March 29

Ohio Senate votes to repeal election overhaul bill

JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press Published: March 28, 2012 6:46PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A bill repealing sweeping changes to Ohio's 2011 elections law cleared the state Senate on Wednesday after a debate so fierce one Democrat urged stopping because lawmakers were "about to draw blood."
With election-year politics flaring, Republicans and Democrats accused each other of playing political games with the battleground state's voting rules at the expense of Ohio voters and the democratic process.
The original bill retooling the state's election laws passed last summer. It's been on hold since September, when opponents gathered enough signatures to qualify a repeal question for November's ballot.
http://www.the-press-news.com/ap%20state/2012/03/28/ohio-senate-votes-to-repeal-election-overhaul-bill-1332974514

Lawmakers honor Chardon ‘heroes’

47 praised for last month’s response to fatal shootings at high school

By  Justin Conley

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Thursday March 29, 2012 6:50 AM

Just a month after a high-school shooting in Chardon left three dead and two seriously wounded, Gov. John Kasich and the General Assembly honored law-enforcement, firefighters, school officials and other first responders for their efforts.

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said the governor wanted the 47 men and women, whom Kasich called “ real heroes” in a tweet yesterday, to share their experiences with his cabinet.

After the emotional meeting, Nichols said, the group had lunch with the governor, before receiving commendations from the Ohio House and Senate.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/29/lawmakers-honor-chardon-heroes.html

Senate repeals election law despite ballot issue

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday March 29, 2012 5:38 AM

After a heated debate, the Ohio Senate yesterday voted to repeal House Bill 194, the election-law overhaul passed last year that Democrats and progressive groups are challenging on the November ballot.

Democrats objected to the repeal after unsuccessfully trying to amend the bill so that in-person early voting could take place on the weekend and Monday before Election Day. Democrats and some voter-rights groups have argued that voting should be allowed in the days leading up to the election because that follows the law that was in place before the passage of House Bill 194.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/29/senate-repeals-election-law-despite-ballot-issue.html

Ohio Senate votes on repeal of controversial election law: updated

Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 1:30 PM     Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 1:34 AM

By Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Senate passed a bill along party lines on Wednesday to repeal a controversial election law that is up for a voter referendum this fall.
The vote followed a lively floor debate that left Democrats insulted and damaged the chances of any bipartisan compromise on future election law reform.
Democrats unanimously voted against the repeal, although they opposed the election law because of concerns about voter suppression. They said repealing the law would unconstitutionally circumvent voters’ right to referendum.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/03/ohio_senate_to_vote_today_on_r.html

Published: 3/29/2012

Senate votes to repeal law before referendum

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS -- Despite constitutional questions, Senate Republicans on Wednesday forged ahead with repeal of a controversial election-reform law that Democrats had already succeeded in having certified for a November ballot referendum.

"This is the first time in Ohio history where a bill has been passed to stop a referendum,'' Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D., Columbus) said. "It's a historic moment of lack of trust in the people of Ohio.''

The Senate voted 23-10 along party lines to pull House Bill 194 from the books with the promise that majority Republicans will be back to talk with Democrats in hopes of reaching a bipartisan compromise.

http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2012/03/29/Senate-votes-to-repeal-law-before-referendum.html

Policy, Politics Collide in Senate Passage of HB194 Repeal Legislation

Hannah Report 3/28/12

There was more than the usual conflict between policy and politics Wednesday in the Ohio Senate, where Democrats worked to divine the real intentions of Republicans in first passing a controversial elections bill and then seeking to repeal it, and where the majority sought to divine the real motives of Democrats in first calling for the legislative repeal of HB194 (Mecklenborg-Blessing) and then opposing it in favor of an election referendum on voter access.

Members first dispatched a series of bills with little drama, including a conference committee report on history education provisions in SB165 (Obhoff), capital spending in HB482 (Amstutz), business tax credits in HB18 (Baker), and abandoned property clean-up in SB109 (Gentile). Sen. Larry Obhof’s (R-Medina) SB165 was mildly controversial, ending in a 32-1 vote. The rest earned unanimous support, as did House amendments to reappropriations bill SB312 (Widener), emergency first responder bill SB243 (Hughes), and uniform commercial code bill SB208 (Obhof-Kearney). http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188975

Busy House Schedule Includes Passage of Reappropriation, Banking Bills

Hannah Report 3/28/12

A busy House passed a flurry of bills before its spring break, although break is a term that could be used loosely for the chamber as committees are expected to continue hearing testimony on the Mid-Biennium Review.

The last session wasn't without disagreement, as legislators argued over bills to require the teaching of founding documents in Ohio schools and to allow a prosecutor to challenge a defendant's request to waive a trial by jury, as well as a bill brought up under a suspension of the rules dealing with the interest rates that Ohio banks can charge.

The chamber first brought up the Conference Committee report on SB165 (Obhof), which requires Ohio schools to teach certain founding documents such as the U.S. and Ohio constitutions. Rep. Ron Gerberry (D-Canfield) took a shot a Republicans on the bill, saying many who promote less government and state regulations are championing something that would interfere with the work of the Ohio Department of Education. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188976

House Republicans to Sit Four New Members after Spring Break

Hannah Report 3/28/12

The House Republican Caucus will have four vacancies by the middle of April, and a spokesman for Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) told Hannah News that all four will likely be filled when the chamber returns from Spring break in April.

Reps. Mary Matheney (R-Richmond Heights) and Phillip Rose (R-Hamden) both submitted their resignations effective in April during Wednesday's House session. Both were appointed as temporary replacements until after the March 6 Republican primaries for their respective seats.

The winners of those primaries will be seated during the April 18 House session, Batchelder spokesman Mike Dittoe said Wednesday.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188978

GOP Pushes Election Law Repeal Through Senate After Charged Debate

Gongwer 3/28/12

Tempers flared in the Senate Wednesday as the Republican majority advanced legislation that repeals a controversial election law rewrite that would otherwise be subject to a referendum vote this fall.

The Senate approved the legislation (SB 295 ) on a 23-10 party-line vote after minority Democrats asserted that the action would suppress the vote in the upcoming general election.

Sen. William Coley (R-Middletown) said the measure gives the referendum backers exactly what they wanted - a straight repeal of HB 194 . He said the action sets the stage for lawmakers to make an attempt at enacting a bipartisan election law that enhances operations in time for the November vote.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810600201

Jury Trial, Credit Interest Rate Measures Generate Opposition But Clear House; Capital Measures Finalized

Gongwer 3/28/12

The House took action on 11 measures Wednesday in the last session scheduled until mid-April, with bills on jury trials and credit card interest rates generating the most debate.

The session also saw the chamber in conjunction with the Senate wrap up work on two capital-related measures that are now on the way to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

Both the $1.73 billion capital bill (HB 482 ) and the $1.27 billion capital reappropriations measure (SB 312 ) had been processed quickly through committee with relatively little controversy, although several advocates made a late and unsuccessful appeal Wednesday for more money to bolster the Clean Ohio grant program. (See separate story) The House votes on both measures were unanimous.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810600202

Variety Of Stakeholders Ask For Increased Funding For Clean Ohio Fund

Gongwer 3/28/12

Although they did not get their wish, dozens of witnesses pleaded with a Senate panel Wednesday to increase financing for the Clean Ohio fund through the capital appropriations bill.

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously voted to move the bill (HB 482 ) forward without implementing an increase in appropriation to the fund that supports local environmentally related projects. The full Senate later passed the bill unanimously.

While sponsoring Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) said the capital bill traditionally moves through the legislature without amendments, the panel adopted a change related to the multi-agency radio communications system used by public safety personnel.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810600209

March 28

'Stand Your Ground' Under Microscope in Ohio

ABC 6

COLUMBUS -- Advocates against gun violence hope a controversial shooting case in Florida is enough to stop a push for a "Stand Your Ground" law in Ohio. 

Meanwhile, representatives for the Buckeye Firearms Association, expect discussions to continue.

"I see that eventually coming down the road for Ohio," said Linda Walker, central Ohio chairwoman for the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Ohio already has a Castle Doctrine, which allows people to use deadly force in their homes or their vehicles if they feel threatened. http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_16751.shtml

House Approves Senate Right to Cure Amendments, Mutual Aid Compact Legislation

Hannah Report 3/27/12

A split House Tuesday approved Senate changes to "Right to Cure" legislation while also giving unanimous approval to bills dealing with the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program, licensure of pediatric respite care programs, and the Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact.

Democrats voted against accepting Senate amendments on HB275 (Young-Slaby), arguing again that the bill weakens the state's Consumer Sales Practices Act. Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) said he believes the legislation continues the trend of siding with the wealthy at the expense of the poor, while Rep. Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) called the bill the "right to cheat bill."

Rep. Ron Young (R-Leroy), a primary co-sponsor of the bill, pointed out that the top enforcer of the Consumer Sales Practices Act, Attorney General Mike DeWine, is in favor of legislation. He said the bill is "fair and reasonable" and allows the consumer to talk with a supplier about a cure offer, whereas the current system draws cases out for an expanded period of time. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188964

Ohio Democrats demand transparency task force in response to D grade

By Caitlin Ginley

iWatch News

Citing the Buckeye State’s D grade from the State Integrity Investigation, Democratic legislators in Ohio have called for a bipartisan task force to review current ethics laws and consider new legislation to strengthen accountability and transparency.

“We have a responsibility to the people of Ohio and it is simply unacceptable for us to fail to ensure government is working for Ohioan’s best interest at all times, not for special interest or influences,” said Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield), in a press conference held Tuesday.
http://www.iwatchnews.org/2012/03/28/8535/ohio-democrats-demand-transparency-task-force-response-d-grade

March 27

Anti-corruption study sought

Ohio House Democrats seek task force

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday March 27, 2012 4:46 AM

A week after Ohio got an overall D grade for anti-corruption efforts, a group of House Democrats yesterday called for the creation of a bipartisan task force to review the enforcement of current laws and propose ways to strengthen accountability and transparency.

In many cases, states have adequate laws on the books but lack enforcement, said a recent report produced by a partnership led by the Center for Public Integrity. No state got an overall A grade.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/27/anti-corruption-fight-suggested.html

Basic landline phone services could be removed under proposed bill, consumer groups say

Published: Monday, March 26, 2012, 6:03 PM     Updated: Monday, March 26, 2012, 6:16 PM

By Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Customers in some parts of Ohio might be unable to get basic landline phone service under a bill moving through the state legislature, a group of consumer advocates warned on Monday.
AARP Ohio, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and others strongly oppose the bill because they said it threatens a vital line of communication for senior citizens and the needy.
“Some customers would likely lose their phone service,” said Michael Smalz, a senior attorney with the Ohio Poverty Law Center. “They would lose the service they could afford, the cheapest available service and the only service they think they need.”
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/03/basic_landline_phone_services.html

Democrats Want Transparency Task Force, Bills Heard; GOP Says Accountability Is Key Goal

Gongwer 3/26/12

Feeling snubbed by Republicans in control of the legislature and other state offices, Democrats on Monday called for more openness in government and hearings on a series of bills they said would improve the process and enhance accountability.

The four lawmakers who announced their hearing requests at a Statehouse news conference also called for the creation of a "bipartisan task force to review the enforcement practices of current laws and consider new legislation to strengthen accountability and transparency."

"Ethics should be a bipartisan concern," Rep. Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) said.

Mr. Lundy, joined at the event by Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Hts.), Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield) and Rep. Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery), expressed frustration with what he said was a trend with GOP leaders closing off meetings and curbing public records access.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810580205

March 26

Coroner question

Sharing coroner services might make sense, save money for some counties

Saturday March 24, 2012 7:19 AM

When Ohio set up its government in 1802, it made good sense to require each county to elect a coroner: Travel times by horse and a lack of refrigeration would have made a consolidated system impractical, and 19-century medical science didn’t require expensive laboratories and equipment.

Today, as budgets shrink and municipal lines hopscotch into neighboring counties, lawmakers should give serious consideration to House Bill 445, which would remove the mandate of having 88 separate, paid officeholders.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2012/03/24/coroner-question.html

Republicans overplay their hand

Published: Sun, March 25, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

Youngstown Vindicator

Democrats in the Ohio General Assembly will be held up to public ridicule if they’re taken in by the conciliatory tone Republicans have adopted with regard to the contentious new elections law. The GOP, which controls the House and Senate, isn’t holding out the olive branch to the Democrats, who are in the minority, because of bipartisanship. Since January 2011, when Republicans took over every statewide office, including governor, and took control of the legislature, Democrats have been little more than an afterthought — if that.

The majority has ridden roughshod over the minority on the major issues, starting with the biennium budget, and there is nothing to suggest that Senate President Tom Niehaus and House Speaker Bill Batchelder will be making room at the table for their Democratic counterparts any time soon.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/mar/25/republicans-overplay-their-hand/

Boards and ballots: Hagan introduces economic development bill

By Robert Wang

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Mar 25, 2012 @ 10:00 AM

State Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, and State Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, Thursday introduced a bill dubbed “Jobs Ohio 2.”

It would rename the Ohio Department of Development, provide more funds to a revamped OhioTourism office to market the state’s tourism industry and seek to streamline the approval of economic development packages to attract businesses to Ohio.

Last year, a staffer for Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, asked Hagan to help shepherd the bill. The office of Gov. John Kasich drafted the bill with the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x37055864/Boards-and-ballots-Hagan-introduces-economic-development-bill

Hannah Report

FY12-13 BUDGET

Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, said the House will parcel the various MBR proposals among several committees and subcommittees, splitting some pieces off into separate bills. House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) cancelled sessions on March 20 and 21 to allow committees time to work on the MBR. On Friday, Amstutz announced that the increase in the severance tax and income tax cut were being removed from HB487 -- the MBR -- which had been introduced earlier in the day.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188947

March 23

Senate leader wary of income tax cut

Niehaus fears federal Medicaid cuts could hit state

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Friday March 23, 2012 7:30 AM

Gov. John Kasich’s plan to trade higher taxes on shale drilling for an income-tax cut took on more water yesterday when Senate President Tom Niehaus said he is not sold on giving Ohioans a tax reduction.

Niehaus said he generally favors income-tax cuts, “but the economic climate in the state and the country is still uncertain enough for the next year or two ... that I would be a little more cautious about committing that money at this point.”

As part of his extensive mid-biennial review, Kasich proposed raising severance taxes on the state’s emerging shale-drilling industry and using those proceeds for an across-the-board income-tax cut that could climb to an estimated 5 percent by 2016. The administration has argued that Ohio’s current drilling rates are too low, and that the benefits of the state’s drilling boon should be shared by all Ohioans.http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/23/senate-leader-wary-of-income-tax-cut.html

House committee passes CMHA bill

Witnesses call it discriminatory

10:20 PM, Mar. 22, 2012  |  

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

COLUMBUS — Controversial legislation aimed at changing the makeup of the board of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority is headed for a House vote.

Three witnesses, all from Cincinnati, testified at a hearing Thursday that House Bill 408, sponsored by State Rep. Louis F. Terhar, R-Green Township, is discriminatory.

“This bill will only fan the flames of racial antagonism in Cincinnati and is not needed,” said local attorney Robert B. Newman in prepared remarks. “The opposition to public housing at nearly every turn has had a racial component.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120322/NEWS010801/303220115/House-committee-passes-CMHA-bill?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

House Passes Capital Budget

Hannah Report 3/22/12

The House passed capital budget bill HB482 (Amstutz) by a near-unanimous vote Thursday after Republicans tabled a Democratic amendment that would add community projects to the bill.

Bill sponsor Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) noted the leanness of the bill, saying it only includes funding for higher education, primary and secondary education, and the Ohio Public Works Commission.

"We are in a time where we are rebuilding our state's fiscal house." He said while the state's budget situation and economy have improved, it isn't time to have a full capital budget. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=188922

Batchelder, In Support Of Preemptive Repeal, Says HB194 Referendum Would Unduly Detract From Presidential Election

Gongwer 3/22/12

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) reiterated Thursday that he has come around to supporting the Senate GOP's plan to repeal a controversial package of election laws that is the subject of a referendum this fall, in part because the ballot issue would detract from the more important debate over the presidential election.

The speaker's comments come a day after the Senate delayed a committee vote on the repeal measure (SB 295 ) following a testy hearing marked by a partisan flare-up.

Among the testimony delivered to the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee were continuing complaints that the Senate's moves were more about political expediency rather than policy. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, March 21, 2012)

Speaker Batchelder previously expressed concerns about running afoul of the Ohio Constitution's referendum provisions, but he told reporters after Thursday's session he had changed his mind and noted there was no case law on the issue.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810560202

MBR Hearings: Speaker Plans In-Depth Hearings On Bank, Insurance Taxes With ‘Expert Witnesses'; ‘Loophole' For RV Purchases Questioned

Gongwer 3/22/12

Lawmakers continued on Thursday to review various components of Gov. John Kasich's mid-term budget package amidst signals from the House speaker that his chamber will be putting a private sector microscope to the details - especially tax provisions impacting banks and insurance companies.

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said the House would be bringing in "expert witnesses on some of these matters," such as members of the Ohio Society of CPAs, and indicated the financial institutions tax plan and the insurance tax proposals could be split out of the main package for more lengthy, in-depth deliberations.

"I would think that would be probably so," he said.

He said some of the outside input would also come from "a couple of accountants who have specialized in oil and gas."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810560203

JobsOhio II Debuts In Both Chambers, Officially Creates Development Services Agency

Gongwer 3/22/12

Both the House and Senate introduced legislation Thursday to further institute the independent enterprise JobsOhio as the primary entity in charge of economic development in Ohio.

The bill that has been generally referred to as "JobsOhio II" should complete the legislature's work in moving responsibility away from the Department of Development and into the private entity.

The General Assembly enacted its first piece of legislation for the session (HB 1 ) in February 2011 that created JobsOhio, the concept of which came out of a campaign pledge by Gov. John Kasich.

Democrats later filed a lawsuit saying JobsOhio is unconstitutional because it creates a joint venture between the state and a private corporation, among other charges.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810560206

Panelists Opine On Constitutional Review Process

State lawmakers and members of the public leading a review of Ohio's constitutional provisions need to be committed to working on the project over an extended period of time, panelists said at a seminar on the subject Thursday.

The comments came during a colloquium (event materials) organized by Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law that drew several current and former state officials, lawmakers and others interested in the process.

Robert Williams, a Rutgers University Law professor, said state constitutions are generally low visibility documents that contain more specifics than the U.S. Constitution, and address more issues tied to the public's day-to-day life.

While the federal document reserves rights for the national government, he said state documents are more political, and more subject to changes.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=810560208

March 22

Republican lawmakers on track to repeal elections law before voter referendum in November

 Joe Guillen, The Plain Dealer Wednesday, March 21, 2012

 COLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican lawmakers remain on course to repeal a controversial election law, despite opposition from Democrats who would rather give voters the chance to reject the law in November.

Democrats will have another week to review a bill to repeal the law before the GOP-controlled Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee votes on the legislation.

The opposition to a legislative repeal from Democrats and other groups confused Sen. Bill Coley, a Republican from Butler County who sponsored the bill to repeal the elections law, which Democrats have dubbed a “voter suppression” bill.

“You’re mad that I’m doing what you want - sooner?” Coley said on Wednesday. “This is just a straight repeal.”

The committee heard testimony from the League of Women Voters of Ohio and others concerned about the ramifications of repealing the bill, known as House Bill 194, before the November election.

Republican lawmakers last year passed HB 194, a broad overhaul of election laws. Democrats and voting rights groups strongly objected to the bill because it restricts early voting opportunities and because, they said, it establishes barriers to voting for minorities.

GOP lawmakers earlier this year announced a plan to repeal the bill and avoid the referendum. Senate Republicans are interested in replacing HB 194 with other reforms that would take effect before November.

Opponents of HB 194 have said they oppose any new election law before the presidential election because they fear Republican lawmakers again will pass laws that make it harder for some people to vote.

Senate Democratic Leader Eric Kearney, of Cincinnati, said Republicans want to repeal the law to avoid another embarrassment like the voters’ rejection last year of Senate Bill 5, the controversial collective bargaining law. Kearney said voters have a right to decide the fate of HB 194.

“Referendums are an essential component of the checks and balances in our constitution,” Kearney said in a statement. “It is a right that belongs to the people and the General Assembly should not infringe upon it. Repealing HB 194 would make a mockery of the referendum process.”

Coley said he has no concerns that the repeal would be unconstitutional.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, who previously expressed constitutionality concerns, supports the bill’s repeal, spokesman Mike Dittoe said Wednesday.

Carrie Davis, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, said legislation to repeal HB 194 likely would be challenged in court because there is no precedent in Ohio for repealing a law that is the subject of a voter referendum.

Davis and others who testified before the Senate committee on Wednesday also urged lawmakers to reverse a restriction on early voting established last year as part of another bill. A provision in House Bill 224, which deals largely with military voters, also barred in-person absentee voting the weekend before an election. The provision originally was part of HB 194 but was included as a technical correction in HB 224.

Coley said lawmakers will consider the request as they continue discussions on a possible replacement for HB 194.

COSHOCTON TRIBUNE: Panel delays vote on Ohio elections overhaul repeal

Written by Ann Sanner Associated Press

COLUMBUS -- An Ohio Senate panel delayed a vote Wednesday to repeal a contentious new election law that shrinks early voting in the presidential battleground state, among other changes.

The elections overhaul has been on hold since September, after opponents gathered thousands of signatures from voters to put a repeal question on November ballots.

Republican leaders who control the Ohio Legislature say the state can avoid a costly referendum campaign and give opponents what they want by repealing it. But Democrats and other opponents say voters -- not state lawmakers -- have the right to decide this fall whether the law should be scrapped.

The GOP is pushing a measure to get rid of the new law and leave in place the old rules governing Ohio elections. The bill also reaffirms a separate change made in 2011 that cuts off in-person early voting on the Friday evening before Election Day.

The chairman of the Senate's government oversight committee said Wednesday he was delaying a scheduled vote on the legislation until next week to give minority Democrats a chance to review it.

Chairman Bill Coley, a Middletown Republican who is the sponsor of the repeal legislation, said he also wanted additional time to "make sure that the bill is doing exactly what we say that it's doing."

Any proposed change to the state's law is apt to draw increased scrutiny in a presidential election year, particularly in Ohio.

No Republican presidential nominee has reached the White Housewithout carrying the swing state. President Barack Obama won Ohio in 2008, after the state went for George W. Bush in 2004.

Obama's re-election campaign was among those who helped gather the signatures with Fair Elections Ohio, an opponent group that spearheaded the referendum effort.

Greg Moore, campaign director for Fair Elections Ohio, said he was encouraged by the delayed committee action.

"We need to let Ohioans vote on the issue in November," Moore said in a statement.

An extended voting period is perceived as benefiting Democrats because it increases voting opportunities for those harder to reach for an Election Day turnout -- Hispanics, blacks, new citizens and poor people.

About 30 percent of Ohio's total vote -- or roughly 1.7 million ballots -- came in ahead of Election Day in 2008.

State Sen. Keith Faber, a Celina Republican, suggested some groups appealing to the panel to not rush the law's repeal only want the issue to remain on the ballot for the political purpose of driving voter turnout.

The state's top elections official supports the legislative repeal effort.

Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted has said a referendum campaign would confuse voters as local election officials try toeducate them on voting rules. He wants lawmakers to write a new bill after the November election.

Ohio is one of 32 states that allow voters to cast an early ballot by mail or in person without an excuse.

The new law would shorten the in-person early voting window from 35 days before Election Day to 17 days and the period for absentee voting by mail from 35 days to 21.

Senate President Tom Niehaus has said he wants to repeal the measure and possibly replace it with bipartisan-backed changes in time for the fall election.

His spokeswoman said Wednesday there were no current discussions going on about replacement election rules, and that the GOP was focused on working through the repeal process.

Republican House Speaker William Batchelder has said he has constitutional concerns. The state has no precedent for repealing a piece of legislation that's in limbo because of a referendum.

House spokesman Mike Dittoe said Wednesday Batchelder's concerns remain, but "at this point, the speaker is supportive of the repeal effort."

GONGWER: Republicans, Democrats Call For Involvement Of Colleagues In Drafting Cleveland School Overhaul Bill

In a show of bipartisanship that has been rare at the Statehouse in recent months, Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called on their colleagues to back a plan to restructure a Cleveland school system in financial and academic turmoil.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson introduced a plan to overhaul the Cleveland Municipal School District that attracted the praise of Gov. John Kasich and others while drawing ire from teachers unions.

The proposal needs certain legislative changes to bring it to fruition, and all parties, including lawmakers and teachers, have spent the past few weeks trying to reach a compromise.

"To get this task accomplished, not only here in Columbus but in Cleveland, in the months ahead is going to require willingness for us to work together," Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) said at a Statehouse press conference. "That is why it is so significant the four of us stand here together, Republicans and Democrats, House members and Senate members."

Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) said he expects "starting point" legislation to be introduced in a matter of days. Sen. Lehner said she is willing to be the lawmaker to sponsor it.

Rep. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland), president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, said the parties have yet to come to an agreement on the proposal and although asked, she is not yet committed to be a joint sponsor of the legislation.

Ms. Williams said she agrees with about 70% of the proposal, but opposes some provisions relating to a Cleveland Transformation Alliance and a call for a "fresh start" on collective bargaining agreements, which unions see as a rehash of the voter-rejected collective bargaining overhaul (SB 5).

Some organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, have raised issue with the Cleveland Transformation Alliance's proposed exemption from public records law.

Mayor Jackson said he has asked his attorneys to return to the proposal and address that concern and that he had not intended to shield the body's operations.

Mr. Jackson said he recently receive a document from the Cleveland Teachers Union with proposed changes and is currently looking through it for areas of consensus.

"If somebody has a better way to skin this cat then I'm glad to accept that, but what we will not accept is incremental change," he said.

Cleveland has more than 31,000 students attending school buildings rated in "academic watch" or "academic emergency," Rep. Williams said.

"I am calling on my colleagues to join me at the table to come to a compromise with the union, the mayor and anyone else whose interested and come to some kind of compromise so we can better the lives of the kids within our district," she said.

The district stands on the brink of entering receivership and Mayor Jackson said he thinks the community will not pass a levy without change. Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) said the question Clevelanders face is whether they want to live in a city or cemetery.

"I believe that we have a moral obligation to do something to affect a positive academic and social change for our children," she said.

Sen. Lehner, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said meetings will be held all day Friday in Cleveland and all lawmakers have been invited to attend. Also expected to be in attendance are national education experts and members of the Cleveland Teachers Union. This would be the first in a series of such discussions.

"The task ahead will be difficult. If we fail it will be a shame, but if we fail to try it will be a tragedy," Sen. Lehner said.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said he was appreciative of the mayor's effort to discuss the proposal with lawmakers.

"I am very proud and pleased by the work of the members of the House and Senate at today's press conference with Mayor Jackson and am encouraged by the supporters of this proposal," he said in a statement.

"Their work and cooperation on this issue is a significant step in ultimately ensuring the success of the children in the Cleveland schools. I look forward to working with Mayor Jackson as other members of the legislature step forward to join us on this vitally important issue."

HANNAH REPORT: D's Join R's in Supporting Cleveland School Plan

Wednesday's Statehouse press conference on the Cleveland Plan for public schools was poor in details but rich in calls to

unity. The goal: the very future of northeast Ohio, socially, academically and economically, said a bipartisan group of

legislators from inside and outside Cuyahoga County.

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) was joined by Senate Minority Whip Nina Turner (DCleveland), ranking minority member of the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee; House

Finance and Appropriations Committee Chairman Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster); Rep. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland); Cleveland

Mayor Frank Jackson; and Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

Along with Gov. John Kasich himself, Jackson and Gordon have been the loudest voices for the proposed reinvention of

Cleveland schools -- both district and publicly funded charters -- with Kasich and Gordon making separate appeals to the

State Board of Education. (See The Hannah Report, 2/14/12, 3/12/12.)

That was before Wednesday, when a small but passionate group of Republicans and Democrats came forward with the kind

of public support for the Cleveland Plan Kasich has been seeking.

"We will be open to any suggestions to improve it," Lehner said to stakeholders and fellow legislators, echoing the ominous

note sounded by Kasich last week. "It will be difficult," she said, acknowledging the potential political pitfalls on either side

of the aisle following the demise of collective bargaining bill SB5 (Jones). "To fail would be a travesty."

Lehner recognized Turner and Williams as "courageous colleagues" that have made themselves accountable to Cleveland

voters -- politically and policy-wise. "It's time for the members I serve with and that the senator serves with to join us in

doing the right thing for the children of Cleveland," Lehner said, introducing Turner.

"I don't know if the mayor knows it or not, but he brought us together," said the senator from Cleveland.

Turner warned against the "roadblocks of fear and resistance," saying the stakes are high. "We have to decide whether we

want to live in a city or a cemetery."

Calling a top-down overhaul of Cleveland schools a "moral obligation," Turner said the rationale and timing of the plan is

clear. "If anyone wants to ask why, we have 82,000 reasons," she said in a nod to Cleveland school children. "Now it is

time for our colleagues to answer the call: What will we do?"129th General Assembly The Hannah Report

March 21, 2012 Hannah News Service         - 3

During questions, the coalition was asked whether it would in fact seek to shield the proposed school oversight body -- the

private Cleveland Transformation Alliance -- from Ohio Sunshine Laws, as proposed in legislative language submitted to the

Legislative Services Commission. Draft language "exempts the alliance and its members from the state Public Ethics Law,

Open Meetings Act, Public Records Law, Civil Service Law, Public Employees Retirement System Law, and Public Employee

Collective Bargaining Law." (See The Hannah Report, 3/13/12.)

"I've asked our attorneys to go back and address those issues," Jackson said. "As the superintendent (Gordon) has said

constantly, there is no intent not to be transparent."

Lehner agreed that the public records question needs more work. "There are a number of issues members have expressed

concern about," she said, ranking sunshine laws among them. "This is just the first of several public events. We promise to

be very open, transparent, thorough."

Amstutz noted that public transparency and other issues must still be debated, before and after the legislation is formally

introduced. "We don't have a bill that is complete, but we do have a bill we think can be a starting point."

Williams summarized her own concerns -- the Transformation Alliance, union buy-in, and a proposed "fresh start" in

collective bargaining that would void previous agreements.

"I was a strong opponent of SB5," interjected Jackson. "I worked to repeal SB5."

Outside the press conference, Lehner reemphasized that prohibitive language on teacher seniority, public transparency, and

other issues are prospective at best. "I don't think anything about the plan is absolutely sacred. ... If there's an agreement

with the Cleveland Teachers Union, [Jackson] is willing to stir that into the eventual bill."

Although all parties may not get everything they want, Amstutz said there is good reason to expect a compromise that

accomplishes the game-changing goals of the Cleveland Plan.

"My expectation would be that none of the people directly affected by this will walk away unhappy," Amstutz said. "Some of

their leaders may."

Later Wednesday, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) responded to the press conference in a statement:

"I very much appreciate Mayor Jackson spending time with us this week to discuss his vision for transforming Cleveland

Public Schools. I am very proud and pleased by the work of the members of the House and Senate at today's press

conference with Mayor Jackson and am encouraged by the supporters of this proposal. Their work and cooperation on this

issue is a significant step in ultimately ensuring the success of the children in the Cleveland schools. I look forward to

working with Mayor Jackson as other members of the Legislature step forward to join us on this vitally important issue."

Officials from the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) who attended the press conference also weighed in, downplaying any

notion about a lack of unity between union leaders and rank-and-file members.

"Members and leaders of the Cleveland Teachers Union are excited about the opportunity to develop and implement

programs that can raise student achievement in our public schools. It is important to note that such opportunities require

that the ideas -- and voices -- of Cleveland's skilled teacher workforce are heard," OFT said in a statement, echoing the call

for practical solutions.

"It is time to move forward -- the mayor and teachers together -- to collaborate on the kinds of concepts and ideas that will

make a difference in the lives and educational outcomes of students."