Today at the Statehouse
Ohio Report Top Stories
Volume #78, Report #185--Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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Senate Activity Report | House Activity Report
SENATE SENDS REDISTRICTING BALLOT PROPOSAL TO HOUSE WITH NO SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS
A plan to revise how Ohio divvies up its legislative and congressional districts cleared the Senate Wednesday, but the lack of any minority party votes doesn't bode well for its chances in the Democrat-controlled House.
HOUSE OPENS HEARINGS ON EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL OF ELECTION LAWS
The House began hearings Wednesday on a comprehensive overhaul of election laws that sponsoring Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus) said would save money and ensure "safe, secure and accurate" balloting.
BOND RATING AGENCY GIVES STATE 'NEGATIVE' OUTLOOK OVER SLOTS MORASS
Having already put a chunk of K-12 education funding in jeopardy, the lack of certainty around Gov. Ted Strickland's slots-at-racetracks plan has caused a national bond-rating agency to lower its outlook for Ohio's general obligation debt to "negative."
FAMILIAR PAYDAY LENDING DEBATE RETURNS TO HOUSE COMMITTEE
A sense of déjà vu permeated a House hearing room Wednesday as a panel heard testimony on a bill designed to prevent payday lenders from skirting a law the General Assembly enacted last year.
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: OHIO AT VANGUARD OF IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL SEX OFFENDER LAWS
Ohio is the first state to "substantially implement" the federal sex offender laws under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
BWC CHIEF DEFENDS GROUP-RATING CHANGES, SAYS THEY BRING MORE BALANCE TO SYSTEM
BWC Administrator Marsha Ryan repeatedly told members of the Workers Compensation Council Wednesday that group-rating premium increases are part of an essential balancing act that will lead to a legitimate system.
ANALYSIS SHOWS RECORD GROWTH IN TRANSIT USE NATIONALLY, BUT NOT OHIO
A report from an environmental group showed Wednesday that many states saw "dramatic, record-breaking growth" in annual transit riders last year, but in Ohio the number of trips remained flat.
The People's Constitution Coalition of Ohio plans to ask voters to amend the state constitution to "protect Ohio citizens from a renegade federal government," according to a summary delivered to the Attorney General's Office released Wednesday.
GROUPS AGAIN URGE LAWMAKERS TO INCREASE 'OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS' TAX
Members of the Youth Tobacco Coalition on Wednesday reiterated a call, which has thus far gained no traction in the General Assembly, to raise the tax on other tobacco products in order to protect Ohio's youth and bolster the state budget.
