Ohio Legislature Archives

Ohio Legislature Set to Begin New Year Under Even Stronger Republican Majority

January 6, 2021January 5, 2021 Jack Windsor

The 2020 General Election added one additional Republican to the Ohio Senate and three additional Republicans to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Republicans now hold a 25-8 majority in the Senate and outnumber Democrats 64-35 in the House.

That increase in Republican lawmakers may spell hope for conservative Ohioans who are still hoping for legislation – for example, Senate Bill 311 – that restricts Governor Mike Dewine’s 11-month restriction reign ranging from the Arnold Classic to the requiring people be in a residence by 10:00 p.m.

Ohio State Senator Wants to Know Full Cost of Education Funding Reform Before Vote

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020 The Center Square

While members of the Ohio House of Representatives want to push forward quickly with a plan to change how the state funds public schools, the chairman of the senate committee reviewing the idea wants more answers.

Proposed legislation, which calls for a six-year phase-in, could mean $2 billion more for schools in Ohio. However, state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, wants to know how much it will actually cost.

Ohio Lawmakers Require Free Speech Protection at Colleges, Universities

December 5, 2020December 4, 2020 The Center Square

The Ohio House of Representatives made voices on the state’s college campus a little louder this week, if Gov. Mike DeWine approves.

The House passed the “Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act,” which would prevent colleges and universities from limiting political speech on campuses or moving that speech into “free speech zones.”

Two Bills to Limit Ohio Governor’s Authority Appear Before Committee

November 19, 2020November 18, 2020 The Center Square

While Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was announcing a statewide curfew to slow the spread of COVID-19, more than 97 people submitted written testimony supporting a bill that would strip authority from the governor and the Ohio Department of Health to issue orders.

Doctors, nurses and regular citizens provided written and oral testimony in support of House Bill 618, legislation that would make any special or standing order from the governor seeking to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious diseases advisory only. If HB618 passes, any such order from the governor would have no legal effect unless approved by the General Assembly.

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Stiffen Penalties for Rioting, Vandalism, Looting

November 11, 2020November 10, 2020 The Center Square

Saying they strongly support the right to protest, two Ohio Republican lawmakers responded to incidents around the country in the wake of protests with a bill that would stiffen penalties for rioting, looting and violence toward peace officers in the state.

“We have had conversations with peace officers and business owners around the state and they were like something has to be done,” state Rep. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, said at a news conference Tuesday. “Over the summer, we saw peaceful protests and then we saw rioting, vandalism and looting.”

New Ohio Laws Expand Courts Jurisdiction, Deals with Addiction

September 18, 2020September 17, 2020 Ben Kolodny

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed several new bills into law Wednesday.

The new laws include the expansion of the jurisdiction of Ohio courts and stopping state officials from interfering with religious services. House Bill 272 prohibits “a public official from ordering the closure of all places of worship in a geographic area,” and stops public officials “from changing the time, place, or manner of conducting an election, except in certain circumstances.”

State Board Meets Today to Decide if Ohio Secretary of State May Spend Up to $3M to Prepay Absentee Ballot Postage

September 14, 2020September 13, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

A state board is meeting today to decide if Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose can spend up to $3 million to pay for absentee ballot postage for the November elections.

The Ohio Controlling Board will consider LaRose’s request today. Their agenda is here, and more information about LaRose’s request is here.

This appropriation of state funds will be used by the Ohio Secretary of State to pay the cost of returning absentee ballots on behalf of any Ohio voter who opts to use that manner of voting in the November 3, 2020 General Election. This will not expand Ohio’s existing absentee voting opportunities and will not permit universal vote by mail. There will still be in-person voting at polling locations on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

Ohio Speaker Names Committee to Repeal, Replace House Bill 6

September 4, 2020September 3, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, has named lawmakers to serve on a new committee tasked with repealing and replacing House Bill 6, a ratepayer-funded bailout of two Ohio nuclear plants that led to a federal corruption probe.

Democrats said they were prepared to take action when the House met on Tuesday.

GOP Lawmakers Promote Potential Replacement for Householder

July 27, 2020July 26, 2020 The Associated Press

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.

State House Dems Push to Allow Legislative Staff to Unionize

July 20, 2020July 19, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

House Democrats said they plan to introduce a bill that would allow legislative staff to unionize.

The bill would eliminate a provision in the Ohio Revised Code that bans collective bargaining for exempted state employees, including legislative staff.

Ohio Legislator’s Questions About the Rate of COVID-19 Infection in Minorities Draw Fury

June 15, 2020June 14, 2020 The Associated Press

A Republican lawmaker questioned during a meeting of the Ohio Senate Health Committee if “the colored population” is contracting coronavirus at disproportionate rates because they do not wash their hands “as well as other groups.”

The American Civil Liberties Union called for state Sen. Steve Huffman to step down from office Thursday following his comments that were made during a hearing for a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis.

Ohio Voters Could Decide Constitutional Amendment to Help Cover the Cost of Unemployment Benefits

May 18, 2020May 17, 2020 Admin

Ohio voters could decide a constitutional amendment to cover the cost of unemployment payouts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Joint Resolution 4, if passed, would allow voters to decide whether to issue the bonds “to repay any federal borrowing in support of Ohio’s unemployment compensation program,” Ohio Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Peterson, R-Washington Court House, said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.

Buckeye Institute Supports Businesses Being Immune to COVID-19 Lawsuits

May 14, 2020May 13, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

The Buckeye Institute submitted written testimony Wednesday to the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee on the policies of Senate Bill 308, which would provide businesses and workers with immunity from COVID-19 related lawsuits.

Conservatives Say Obhof’s Canceling Session Before Acton Vote is ‘Betrayal’

May 14, 2020May 13, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Conservatives are using words like “betrayal” to describe Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof’s late-night move to kill a vote on a bill to curb Dr. Amy Acton’s unrestrained powers in shutting the state down, and suggests he had an ulterior motive.

The Senate will not act this week on Senate Bill One pulling back the Health Department director’s powers, meaning it will likely fail, Fox 19 Now reported. The Senate is only having committee meetings this week and will hold a session next week.

Gov. DeWine Puts His Foot Down Against Ohio House Republicans Trying to Limit the State’s Health Department Powers

May 10, 2020May 9, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Gov. Mike DeWine took a stand Thursday against Ohio House Republicans who are trying to limit the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)’s powers during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, House Republicans on the House State and Local Government Committee (HSLGC) passed an amendment to a 2019 regulatory reform bill that would limit ODH’s orders to two weeks, The Ohio Star reported.

State Rep. Grendell Drafts Bill to Force More Data Transparency from Dr. Amy Acton on COVID-19

May 8, 2020May 7, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

State Rep. Diane Grendell (R- Geauga County) wants Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton to be more forthcoming about COVID-19 statistics.

Grendell drafted the “Truth in COVID-19 Statistics” bill, the Record-Courier reported. She said the bill will be introduced in the House later this week, and she expects it to gain bipartisan support.

Ohio House GOP Members Move to Limit Dr. Acton’s Emergency Declaration Powers

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Ohio State House Republicans on Wednesday approved a move to limit the Health Department’s emergency declaration powers.

Republican Lawmakers Grow Restless, Call for DeWine to Reopen Ohio

April 14, 2020April 14, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Some Ohio Republican lawmakers are calling for Gov. Mike DeWine to reopen the state.

The governor said Friday he would create a plan to gradually reopen the state, The Plain-Dealer said.

House Speaker Larry Householder convened a task force that will study how to reopen the economy. State Rep. Paul Zeltwanger (R-OH-54) said Ohio needs to plan for controlling the disease for when segments of the economy reopen. He pointed out that some question whether 253 deaths as of Sunday justify the closures.

‘You’re Getting a Paycheck, We’re Not,’ Protestors Say of DeWine, Acton

April 14, 2020April 14, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Approximately 150 people gathered outside the State Capitol in Columbus Monday to tell Gov. Mike DeWIne and Health Department Director Amy Action that it’s past time to reopen the state.

Tom Zawistowski, president of Ohio Tea Party group We the People Convention, estimated the attendance, in an interview with The Ohio Star. This was the second such protest since last Thursday.

Many of the protestors called out, “You’re getting a paycheck, we’re not,” Zawistowski said.

Buckeye Institute Calls for Ending Regulations So Nurses Can Use Their Skills to Treat COVID-19 Patients

April 9, 2020April 8, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

The Buckeye Institute says Ohio should end the collaborative supervision requirements that prevent advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) from offering the medical care they have been trained and licensed to provide.

Allow Public Money to Follow Students to Their Chosen Education Provider, Researcher Tells Ohio Legislature

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, testified Wednesday before Ohio legislators looking at solutions to the problems facing Ohio’s EdChoice program.

Initiative Proposal Wants to Implement Term Limits on Ohio State Legislatures

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

A group trying to alter the way term limits work in the Buckeye State filed petition paperwork with Attorney General Dave Yost Wednesday. A group called Ohioans for Legislative Term Limits (OLTL) wants to limit the number of years state elected officials can serve to 16. Currently, an amendment…

ACLU Calls Ohio ‘Crazy Territory’ in Announcing ‘Abortion Is Still Legal’ Billboard Campaign

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio recently erected ten billboards across the state to inform residents that “abortion is still legal in Ohio.”

Researcher Calls on Ohio Lawmakers to Make it Easier for Citizens to Get Out of Debt

December 12, 2019December 11, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Ohio lawmakers should make it easier for citizens to get out of debt, a researcher said.

Pending Ohio Legislature, Deregulation of Occupational Licenses Could Stimulate State’s Economy

December 9, 2019December 8, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

As the Ohio Legislature studies ongoing reforms to occupational licensing, some say the move could give the state’s economy a much-needed boost while also reducing recidivism.

Judge Throws Out Major Reform of Violent Offender Sentencing Law Named for Murdered Ohio State Student Reagan Tokes

November 30, 2019November 29, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

A state law passed this year that allows the parole board to extend the sentences of major felony cases was ruled unconstitutional.

Gun Reform Proposals Might Struggle to Get Past Ohio’s Republican Legislature

October 17, 2019October 16, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine may have trouble getting his gun control legislation passed through the legislature despite both chambers being controlled by his party.

Proposed Legislation Would Rethink How Ohio Deals With Failing Schools

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

Legislation being considered in the Ohio Legislature would adjust how the state handles poor-performing schools. The bill seeks to hand back more local control, but its critics argue that it doesn’t go far enough.

Ohio Liberty Coalition Will Start Petition to Have Any Red Flag Law Placed on Ballot

August 27, 2019August 27, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Ohio Liberty Coalition, a grassroots conservative organization, said it will start a petition to have any red flag law that passes the Ohio Legislature placed on the 2020 ballot for voters to decide on.

Ban on Child Marriage Likely to Come Out of Ohio Legislature’s Lame-Duck Session

November 12, 2018November 12, 2018 Anthony Accardi

Ohio lawmakers have prioritized a list of bills they’d like to see hurried through the legislature in the lame-duck session that ends in December, and one of the most likely to pass is a ban on child marriage. With a list that includes abortion, gun laws and criminal-sentencing reform, one…

Americans for Prosperity Announces Endorsements for Ohio State Legislature

September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 Anthony Accardi

Americans for Prosperity-Ohio announced its endorsement Tuesday for six Ohio state legislative candidates based on their support for a free-market economy, low taxes and quality education. Andrew Brenner, Mike Rasor, Jim Trakas, Tim Barhorst, Todd Smith and Kristina Roegner all support “removing barriers to opportunity and improving the lives of Ohioans,” said…