Statehouse and Around Ohio
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FirstEnergy exec tried to keep DeWine aide’s name off of $10M transaction
BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal In October 2019, as a battle raged over an attempt to repeal a $1.3 billion utility bailout, a FirstEnergy executive worked to keep the name of a senior aide to Gov. Mike DeWine off of a $10 million infusion of corporate cash into the fight. The executive, Vice President Michael Dowling,…
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Corruption trial texts: OH AG Yost didn’t speak out against bailout because of utility support
BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — In June of 2019, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost thought a proposed utility bailout was a bad law, but he didn’t publicly oppose it because of support he’d received from the bailout’s primary beneficiary, FirstEnergy, according to lobbyists’ text messages displayed in court on Friday. Prosecutors displayed the messages…
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Angling for appeal? Householder attorneys go after judge in corruption 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 — There has been speculation since the start of a massive public corruption trial that lawyers for the main defendant — former Ohio House Speaker Larry…
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Fate of former Ohio House speaker could hinge on whether he took an “official act”
Larry Householder addresses reporters after lawmakers voted to expel him from the General Assembly. He has pleaded not guilty to a racketeering charge and awaits trial. Photo by Jake Zuckerman, OCJ. BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal It appears that federal prosecutors have a mountain of evidence they want to present to the jury in their racketeering…
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Federal Government to End SNAP Emergency Allotments After February
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder has announced that changes in federal law mean that February will be the last month of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments. These are extra monthly payments the federal government created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, it ensures all households…
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Awaiting budget proposal, child advocates hope for more
Getty Images BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal As policymakers await the newest budget priorities to be laid out by Gov. Mike DeWine, advocates for the state’s children are hoping comprehensive child well-being will be at the top of the list. The Ohio Children’s Budget Coalition released their policy agenda for the 2024-2025 state budget, which they…
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Corruption trial delayed by COVID
Former Ohio House speaker Larry Householder arrives for day two of his racketeering trial. Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS. BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal CINCINNATI — A federal court trial over allegations of epic public corruption has been interrupted at least until Monday after a juror was diagnosed with COVID on Wednesday. “The Court was advised…
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Air pollution impacting maternal, infant health of Ohioans
BY: SUSAN TEBBEN Ohio Capital Journal Traffic on a highway. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Improving air quality in the state would lead to better health for Ohioans, and could be done through policy changes, according to a policy think tank. In a recent examination of the connections between air pollution and health, the Health Policy Institute…
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Federal funding coming to Ohio for kindergarten readiness
BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal An infusion of federal funds is coming to Ohio, targeted at improving kindergarten readiness. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is set to receive a total of $48 million over three years as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Preschool Development Grant, according to…
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New Ohio voter ID law also excludes state veterans’ IDs
A Veterans Day parade. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.) BY: MARTY SCHLADEN – Ohio Capital Journal Franklin County Recorder Daniel O’Connor is blasting Ohio’s Republican leaders for excluding county-issued veterans’ identification from the list of IDs one can use to vote under the state’s controversial new law. Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 earlier this month after it…
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