Ohio Senate nixes divisive family planning bill
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio —
The Ohio Senate's leader says his chamber won't act this session on a bill that would boot Planned Parenthood to the back of the line for public family-planning money.
Republican Senate President Tom Niehaus (NEE'-hows) told reporters Tuesday that the Senate wouldn't have adequate time to weigh the significant policy issues at stake. He said he let House Speaker William Batchelder, a fellow Republican, know his plans.
The full House has not voted on the measure, and it's unclear whether the GOP-controlled chamber will act.
Updated: 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 | Posted: 2:39 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012
Supreme Court lets Ohio legislative map stand
By JULIE CARR SMYTH
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio —
The Ohio Supreme Court let stand a newly drawn state legislative map Tuesday in a defeat for Democrats.
In a 4-3 ruling, the divided high court upheld the map approved last year on grounds that Ohio's Constitution does not require political neutrality in the process.
Democrats, who brought the challenge on behalf of a group of voters, had argued the five-member Ohio Apportionment Board intentionally sought political advantage with the maps as prohibited in the constitution, in a maneuver known as gerrymandering.
Republicans in the case argued the state constitution asks the map-drawing board to consider minimizing county, township, city and precinct splits but sets no absolute rule.
The court ruled that opponents of the maps didn't present convincing evidence the Republican-controlled apportionment board manipulated the districts for GOP political gain.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/legislative/supreme-court-lets-ohio-legislative-map-stand/nTGXD
High court OKs legislative maps
By Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday November 28, 2012 7:56 AM
The new Republican-drawn legislative maps will stay, thanks to a 4-3 ruling yesterday by the Ohio Supreme Court.
But considering that tight ruling came from a court dominated 6-1 by Republicans, some see it as a sign that the current hyperpartisan system for drawing maps is in serious need of an overhaul.
“Now is the time to reform the process,” said state Auditor Dave Yost, a member of the Apportionment Board. “No one knows who will be in control in 2020, so this is a perfect window when both sides have as much to win as to lose.”
Democrats challenged the constitutionality of the new House and Senate districts, arguing the map unconstitutionally split more than 250 governmental entities for political purposes.
Published: 11/28/2012 - Updated: 3 hours ago
Planned Parenthood bill blocked in Ohio Senate
Legislation also seeks abortion curb
BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF
COLUMBUS — Proposed bills to cut, if not eliminate, family-planning funding for Planned Parenthood and all but outlaw abortions in Ohio ran into a brick wall in the state Senate on Tuesday.
Senate President Tom Niehaus (R., New Richmond), said he will not bring either measure to the chamber’s floor during the lame-duck session. That would mean the bills would die with the close of the two-year session in mid-December and would have to start the legislative process over next year.
“I think you have to look at the entirety of the work that’s done by Planned Parenthood, and I believe they offer much-needed services that are not available other places,” Mr. Niehaus said. “I chose not to take the bill up in lame-duck.”
Two weeks ago, a Republican-controlled House committee voted along party lines to send House Bill 298 to the full House. House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R., Medina) said Tuesday the GOP caucus had yet to decide whether to bring the bill to a vote, and he questioned whether to go forward with a House vote if the Senate would not take it up.
Split Ohio Supreme Court Upholds General Assembly Districts
Hannah Report 11/27/12
The Ohio Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling Tuesday, rejected Democrats' request that new General Assembly districts be declared unconstitutional because of alleged partisanship and county-splitting by majority Republicans.
Justice Terrence O'Donnell wrote in the majority opinion for Wilson v. Kasich that Apportionment Board actions should enjoy a strong presumption of constitutionality, and that challengers failed to overcome that burden.
"This Court does not sit as a super apportionment board to determine whether a plan presented by the relators is better than the plan adopted by the board," he wrote. "Instead, we determine whether the board acted within the broad discretion conferred upon by the provisions of Article XI [of the Ohio Constitution] when it adopted its plan ... The role of a supreme court in considering constitutional challenges to an apportionment plan is restricted to determining whether relators have met their burden to prove that the plan adopted by the board is unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt."
Joining O'Donnell were Justices Robert Cupp and Judith Ann Lanzinger, along with Third District Appeals Judge John Willamowski, sitting in place of Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, who recused herself.
The Ohio Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling Tuesday, rejected Democrats' request that new General Assembly districts be declared unconstitutional because of alleged partisanship and county-splitting by majority Republicans.
Justice Terrence O'Donnell wrote in the majority opinion for Wilson v. Kasich that Apportionment Board actions should enjoy a strong presumption of constitutionality, and that challengers failed to overcome that burden.
"This Court does not sit as a super apportionment board to determine whether a plan presented by the relators is better than the plan adopted by the board," he wrote. "Instead, we determine whether the board acted within the broad discretion conferred upon by the provisions of Article XI [of the Ohio Constitution] when it adopted its plan ... The role of a supreme court in considering constitutional challenges to an apportionment plan is restricted to determining whether relators have met their burden to prove that the plan adopted by the board is unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt."
Joining O'Donnell were Justices Robert Cupp and Judith Ann Lanzinger, along with Third District Appeals Judge John Willamowski, sitting in place of Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, who recused herself.
Batchelder to Remain Speaker in 130th General Assembly
Hannah Report 11/27/12
House Republicans held their leadership elections Tuesday and chose to keep House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) at the top of the caucus for the 130th General Assembly.
As expected, most of the leadership from the 129th General Assembly remained, with members moving up one leadership spot to replace House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who was term-limited. Taking Blessing’s spot is Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), the current majority floor leader.
Rounding out the leadership team for next session are Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) as majority floor leader; Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) as assistant majority floor leader; and Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as majority whip. Joining the leadership team to fill a vacancy left by Blessing and the ascension of the other members of leadership is Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville), who will serve as assistant majority whip. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191267
House Republicans held their leadership elections Tuesday and chose to keep House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) at the top of the caucus for the 130th General Assembly.
As expected, most of the leadership from the 129th General Assembly remained, with members moving up one leadership spot to replace House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who was term-limited. Taking Blessing’s spot is Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), the current majority floor leader.
Rounding out the leadership team for next session are Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) as majority floor leader; Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) as assistant majority floor leader; and Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as majority whip. Joining the leadership team to fill a vacancy left by Blessing and the ascension of the other members of leadership is Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville), who will serve as assistant majority whip. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191267
Batchelder, Niehaus Expect to Address Internet Cafes in Lame Duck
Hannah Report 11/27/12
Both House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) said Tuesday that they expect to address Internet cafes and so-called sweepstakes machines before the end of the 129th General Assembly.
Law enforcement and Attorney General Mike DeWine have expressed concern with the proliferation of the establishments, nearly 800 according to an official count by DeWine’s office. At least two bills in the House, HB195 (Baker-Anielski) and HB605 (Huffman) seek to rein them in and regulate them, as well as one Senate bill, SB317 (Schiavoni).
The House State Government and Elections Committee has scheduled two additional hearings on HB195 for this week and may accept a substitute bill.
Batchelder said he wants to discuss the issue with his caucus, but he said he expects there to be action in the lame duck. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191268
House Passes Court Fees, County Building Lease Legislation
Hannah Report 11/27/12
In a busy but quick session Tuesday, the House passed a handful of naming bills as well as legislation addressing the way courts collect fees and allowing counties to sell buildings and lease them back.
After session, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said he expects to talk with his caucus on Wednesday on whether to bring HB298 (Roegner-Rosenberger), which would either prioritize state funding of family planning services or defund Planned Parenthood, depending on the point of view, to the floor.
In a busy but quick session Tuesday, the House passed a handful of naming bills as well as legislation addressing the way courts collect fees and allowing counties to sell buildings and lease them back.
After session, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said he expects to talk with his caucus on Wednesday on whether to bring HB298 (Roegner-Rosenberger), which would either prioritize state funding of family planning services or defund Planned Parenthood, depending on the point of view, to the floor.
Gongwer 11/27/12
The Ohio Supreme Court narrowly ruled Tuesday that the Republican-controlled Apportionment Board's redrawing of state legislative boundaries for the next decade is constitutional.
In a 4-3 decision, the court found that just because a redistricting plan is partisan or creates non-competitive districts doesn't make it unfair or unconstitutional. However, two of the six Republicans on the court joined the lone Democratic justice in dissenting.
A group of Democratic voters had challenged the GOP-drawn redistricting plan, claiming it violated Article XI of the Ohio Constitution by excessively splitting cities, counties, and other political subdivisions into different legislative districts.
But in his majority opinion, Justice Terrence O'Donnell wrote that fixing that problem would cause a violation of another constitutional provision that existing legislative boundaries should be preserved as much as possible.
When there's a clash between two equal but irreconcilable provisions, it's up to the Apportionment Board, not the courts, to determine how to resolve the issue, Justice O'Donnell wrote. The justices can only determine whether the plan is unconstitutional, he said, and the challengers didn't prove that beyond a reasonable doubt.
Politics Notebook: House GOP Retains Leadership Team, Adds Buchy; Landis-O'Farrell Race Recount-Bound; Turner SOS Announcement Pending
Gonwer 11/27/12
House Republicans made it official Tuesday by reelecting Speaker Bill Batchelder to lead the caucus and retaining all of the leadership team that's returning next year for the 130th General Assembly.
With Rep. Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), the speaker pro tem, facing term limits this year, the remaining members of the team all moved up a slot.
Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) will serve as pro tem, Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) as majority leader, Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) as assistant majority floor leader, Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as majority whip and Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) as assistant majority whip.
Speaker Batchelder (R-Medina) said in a statement that he was proud to continue in the leadership role for the caucus.
"I am confident that this leadership team will guide the good work of the House of Representatives and continue the traditions of this fine institution. As representatives of the people, we will continue to work in earnest toward a more prosperous economy, more high-paying jobs, and a better business climate for our citizens," he said.
"There will be a number of issues we must focus on in the next General Assembly. Jobs will likely continue to be the most important issue to Ohioans, and while we made extraordinary progress during the 129th General Assembly, we still have much more to do in the years ahead. We look forward to continuing this effort and making the difficult decisions that need to be made."
Report Card Revamp Planned For Floor Action This Week; Committees Slate Bevy Of Bills For Votes
Gongwer 11/26/12
The General Assembly is set to follow up a holiday week with three days of action on legislation, including a possible floor vote on the school report card overhaul bill.
Both the House and Senate have sessions scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week along with dozens of committee meetings over the three days.
Among the priority bills expected see a vote by the full House is legislation (HB 555
The House Education Committee, which held three hearings on the bill Nov. 13-15, is scheduled to consider amendments Tuesday. Changes were submitted to the panel Nov. 16 and an omnibus amendment is being drafted to incorporate a good number of those, according to the chairman's office.
The bill is scheduled for a committee vote Wednesday, and House Speaker Bill Batchelder's spokesman Mike Dittoe said the chamber does intend to have a floor vote on the matter this week.
Chairman and sponsor Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) has said he wants to have the bill enacted before the end of the year, leaving a few remaining weeks for the Senate to process the measure.
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