By Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal
When a state Senate staffer tested positive for COVID-19 early this (past) week, bipartisan leadership found a rare moment of agreement: Mum is the word.
A spokesman for the GOP Senate President refused to answer questions when rumors of the positive test leaked out. A spokeswoman for the Democratic Minority Leader deferred comment to Republican leadership. The local health department said it’s the employer’s decision who gets to know. More…
FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America / Associated Press
Ohio would create a statewide disciplinary database for violent officers and require psychological testing for all new police under a measure proposed Thursday by House Republicans. The legislation came as the state grapples with the aftermath of civil unrest over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Sponsoring Reps. Phil Plummer and Cindy Abrams, who both have previously served in law enforcement roles, said the bill would standardize police training and disciplinary response throughout the state to “weed out the bad actors.” More…
By: Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would allow Ohioans to place bets on sports.
The bill passed 83-10. It now heads to the Ohio Senate, which has been working on a similar proposal with a different regulatory body and lower tax rate.
The House bill would give oversight responsibilities to the state Lottery, while the Senate bill gives oversight to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. More…
Senate President Larry Obhof recently announced that the Ohio Senate has passed legislation aimed at bolstering job growth and economic development in economically disadvantaged areas, or federally-designated “opportunity zones,” in Ohio.
Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday, works in conjunction with the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, allowing states to identify up to 25% of economically-distressed census districts as opportunity zones. Ohio was approved for 320 such zones, some of which are in Richland, Medina, Wayne and Holmes counties. More…
Ohio has several new laws on the books, each of which will become effective at some point in the coming months.
Each was signed by Governor Kasich after passage during the lame duck session of the Ohio General Assembly. More…
The office of Governor John Kasich recently announced that he has signed nine bills into law. These measures cover a wide range of matters, including community schools, public records requests, the flying of flags at state buildings, and others.
The Governor also allowed another bill to become law without his signature, and vetoed another piece of passed legislation. More…
All About Richland, All Things Business
Earlier this week, Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) and Speaker of the HouseClifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) introduced the state’s Capital Budget, a $2.62 billion investment in Ohio’s infrastructure and local community projects.
The legislature generally approves a capital budget every two years with the goal of funding needed improvements to public services and facilities across the state, including schools, roads and bridges, waterways and parks. The companion bills introduced today in each chamber also increase the capital investment in mental health and addiction services facilities. More…
This past week, State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Mansfield announced the unanimous passage of legislation he sponsored through the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee. House Bill 372 would designate a portion of Interstate Route 71 as the “Richland County Veterans Memorial Highway.”
House Bill 372 seeks to honor veterans from Richland County who have valiantly served in every major war, including eight Medal of Honor recipients. More…
Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) is inviting area residents to attend open district office hours on Friday, December 1 at the Main Library Branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library in Mansfield. More…
This week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that an update of his office’s Concealed Carry Laws Manual has been released reflecting recent changes enacted by Senate Bill 199. The updated manual is currently available online, and printed copies of the guide will be available from county sheriffs.
“Our Concealed Carry Laws Manual is great resource for Ohioans interested in concealed handgun laws or interested in obtaining a CCW permit, and it is available at no cost to citizens online,” said Attorney General DeWine. More…
