allowing students to earn diplomas regardless of their scores on state tests. The plan backed by board members, with some limits, would create a one-year emergency exemption from the state’s new requirements that students […]
Upcoming State budget to be trimmed by $800 million following lagging revenue reports
April 14, 2017 by
Ohio lawmakers will have to cut $800 million from the two-year budget they’re pounding out. Gov. John Kasich, flanked by GOP legislative leaders and budget director Tim Keen, said Thursday that slow economic growth nationally and in Ohio are responsible for tax revenues lagging behind estimates. As of the end of March, yearly tax revenue […]
State to accept applications in June to grow medical marijuana
April 10, 2017 by
State officials will begin accepting applications to license 24 medical marijuana grow operations in June and will review them in July. Once awarded, license holders will have nine months to meet all the requirements of the program. The Ohio Department of Commerce plans to release application forms and instructions in the next two to three […]
