June 11

Gov. John Kasich wins points with black leaders in Cleveland: Mark Naymik

Published: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 9:05 AM     Updated: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 4:35 PM

By Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

Gov. John Kasich recently visited Cleveland with little fanfare.

His trip was low-key compared to many visits, which are strategically designed to highlight policies and business development he sees as good for the region and his political fortunes.

On May 31, Kasich met with a group of several dozen black leaders with a range of titles, including political activist, small business owner, minister, community advocate, and non-profit head. Just a handful of elected officials were at the meeting, held in a Cleveland Clinic conference room.

George Forbes, the irascible former head of the Cleveland branch of the NAACP, set up the meeting largely at the behest of Kasich, and handpicked the guests.

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_john_kasich_wins_points_wi.html

Legislating in Ohio for the kids -- yeah, sure: Brent Larkin

Published: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 11:04 AM

By Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

When it comes to charter schools, Republicans who control the Ohio House don't lie all the time.

Only when their lips move.

When the public is paying attention, House Speaker Bill Batchelder and his unshakable majority say all the right things, stressing the need for accountability at all levels of public education -- including charters.

But when the public turns its back, common sense sometimes gets replaced by breathtaking hypocrisy. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/06/for_the_kids_--_yeah_sure.html

Rep. Johnson receives Legion of Merit for outstanding military service and achievement

Published 12:00am Sunday, June 10, 2012

Ironton Tribune

COLUMBUS — Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) was awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit during a recent session of the Ohio House of Representatives.

The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

“Representative Johnson is a remarkable individual who not only gives 100 percent of himself to his constituents in the 89th House District, but also served our nation with distinction and dignity,” said Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder. “He is truly deserving of this honor and I could not be prouder to have him as my colleague and friend in the House.”
http://www.irontontribune.com/2012/06/10/rep-johnson-receives-legion-of-merit-for-outstanding-military-service-and-achievement/

Updated June 6, 2012, 9:10 p.m. ET

Wall Street Journal

Labor Faces New Challenge

Losses in Wisconsin, California Come as Ranks of Government Unions Decline

By KRIS MAHER and MELANIE TROTTMAN

Some analysts cautioned against overstating the significance of the Wisconsin vote. They say the recall focused more on Mr. Walker than on collective-bargaining rights. They also note that lawmakers elsewhere may not want to provoke a costly battle against unions.

"With the vote that we had here in Ohio that would not be likely something we would undertake," said Republican House Speaker William Batchelder of trying to pass certain provisions to trim union rights. But he said lawmakers could consider making changes to pension plans and have commissioned a study on the subject due out in July.

—Michael Corkery, Erica Orden and Daniel Lippman contributed to this article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303665904577450890555194260.html?KEYWORDS=labor+faces+new+challenge

Niehaus: MBR Bills, Cleveland Schools, Human Trafficking on Next Week's Agenda

Hannah Report 6/7/12

Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) Thursday gave a preview of what he expected the Senate to finish in what is expected to be the final week before summer recess.

He said the three biggest priorities are pieces of Gov. John Kasich's Mid-Biennium Review (MBR) plan. Those pieces are the education MBR, SB316 (Lehner); HB509 (Blair), the local government MBR; and HB490 (Dovilla), the veterans MBR.

Niehaus also said he expects to pass the Cleveland schools reform plan, but that depends on House action. The current plan in the Senate is to hold a committee hearing on companion legislation SB335 (Turner-Lehner) on Tuesday, pass it out of committee and off the floor on Tuesday, then hold it and pass HB525 (Williams-Amstutz) on Wednesday after the House passes it and sends it over.

 http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189638

Group Ends Bid To Place Dog Auctions Ban On Ballot, Looks To Legislative Solution

Gongwer 6/6/12

Facing a funding crunch and a closing window to gather signatures, supporters of a ban on Ohio dog auctions will not be taking the issue to voters, the group leading the efforts said Wednesday.

Earlier this year, the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions met requirements for an initiated statute to put the measure in front of the General Assembly. When the deadline for legislative action passed in early May, the group was given 90 days to gather additional signatures to put the proposal up for a statewide vote, but a spokesman said in an interview that the effort was being abandoned.

"Looking at everything and looking at the money that we had on hand and the money that we were raising, we've actually decided not to go forward," said attorney Mark McGinnis, the coalition's lobbyist. "We're not in the process of collecting the second round of signatures at this point."

CBODA is studying its options to get the measure in place, including attaching language to pending legislation or seeking a standalone bill, Mr. McGinnis said. However, spokespeople for the House and Senate Republican caucuses and said they were unaware of potential efforts to legislatively address a ban.

House GOP spokesman Mike Dittoe said Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and caucus members are "certainly open to having that discussion if that group would like to bring something forward."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811090202

Niehaus Says Education MBR, Cleveland School Plan, Human Trafficking Bill Tabbed For Votes Next Week

Gongwer 6/7/12

The two chambers will likely resolve lingering differences next week over Gov. John Kasich's proposals on education, veterans, and local government policy and human trafficking legislation without resorting to conference committee, Senate President Tom Niehaus said Thursday.

Although House and Senate versions of the education mid-biennium review bill (SB 316 ) vary substantially, the Senate president told reporters that he expects to vote on concurrence next week before recessing until the fall.

"We'll see the bill when it comes back from the House. We'll talk with them when they pass it and look to see about concurrence," he said. "Everyone's committed to working through the differences and getting it resolved so that next Wednesday is our last day here in Columbus."

In addition to differences over Gov. Kasich's proposed third-grade reading guarantee and changes to the school rating system, House revisions to dropout recovery schools and gifted education are among the issues remaining for the chambers to work out with the governor.

The Senate went along with Gov. Kasich's plan to apply charter school closure requirements for underperforming dropout recovery programs, but the House version of the education MBR would restore the current exemption.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811100201