October 29

Last resort

Dog shelters stuck with problem long ignored by lawmakers

Monday October 29, 2012 5:26 AM

Columbus Dispatch

Hands down, the worst job in any dog shelter doesn’t involve a scoop and a bag; it requires a needle, or a gas chamber.

“We hate putting dogs to sleep down here. We hate it, we hate it, we hate it,” Bill Click, the dog warden of Lawrence County, told The Dispatch.

His southeastern Ohio shelter led the state in kill rates. For those stuck with the job, euthanasia is heartbreaking. It’s also a matter of luck for strays and surrendered dogs: A Dispatch analysis found rates varied widely among county-run shelters: Lawrence County euthanized 81 percent of its shelter dogs last year, while northeastern Carroll County put down just 1 percent. Statewide, the average is 30 percent.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2012/10/29/last-resort.html

Return William Batchelder to head of the House: Sun News endorsement

Published: Friday, October 26, 2012, 7:22 PM     Updated: Friday, October 26, 2012, 7:22 PM

By Sun News staff cleveland.com

It’s a safe bet that no one in the Ohio House of Representatives — or anywhere else around Columbus — knows state politics better than William G. Batchelder.

The current speaker of the House, who is seeking re-election as representative for the 69th District, has an in-depth sense of where the state has been that none of his colleagues can match, courtesy of term limits. Batchelder, 69, has 35 non-consecutive years of service in the House, including a 30-year stint which ranged from 1968-98.

Does it make him a perfect lawmaker? Absolutely not. Does it offer him an advantage when it comes to Statehouse politics which frequently take tricky turns based on geographical, as well as political, lines? Clearly.

Is it experience and insight which voters should consider when making their decision in November? Obviously. It’s among the main reasons why Batchelder should be elected to another two-year term — his final, according to the state-mandated limits.

http://www.cleveland.com/medina/index.ssf/2012/10/return_william_batchelder_to_h.html

October 26

GOP legislators push for autism insurance bill

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Friday October 26, 2012 5:55 AM

The push to require health-insurance plans in Ohio to cover autism-related expenses is not a new one at the Statehouse, but it has never had backing like this.

A trio of GOP legislators — a former corporate CEO, a conservative business attorney and a member of the House Republican leadership team — are leading the charge to expand the state’s 2006 mental-health parity act to include coverage for autism-spectrum disorders. New, identical bills in the House and Senate are co-sponsored by more than 20 other Republicans — whose party has majorities in both houses — along with some Democrats.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/10/26/gop-legislators-push-for-autism-insurance-bill.html

Hannah Report 10/25/12

State Government Roundup: Niehaus; Execution

Niehaus Voices Opposition to Campaign Rhetoric

During a non-voting Senate session Thursday, President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) discussed state Senate campaigns around Ohio, including the three races he is keeping an eye on. (See separate story, this issue)

The Senate president also talked about the U.S. Senate race between Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Going into the third and final debate Thursday, both Mandel and Brown have used tough rhetoric leading up to the election. On Wednesday, Gov. John Kasich suggested both candidates have made statements that they probably would like to take back. (See The Hannah Report, 10/24/12.)

Niehaus was asked for his opinion on the messages that both candidates have used throughout the campaign and whether it serves the best interest of the voters.

"I wouldn't isolate it to just the Senate race. I think you can start at the presidential and work your way down," said Niehaus. "The rhetoric that is being used in both is not helpful to the voters. I think people have become very disgusted with just the type of rhetoric and the lack of quality information that they can use to base their voting decision on."

As far as potential lame duck issues, Niehaus said he has met with Kasich and House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) but did not want to go into detail about his discussions or what pieces of legislation might get moved by the end of the year.

He did say the General Assembly should try to address election-related issues that have come up in the past few months, though he added that it might not be crucial to touch on those issues during the lame duck session. At some point, Niehaus said, state leaders should try to facilitate a discussion with the public on the best course of action.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190960

October 25

Ohio teachers seek a voice in state legislature by running for office

By Kate Irby, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer
on October 25, 2012 at 6:00 AM, updated October 25, 2012 at 7:35 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Remember last year's Senate Bill 5? The legislation that cut public employees' power to collectively bargain, which was met with some support, a lot of outrage and ultimately a ballot measure that struck it down?

Teachers remember, and some took it as their call to run for seats in the Ohio legislature this November.

"SB5 made me very, very angry," said Democrat Judith Cross, a former elementary school teacher and retired judge considered an underdog in her race against Republican House Speaker William G. Batchelder for a seat representing part of Medina County. "And I decided, well, if I'm so angry I need to do something about it rather than just sit back and complain."

Fourteen teachers and former teachers – including two incumbents – are running as Democrats for seats in the Ohio House, and two for seats in the Senate. Some cite SB5 -- passed by the Republican-dominated legislature -- as their main motivator, and others the drastic cuts in education funding. But all of them agree that the legislature could use more people passionate about education. http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/10/ohio_teachers_seek_a_voice_in.html

Huntington Credits Law Easing Interest Rate Caps For New Jobs

Gognwer 10/24/12

State leaders joined Huntington Bank executives Wednesday in touting legislation that eased credit card usury limits in touting the company's decision to expand its workforce by 250 jobs in Ohio.

Gov. John Kasich, Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina), Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) and several other legislators joined Huntington CEO Steve Steinour for the announcement at the company's headquarters in Columbus.

Mr. Steinour said the legislation (HB 322 ), which allows Ohio banks to charge the same credit card interest rates as out-of-state banks and removes the current usury limits, was a critical factor in Huntington's decision to locate its new business and consumer card operations in the state.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812070202

October 24

Huntington Announces the Creation of 250 New Jobs in Ohio

Published: October 24, 2012 Updated 19 minutes ago

2012-10-24T15:07:21Z

 HeraldOnline.com

Huntington’s continued economic investment in Ohio the result of successful public-private partnership that enabled the bank to create much-needed jobs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) announced today that it will add 250 new jobs in Ohio over the next four years in support of its new credit card program. The new jobs are the result of a successful public-private partnership that helped level the playing field for Ohio financial institutions to compete against institutions in other states.Joining Huntington CEO, Steve Steinour, for the economic development announcement were Governor John R. Kasich, Senate President Tom Niehaus, House Speaker Bill Batchelder, Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney, and Kenny McDonald, Chief Economic Officer of Columbus 2020.“Huntington is deeply committed to Ohio. We’re headquartered here and have been since we were founded almost 150 years ago. And we look to Ohio first for any opportunity to expand our business,” said Huntington CEO Steve Steinour. “Ohio and the Midwest are helping lead the U.S. economy out of recession. And public-private partnership like House Bill 322, supported by Governor Kasich and passed with bipartisan support in the legislature in May 2012, allows Huntington to build its credit card business, while creating 250 new jobs in our home state.”Developing its own, differentiated line of business and consumer cards is an important part of Huntington’s overall strategy to offer more benefits and better convenience for its customers. Additionally, the cards will augment the bank’s continued focus on offering a broad range of products and services providing additional payment solutions for its customers. The cards will enable Huntington to provide a consistent high level of service and also will allow for additional cross sell opportunities to further deepen relationships with the bank’s rapidly-growing customer base.“I appreciate Huntington’s recognition of the legislature’s commitment to encourage businesses to grow and expand in Ohio,” said Senate President Tom Niehaus. “This is evidence of how bipartisan cooperation benefits Ohioans. It enables Ohio to be competitive with other states, and helps us attract investments that create jobs.”“The financial services industry is a vitally important part of our state’s economy as it accounts for more than 175,000 jobs in Ohio,” added Ohio House Speaker, Bill Batchelder (R). “We work hard every day to attract and retain companies to the state of Ohio. This is a perfect example of how businesses and government can work together so companies, like Huntington, can invest further in our state at a time when such investment is critically important.”

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/24/4361560/huntington-announces-the-creation.html

October 23

State House 69 hopefuls to meet at Medina Library

Filed by Medina Gazette October 23rd, 2012 in News.

MEDINA — The public will have a chance to hear the candidates vying for the 69th Ohio House seat answer questions from an audience Nov. 1 at the Medina Library.

The race pits Democratic challenger Judith A. Cross against incumbent Republican House Speaker William G. Batchelder.

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/10/23/state-house-69-hopefuls-to-meet-at-medina-library/

Hannah Report 10/19/12

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

The nonvoting House session Wednesday included a message from House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) announcing that Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton) was stripped of his committee assignments on the House Education and Insurance committees. The move had been pushed by House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood.) Luckie was recently indicted on 49 charges including money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190907

October 18

Luckie Removed from Committees
Hannah Report 10/17/12

Indicted Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton) was stripped of his committee assignments Tuesday, a move that had been pushed for by House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood.)

The non-voting House session included a message from House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) that Luckie was removed from the House Education and Insurance committees, leaving him with no committees left to serve on.

Luckie was indicted last week on 49 charges including money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and the FBI alleged Luckie had diverted $130,000 from his campaign committee for personal use. Luckie has pleaded not guilty to the charges. (See The Hannah Report, 10/10/12.)

Sarah Bender, a spokeswoman for Budish, said the Democratic leader sent a letter to Batchelder last week requesting Luckie’s removal from the committees.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190870

Politics Notebook: Johnson Says Wilson Violated Financial Disclosure Requirements; House GOP Ads Irk Issue 2 Backers

Gongwer 10/16/12

Ad Flap: What's been a common practice for years during Statehouse elections has triggered criticism from a group looking to amend the state constitution with a new redistricting system.

Voters First, the group backing Issue 2, is crying foul over the use of legislative staffers in campaign ads. While partisan staff members have often appeared in brochures and even TV spots over the years during leaves of absence around campaign season to help their caucus's cause, this time around it is coming across like salt in the wound for some advocates.

That's because the ads in question involve two top staff members closely involved in the GOP's process of redrawing legislative districts, which resulted in mostly lopsided, Republican-leaning territories designed to maintain the majority for the next decade: Legal Counsel Mike Lenzo and Deputy Policy Director Heather Mann.

"It's bad enough that Ohio taxpayers had to foot the bill for one of the worst partisan gerrymanders in modern memory," Voters First spokeswoman Sandy Theis said in a release. "Now, these same state employees are appearing in partisan political advertisements in the very districts they helped rig."

Both employees appear in ads for House candidates including 20th District hopeful Nathan Burd. (Mailer; TV Spot)

"Ohio taxpayers don't deserve to have this despicable partisan activity thrown in their face, especially if they have to pay for it," Ms. Theis said. "Speaker Batchelder should apologize to taxpayers, stop all political advertisements that include state employees who gerrymandered Ohio's state legislative districts and stop standing in the way of this citizens reform effort."

Mike Dittoe, spokesman for the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee, dismissed the Voters First complaint as a "distraction."

"Today's press release from Voters First Ohio is a sad attempt at distraction from their failing campaign to corrupt Ohio's constitution," he said in an email.

"As the Columbus Dispatch eloquently stated yesterday in its editorial opposing Issue 2, the Voters First proposal is 'one of the most poorly conceived ideas ever put before Ohio voters.' No doubt that they have no other choice but to try and distract the voters at this point."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812010207

October 11

Democratic legislator charged with corruption

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday October 11, 2012 6:56 AM

State Rep. Clayton Luckie was charged yesterday with 49 criminal counts and faces “dozens of years” in prison if convicted of falsifying records and misusing nearly $130,000 in campaign funds.

The Dayton Democrat turned himself in at the FBI’s local office yesterday, but before he could complete his booking at the county jail, he was taken to a hospital for a short time with an undisclosed medical issue, delaying an afternoon bond hearing.

The breadth of evidence against Luckie prompted Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien to pursue a charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, commonly known as a RICO charge, a first-degree felony that carries a maximum 11 years in prison.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/10/11/democratic-legislator-charged-with-corruption.html

Luckie Indicted, Charged with Election Falsification, Theft, Money Laundering; Batchelder Calls for Resignation

Hannah Report 10/10/12

Rep. Clayton Luckie II (D-Dayton) turned himself into the FBI Wednesday following the announcement of a 49-count indictment, filed by Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, on charges including money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence.

Shortly after the charges became public, Speaker of the House William Batchelder (R-Medina) called on him to resign his 39th House District seat: “Given the news of the charges against Clayton Luckie and the circumstances of the case, it is my belief that it is in the best interest of the Ohio House of Representatives and the people of the 39^th District for him to resign from the House.

“The Ohio House is a sacred institution to which the people of Ohio have elected and entrusted each and every member to serve on their behalf. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that each member safeguards the public’s trust and serves his or her district with integrity. Unfortunately, Rep. Luckie’s situation has damaged that trust and is affecting his district, which must be rectified immediately,” Batchelder added. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190810

Rep. Luckie Indicted On Corruption Charges; Speaker Wants resignation

Gongwer 10/10/12

Rep. Clayton Luckie was indicted Wednesday on dozens of felony corruption charges alleging that he spent almost $130,000 in campaign cash at casinos and on a variety of personal items, according to authorities.

The lawmaker pleaded not guilty and was to be released later in the day on a $100,000 recognizance bond following his jail processing.

The 49-count grand jury indictment includes charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office, money laundering, tampering with evidence and records, and campaign finance violations.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said that between 2006 and 2012, Rep. Luckie (D-Dayton) diverted the money from his campaign committee to himself. Among other things, he said the lawmaker used the money to make an $1,800 home equity payment; withdraw $1,700 at casinos in Indiana, Florida, and West Virginia; and make purchases at stores such as Toys R Us, Weber Jewelers, and Best Buy.

 The indictment also alleges that the lawmaker falsified every campaign finance filing he submitted since he took office. In addition to failing to report hundreds of campaign expenditures and reporting expenditures that did not exist, Mr. O'Brien said that every campaign finance report had the forged signature of Richmond Jones as Rep. Luckie's campaign treasurer.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811970201

October 10

Probe of legislator reaches ‘next step’

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday October 10, 2012 6:48 AM

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and FBI agents are expected to reveal more today about the investigation into criminal allegations against state Rep. Clayton Luckie, a Dayton Democrat.

O’Brien would not confirm the topic of conversation, calling it the “next step in our ongoing investigation.”

But it is widely believed that authorities will outline the investigation and charges for Luckie, who was appointed to the House in 2006 after serving on the Dayton Board of Education. Last month, House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, said the potential charges relate to improperly converting campaign money for personal use.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/10/10/probe-of-legislator-reaches-next-step.html

No on Issue 1

Published: October 9, 2012 - 07:22 PM

Akron Beacon Journal

No on Issue 1 October 09,2012 11:22 PM GMT Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Copyright � 2012 Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Inc and Black Press. All Rights Reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of the Akron Beacon Journal is expressly prohibited.

The Ohio Constitution, adopted in 1912, calls for a statewide vote, every 20 years, on the question of holding a full-fledged constitutional convention, with elected delegates. Ohio voters have never approved such a move, but the question must be posed once again this year.

We recommend a “no” vote on state Issue 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Many parts of the constitution deserve review. The trouble is, Issue 1 would open the door to what easily could become a free-for-all, elected delegates pursuing partisan agendas, opening the entire document to unnecessary scrutiny. The ballot could end up flooded with amendments.

Fortunately, House Speaker William Batchelder has created a sound alternative, a 32-member, bipartisan Constitutional Modernization Commission. It will undertake an orderly review, with a two-thirds vote necessary to advance amendments to the legislature. Before an amendment reaches the ballot, a three-fifths vote in each chamber of the legislature is necessary.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/no-on-issue-1-1.340681

October 9

GOP expects to pick up seats

Republican-drawn legislative districts, funding gap bode ill for Dems

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Sunday October 7, 2012 2:27 PM

Gov. Ted Strickland’s landslide win in 2006 helped Ohio House Democrats pick up seven seats. In 2008, with Barack Obama leading the ticket, Democrats picked up seven more seats and took the majority.

In 2010, a recession-fueled swing helped Republicans sweep up 13 seats and take back the House majority.

Experts do not see a fourth-straight significant swing forming in 2012 for legislative races, though Democrats could get help if Obama’s recent poll numbers hold. What that leaves is a major Republican fundraising advantage for candidates running in Republican-gerrymandered districts — and a lot less drama about who will be in control when the dust settles.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/10/07/gop-expects-to-pick-up-seats.html

Vote no on Issue 1; there are better ways of updating Ohio's constitution: editorial

Published: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 7:06 PM     Updated: Saturday, October 06, 2012, 7:07 PM

By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board The Plain Dealer

ENDORSEMENT

Every 20 years, the general election ballot asks Ohioans whether they want to call a convention to revise the state constitution. Next month, the ballot asks that question again.

Ohioans -- as they did in 1932, 1952, 1972 and 1992 -- should say "no."

Voters have safer ways of revising their constitution.

The General Assembly, by a three-fifths vote of each house, may propose amendments. Voters may also propose amendments directly by gathering voter signatures equal to 10 percent of the last statewide gubernatorial vote. And even during those 20-year intervals, the General Assembly may, any time it chooses, by a two-thirds vote of each house, ask voters if they want to call a convention.

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/10/vote_no_on_issue_1_there_are_b.html

Week in Review for Friday, October 5, 2012

Hannah Report

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The reimagined Ohio Development Services Agency's (DSA) Film Office unveiled Friday, Sept. 28 that "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" will be partially shot in the state. The film office awarded Disney's Marvel Studios $9.5 million in tax credits for the project.

The Ohio Supreme Court rejected the governor's attempt to compel a constitutional finding for JobsOhio by ruling a lack of jurisdiction but stopped short of declaring the state's private development partner either constitutional or unconstitutional. House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) responded with a statement that opposed the ruling. He claimed the decision hindered the job-creating process and put the citizens of Ohio at a disadvantage.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190781

Ohio Business: AT&T, Details Investments; Express Forecasts Sales; Humana Expands In Cincy

Gongwer 10/8/12

AT&T invested $212 million in its Ohio wireless and wired networks in the first half of 2012, the company said Wednesday.

The money went toward activating new cell sites and towers to improve coverage, deploying faster connections to enable 4G speeds, and adding spectrum capacity to support additional traffic, the company said in a news release.

The company launched 4G LTE on cell sites in the Akron, Canton, and Cleveland areas; enhanced wireless capacity and performance in the greater Cincinnati area and other communities; increased mobile Internet performance in Cambridge, Ashland, and other cities; and activated more than 15 new cell sites in Portsmouth, Athens, and other areas.

The network upgrades also deployment of new Wi-Fi hot spots and backbone network connections.

"Investments in mobile Internet throughout Ohio will help consumers and businesses who are working hard to rebuild Ohio's economy," said House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina). "Furthermore, these investments in mobile Internet are a critical economic driver for Ohio to remain competitive."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811950206

October 3

Updated: 6:55 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 | Posted: 6:55 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012

Ohio jobs-agency boss leaving for private sector

Bottom of Form

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

The California venture capitalist hired by Gov. John Kasich for a dollar to help jump-start Ohio's job-creation efforts is leaving his state management job and returning to the private sector.

Mark Kvamme will resign as president and interim chief investment officer of JobsOhio effective Nov. 1, board Chairman Jim Boland announced Tuesday.

Boland said the board has chosen John Minor, one of the organization's managing directors, as Kvamme's replacement.

"Ohio has been fortunate to access the talents of a man such as Mark Kvamme at the time when we needed them most," Boland said in a statement. "Mark's leadership of JobsOhio, his intimate understanding of what makes job-creators tick, and his ability to reach agreement on projects that both protect the interests of Ohio taxpayers and help companies succeed have set the gold standard for economic success nationwide."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/labor/ohio-jobs-agency-boss-leaving-for-private-sector/nSRjb/

JobsOhio official stepping down

Published: Wed, October 3, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

The head of the state’s new nonprofit economic development effort and a longtime friend of Gov. John Kasich’s will step down from his post next month.

Mark Kvamme, short-time director of the Ohio Department of Development (recently renamed the Ohio Development Services Agency) and jobs adviser to Kasich, announced his resignation as president and interim chief investment officer of JobsOhio. The resignation will take effect Nov. 1, and John Minor, one of JobsOhio’s managing directors, will take Kvamme’s place.

Kvamme said in a released statement that he would remain in Ohio, though he and a spokeswoman offered no specifics.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/oct/03/jobsohio-official-stepping-down/

Issue 1: A primer on how it may affect you

12:06 AM, Oct 2, 2012   |  

Cincinnati Enquirer

Issue 1: Constitutional convention

Question: Shall there be a convention to revise, alter or amend the state constitution?

What it’s about: Ohio’s Constitution (article 16, section 3) requires the question to be asked every 20 years.

Who’s behind it: Framers of Ohio’s constitution

What happens if it passes: The next step would be to elect convention delegates sometime in 2013. Any changes recommended by the convention would have to be approved by voters before taking effect.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121002/NEWS0106/311060004/Issue-1-primer-how-may-affect-you?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

House speaker faces former county judge in 69th District

Filed by Steve Grazier October 2nd, 2012 in News.

Medina Gazette

MEDINA — Republican Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder is facing a challenge in next month’s election from Democrat Judith Cross, a former Medina County common pleas judge.

Bill Batchelder

Batchelder, 69, of Medina, is vying for a fourth and final term as representative of Ohio House District 69.

This is his second stint in the Ohio House. He served from 1969 to 1999, when he was forced to leave because of term limits.

Turning to his home county, he was elected Medina County Common Pleas judge and served on that court briefly before then- Gov. Bob Taft appointed him to the 9th District Ohio Court of Appeals.
Batchelder was elected to the appellate bench in November 2000.

Batchelder returned to the Ohio House in 2007 and was named house speaker during the 129th General Assembly.

If re-elected, he said he would run again for the speaker’s post.

“It’s an exciting job, and I love it,” he said.

During the last two years, Batchelder said his leadership helped to balance the state budget and pass legislation to expand tax credits to people who transformed old, vacant buildings into new businesses to create jobs.

“Many facilities not usable are now in play,” he said.

Batchelder credited Republican leadership — the GOP swept every statewide office in the 2010 election and holds majorities in both houses of the General Assembly — with dropping Ohio’s unemployment rate from 10.8 percent nearly two years ago to 7.2 percent today.

As an example of a successful strategy, he cited tax breaks for movie companies that film in Ohio. He said the movie, “Avengers,” which was filmed in Cleveland last year, created business opportunities for numerous hotels, department stores and restaurants.

Over the next two years, Batchelder said he wants the state to actively pursue oil and gas companies that conduct safe drilling to create jobs benefiting Ohio workers.

He said he will promote legislation to get companies to open plants in the state to refine oil and gas extracted from Ohio wells.

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/10/02/house-speaker-faces-former-county-judge-in-69th-district/

Batchelder: O’Connor-Led JobsOhio Ruling Imperils Ohio Jobs

Hannah Report 10/1/12
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) responded late Friday to the Ohio Supreme Court’s split decision to withhold jurisdiction to Gov. John Kasich’s lawsuit seeking constitutional standing for JobsOhio.

The 4-2 Court decision refused to hear JobsOhio v. Goodman earlier in the day, saying the administration had failed to exhaust its legal remedies in lower court. (See The Hannah Report, 9/28/12.)

“The Ohio House of Representatives enacted JobsOhio legislation to assist struggling Ohioans in getting back to work and to bring needed business back to our state. Sadly, the Court’s decision will hinder that process and put our citizens at a disadvantage as they try to find jobs,” Batchelder said in an evening statement. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190713


Kvamme to Step Down from JobsOhio

Hannah Report 10/2/12
JobsOhio President and Interim Chief Investment Officer Mark Kvamme announced his resignation Tuesday effective Nov. 1. The governor’s handpicked development leader announced a “leadership transition plan” along with JobsOhio board Chairman Jim Boland, who said John Minor, a managing director for the private development group, will take over for Kvamme.

“Ohio has been fortunate to access the talents of a man such as Mark Kvamme at a time when we needed them most,” Boland said in a statement. “Mark’s leadership of JobsOhio, his intimate understanding of what makes job-creators tick, and his ability to reach agreement on projects that both protect the interests of Ohio taxpayers and help companies succeed, have set the gold standard for economic development success nationwide.”

Boland said Kvamme, onetime director of the Ohio Department of Development before questions arose over his residency status, has helped lead the expansion and investment of more than 400 companies in Ohio, resulting in 31,300 in job commitments and $6.1 billion in capital investment.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=190728