Statehouse and Around Ohio
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A behind-the-scenes look at how Ohio enacted the most restrictive voter photo ID law in America
Lawmakers ignored a variety more moderate restrictions proposed by secretary of state and law firm BY: ZURIE POPE – Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 on Jan. 6, enacting what’s been called one of the most restrictive voter-ID laws in the country. Public records obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal show how the law moved…
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Citing a hazy memory, former rep seems to distance himself from scandal
State Rep. Nino Vitale, R-Urbana. Photo from Ohio House website. Vitale was said to be a big supporter of Householder now charged with racketeering BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — Former state Rep. Nino Vitale on Tuesday testified that he didn’t have much of a memory for — nor was he much interested in —…
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Ohio utility regulator front and center in massive bailout scandal
FBI agents remove boxes of materials from PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo’s condo in Columbus Nov. 17, 2020. Photo courtesy of Daniel Konik/Statehouse News Bureau. BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — Ohio’s utility regulator is at the center of a massive bribery and money laundering scandal that has been the focus of a trial here since…
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Defense lawyer boils over in Ohio utility bailout and political bribery racketeering trial
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, a Perry County Republican, second from left, with attorneys outside of his racketeering trial. Photo courtesy of WEWS. BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — The defense of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder erupted Thursday in Householder’s epic corruption trial. Defense attorney Mark Marein of Cleveland suggested it…
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Study shows uninsured children could increase with loss of pandemic-era coverage
Getty Images. “As we begin the process of redetermining eligibility for the first time in three years, we must pay particular attention to children’s needs to minimize the number of children who lose coverage.” Kelly Vyzral BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal A new study warns of a sharp rise in uninsured children in Ohio and across…
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Ohio abortion rights groups merge and set sights for amendment on November ballot
Getty Image BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal Two groups who had already committed to separate efforts to get reproductive rights in the hands of Ohio voters have now merged and set an end goal: abortion access on the November ballot. Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom and Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights announced Thursday that they are joining…
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After roundtable, Ohio Dems talk next steps following Norfolk Southern derailment
BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital-Journal Ohio Statehouse Democrats have been in discussions with environmental groups and first responders to talk about how to help East Palestine recover from the toxic chemicals leaked as a result of a Norfolk Southern train derailment. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, joined with Assistant Minority Whip Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo, and…
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Former associate testifies that ex-Ohio GOP Chair Borges paid to spy on bailout repeal effort
BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — Former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges paid $15,000 off the books in 2019, a witness testified Tuesday. It was in an attempt to gather inside information about the campaign to repeal a $1.3 billion utility subsidy that had just been passed by the legislature, a Borges associate said.…
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Attorneys general from 23 GOP-led states including Ohio back suit seeking to block abortion pill
BY: JENNIFER SHUTT – Ohio Capital Journal Attorneys general representing nearly two dozen Republican states are backing a lawsuit that would remove the abortion pill from throughout the United States after more than two decades, eliminating the option even in states where abortion access remains legal. The state of Missouri filed its own brief in the case Friday…
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Ohio abortion rights advocates prepare for more legal fights
Getty Image BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal With the abortion landscape changing in Ohio and around the country, one abortion rights group is building up its legal effort for those seeking or providing abortion care. Abortion Fund of Ohio recently announced the launch its Legal Access Program, through a partnership with law firm Friedman, Nemecek, &…
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