Friday, October 21, 2011

October 21

Failure to compromise by Ohio legislators keeps three new state laws in limbo: Analysis

Published: Friday, October 21, 2011, 6:00 AM     Updated: Friday, October 21, 2011, 9:48 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — These days in Columbus, lawmakers have their heels dug in so deep that they -- and their constituents -- are stuck.
With Republicans firmly in control, an aggressive agenda has dominated the legislature since Gov. John Kasich took office in January. Democrats in the minority have responded with petition drives and threats to outmaneuver their counterparts at the polls with referendums.
As a result, three controversial laws are in limbo, the latest a congressional redistricting that many believe will throw next year's primaries into chaos if a deal is not struck soon. The Ohio Supreme Court, in a 7-0 decision last week, ruled that Secretary of State Jon Husted must accept a referendum petition that a group opposing the new map hopes to submit.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/10/failure_to_compromise_keeps_th.html



Black Statehouse Democrats say they will work within party on congressional mapping

Published: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 8:00 PM     Updated: Friday, October 21, 2011, 4:02 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Black Democratic legislators will meet Friday morning with Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern and other key members of their party to outline their wish list in the ongoing saga over congressional mapping.
The meeting means the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus will not immediately attempt to strike a side deal with Republicans, who control the General Assembly, in a bid to draw up an alternative redistricting map, said OLBC head and state Rep. Sandra Williams, of Cleveland. Instead, the caucus plans to work through the Democratic Party to try to get what it wants.
The black Democrats will call for a map that does not divide urban cities between two or more districts. The current map, approved last month to stand through 2020 elections, divides each of Ohio's largest cities into several districts.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/10/black_statehouse_democrats_say.html

 

REDISTRICTING NEGOTIATIONS ‘NASCENT'; SENATE SETS SATURDAY, MONDAY SESSIONS
Gongwer 10/20/11
Senate Republicans said a plan to create a second primary election in June will allow more time to negotiate with Democrats over potential changes to congressional maps, but it appears little actual progress has been made on that front.
Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina) said part of the reason Republicans decided to set a June primary was to give the two parties more "breathing room" to reach a deal on revising district lines since Democrats have threatened to repeal GOP-drawn maps through a referendum.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news_articledisplay.cfm?article_ID=802030202&newsedition_id=8020302&locid=2

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