Lobbyists sponsor party for Kasich
By Joe Hallett and Joe Vardon
Originally from Dispatch Politics
Gov. John Kasich headlined an Ohio Theatre event last week funded by lobbyists with deep ties to his administration, raising questions about his oft-stated commitment not to favor special interests.
The Tuesday evening “One Year Later” celebration was sponsored in part by lobbyists Douglas J. Preisse, Robert F. Klaffky and Matt Borges, all of whom were ground-floor advisers to Kasich’s 2010 campaign or inaugural committee. The private party was attended by members of Kasich’s executive staff, cabinet members, many state lawmakers and some clients of the three sponsoring lobbyists, among others.http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/22/lobbyists-sponsor-party-for-kasich.html
Term limits could be revisited
Critics urging constitution panel to debate pitfalls
By Jim Siegel
In his nearly 40 years around the Statehouse, lobbyist Vincent Squillace has never seen so many lawmakers bolt from their seats in such a short period of time.
Some have left for private jobs, others for judicial appointments. A number were scooped up by the Kasich administration when it took office a year ago. Eight senators have been appointed to the chamber since the start of 2011, a record for a single two-year session.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/22/term-limits-could-be-revisited.html
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/22/term-limits-could-be-revisited.html
Can Kasich keep Ohio's budget tight? Thomas Suddes
Published: Saturday, January 21, 2012, 3:00 PM Updated: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 2:59 AM
And, as a New York state judge sagely ruled long ago, "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session."
Make no mistake: Spending in Columbus is bipartisan. Every legislator, regardless of his or her political rhetoric, craves ribbon-cuttings and sending the home folks press releases announcing "grants" (tax spending) for pet projects.
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/01/can_kasich_keep_ohios_budget_t.html
Boards and Ballots: Hagan introducing ‘JobsOhio 2’ bill
By Robert Wang
Posted Jan 20, 2012 @ 11:29 PM
State Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, will be one of two primary sponsors of a bill that would revamp the Ohio Department of Development, transforming it into the Ohio Development Services Agency.
Ohio House Republicans announced Hagan’s role this week at a news conference on their agenda. The bill’s other sponsor will be state Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, who was a staffer for former U.S. Sen. George Voinovich. Dovilla said House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, asked him and Hagan, both members of the House Economic and Small Business Development Committee, to sponsor the bill.
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1069934903/Boards-and-Ballots-Hagan-introducing-JobsOhio-2-bill
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1069934903/Boards-and-Ballots-Hagan-introducing-JobsOhio-2-bill
Jobless rate falls as more Ohioans halt search
Jan. 21, 2012
Written by
CentralOhio.com
Lancaster Eagle Gazette
The state's unemployment rate dropped sharply for the second consecutive month, but, once again, it's not all good news.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent in December. That's down from 8.5 percent in November and a 28-year high of 10.6 percent in December 2009.
As with the previous month's report, the plummeting rate has more to do with people giving up their job searches than with the unemployed getting work.
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120121/NEWS01/201210303
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120121/NEWS01/201210303
School funding reform a priority for Republican-led state House
January 22, 2012
by Marc Kovac | Capital Bureau Chief
Hudson Hub Times
Columbus -- Republicans in the Ohio House plan to play host to another series of public hearings on the state's long-debated school funding methods, with hopes of further reforming a system that some say remains unconstitutional.
Rep. Ron Amstutz, R-Wooster, and chairman of the House's Finance Committee, said the committee will coordinate the hearings and work with Gov. John Kasich's administration to propose changes.
"We want these to be bipartisan discussions involving reforms in public education, both as to funding and to student achievement," Amstutz said during a press conference Jan. 17 at the Statehouse.
http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5148943
http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5148943
Gongwer 1/20/12
Ohio's unemployment rate decreased again in December to 8.1%, but non-farm employment dropped by 3,300 over the month, the Department of Job and Family Services said Friday.
The state had 469,000 unemployed workers last month, down from 496,000 and a rate of 8.5% in November, the agency said.
"Ohio's labor force shrank in December, driving the unemployment rate lower despite a decrease in total employment," ODJFS spokesman Ben Johnson said. "It would be speculative to say why any one person left the labor force, but it is safe to assume that some of those individuals are discouraged and have stopped looking for work."
Goods-producing industries were down 2,100 jobs from November while construction and mining and logging declined 2,600 and 100, respectively, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by the agency. The manufacturing industry added 600 jobs.
http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_id=810130206
Unemployment Falls; GOP Touts Successes
Hannah Report 1/20/12
Ohio's unemployment rate continued to fall in December, with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announcing Friday that the rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.5 percent in November.
There were mixed signs in the statistics, as the state actually lost 3,300 jobs, but the number of unemployed workers fell by 28,000 over the month.
The state's rate also fell below the national rate of 8.5 percent.
Ohio's unemployment rate continued to fall in December, with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announcing Friday that the rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.5 percent in November.
There were mixed signs in the statistics, as the state actually lost 3,300 jobs, but the number of unemployed workers fell by 28,000 over the month.
The state's rate also fell below the national rate of 8.5 percent.
Hannah Report 1/20/12
GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSEHouse Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and his GOP caucus laid out four top priorities they'll address in the coming months as well as a host of other issues that will draw their attention in 2012. The big four are a streamlining of workforce development programs to foster economic growth, driven by the recommendations of a study committee that met in 2011; JobsOhio II legislation that will follow up on last year's HB1 (Duffey) and establish a new Development Services Agency; Bureau of Workers' Compensation reforms aimed at cutting bureaucracy and improving the care and rehabilitation of workers; and the launching of another review process for K-12 education reform, one expected to stretch into 2013.
During the House GOP's 2012 priority-setting press conference, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said his caucus is only interested in revisiting the less-controversial aspects of the voter-repudiated SB5 (Jones) if local government and labor leaders come forward to urge their adoption.
The Ohio House GOP Caucus decided to delay permanently filling vacancies in Districts 87 and 98 until after the March primary because multiple candidates have filed to run in those districts. However, Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said they are exploring the possibility of temporary appointments to the seats so the districts "have a voice" in the period before the primary.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188343
During the House GOP's 2012 priority-setting press conference, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said his caucus is only interested in revisiting the less-controversial aspects of the voter-repudiated SB5 (Jones) if local government and labor leaders come forward to urge their adoption.
The Ohio House GOP Caucus decided to delay permanently filling vacancies in Districts 87 and 98 until after the March primary because multiple candidates have filed to run in those districts. However, Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said they are exploring the possibility of temporary appointments to the seats so the districts "have a voice" in the period before the primary.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188343
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