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What º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmakers are trying to pass in the lame-duck session
º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmakers are continuing to pass legislation as quickly as possible, focusing this week on education policy, criminal justice reform and low-level marijuana regulation. But as we get further into lame duck session, provisions from bills will be stuck into unrelated policy to get it passed faster. “A lot of stuff can happen,” House Speaker […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø GOP, again, proposes restricting marijuana and making it more expensive
Although voters overwhelmingly chose to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023, one of the most powerful leaders in the state plans to dramatically change what º£½ÇÉçÇøans selected. So far, the policy has been safeguarded, but it likely won’t be in 2025. Nearly $200 million of adult-use cannabis has been sold in the four months that sales […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø House passes pension reform aimed at combatting police understaffing
The º£½ÇÉçÇø House has passed pension reform to combat police understaffing, but the bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate. The police shortage plaguing cities across the state may be one step closer to being fixed. “If we don’t have that strong and secure retirement, we’re not gonna be able to get our best […]
What to watch at the º£½ÇÉçÇø Statehouse this week of lame duck session
º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmakers continue their race to pass bills, focusing this week on adoption, safety, and pension reform. “It’s lame duck,” House Speaker Jason Stephens said with a laugh. “I don’t want to say anything can happen in lame duck, but…” As the speaker said, now is crunch time. Every remaining bill that doesn’t get passed […]
Although understaffed, º£½ÇÉçÇø mayors reject bill meant to fix police understaffing
The Akron Police Department is understaffed, but the city’s mayor is rejecting the latest bipartisan effort that aims to solve the problem. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, joined by a dozen other city leaders Monday, argued that º£½ÇÉçÇø legislation to bulk up the police pension fund could cause immense financial restraints that may lead to wage […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø Rep. Elliot Forhan sues Statehouse leaders in massive defamation suit
A Northeast º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmaker who has been embroiled in controversy for the past year is taking his accusers — Statehouse leaders — to court for defamation. State Rep. Elliot Forhan, D-South Euclid, lost his reelection, his law firm cut ties, and some friends left him in 2023. “It’s my name that has been dragged through […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø Republicans choose Senate President Matt Huffman as new House Speaker; final vote next year
º£½ÇÉçÇø House Republicans have selected state Rep-Elect Matt Huffman, the current Senate president, as their new leader, but there’s still one more vote ahead. During the House GOP caucus vote on Wednesday night, Huffman (R-Lima) was unopposed — and thus got unanimous support from his members. The speaker-elect came down to speak with reporters after […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø bill could solve police understaffing, but it comes at a cost
While a police officer shortage is plaguing departments across the state, an º£½ÇÉçÇø bill is headed to the House floor that aims to solve the problem. The legislation could fix understaffing, but at what cost? There are fewer boots on the ground, longer working hours, and delays for residents who need emergency services. “It takes […]
House Speaker Jason Stephens won’t seek reelection. Who will replace him?
After two years of bitter Republican infighting, º£½ÇÉçÇø House Speaker Jason Stephens has decided not to seek reelection to one of the highest posts in the state. In a sudden press conference Monday afternoon, Stephens explained that he is taking himself out of the race for speaker. “I have done what I said I would […]
Attorney: ex-º£½ÇÉçÇø Speaker Larry Householder using Trump ‘connections’ to try to get out of prison
The attorney for former º£½ÇÉçÇø House Speaker Larry Householder said that his team is using the convicted felon’s power — and his connections to President-elect Donald Trump — to get out of prison. The jury foreman from the speaker’s case is furious, arguing that this is the exact kind of corruption for which Householder was […]
New interim head of the º£½ÇÉçÇø retired teachers’ pension fund named
A new interim head of the controversial º£½ÇÉçÇø retired teachers’ pension fund has been named. Aaron Hood, a financial expert at the United States Military Academy at West Point, will be taking charge of the chaotic system. During a board meeting late last week, the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board voted for Hood to […]
º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmakers hurry to pass bills during lame duck session
For the next month, º£½ÇÉçÇø lawmakers are rushing to pass every remaining bill they want before the year ends. It’s a race to the finish line. “There should be a sense of urgency about getting this done,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. Every remaining bill that doesn’t get passed during the lame duck session dies. Lawmakers […]