February 28

Bipartisan state lawmakers offer reform for map-drawing process in redistricting

By Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Four state lawmakers have launched a modest redistricting reform plan, handing the power of the pen to a board of political leaders with a bipartisan vote needed to approve new maps.

The quartet -- Republican State Rep. Mike Duffey of Columbus, GOP State Sen. Frank LaRose of Akron, Democratic State Rep. Ted Celeste of Columbus and Democratic State Sen. Tom Sawyer of Akron -- hope their plan to change Ohio's redistricting and reapportionment process can win support from enough colleagues to have it placed before voters for approval this November.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/02/bipartisan_group_of_lawmakers.html

Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus endorses Mitt Romney in Republican presidential primary

By Henry J. Gomez, The Plain Dealer 

Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus is backing Mitt Romney in next week's Buckeye State primary.
Niehaus, a New Richmond Republican, said in a statement distributed by the Romney campaign that he is supporting the former Massachusetts governor because he is a "bold leader" and "true outsider."
"Ohioans are looking for a change in leadership," Niehaus said. "However, we cannot expect a creature of Washington to come in and change it. Mitt Romney is a conservative businessman who spent his life in the private sector. He owes nothing to special interests and his only 'team' is the American people."

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/02/ohio_senate_president_tom_nieh.html

State lawmakers to unveil proposal for drastic changes to redistricting process

By Rick Armon, Akron Beacon Journal 

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers will unveil a proposal today calling for drastic changes to the way Ohio redraws state and congressional districts every 10 years.

The recommendations include the possibility of voters deciding the lines and nonpartisan primaries for state legislative and congressional races if Democratic and Republican lawmakers can’t compromise on redistricting.

The current winner-take-all redistricting process needs substantial reform and is the cause of political dysfunction within the state, said Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Copley Township.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/state-lawmakers-to-unveil-proposal-for-drastic-changes-to-redistricting-process-1.267183

Bipartisan Group of Legislators Unveils Redistricting Proposal-Hannah Report

The four legislators who have been hinting at a bipartisan proposal to change the way Ohio draws its state legislative and congressional district boundaries unveiled their plan Monday, which they hope will be the starting point for discussion in this General Assembly. Sens. Frank LaRose (R-Fairlawn) and Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) and Reps. Mike Duffey (R-Worthington) and Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights) said they began working on the proposal last year after sensing frustration in the way the process is currently done. Celeste said they wanted to come up with a proposal that would have a chance to be adopted by the Legislature.

The proposal calls for a seven-member redistricting commission that would draw Ohio House and Senate as well as congressional district lines. Five of the members would be the same as the current set-up for the Ohio Reapportionment Board, including the governor, secretary of state and state auditor, plus a Democrat and Republican chosen by each chamber. Five of the seven would need to adopt a proposal to pass, and two votes from the minority party would be necessary for a map to be adopted.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188678

Bipartisan Group Offers Plan To Revise Redistricting Process; Leaders Noncommittal-Gongwer

A bipartisan quartet of lawmakers pitched a plan Monday to overhaul Ohio's redistricting process this year, but House and Senate leaders appear content to let two other study committees vet the plan first.

Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Copley Twp.), Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron), Rep. Mike Duffy (R-Worthington), and Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Hts.) said their proposal was loosely based on Secretary of State Jon Husted's proposed constitutional amendment from last session (SJR5, 128^th General Assembly) when he was still in the Senate.

During a Statehouse news conference, they said they hope their measure will serve as a starting point to create a fairer process to revise General Assembly and congressional maps after each decennial Census count.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810380201

February 27

3 Republicans, 2 Democrats vie for Ohio House seat

Two-term incumbent Martin has two primary challengers.

By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer Updated 11:01 PM Saturday, February 25, 2012

The race for the 73rd Ohio House seat has become the most expensive local contest on the March 6 ballot, at least on the GOP side.

Three Republicans and two Democrats are vying for the seat in a race with several subplots and a clashing of various GOP power bases.

Two-term incumbent Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, faces fellow GOP rivals Greene County Commissioner Rick Perales and Greene County sheriff’s Capt. Eric Spicer in the primary.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/3-republicans-2-democrats-vie-for-ohio-house-seat-1334435.html

Cleveland kids' fate rests in legislators' shaky hands: Brent Larkin

Published: Saturday, February 25, 2012, 9:00 AM     Updated: Saturday, February 25, 2012, 12:19 PM

By Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

When it comes to Cleveland's future, Mayor Frank Jackson's plan to save the schools isn't a matter of pass or perish.
But it's awfully close.
As Democrats and Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly begin to marshal their feeble excuses not to give Jackson the legislation he needs to implement his plan -- and they're already busy doing just that -- they should keep this in mind:
A "no" vote is essentially a vote in favor of Cleveland's demise. It's a vote in favor of keeping Cleveland's children mired in a life of poverty. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_kids_fate_rests_in_l.html

Ohio GOP primary is referendum on future: Thomas Suddes

Published: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 5:10 AM

By Thomas Suddes, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

On March 6, Ohio conservatives -- for maybe the first time since 1976's Gerald Ford-Ronald Reagan delegate war -- are finally getting real choices, not just echoes (to borrow Phyllis Schlafly's phrase).
That's when the Ohio primary will help sort out rival contenders for the GOP's White House nomination. For bystanders, what a delightful statewide donnybrook that has become. It's also a marketplace of new ideas, as Newt Gingrich -- like him or not -- demonstrates daily.
Till now, Ohio conservatives could well label their 40-year diaries with a gloss on the title of Richard Farina's novel: Been down so long that almost anything looks like up to me. They were denied Reagan in 1976. And America got Jimmy Carter. And conservatives had to swallow the Bushes -- and see big government get even bigger. For statewide office, the Republican right boosted an up-and-coming conservative, suburban Dayton Republican Seth Morgan. The right was told, in so many words, not to rock the boat.
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/02/ohio_gop_primary_is_referendum.html

State lawmakers to unveil proposal for drastic changes to redistricting process

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: February 27, 2012 - 08:13 AM | Updated: February 27, 2012 - 12:52 PM

State lawmakers to unveil proposal for drastic changes to redistricting process February 27,2012 05:52 PM GMT Rick Armon Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Copyright � 2012 Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Inc and Black Press. All Rights Reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of the Akron Beacon Journal is expressly prohibited.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers will unveil a proposal today calling for drastic changes to the way Ohio redraws state and congressional districts every 10 years.

The recommendations include the possibility of voters deciding the lines and nonpartisan primaries for state legislative and congressional races if Democratic and Republican lawmakers can’t compromise on redistricting.

The current winner-take-all redistricting process needs substantial reform and is the cause of political dysfunction within the state, said Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Copley Township.

LaRose; Sen. Tom Sawyer, D-Akron; Rep. Ted Celeste, D-Grandview Heights; and Rep. Mike Duffey, R-Worthington, have been working together since last year to come up with a more balanced approach and prevent one party’s ability to railroad through its own district maps.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/state-lawmakers-to-unveil-proposal-for-drastic-changes-to-redistricting-process-1.267183

Editorial memos: Jay Leno he's not

7:45 AM, Feb. 24, 2012

We think Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder’s refusal to apologize for a “joke” – using that word loosely – about putting President Obama in jail calls the speaker’s judgment and leadership quality into question.

The Washington Post reported that during the Summit County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, Batchelder told the crowd, “The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a great start.” Yuk, yuk.

Rep. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, demanded that Batchelder, R-Medina, apologize for the “absolutely deplorable” remark, which he said shows an “unprecedented disrespect” for Obama. Batchelder’s odd response Wednesday: he’d apologize to Sykes, “who apparently considered it more than a joke,” but he wouldn’t apologize for the “harmless” joke itself.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120224/EDIT01/302230165/Editorial-memos-Jay-Leno-he-s-not

Ohio House speaker Batchelder says 'Obama in jail' quip based on Jay Leno joke

John Michael Spinelli

Columbus Government Examiner

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CGE) - Driven by presidential election year politics that in many ways seems more partisan, ideological, bitter and personal than previous contests, it causes some to wonder why Ohio's Republican House Speaker William G. Batchelder would tell a miscued joke about President Obama spending time in jail, when he knows every word he says will be forced through a political prisms not to his liking, which will only fan the flames of a political bonfire already burning red hot.

At issue is what speaker Batchelder said about the president when he introduced Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum, who was in Ohio, a key battleground state the Republican candidate for the White House must win to beat the incumbent president, in advance of the important Super Tuesday primaries on March 6. 

 http://www.examiner.com/government-in-columbus/ohio-house-speaker-batchelder-says-obama-jail-quip-based-on-jay-leno-joke

City: State shouldn't collect local income tax

February 26, 2012

by Laura Freeman | Reporter
Hudson Hub Times
Hudson -- City officials are concerned that $4 billion in local income tax would be too tempting for the state to touch.
Council members could soon vote on a resolution opposing any effort by the state to take over collection of local income taxes. Hudson receives more than $12 million in income tax receipts per year.
http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5160668

Week in Review for Friday, February 24, 2012

Hannah Report

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) called for an apology after reports that House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said at a Republican dinner that "liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a good start." Batchelder responded that he has "deep" respect for the office of the presidency but was speaking in jest, making a joke similar to one late-night host Jay Leno has delivered.http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188675

In Contested Primary, Rep. Martin Says Focus On Voters, Not Endorsements; Challengers Lead In Fundraising

Incumbent Rep. Jarrod Martin says he is focused on serving constituents rather than being endorsed by his caucus in the March 6 primary, but his opponents offer differing views on his situation.

Mr. Martin (R-Beavercreek) was cited over the summer for drunken driving and child endangerment after he was pulled over in Jackson County. After refusing calls from Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) to resign, the lawmaker eventually saw those charges dropped.

Nevertheless, Rep. Martin, 32, never regained the chairmanship of the Veterans Affairs Committee he was stripped of in September. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, September 7, 2012) And a spokesman for the speaker said the House Republican Caucus is treating the primary in the 73^rd District, which covers western Greene County, as an open race and will not endorse a candidate.

While the House leadership isn't picking sides, political donors in the race have favored Rep. Martin's opponents - Greene County Commissioner Rick Perales and Eric Spicer, a sheriff's captain in the county - at least in terms of cumulative fundraising leading up to the primary.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810370201

February 23

Batchelder’s Obama joke draws Democrats’ ire

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday February 23, 2012 4:05 AM

A veteran state Democratic lawmaker did not appreciate a recent joke by House Speaker William G. Batchelder aimed at President Barack Obama.

But Batchelder said he borrowed the line from Jay Leno.

And then later yesterday, Rep. Robert F. Hagan, D-Youngstown, took to his Facebook page to call the House speaker an “ass.”
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/23/obama-joke-leads-to-squabbling.html

Ohio House speaker criticized for joke saying Obama should go to prison

By Laura Bischoff | Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 10:42 AM

Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, is catching heat for joking at a Summit County GOP event that President Barack Obama should be sent to prison.

State Rep. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, called on Batchelder, a former judge, to apologize.

“Speaker Batchelder’s recent comments are absolutely deplorable. I call on the speaker to apologize for such distasteful remarks immediately,” Sykes said in a written release. “The unprecedented disrespect we have seen for President Obama only serves to undermine and threaten our democracy. I would expect my longtime friend, colleague and the Speaker of the Ohio House to respect the office of the President of the United States regardless of party affiliation.”

http://m.daytondailynews.com/dayton/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=QKZhBe4B&full=true#display

Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder won't apologize for joke that Obama should be jailed

Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 3:20 PM     Updated: Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 11:56 PM

By Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder said today he will not apologize for a joke made at a recent GOP event suggesting President Barack Obama should be jailed.
Batchelder, a Republican from Medina who leads the House of Representatives, made the comment Saturday at the Summit County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner, according to the Washington Post.
Batchelder was introducing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum when he cracked a joke about whether Obama, a Democrat, should be re-elected.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/02/ohio_house_speaker_refuses_to.html

Apology sought for comment at Santorum event

02/22/12 at 10:16am

Written by pkostyu

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Vernon Sykes, D- Akron, called for Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, to apologize for comments he made suggesting President Barack Obama be sent to jail.

On Saturday, while introducing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Batchelder told an audience of more than 1,350 at the Summit County Republican Lincoln Day dinner that he thinks Obama should be sent to jail.

“The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time,” said Batchelder, a former judge. “And I think 25-to-life would be a good start.”http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/22/apology-sought-for-comment-at-santorum-event/

GOP House speaker apologizes after joke

Published: Thu, February 23, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com and Wooster Daily Record

COLUMBUS

Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder offered an apology, of sorts, to an Akron-area lawmaker who was offended by a joke made at a Republican function over the weekend.

But, in a released statement, Batchelder made it clear he was not saying sorry for the joke, though he offered an apology to the lawmaker who took offense.

“While some are trying to twist a harmless joke into an opportunity to attack me, make no mistake that I have deep respect for the presidency and the integrity of the office, regardless of who holds it,” Batchelder said. “I will not apologize for the joke, but I will apologize to my friend and colleague who apparently considered it more than a joke.”http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/feb/23/gop-house-speaker-apologizes-after-joke/

WTAM - Local News

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lawmaker demands apology for Obama comment

Suggested president be sent to jail.

(Columbus) -- A state lawmaker called on Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder to apologize for comments which suggest President Barack Obama should be sent to prison.

During an event Saturday for Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum in Summit County, Batchelder said "the liberals are asking us to give Obama more time and I think 25-to-life would be a good start."

State Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) referred to Batchelder's comment as "deplorable."
http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=9797769

February 22

Meeting puts Husted in GOP feud

By  Joe Vardon

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday February 22, 2012 6:03 AM

The intraparty feud splitting Ohio Republicans between those loyal to party Chairman Kevin DeWine and those backing Gov. John Kasich might have another prominent player: Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Husted, who is close to DeWine but has avoided criticizing Kasich in the fight for control of the party, participated in a “confidential” meeting called by a Dayton-area Republican donor on Feb. 7 — the same day as Kasich’s State of the State address in Steubenville.

Richard Chernesky, the attorney and Republican donor who called the meeting in Dayton, said in an email to “Eagles Forum” participants that their “support and contributions in the past to Jon Husted and Kevin DeWine helped them to achieve the offices they now hold and to position them for greater service in the future.”
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/meeting-puts-husted-in-gop-feud.html

Ohio election law opponents: Referendum cannot be pulled from Nov. ballot

Published: Wed, February 22, 2012 @ 12:03 a.m.

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com and Wooster Daily-Record

COLUMBUS

The group behind an effort to repeal controversial, GOP-backed changes to Ohio’s election laws said Tuesday that Republican lawmakers cannot pull a November referendum from the ballot without its consent.

Fair Elections Ohio and former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told reporters during a conference call that Republican lawmakers should let voters have the final say on House Bill 194.

“Lawmakers need to leave well enough alone,” said Brunner, a Democrat. “It’s obvious that they’ve figured out that this is a bad law all in all, and that they potentially sustain political damage if it’s on the ballot. But unfortunately, the voice of the people, which is in the Constitution, doesn’t give them any out here. They need to face the consequences of what they’ve done.”
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/feb/22/group-referendum-cannot-be-pulled-from-n/

February 21

Union law draws contenders into Ohio primaries

By Ann Sanner
Associated Press

Published: February 20, 2012 - 05:49 PM

COLUMBUS: The successful campaign to repeal Ohio’s collective bargaining law last fall has drawn teachers and other public workers into Democratic primary races across the state as the party tries to regain seats in the Republican-dominated Legislature that passed the measure.

At least one GOP candidate also is using his opposition to the union-limiting bill to distinguish himself in a three-way contest that includes an incumbent state representative who voted for the legislation.

The measure would have affected more than 350,000 teachers, police, firefighters and other government employees. After an almost $41 million campaign, 62 percent of voters rejected it in November.http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/union-law-draws-contenders-into-ohio-primaries-1.265854

Rick Santorum calls Ohio 'ground zero' in Republican effort to unseat President Barack Obama

Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 11:59 PM     Updated: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 11:59 PM

By Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

AKRON, Ohio — Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum brought his message of personal freedom and his push to return to the country's founding principles to an Akron audience Saturday night.
Santorum told the audience at the Summit County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner that President Barack Obama is undermining those ideals and weakening the country's finances and security.
He likened Obama to King George III and said the president was taking too much control and trying to make people dependent on government.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/02/rick_santorum_calls_ohio_groun.html

Ohio redistricting ballot drive launches while Speaker Batchelder pushes in different direction

Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 9:04 PM     Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 2:15 AM

By Aaron Marshall, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Disgusted by the current redistricting process, a coalition of good government types hopes to place a new way of drawing congressional and legislative districts before Ohio voters this November.
Known as Voters First Ohio, the coalition's ballot drive will push a plan to create the Ohio Independent Redistricting Commission to draw up new districts, starting with the 2014 election.
Meanwhile, other discussions about revamping redistricting are sprouting up. Republican House Speaker William Batchelder is talking about using a constitutional modernization commission as a way to bring a plan before voters for approval. And a bipartisan legislative task force has a June 30 deadline to present a redistricting reform blueprint to lawmakers.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/02/redistricting_ballot_drive_lau.html

Santorum asks Akron crowd: ‘Who do you believe in?’

By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: February 19, 2012 - 12:18 AM | Updated: February 19, 2012 - 05:21 PM

In 2008, with the economy struggling and markets crashing, people needed someone to believe in for president, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum told an Akron crowd Saturday night.

This year, he said, the country needs something different.

“America doesn’t need a president it can believe in,” Santorum told a record crowd of more than 1,350 people at the Summit County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. “We’ve always succeeded when we have a president who believes in them.”
http://www.ohio.com/news/local/santorum-asks-akron-crowd-who-do-you-believe-in-1.265749

Santorum wins straw poll at Akron GOP dinner

02/19/12 at 1:02am

Written by pkostyu

AKRON — Speaking to his largest crowd yet in his two-day swing through Ohio, presidential candidate Rick Santorum captured 74 percent of the vote at the annual Lincoln Day dinner of the Summit County Republican Party — and that was before people heard what he had to say.

At the evening event at the University of Akron, Santorum picked up the endorsement of the county party’s powerful chairman, Alex R. Arshinkoff. And though he hasn’t officially said he was endorsing Santorum, Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, led audiences in Akron and Columbus to believe he had done just that through his introductory remarks.
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/19/santorum-wins-straw-poll-at-akron-gop-dinner/

Published: 2/21/2012

Remap reform

BLADE STAFF

With the primary election in two weeks, the Ohio Supreme Court had little choice but to allow the state's gerrymandered legislative districts to stand this year. But by agreeing to hear arguments about the constitutionality of the maps for elections after 2012, the justices gave hope to voters who would like to see politics taken out of redistricting.

The Ohio Constitution requires that legislative districts be compact and contiguous, and that counties and municipalities should not be split unnecessarily to create them. It is a widely held belief -- among voters, if not politicians -- that competitive elections serve the public interest by making elected officials more accountable to voters and by forcing them to govern from the political center.

Yet every 10 years, when state House and Senate boundaries are revised to account for population shifts, whichever party has a majority on the state Apportionment Board largely ignores the interests of voters. Instead, it seeks to redraw the lines to give maximum advantage to lawmakers of its party.http://www.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2012/02/21/Remap-reform.html

In the 64th District primaries: Tom Letson and Randy Law

Published: Mon, February 20, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

Youngstown Vindicator

Both Republicans and Democrats will have choices to make in the primary election for the 64th Ohio House District, which covers much of Trumbull County.

The district is represented by Democrat Tom Letson, 61, of Warren, who is seeking his fourth term. He’s being challenged by Sheila Calko, 31, of Warren and David C. Cook, 66, of Warren.

Three Republicans are seeking their party’s endorsement: Randy Law, 50, of Warren, who represented the district for one term; Albert J. Haberstroh Jr., 54, of Southington, the party’s nominee in 2010, and Roger Peterson Jr., 35, of North Bloomfield.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/feb/20/in-the-th-district-primaries-tom-letson-/?newswatch

W.Va. Facing New Challenge

February 18, 2012

By MIKE MYER , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

During the past eight months, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and West Virginia legislators have piled up an impressive list of accomplishments. They came up with a fair redistricting plan for the Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives districts. They got past two years of bickering and enacted new rules for the gas and oil drilling industry. They even came up with a plan to pay down a $5 billion unfunded liability. That's just the big stuff. And by the way, they agreed to plans for modest tax relief.

But they haven't touched the elephant in the room.

http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/565965/W-Va--Facing-New-Challenge.html?nav=509

Posted at 09:15 PM ET, 02/18/2012

Ohio state House speaker jokes that Obama should be sent to jail

By Felicia Sonmez

WashingtonPost.com

AKRON, Ohio — State House speaker William Batchelder (R) joked to a crowd of Republicans here Saturday night that President Obama shouldn’t just be denied four more years in office — he should be sent to jail.

“The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a good start,” Batchelder told a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the Summit County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner. He made the remarks as he was introducing former senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who has been spending the past two days campaigning in the Buckeye State.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/ohio-state-house-speaker-jokes-that-obama-should-be-sent-to-jail/2012/02/18/gIQAdAbXMR_blog.html

Ohio Digest: Lehner; USDA Minority Farm Register; OLAF Partners with Financial Institutions

Hannah Report 2/20/12

Senate Ed Leader Extols Bipartisanship, Says More K-12 Changes in Store

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) ranks bipartisanship among her leadership successes in new comments to school choice advocates. Citing Rep. John Barnes’ (D-Cleveland) anti-bullying legislation HB116 -- a bill co-sponsored by Republicans and Democrats including House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina), Lehner, and current and former Senate minority leaders -- she described her philosophy in an interview with Ohio Coalition for Quality Education (OCQE).

“Education should not be a partisan issue,” Lehner told OCQE. “We all have a stake in educating our children, and if my Democratic colleagues have a good idea that improves the lives of children or enhances education ... we should work together. Looking at education reform efforts across the country, it is a very bi-partisan movement.” http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188624

Week in Review
Hannah Report 2/17/12

CONSTITUTIONAL MODERNIZATION COMMISSION

The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission held its second meeting Thursday, discussing next steps, which include the process for picking the 20 public members and a colloquium to be held later in March. One commission co-chair, Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina), noted that the deadline for public applicants had been extended from the end of January until the end of February. A total of 180 individuals have applied so far. Reading like a "who's who" of Capitol Square, the list includes lawyers, current and former legislators and judges, lobbyists, academics, business people, local government officials, a former governor and a former chief justice.

WORKFORCE
House members heard the first of six recommendations Thursday from the recently concluded Workforce Development Study Committee and are set to learn more in the coming weeks about the legislative proposals of Speaker Bill Batchelder's (R-Medina) specially convened body for workforce training reform. Sponsor testimony for HCR33 (Derickson-Newbold) was the first of several actions targeted by the Legislative Study Committee on Workforce Development report issued by the ad hoc panel in keeping with its year-end deadline.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188615

February 17

Constitutional Modernization Group Meets

Hannah Report 2/16/12

The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission held its second meeting Thursday, discussing next steps, which include the process for picking the 20 public members and a colloquium to be held later in March.

One commission co-chair, Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina), noted that the deadline for public applicants had been extended from the end of January until the end of February. A total of 180 individuals have applied so far. Reading like a "who's who" of Capitol Square, the list includes lawyers, current and former legislators and judges, lobbyists, academics, business people, local government officials, a former governor and a former chief justice.

While it's still unclear just how the 20 members will be selected, it was decided to let an informal subgroup of the panel make an initial review, although all legislative members are getting the applications.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188590

Constitutional Panel Co-Chairs Foresee Potential Action On Term Limits And Redistricting, Field Flurry Of Applications

Gongwer 2/16/12

Leaders of a committee charged with recommending revisions to the Ohio Constitution think it might finally be time to loosen term limits on legislators.

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), who co-chair the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, also said Thursday that they believed the panel could find a way to overhaul the contentious redistricting process.

"This is one of those things that's just sort of gone on and on and on, and it's conceivable that someone could come to consensus because I don't think there are nearly so many people who are married to either the existing system or something totally different as there were at one time," Rep. Batchelder said in an interview.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810320201