Posted: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
Indicted state rep still on payroll
Staff Writer
Dayton Daily News
Although he has been all but barred from voting on state matters, embattled Ohio Rep. Clayton Luckie continues to receive a paycheck as he waits out his final months in office.
The Ohio House of Representatives reconvened on Wednesday, but Luckie (D-Dayton) didn’t attend, making it the fourth straight session he has missed. Luckie was indicted last month on 49 criminal counts accusing him of raiding $130,000 from his campaign account and spending it at places such as casinos, and furniture, jewelry and clothing stores.
Luckie, who declined to comment for this story when reached by phone, has been a no-show at state functions since July 9, when he last attended a bi-monthly meeting of the state controlling board. Since then, Luckie has been paid just over $21,000. He is slated to receive another $11,000 in salary before he leaves office at the end of the year, when his term will expire.
Kearney Re-elected Senate Minority Leader
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Senate Democratic Leader Eric Kearney was unanimously selected Wednesday to retain his leadership position by the caucus for the 130th General Assembly.
In addition to Kearney’s re-election, the caucus also re-elected his leadership team: Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni (R-Boardman), Minority Whip Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown (D-Toledo). http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191165
In addition to Kearney’s re-election, the caucus also re-elected his leadership team: Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni (R-Boardman), Minority Whip Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown (D-Toledo). http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191165
Batchelder Says Luckie Must Go, Weighs-In on Election
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Hannah Report 11/14/12
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said Wednesday that he wants to meet with members of his caucus leadership and the House Democratic Caucus leadership before he takes action to remove indicted Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton), but made it clear that he would act by the end of the session if Luckie does not resign soon.
Luckie was not present for Wednesday’s House session and has not attended sessions since he was indicted in October on charges of money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence. Batchelder called for Luckie to resign after the indictment was announced, but Luckie has not done so yet. (See The Hannah Report, 10/10/12.)
On Wednesday, Batchelder said if it was his choice alone, he would move to “purge the chamber of this member.” He noted there are House rules that allow a member to be removed or to keep them from taking their seat if there are sufficient reasons. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191167
Luckie was not present for Wednesday’s House session and has not attended sessions since he was indicted in October on charges of money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence. Batchelder called for Luckie to resign after the indictment was announced, but Luckie has not done so yet. (See The Hannah Report, 10/10/12.)
On Wednesday, Batchelder said if it was his choice alone, he would move to “purge the chamber of this member.” He noted there are House rules that allow a member to be removed or to keep them from taking their seat if there are sufficient reasons. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191167
Campaign against Mayors’ Courts, Red Light Cameras Finds New Life
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Constitutional concerns over administrative traffic fines gained new life Wednesday as the Ohio House Judiciary and Ethics Committee heard new legislation to weaken mayors’ courts and an update on efforts to abolish red light cameras.
Both forms of local revenue enhancement have raised due process concerns under the state and U.S. constitutions.
Rep. Courtney Combs (R-Fairfield) followed former Rep. Larry Wolpert’s lengthy but unsuccessful campaign to abolish mayors’ courts in 2007-2008 with a short-lived bill in the previous General Assembly to block further use of “photo-monitoring devices,” as traffic cameras that have proliferated since former Gov. Bob Taft’s veto of 126-HB56 (Raussen) are officially called. The Legislature succeeded in imposing a much more limited red light camera signage ordinance in 127-HB30 (McGregor). Meanwhile, Senate efforts to abolish or limit mayors’ courts in 127-SB252 (Coughlin) and 129-SB254 (Patton) died after several hearings. Former Rep. Stephen Dyer’s mayors’ court 128-HB303 met a similar fate. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191177
Both forms of local revenue enhancement have raised due process concerns under the state and U.S. constitutions.
Rep. Courtney Combs (R-Fairfield) followed former Rep. Larry Wolpert’s lengthy but unsuccessful campaign to abolish mayors’ courts in 2007-2008 with a short-lived bill in the previous General Assembly to block further use of “photo-monitoring devices,” as traffic cameras that have proliferated since former Gov. Bob Taft’s veto of 126-HB56 (Raussen) are officially called. The Legislature succeeded in imposing a much more limited red light camera signage ordinance in 127-HB30 (McGregor). Meanwhile, Senate efforts to abolish or limit mayors’ courts in 127-SB252 (Coughlin) and 129-SB254 (Patton) died after several hearings. Former Rep. Stephen Dyer’s mayors’ court 128-HB303 met a similar fate. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191177
Hannah Report 11/14/12
Ohio Digest: OSBA
OSBA Asks Constitutional Modernization Commission to Take Up Redistricting
The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Constitutional Modernization Commission, Reps. Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Vern Sykes (D-Akron), asking that they make redistricting a priority of the commission.
OSBA opposed Issue 2, the proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting, because it "inappropriately" involved the judiciary in the redistricting process. The voters of Ohio soundly defeated Issue 2, but many, including the OSBA, believe that Ohio’s redistricting process is in need of reform. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191176
OSBA Asks Constitutional Modernization Commission to Take Up Redistricting
The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Constitutional Modernization Commission, Reps. Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Vern Sykes (D-Akron), asking that they make redistricting a priority of the commission.
OSBA opposed Issue 2, the proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting, because it "inappropriately" involved the judiciary in the redistricting process. The voters of Ohio soundly defeated Issue 2, but many, including the OSBA, believe that Ohio’s redistricting process is in need of reform. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191176
Gongwer 11/14/12
Senate Democrats voted unanimously to keep Sen. Eric Kearney in the top spot as minority leader, the caucus announced Wednesday.
Members also voted to keep the caucus's remaining leadership team intact for next session, which includes: Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Youngstown), assistant minority leader; Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), minority whip; and Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo), assistant minority whip.
Sen. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued a statement saying he was honored that his colleagues moved so quickly to give him another term as their leader in the Senate.
Gongwer 11/14/12
After hearing passionate testimony from a wide array of supporters and opponents, the House Health & Aging Committee passed contentious legislation to alter the grant process for family planning clinics.
Split along party lines, committee members backed the measure (HB 298
The substitute version of the legislation proposes changing the process through which the state awards public and federal funding from the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, the Family Planning program, the Social Services Block Grant and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant to organizations that provide specific health care services.
Prior to Wednesday's committee vote, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said he was willing to bring the proposal up for a vote on the House floor.
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