January 27

Ohio Senate exploring repeal of new elections law

By Ann Sanner
Associated Press

Published: January 26, 2012 - 11:07 PM

COLUMBUS: Several Republican state senators have been reviewing for weeks the idea of repealing Ohio’s new elections law that trims early voting days in the presidential battleground state and makes other election changes, the leader of Ohio’s Senate said Thursday.

The law has been on hold until voters can decide in November whether it should be kept or scrapped.

Senate President Tom Niehaus said he was “amazed” that Secretary of State Jon Husted, a fellow Republican, has called on the GOP-led legislature to repeal the measure and write a new bill after this year’s presidential election.
http://www.ohio.com/news/politics/state/ohio-senate-exploring-repeal-of-new-elections-law-1.257144

Election-law repeal request angers Niehaus

Senate leader scolds Husted; discussions ongoing

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Friday January 27, 2012 7:57 AM

Tom Niehaus rarely shows aggravation.

But the Senate president didn’t even try to hide his displeasure yesterday.

The target of his agitation was a fellow Republican: Secretary of State Jon Husted, who a day earlier had called for the repeal of an elections-law overhaul approved last year by the House and Senate.

Turns out Husted’s proposal already was under consideration by lawmakers.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/27/repeal-request-angers-niehaus.html

99 week maximum for jobless benefits may drop as low as 59 weeks

Published: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 6:00 PM     Updated: Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:20 AM

By Olivera Perkins, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

People thrust out of work in Ohio might have to settle for a much shorter period of unemployment benefits.
Jobless workers here have been able to count on 99 weeks of benefits, but the maximum could fall to as low as 59 weeks.
That possibility raises a divisive question: Is 99 weeks -- almost two years -- too long to draw jobless benefits?
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/99_week_maximum_for_jobless_be.html

Should you have to tell a police officer you're carrying a gun?

11:08 PM, Jan. 26, 2012  |  

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

Cincinnati Enquirer

Last year, Ohioans got permission from state lawmakers to carry their guns into bars, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping malls and sports arenas.

Now, there’s an effort to loosen gun restrictions even more.

State Rep. Ron Maag, R-Salem Twp., doesn’t think gun permit holders need to warn police officers when they have a gun, whether in a motor vehicle or walking down the street.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120126/NEWS010801/301250169

Published: 1/27/2012 - Updated: 11 minutes ago

Bid to repeal voting law irks leader

Ohio Senate president bristles at secretary of state's suggestion

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Senate president Thursday bristled at Secretary of State Jon Husted's suggestion that lawmakers should repeal a new law overhauling the election process and start anew despite the fact that the law is headed for a November voter referendum.

"Just because the secretary of state called for it, doesn't mean we're going to jump to do it," an obviously perturbed Senate President Tom Niehaus (R., New Richmond) said.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R., Medina) questioned whether it would be constitutional for the General Assembly to repeal a law on its own after it's already been certified for the ballot.
http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2012/01/27/Bid-to-repeal-voting-law-irks-leader.html

Ex-Vinton County judge appointed to 87th District House seat

6:21 PM, Jan. 26, 2012  |  

Written by

The Chillicothe Gazette Staff

COLUMBUS — A former Vinton County judge was appointed Thursday to the Ohio House seat that became vacant in late December when former Rep. John Carey resigned to accept a job at Shawnee State University.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, appointed Phillip H. Rose to the 87th House district seat, which represents Gallia, Jackson and Vinton counties and portions of Lawrence and Ross counties.

Rose works as an attorney at Oths, Heiser & Miller law firm in Wellston. He previously served in various judicial capacities including Vinton County Court of Common Pleas judge for the probate and juvenile division, acting county court judge for Vinton County and law director for the villages of McArthur, Hamden and Zaleski. From 2000 to 2002, he served as chairman of the Ohio Judicial Conference.
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120126/NEWS01/120126004/Ex-Vinton-County-judge-appointed-87th-District-House-seat?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Vinton County judge named to Carey’s seat

Published 9:39am Friday, January 27, 2012

Ironton Tribune

COLUMBUS — Vinton County Judge Philip H. Rose has been selected by the House Republican Caucus to be appointed to the vacant 87th House District seat.
“Our caucus is honored that Judge Rose will be joining the Ohio House of Representatives,” said Speaker William Batchelder. “He is a longtime devoted member of the community and I know that he will do good work for the residents of the 87th District during this interim period.”
Previously the GOP Caucus had said that it would allow the winner of the Republican primary in March to take Carey’s seat for the remainder of the term.
http://www.irontontribune.com/2012/01/27/vinton-county-judge-named-to-carey%E2%80%99s-seat/


House GOP Selects Judge Rose to Fill Vacant 87th House District Seat
Hannah Report 1/26/12

Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) announced late Thursday that the House GOP caucus has selected retired Judge Philip Rose to fill the vacant 87th House District seat on an interim basis. That is the seat formerly held by Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston).

House GOP spokesman Mike Dittoe, who was asked how long the interim appointment would run, told Hannah News that "Judge Rose has agreed to serve through a date to be determined shortly following the March primary."

Batchelder commented in a news release, “Our caucus is honored that Judge Rose will be joining the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a longtime devoted member of the community, and I know that he will do good work for the residents of the 87^th District during this interim period.” http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188383

Legislative Leaders Spar on Fracking, Redistricting, ODOT
Hannah Report 1/26/12

While legislative leaders on a panel hosted by the Associated Press Thursday expressed a hope to work together in the coming year on legislation, it became clear as the discussion went on that both sides have a divide between them.

The panel featured Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), Senate Democratic Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati), House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood). They addressed topics ranging from hydraulic fracturing, known as "fracking," redistricting, and the Ohio Department of Transportation's recent announcement of a delay for major new road projects. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188385