By FARNOUSH AMIRI and ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The alleged corruption that led to passage of a nuclear plant bailout law and questions about whether the bailout was financially necessary demand the law’s immediate repeal and replacement, Democratic and Republican lawmakers testified Thursday.
Supporters of the energy policy contained within the law who worry a repeal throws the baby “out with the bath water” overlook the enormous problems with the law, said Rep. Laura Lanese. More…
Here’s what’s at stake as Ohio lawmakers debate whether and how to repeal the bailout law at the heart of an alleged $60 million conspiracy case.
By Kathiann M. Kowalski, Eye on Ohio
This article provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network. Please join our free mailing list or the mailing list for the Energy News Network as this helps us provide more public service reporting.
A bill to repeal Ohio’s nuclear bailout law has languished for more than a month so far, and signs suggest that House leadership may be angling to defer or stop such efforts as Election Day draws near. Lawmakers filed repeal bills soon after the arrest of former speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and others in July. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Thursday chose former state Supreme Court justice and current Rep. Bob Cupp to lead the Ohio House, replacing the speaker ousted hours earlier amid a scandal.
House members voted in favor of the veteran lawmaker from Lima on Thursday afternoon after a private Republican caucus. It followed a historic, unanimous House vote earlier in the day to remove Rep. Larry Householder as speaker because he was indicted in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme.
Cupp was elevated in a more divided vote and then was immediately sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French. He said he was sorry to be leading “in such difficult and trying and unprecedented times” but promised to do so fairly and humbly and to prioritize transparency and accountability. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and JULIE CARR SMYTH Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio House plans to vote Thursday on the removal of the disgraced House speaker arrested last week in connection with a $60 million federal bribery probe, after Republicans took a secret vote on the matter Tuesday that was prompted by Larry Householder’s refusal to resign.
It wasn’t immediately clear under what authority the remaining members of Householder’s leadership team called the session. Under House rules, only the speaker can call or schedule a session. The power falls to his No. 2, Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Jim Butler, if the speaker is absent. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and JULIE CARR SMYTH Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican state representatives in Ohio planned to meet Tuesday for the first time since their leader was arrested in connection with a $60 million federal bribery probe to discuss whether to remove disgraced House Speaker Larry Householder and what the investigation’s fallout might mean for their fall legislative campaigns.
The meeting in a downtown hotel is open to all members of the House Republican Caucus, said Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican who helped organize the gathering. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a fellow Republican; Jane Timken, chair of the Ohio Republican Party; the clerk of the Ohio House and the lawyer for House Republicans’ campaign committee are also invited, Seitz said. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio House lawmakers on Friday moved to address the power vacuum created by the arrest of current Republican Speaker Larry Householder amid a $60 million federal bribery probe.
The names of potential candidates to take the reins of the House of Representatives are spilling out — two days after federal officials arrested Householder and four associates over alleged bribes to shepherd an energy bill into law.
One of the candidates for Ohio House speaker is GOP Rep. Bob Cupp. The former Ohio Supreme Court justice and four-term state senator has served in the House since 2015 and is being promoted as someone who could bring what Householder could not to the House floor: unity. More…
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…
