Gov. John Kasich's school plan would
dramatically overhaul Ohio's funding formula
By Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer
on January 31, 2013 at 2:00 PM, updated January 31, 2013 at 8:12 PM
on January 31, 2013 at 2:00 PM, updated January 31, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, a Medina
Republican, said through a spokesman that the House would thoroughly review the
plan, and he hopes that both Democrats and Republicans would support it.
"The speaker believes, and I know his caucus
believes, that we really do have to focus on student success," spokesman
Mike Dittoe said. "That's what this is all about, and he's very confident
that governor's plan will do just that. It'll be a plan that helps the
students, and it'll help the teachers."
An update on lawmaker action and
other activities at the Ohio Statehouse related to horizontal
Published: Fri, February 1, 2013 @ 12:00
a.m.
An update on lawmaker action and other activities at the
Ohio Statehouse related to horizontal hydraulic fracturing:
Frack Tax: Gov. John Kasich continued his push to
increase taxes on oil and gas production, using the proceeds to reduce the
state’s income tax rates.
During a year-end interview with reporters, Kasich said
he would continue his push to hike severance taxes as part of a larger
tax-reform package expected to be unveiled in coming weeks.
“... Modernizing the severance tax keeps us as the lowest
severance tax state in the country,” Kasich said. “There is no danger that
people are running away. Since we’ve been talking about this, they’ve continued
to invest billions.”
He added, “I think there’s an apprehension, if you put
this on, are you going to drive somebody away? Are you kidding me? ... I’ve
done some foreign travel, down to Houston, and every single time I meet with
the industry privately, you know what they say? We should take this and run.
But then they get their lobbyists and all these other people and they obscure
the issue.”
Mixed Reaction: The Republican leaders of the Ohio House
and Senate had somewhat mixed reactions to the governor’s comments.
Outgoing Senate President Tom Niehaus said he expected
action on the issue in 2013.
Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder, from Medina,
said he didn’t think there was “any question we ultimately will support it. I
think that we have a number of questions. ... I certainly want to make sure
that what we’re going to see in that area is the kind of growth that will
provide jobs in Ohio that will bring corporate headquarters here.”
Senate
Preparing to Introduce ‘Noncontroversial’ Elections Reform, Redistricting Plan
Hannah
Report 1/31/13
Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) said Wednesday the Senate will be introducing legislation early to address election reform that he said will mostly “be noncontroversial stuff,” and that it will also reintroduce a redistricting plan he sponsored with Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) in the 129th General Assembly.
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said it is still his hope to have redistricting reform go through the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, adding that the panel has people “who have a different attitude” about the way things should be done than those who would be affected under the current system. He said he would also like to see hearings around the state.
Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) said Wednesday the Senate will be introducing legislation early to address election reform that he said will mostly “be noncontroversial stuff,” and that it will also reintroduce a redistricting plan he sponsored with Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) in the 129th General Assembly.
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said it is still his hope to have redistricting reform go through the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, adding that the panel has people “who have a different attitude” about the way things should be done than those who would be affected under the current system. He said he would also like to see hearings around the state.
Gongwer 1/31/13
Asked about Secretary of State Jon Husted's
directive asking county boards of election to investigate allegations of voter
fraud and suppression (see separate story),
Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina)
expressed concern about the potential impact on pending charges stemming from last
year's election.
In Medina County, 12 cases of potential voter
fraud have already been sent to a grand jury, he said, and intervention by the
secretary of state's office might not be the best way to resolve the disputes.
"I hope he won't get in the way of a grand jury or a prosecutor."
Gongwer 1/31/13
Gov. John Kasich on Thursday said he
is "very close" to seeking a loser-pays legal system in Ohio amid
frustration about a lengthy court battle over his JobsOhio economic development
entity.
Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina)
said he would approach any proposal to require failed litigants pay the
defendants' court costs "awfully cautiously."
He noted the legislature previously debated a
similar concept during deliberations on tort legislation.
"It's never found much favor. I think most
people feel that we really ought to give access to the courts, and between you
and me, Article I of the constitution guarantees it," he said in an
interview.
"I understand why John's upset. I mean,
this litigation wasn't brought by a constitutional lawyer or a bond house or
anything else. It was brought by the other political side," Speaker
Batchelder added, noting the legislature approved the bill creating JobsOhio
nearly two years ago.
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