December 2

Bill would ban “double dipping” for public employees

By William Hershey | Thursday, December 1, 2011, 05:04 PM

State Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, announced Thursday that he has introduced legislation to ban “double dipping” for Ohio government workers, the practice that allows them to collect retirement benefits if they return to public employment after retiring.

House Bill 388 would suspend retirement benefits of a public retirement system retiree who returns to public employment.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2011/12/01/bill_would_ban_double_dipping.html

Kennel cruelty bill stalled; senior dog rescue gets $25,000: Animals in the News

Published: Friday, December 02, 2011, 7:45 AM

By Donna J. Miller, Plain Dealer reporter The Plain Dealer

House Bill 108, also known as Nitro's Law, would give prosecutors the ability to charge a kennel owner or worker with a fifth-degree felony for cruelty to animals. Current law caps the penalty at a misdemeanor.
The Criminal Justice Committee passed the bill Sept. 21, but House Speaker William Batchelder hasn't scheduled the bill for a floor vote; email or call 1-800-282-0253.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/12/_animals_in_the_news_72.html

State Rep. Hagan calls for hearings on fracking

Published: Thu, December 1, 2011 @ 6:20 p.m.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, penned an open letter to Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder asking for hearings about fracking.

Fracking, the process in which water, chemicals and sand are blasted into rocks thousands of feet below the ground to unlock natural gas and oil, has come under fire because of its potential environmental concerns.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/dec/01/state-rep-hagan-calls-hearings-fracking/

Boards and Ballots: Ohio Speaker to attend Hagan fundraiser

By Robert Wang

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Dec 01, 2011 @ 11:48 PM

Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, is set to attend a campaign fundraiser and birthday celebration for State Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, at the Canton Club in the Chase Tower at 101 Central Plaza S in downtown Canton at 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Stark County Republican Party.

Those who contribute $1,000 to Hagan’s campaign to be elected to her House seat next year will be named a member of the Host Committee. Those who give her $500 will be one of the “Friends of Christina,” while the basic contribution is $100.
http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x764848011/Boards-and-Ballots-Ohio-Speaker-to-attend-Hagan-fundraiser