Ohio’s projected “tight budget” for the next two years got a little tighter Wednesday. Ohio Budget Director Tim Keen told lawmakers on Wednesday he will likely lower revenue projections for the 2018-2019 budget. Ohio tax revenues fell about 33 percent short of projections in March, fueled by yet another month of sluggish income tax payments. […]
Kasich delivers 2017 State of the State address
April 5, 2017 by
Ohio’s leaders must prepare for the future, rather than gaze into the rear-view mirror, if they want to ensure the state’s workers aren’t left behind in a quickly changing world, Gov. John Kasich said Tuesday night during his seventh State of the State address. During a 70-minute speech, Kasich said soon-to-come technological innovations like self-driving […]
State transportation bill includes provisions for raising cost of vehicle registrations
April 3, 2017 by
The state legislature on Wednesday passed a $7.8 billion transportation bill, despite many lawmakers’ opposition to removing earmarks for local transportation projects and public transit. The two-year transportation budget cleared the House in a 88-16 vote and the Senate in a 28-5 vote Wednesday. The transportation budget is separate from the main operating budget and […]
Concealed carry law takes effect, expanding places where guns can be carried
March 22, 2017 by
A new Ohio law began Tuesday, allowing employees to bring guns to company parking lots and licensed Ohioans to carry concealed guns to more places. Employers can still ban weapons inside their businesses, but they can no longer prohibit concealed carry permit holders from leaving firearms locked in their personal vehicles parked on company property. […]
Rep. Goodman to hold district office hours in Mt. Gilead
March 20, 2017 by
State Representative Wesley A. Goodman (R-Cardington) announced that he will be holding district office hours on Friday, March 24, 2017 in Mount Gilead. The office hours will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Mount Gilead Public Library Annex Meeting Room located at 35 East High Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338. No […]
Ohio House approves bill banning fees for removing mug shots
March 17, 2017 by
A bill targeting mugshot-publishing websites that charge fees for removing or editing booking records cleared the Ohio House on Wednesday. Websites such as Mugshots.com collect booking photos and information through public records requests and post them online. That information is rarely updated after a person is released and not charged or a record is sealed. […]
20-week abortion ban takes effect in Ohio
March 15, 2017 by
Ohio’s 20-week abortion ban took effect Tuesday with no signs of a lawsuit challenging the new abortion restrictions. The law, dubbed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, prohibits abortions after a fetus is 20 weeks or more post-fertilization, or about 22 weeks into a pregnancy as measured by physicians. Physicians who violate the law face […]
State Auditor reports 414 citations for public records violations in 2016
March 13, 2017 by
State auditors issued 414 public records-related citations to 357 public entities in calendar year 2016, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced Sunday, the first day of Sunshine Week for 2017. The majority of citations stemmed from officials neglecting to attend state-required public records trainings, entities lacking public records policies or a failure to make the […]
Ohio bill would cap interest on “pay day” loans
March 10, 2017 by
Interest on short-term loans would be capped at a 28 percent annual percentage rate under bipartisan legislation introduced Wednesday in the Ohio House. The bill limits payday loan lenders from charging more than 28 percent interest plus monthly fees of 5 percent on the first $400 loaned, or a maximum of $20. The bill also […]
Lawmakers propose additional eligibility checks for SNAP and Medicaid
March 10, 2017 by
A pair of Ohio bills introduced Wednesday would require additional eligibility checks for people receiving food stamp benefits or health insurance through Medicaid. Currently, enrollees in Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps, must notify program officials when their income changes. Senate Bill 96 and House Bill 119 would require […]
