November 30

35 Ohioans honored for military sacrifice

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday November 30, 2011 4:32 AM

Ohio lawmakers honored the sacrifice of 35 members of the military in a solemn joint session yesterday, presenting surviving family members with the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction.

All those recognized were Ohioans killed in 2009 or 2010.

“This medal honors those who have been true patriots,” said Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina. “Those who put on the uniform of this country and said to themselves: ‘I love this country so much that I’m willing to die for it.’

“They put themselves forward for the cause of protecting our nation and defending the freedoms that we enjoy. Patriots. Patriots they are indeed. And it breaks our hearts this day that these men and women are not here with us.”
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/30/35-ohioans-honored-for-military-sacrifice.html

Medals to 'Ohio's fallen military men and women'

By MARC KOVAC
Wooster Daily Record
Dix Capital Bureau
COLUMBUS -- State lawmakers took time away from their regular legislative agendas Tuesday to honor Ohio's fallen military men and women.
A special joint session of the House and Senate included presentations of Ohio Military Medals of Distinction to the families and friends of 35 Ohioans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps. and who died in recent action.
The list included Army Specialist Damon G. Winkleman from Lakeville (Holmes County), Marines Gunnery Sgt. Robert L. Gilbert II from Richfield (Summit County) and Army Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Kessler from Canton (Stark County). All three were serving in Afghanistan.
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/5129760

Carey to leave House for SSU post

Published 9:34am Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Ironton Tribune

With only six filing days left for the 2012 primary election, the Ohio House seat of veteran politician John Carey is now up for the taking. Or rather the campaigning.
And the local Democratic Party is working hard to come up with a candidate who could take the post that Republicans have held for the past nine years.
On Tuesday Carey, the Republican representative for the 87th District, announced that he is going to work at Shawnee State University. There he will be assistant to the university’s president for government relations and strategic initiative.
http://www.irontontribune.com/2011/11/30/carey-to-leave-house-for-ssu-post/

Rep. Carey Resigning; Batchelder Outlines Process for Vacancies

Hannah Report 11/29/11

The turnover in the Ohio House continued on Tuesday when it was announced that Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston) will be resigning in January to take a position with Shawnee State University.

Carey's departure will give the House GOP three vacancies to fill in the next two months, while the House Democrats have one vacancy to fill with another one possibly looming.

Carey, a staple of the General Assembly since 1995 with stints in the House and Senate, will resign effective Jan. 1, 2012, to become the assistant to the president for government relations and strategic initiatives at Shawnee State University.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187885

General Assembly Honors 35 Fallen Veterans in Second Medal Ceremony

Hannah Report 11/29/11

Members of the General Assembly came together Tuesday in a joint session to honor fallen military members who died in 2009 and 2010 in the second Ohio Military Medal of Distinction ceremony held since the program was created in 127-SB248.

While the first ceremony was held at Veterans Memorial in Columbus last year (see The Hannah Report, 11/10/10), Tuesday's was held in the chambers of the Ohio House.

Tuesday's ceremony honored 35 fallen military members and their families, who were given the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187887

 

Rep. Carey To Leave Legislature At Year's End; Speaker Sets Plans To Fill Vacancies

Gongwer 11/29/11

Rep. John Carey, a longtime legislator who has chaired the budget-writing finance committees in the House and Senate, said Tuesday he will resign from his House seat at the end of the year.

The Republican has been named assistant to the president for government relations and strategic initiatives at Shawnee State University. He begins the new job Jan. 1.

Mr. Carey's first stint in the Ohio House was from 1995-2002. He then moved to the Ohio Senate in 2003, where he was a member until term limits forced him out in 2010. He successfully ran again for the House, where he has served for the last year as vice chairman of the Finance & Appropriations Committee.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said Mr. Carey is the only Ohio lawmaker to chair the Finance panels in both legislative chambers.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802290203

Officials Present Military Medal During Joint Session

Gongwer 11/29/11

Members of the House and Senate convened a solemn joint session Tuesday to honor fallen Ohio service members.

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor joined Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) in the House chamber to present the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction to the families of 35 soldiers who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during the past two years.

The three officials made brief remarks thanking veterans for their sacrifice to the state and country before offering the medal to the fallen soldiers' families.

Lt. Gov. Taylor said the medal was "a small token of our gratitude for such an enormous price to pay to protect America's freedom."

The ceremony marked the second joint session of the General Assembly to bestow the medal, which the legislature created in 2009 (SB248, 128^th General Assembly). Last year the ceremony was held at the Ohio Veterans Memorial.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802290205

November 29

No downside to Rep. Hagan’s bill

By Anonymous

Repository Editorial

Posted Nov 28, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

The issue: House Bill 368
Our view: Legislature would benefit from having more data that could affect policy

We don’t see a downside to the proposal that state Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, and a House colleague are making in a bill they’ve introduced. We apparently have plenty of company in that assessment, as the bill has bipartisan support.

House Bill 368 would create a nonpartisan council of 15 to 21 financial experts that would conduct a yearly analysis of state government’s revenue needs over the following several years.

Hagan’s co-sponsor, Rep. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, told The Rep that the group would study population trends, demographics and Medicaid caseloads. The yearly studies would help the Legislature to stay on top of trends that might otherwise take it by surprise. The expense of gathering this information would be nominal, as much of it would be done by employees of the Legislative Service Commission during the slower summer months.
http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/editorials/x1293128857/No-downside-to-Rep-Hagan-s-bill

November 28

Published: 11/28/2011

Ohioans boost pace of making, changing laws at ballot boxes

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS — Who needs a legislature?

Ohioans from both ends of the political spectrum are increasingly doing away with the middleman by turning directly to the ballot to amend the Constitution, undo laws they don’t like, and — in rarer cases — write their own.

The Buckeye State is no California or Oregon, the national leaders in citizen-driven referendums, but already Ohio is looking at definite and potential issues in 2012 that would affect medical marijuana, organized labor, elections, congressional maps, abortion rights, and even a constitutional convention.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/11/28/Ohioans-boost-pace-of-making-changing-laws-at-ballot-boxes-2.html

Published: 11/26/2011 - Updated: 1 day ago

Bill to have Edison statue languishes

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS -- Over the last year, Ohio lawmakers have fought over everything from collective bargaining rights to congressional redistricting, and from election law to budget cuts.

And through it all, a bill that most people considered to be a feel-good, easy decision has quietly gathered dust in a legislative committee.

It's been nearly a year and a half since Ohioans "elected" prolific inventor and Milan, Ohio, native Thomas Alva Edison to stand for Ohio in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Nation/2011/11/26/Bill-to-have-Edison-statue-languishes.html

What’s on tap in Columbus?

Published: Sat, November 26, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

Youngstown Vindicator

COLUMBUS

It’s hard to tell what lawmakers have up their sleeves for the few weeks that remain before the holiday break.

With a half a dozen or so potential voting sessions between now and mid-December, when they’re scheduled to leave town for the year, the Republican leaders of the Ohio House and Senate aren’t making it sound like there will be a whirlwind of activity.

“I’m not sure that there’s anything that we feel that we have to do before the end of the year,” House Speaker Bill Batchelder told reporters earlier this month. “We have a couple of matters pending, and I don’t want to get into them at this point, that might command that kind of attention. ... We’re looking at a fairly intensive calendar [next year] again. Perhaps not quite as intensive as passing 80 bills in the first six months [of this year] ....”
http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/nov/26/whats-on-tap-in-columbus/?newswatch

Hagan co-sponsors bill to establish state financial council

By Robert Wang

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Nov 27, 2011 @ 03:00 PM

State Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, is one of the two primary sponsors of a bill backed by Ohio House Republican leaders that would create a council, largely independent of the governor, that would assess the long-term financial outlook of the state government every year.

While House Bill 368 has bipartisan support, it’s apparently been met with a lukewarm reception by Gov. John Kasich, whose Office of Budget and Management performs the bulk of the state’s budget projections.
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x301774534/Hagan-co-sponsors-bill-to-establish-state-financial-council

No downside to Rep. Hagan’s bill

By Anonymous

Repository Editorial

Posted Nov 28, 2011 @ 12:00 PM

The issue: House Bill 368
Our view: Legislature would benefit from having more data that could affect policy
We don’t see a downside to the proposal that state Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, and a House colleague are making in a bill they’ve introduced. We apparently have plenty of company in that assessment, as the bill has bipartisan support.

House Bill 368 would create a nonpartisan council of 15 to 21 financial experts that would conduct a yearly analysis of state government’s revenue needs over the following several years.

Right-to-work push lacks GOP leaders' support
http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/editorials/x1293128857/No-downside-to-Rep-Hagan-s-bill

 

Business First by Jeff Bell, Staff reporter

Date: Friday, November 25, 2011, 6:00am EST

Jeff Bell

Staff reporter – Columbus Business First

Given the political realities of the day, groups hoping to make Ohio a right-to-work state will have to move forward without the backing of influential Republican leaders at the Statehouse and a powerful business association.
Gov. John Kasich, Senate President Tom Niehaus, House Speaker Bill Batchelder, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce    Ohio Chamber of Commerce Latest from The Business Journals Issue 2 behind him, Kasich ready to chase jobsOhio Issue 3 finally has campaigns on both sidesEPA impact: Ozone control rule revisions could throw state off Follow this company have said this is not the time to rush into another controversial ballot fight with organized labor. They want the focus to return to job creation.
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/11/25/right-to-work-push-lacks-gop-support.html

November 23

Speaker Batchelder Clips

November 23, 2011

Democrats File More Signatures For Elections Law Referendum

Gongwer 11/22/11

Democrats set the stage Tuesday for a presidential election year referendum on election law changes that at minimum will delay by a year the implementation of the GOP-backed legislation.

Joined by a representative of President Barack Obama's campaign at the Ohio Democratic Party headquarters in Columbus, opponents of the bill (HB 194 ) said an additional 166,481 signatures were filed with the secretary of state's office.

The Fair Elections Ohio coalition had come up about 10,000 valid signatures short of the required 231,150 on its initial submission. Ohio law allows petitioners an additional 10 days to collect signatures after the initial submission deadline.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802250201

Politics Notebook: More Anti-Redistricting Signatures In; Right-To-Work Summary Rejected; O'Neill Plans Third High Court Run

Gongwer 11/22/11

More than 100,000 signatures have been collected for a referendum on the Republican-drawn congressional districts, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern told reporters Tuesday.

A referendum would require 231,147 signatures to allow voters the final say on the legislation (HB 319 ). Mr. Redfern said efforts will focus on "high-visibility areas" to garner support during Black Friday shopping events following Thanksgiving.

Although House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) has the GOP redistricting point man Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) discussing a compromise with Minority Leaders Rep. Armond Budish (D-Beachwood), that will not stop Democrats from working to meet the Dec. 25 filing deadline, Chairman Redfern said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802250206

November 22

Lines for compromise

Published: November 21, 2011 - 07:07 PM

Akron Beacon Journal

With the filing deadline for the March primary just 15 days away, Ohio Republicans continue to take a hard line on congressional redistricting that would cost the state an additional $15 million to hold a second primary in June for U.S. House and presidential candidates.

Instead of making a reasonable effort to reach a compromise, attracting enough Democratic votes to pass a new redistricting bill as an emergency measure, Republican legislative leaders now appear eager to steer the issue to the Ohio Supreme Court, firmly in control of their party. The hope is, the state’s high court would impose a lopsidedly partisan map like the Republicans’ first redistricting bill, which Democrats stalled by circulating petitions for a referendum next November.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/lines-for-compromise-1.246697

State income tax collection plan gets cool response in Brunswick

Published: Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 9:26 AM

By Brian Lisik,Sun News cleveland.com

BRUNSWICK A presentation by representatives from Ohio Speaker of the House William Batchelder’s office on a state tax commission feasibility study on centralizing municipal income tax collection in Columbus met with polite but firm opposition from city council members Nov. 14.

“To put it nicely, we don’t trust you guys at the state after you have taken $500,000 out of our (local government fund) budget,” Vice mayor Vince Carl told Batchelder policy advisor Lizz Eisaman and Senior Legislative Aide Hallie R. Wolff. “My problem is I’m hearing the word ‘currently’ a lot and anybody can introduce a bill at any time. If you think Senate Bill 5 went down hard, try this.”

http://www.cleveland.com/brunswick/index.ssf/2011/11/state_income_tax_collection_pl.html

November 21

Why Ohio will have 2 primaries

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Sunday November 20, 2011 5:48 AM

If you’re asking why Ohio is poised to spend an extra $15 million to hold two primary elections in 2012 and faces the possibility of having a federal judge draw new congressional districts, keep something in mind:

While the legislature may look like a model of efficiency compared with Congress, passing legislation at a rate not seen in years, nearly everything it has done this session was accomplished without the need for bipartisan cooperation.

But fixing the situation — passing a compromise map that Democrats won’t try to overturn at the ballot, and merging the primaries into a single date — requires majority Republicans and minority Democrats to find common ground.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/20/why-ohio-will-have-2-primaries.html

Republican Women tour State House

Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011 11:03 pm
Circleville Herald

Republican Women tour State House

Several members of the Pickaway County Republican Women’s Club recently visited the Ohio State House to take part in the 150th birthday of “The People’s House.” They started the day off at breakfast with State Representatives Bill Hayes and Bob Peterson, then toured the State House before being recognized as official guests of The Ohio House of Representatives by House Speaker Bill Batchelder.

http://www.circlevilleherald.com/community/article_b4002d84-1263-11e1-84fd-001cc4c002e0.html

Kasich appoints Common Pleas judge

November 20, 2011

by Marc Kovac | Capital Bureau Chief
Hudson Hub Times
Columbus -- As expected, a state lawmaker from the Akron area resigned his seat in the Ohio House to take the bench in his home county.
Rep. Todd McKenney, a Republican in his first term in the chamber, submitted his official resignation Nov. 16. He was appointed by Gov. John Kasich Nov. 17 to the probate division of Summit County Common Pleas Court.
"I know that he will bring a great deal of favorable attention to the probate court of Summit County," said House Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, who accepted McKenney's resignation.
http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5125699

Republicans Hope To Get Ohio Courts To Adopt GOP Redistricting Plan

Gongwer 11/18/11

Republicans warn that Democrats' opposition to their redistricting plan could result in out-of-state federal judges drawing Ohio's congressional districts. But they're betting they can keep litigation in state and maybe even get the court to impose their map.

Democrats, however, say federal courts will likely step in even though Republicans appear to be trying to use the state's legal system to their advantage by filing a lawsuit of their own that looks "collusive."

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said this week that he still hopes to get enough Democrats to agree to a compromise map to avoid a separate June primary election for congressional and presidential candidates.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802230201

November 17

Rep. Austria criticized for Statehouse visit on day of redistricting vote

By  Jessica Wehrman

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday November 17, 2011 4:18 AM

Seven Dayton-area lawmakers are raising a stink about whether it was appropriate for Rep. Steve Austria to visit the Ohio General Assembly on the same day that the House took up legislation redrawing congressional districts.

The group — two trustees from Montgomery County’s Washington Township, four mayors of Dayton suburbs and former state Sen. Chuck Curran — wrote in a letter to House Speaker Bill Batchelder that Austria’s appearance at the General Assembly on Nov. 3 “creates the impression of undue influence and the appearance of impropriety.”
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/17/rep-austria-criticized-for-statehouse-visit.html

Still no congressional map deal as Ohio lawmakers head for holiday break

Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 5:55 PM     Updated: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 4:12 AM

By Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State lawmakers were unable to cut a deal on a new congressional map this week, making it more likely that Ohio will spend $15 million on a second primary election next year. But there is still hope for an agreement, as talks continue among legislative leaders.
House Speaker William G. Batchelder, a Medina Republican, said talks are "moving forward" but said the next chance for lawmakers to ratify any agreement won't be until Nov. 29. Lawmakers are expected to be on break until that date when a special joint session will be convened to honor service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/11/still_no_congressional_map_dea.html

McKenney appointed new Summit probate judge

By Ed Meyer
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: November 17, 2011 - 12:00 AM

State Rep. Todd McKenney of New Franklin confirmed Wednesday he has been appointed by the governor as the new judge in Summit County Probate Court.

Rob Nichols, spokesman for Gov. John Kasich, said the governor will make an official announcement of McKenney’s appointment today in Columbus.

He was chosen from a list of three candidates submitted to the governor in early September. The other candidates nominated by the Summit County Republican Party screening committee were Akron attorneys Candace Kim Knox and Scot A. Stevenson.
http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/mckenney-appointed-new-summit-probate-judge-1.245836

Ohio House delays vote on bill to penalize using public money for political activity

The Associated press

November 15, 2011 – 12:53 pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House has delayed a vote on a bill that would penalize public officials who use taxpayer money for political activity.

House Speaker William Batchelder told reporters the bill needs minor changes, but would be voted on in two weeks.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4f78fed9ed5e49308db01b8909d167b6/OH--Campaign-Finance-Criminal-Penalties/

Speaker Says Deal On Congress Map Still Possible; House Sends College Grant Tax Exemption Bill To Governor

Gongwer 11/16/11

Negotiators had warned that the clock was ticking this week on a deadline for reaching a deal on the new congressional map, but Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said Wednesday it was still possible to avoid separate primary elections and related $15 million in additional costs to the state.

The speaker told reporters after session that if a deal was reached with Democrats on the new map after this week then the House could suspend rules and move legislation that dispenses with the additional primary date.

The speaker said Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Minority Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) were continuing to talk. "I think we're moving forward," he said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=802210202

November 16

Window closing to avoid 2 Ohio primary elections

Associated Press

Published: November 15, 2011 - 07:00 PM

COLUMBUS, OHIO: The leader of the Ohio House says state lawmakers are still discussing a revised congressional map and have yet to reach an agreement.

House Speaker William Batchelder says he and fellow Republicans wanted to pass the measure Wednesday, but spokesman Mike Dittoe says it will not go to the House floor.

Wednesday is the last scheduled voting session for the chamber this month.

Dittoe says it doesn’t make sense bring the bill before lawmakers without votes needed to make it effective immediately. Republicans would need seven Democratic votes.
http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/window-closing-to-avoid-2-ohio-primary-elections-1.245688

Congressional map talks yield no agreement

By Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch - November 15, 2011 13:11 PM

So how are the negotiations going over a new congressional map? Speaker William G. Batchelder said his caucus “sent me to the showers” two weeks ago when he was unable to craft a deal, handing the ball off to Rep. Matt Huffman, R-Lima.

“I think he indicated to me this morning that he is willing to go to the shower at this time,” said Batchelder, R-Medina. “I’m not sure what we are going to do to complete the work.”
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2011/11/11-15-11-batch-map.html

November 15

Bill pushes insurance coverage of autism

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday November 15, 2011 7:35 AM

Two Franklin County Democrats have reintroduced a bill requiring many private health-insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism.

In the previous legislative session, the Democratic-controlled House passed the bill, but it did not get traction in the Republican-controlled Senate. This session, Republicans control both chambers, and House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, was among those who voted against the bill in 2009.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/15/bill-pushes-insurance-coverage-of-autism.html

16th District lines drawn around Timken plantsBy Robert Wang

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Nov 14, 2011 @ 07:00 AM

CANTON —

When Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly approved new congressional districts in September, the new map not only split Stark County into three districts, it also established district lines in unexpected places in southwest Canton.

The office of Timken Co. President and CEO James W. Griffith, situated on the northeast corner of Dueber Avenue SW and 19th Street, will be in the 7th Congressional District, which could be represented by Republican Congressman Bob Gibbs of Holmes County.
http://www.cantonrep.com/carousel/x574922537/16th-District-lines-drawn-around-Timken-plants

Will SB 5 resonate into 2012?

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Sunday November 13, 2011 6:16 AM

When Issue 2 lost by 22 percentage points and went down in 82 of Ohio’s 88 counties, it allowed very few legislative Republicans to wake up on Wednesday and say, “Well, at least my constituents voted to uphold Senate Bill 5.”

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, represents the bulk of Medina County, which voted 53 percent against Issue 2, striking down the Republican-crafted collective-bargaining law. His No. 2, Rep. Louis Blessing, R-Cincinnati, saw the issue fail 58-42 in his district.http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/13/will-sb-5-resonate-into-2012.html 

Ohio lawmakers running out of time to cut congressional map deal

Published: Sunday, November 13, 2011, 12:00 AM     Updated: Sunday, November 13, 2011, 1:29 AM

By Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - State lawmakers have just one more week to cut a bipartisan deal on a congressional map, says a key Republican lawmaker.

Rep. Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican who is the lead negotiator for the GOP in continuing talks with Democrats on a congressional map, said time is quickly running out.
"I think next week is it if we want to avoid two primaries and have a compromise map," Huffman said Friday. "There has to be some ending, and in my mind, that ending is next Tuesday or Wednesday. We are going to try and resolve this once and for all."
Republicans need at least seven Democratic votes to pass a new map that includes an emergency clause, which would shield the map from any possible referendum and allow it to take effect immediately.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/11/state_lawmakers_running_out_of.html

The people of Ohio spoke on Senate Bill 5, but Gov. John Kasich isn't a listener: Thomas Suddes

Published: Saturday, November 12, 2011, 9:00 PM     Updated: Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10:40 PM

By Thomas Suddes The Plain Dealer

If there's a way to overstate voters' humiliation of Republican Gov. John Kasich on Tuesday, his enemies will find it. But humiliate him voters did. Trouble is, as a key Republican privately said in October, "John has never been a listener."

In contrast, the people who stuck out their necks to pass Senate Bill 5 -- General Assembly Republicans -- are listeners. They have to be. Many of them are on the 2012 ballot. Kasich isn't.
That suggests once-burned legislative Republicans who rubber-stamped Kasich's 2011 Statehouse program may be twice shy in 2012.
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/11/the_people_spoke_but_kasich_is.html

Some provisions of SB5 could be reintroduced

November 14, 2011

By Sam Shawver

The Marietta Times

Ohio voters' defeat of Issue 2 during last week's general election effectively repealed the hotly-contested Senate Bill 5 "collective bargaining law." But some of the legislation could return in the form of separate bills in early 2012.

Prior to the election House Speaker William Batchelder said if Issue 2 failed, certain provisions of SB5 might be reintroduced next year.

Those provisions could include merit pay for teachers and requiring public employees to pay a percentage into their health and pension benefits.
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/540084/Some-provisions-of-SB5-could-be-reintroduced.html?nav=5002

John Kasich’s listening curve

By Michael Douglas
Beacon Journal editorial page editor

Published: November 13, 2011 - 06:31 AM

Let’s return to August, the governor, the House speaker and the Senate president seated at the table, surrounded by empty chairs. John Kasich, Bill Batchelder and Tom Niehaus were waiting for the other side to show, the opponents of Issue 2, the referendum on Senate Bill 5, the archly partisan overhaul of collective bargaining for public employees.

The trio knew they wouldn’t have company. The moment for compromise long had passed, even as well-intentioned operatives spent the summer looking to avoid a divisive, expensive campaign in the fall. So the episode became another bit of staging, a bid to get the upper hand.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/john-kasich-s-listening-curve-1.245324

Published: 11/13/2011 - Updated: 1 day ago

2 sides put S.B. 5 fight on hold for time being

Parts of Issue 2 popular, polls show

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS -- Gov. John Kasich called for "a deep breath" in the immediate aftermath of the voter-imposed destruction of his law restricting the collective-bargaining power of some 350,000 public workers.

But he barely had a chance for a gasp before the conservative group behind Tuesday's successful health-care amendment had filed papers for a proposed constitutional amendment to make Ohio the first right-to-work state in the Midwest.

Tuesday's pummeling of Senate Bill 5 should have been the end of that story, according to those who orchestrated the referendum.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/11/13/2-sides-put-S-B-5-fight-on-hold-for-time-being.html

Published: 11/13/2011

Editorial

Toledo Blade

Fracking for dollars

Gov. John Kasich extols the energy and economic-growth potential of Ohio's oil and natural-gas reserves. Extracting these riches from the state's shale deposits often requires a controversial but increasingly popular technique called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

The process pumps toxic chemicals and sand into underground rock formations to release trapped gas and oil. It applies lots of pressure and generates lots of polluted waste water. If fracking is not adequately regulated by government -- including public disclosure of the poisonous substances used by drillers -- it threatens groundwater, streams, air quality, and public health.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2011/11/13/Fracking-for-dollars.html

 

Voters Decisively Reject Issue 2; Leaders Reflect on Next Step

Hannah Report 11/9/11

It was a mixed message sent by voters. But what kind of message was it? And will that message reverberate into 2012 elections?

All sides of Issue 2, the referendum on collective bargaining bill SB5 (Jones), and Issue 3, the Healthcare Freedom amendment, reflected on what Tuesday's results could mean going into next year.

Ohio voters handily defeated Issue 2 Tuesday night, turning back Republicans' attempt to overhaul public-employee collective bargaining and diminish unions' power. They also easily passed Issue 3, weighing in on the Affordable Care Act, which opponents have dubbed "Obamacare."
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187691

Huffman Says Congressional Compromise Must Be Finished Next Week

Hannah Report 11/9/11

Republicans and Democrats said Wednesday they're still talking about a compromise congressional map, but Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), whose HB369 is the current vehicle for debate on redistricting, said next week is the practical deadline to reach a deal to avoid a referendum.

Huffman said after a hearing of the House Rules and Reference Committee that, with a Dec. 7 primary-election filing deadline on the near horizon, candidates for Congress will need to know district lines by next week to gather sufficient signatures to make the ballot.

Wednesday's committee hearing on HB369 covered familiar territory, with Huffman and Democratic lawmakers sparring on what constitutes competitiveness and the effects of splitting communities among multiple districts.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187697

November 10

Lawmakers have week to redo congressional map

By Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday November 10, 2011 4:38 AM

Lawmakers have until next week to work out a deal on a new congressional map and avoid an uncertain 2012 primary election, a key GOP lawmaker said yesterday.

Rep. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, who is at the forefront of negotiations for the Republicans, said he hopes the House will pass a new map next week with the two-thirds vote needed to let it take effect immediately and unite the 2012 primaries in March.

If not, Republicans will wait and see whether Democrats collect the nearly 232,000 signatures needed to force a vote on the map passed in September on the November 2012 ballot, potentially leaving the new district lines for 2012 in the hands of a judge.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/11/10/lawmakers-have-week-to-redo-map.html

Akron-area lawmakers respond to SB 5 repeal

By Akron Beacon Journal staff report

Published: November 10, 2011 - 06:29 AM

William Batchelder

R-Medina

While the majority of Ohioans clearly were not receptive to all components of Senate Bill 5, that does not mean they rejected everything about the bill. Voters simply did not believe that all of the provisions within the legislation provided the best opportunity for Ohio to move forward.

Everyone wants this state to regain solid economic footing, and we have taken many positive steps to ensure that. We now must move on and work together towards the common goal of getting our economy working again.

http://www.ohio.com/news/akron-area-lawmakers-respond-to-sb-5-repeal-1.244790

SB 5 author Jones: We still 'have to do something'

4:22 PM, Nov. 9, 2011  |  Cincinnati Enquirer

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

Legislative Republicans don't know what to do, but they're sure they need to do something in the aftermath of the overwhelming defeat of Issue 2 and with it the repeal of Senate Bill 5 on Tuesday.

Democrats, on the other hand, know what the Republicans should do, but aren't convinced they will do it.

What is known is that Ohio voters - Republicans, Democrats and Independents - sent a message to Columbus saying they didn't like SB 5, a key component of the agenda of the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. John R. Kasich.

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20111109/NEWS0108/111100314/SB-5-author-Jones-We-still-do-something-?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Ohio voters cast ballots of discontent

Results signal rebuke of Kasich, Obama plans

BY JIM PROVANCE
TOLEDO BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS — One message was clear from Tuesday's election: Ohio voters aren't happy.

With one vote they overwhelmingly slapped down the "overreach'' of Gov. John Kasich and Statehouse Republicans who tried to restrict the collective-bargaining rights of public employees.

Voters also rebuked President Obama, a Democrat, with a constitutional amendment designed to thwart implementation of parts of his health-care reform law.

And while voters appeared not to blame public employees for the woes of state and local government, in many cases they also voted against local tax levies that would have helped to pay those salaries and benefits.

"The message is don't get too greedy,'' Dan Tokaji, an Ohio State University election law professor, said of Issue 2's overwhelming defeat. "Getting too greedy can backfire on you. This may already be a lesson learned when you look at how Mr. Kasich has been doing in most polls. A lot of that is related to Senate Bill 5.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/11/10/Ohio-voters-cast-ballots-of-discontent.html

Tuesday's results serve as springboard for 2012

Published: Thu, November 10, 2011 @ 12:01 a.m. | Youngstown Vindicator

By MARC KOVAC

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

Proponents and opponents of collective-bargaining reform and federal health-care mandates are using Tuesday’s election results as a springboard into next year’s presidential election.

Voter turnout for the off-year election was at its highest in two decades.

And pollsters say their surveys leading up to Election Day were in line with the final double-digit margins on the major issues.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/nov/10/tuesdays-results-serve-sprinboard-2012/

Voters Decisively Reject Issue 2; Leaders Reflect on Next Step

Hannah Report 11/9/11

It was a mixed message sent by voters. But what kind of message was it? And will that message reverberate into 2012 elections?

All sides of Issue 2, the referendum on collective bargaining bill SB5 (Jones), and Issue 3, the Healthcare Freedom amendment, reflected on what Tuesday's results could mean going into next year.

Ohio voters handily defeated Issue 2 Tuesday night, turning back Republicans' attempt to overhaul public-employee collective bargaining and diminish unions' power. They also easily passed Issue 3, weighing in on the Affordable Care Act, which opponents have dubbed "Obamacare." (See separate story, this issue).

One question that immediately arose was whether portions of SB5 would be revived by the end of the 129^th General Assembly. House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) suggested last week that multiple bills could come forward next year including pieces of the law that were supported by voters in polls. (See The Hannah Report, 11/3/11.)

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187691

Huffman Says Congressional Compromise Must Be Finished Next Week

Hannah Report 11/9/11

Republicans and Democrats said Wednesday they're still talking about a compromise congressional map, but Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), whose HB369 is the current vehicle for debate on redistricting, said next week is the practical deadline to reach a deal to avoid a referendum.

Huffman said after a hearing of the House Rules and Reference Committee that, with a Dec. 7 primary-election filing deadline on the near horizon, candidates for Congress will need to know district lines by next week to gather sufficient signatures to make the ballot.

Wednesday's committee hearing on HB369 covered familiar territory, with Huffman and Democratic lawmakers sparring on what constitutes competitiveness and the effects of splitting communities among multiple districts.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=187697