June 18

Abortion limit, voter ID await action in Ohio

By Ann Sanner
Associated Press

Published: June 15, 2012 - 12:13 PM | Updated: June 15, 2012 - 04:11 PM

Abortion limit, voter ID await action in Ohio June 15,2012 08:11 PM GMT Ann Sanner Associated Press Copyright � 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,broadcast, rewritten or redistributed..

COLUMBUS: A white board hangs in an Ohio Senate staffer’s office with the lines drawn through a list of 16 major policy bills.

Pension reform:

Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder said his chamber will return to take up a package of bills aimed at shoring up Ohio’s five public pension funds once an independent study of the systems is complete. The analysis, commissioned by the Ohio Retirement Study Council, is due out soon.

“I’ve said to my caucus we may be back, in fact we will be back, this summer,” he told reporters Thursday.

http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/abortion-limit-voter-id-await-action-in-ohio-1.314263

Romney serves up a stop in Brunswick

By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: June 17, 2012 - 08:44 PM | Updated: June 18, 2012 - 09:03 AM

Romney serves up a stop in Brunswick June 18,2012 01:03 PM GMT Stephanie Warsmith 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.

While many fathers probably enjoyed breakfast in bed Sunday morning, Mitt Romney helped serve pancakes to hungry supporters during a campaign stop at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick.

Romney, the likely Republican presidential candidate, was joined by his wife, two of his five children and several of their 18 grandchildren during the soggy Father’s Day campaign event.

“Good to see you,” he said, as he helped dish out the free meal of pancakes, maple syrup, coffee and juice.

The former Massachusetts governor is on a six-day bus tour that crossed Ohio Sunday, with the Brunswick breakfast, an afternoon rally in Newark and a planned stop at a burger joint in Troy.

http://www.ohio.com/news/politics/romney-serves-up-a-stop-in-brunswick-1.314712

Gov. Kasich invokes Bono, Romney, Obama at Mid-Biennium Review love fest

John Michael Spinelli

Columbus Government Examiner

Had you not been present in Columbus Thursday at a press event designed to extol the many bills the Ohio General Assembly passed, that Gov. John Kasich signed, with special attention given to the comprehensive set of reforms called the Mid-Biennium Review [MBR] package, you would not have learned that had it not been for Kasich and Bono, the Irish rock star and lead singer of U2, going to see Jesse Helms, the late uber-conservative Senator from North Carolina and Ted Kennedy, the so-called liberal lion of the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, who later found themselves at the same event, might never have realized that maybe the one thing they agreed on was that people need help.

Reform begets more reform

That story was one of several oral histories Gov. Kasich waxed on about at the ceremonial governor's mansion in Columbus today. Members of his cabinet members were joined by Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus and Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder in a love fest that extolled the stunning success of the MBR, which the lawmakers largely credited to the governor's leadership.

http://www.examiner.com/article/gov-kasich-invokes-bono-romney-obama-at-mid-biennium-review-love-fest

Batchelder Says Severance Tax Could Still See Action In Lame Duck Session

Gongwer 6/15/12

Speaker Bill Batchelder says that despite the House's first-blush rejection of the concept, the legislature might give Gov. John Kasich's oil and gas severance tax proposal a second chance after the November elections have come and gone.

Gov. Kasich told reporters during a news conference Thursday that he remains confident the legislature will eventually come around to his plan to increase the petroleum severance tax to fund a future reduction in the personal income tax.

"It's going to happen. It's just a matter of when and what it's going to look like," he said.

"Sometimes you have to give them space. I mean I do push hard, but, you know, once in a while they'll call me up and say, 'Hey, hey, hey could you just give us some time on this?' And they deserve that," he said about the General Assembly. "As time goes on I think legislators will get this."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811160201

Politics Notebook: Bipartisanship Claims Prompt Partisan Responses; Another Front Opens In Abortion Battle: Sutton Targeted; Anti-Fracking Event Set

Gongwer 6/15/12

Bipartisanship is apparently in the eye of the beholder based on comments aired out by both parties this week as the legislative session would down.

Democratic legislative leaders questioned GOP claims of bipartisan agreement, while the Ohio Republican Party responded to a critique of Gov. John Kasich's rare speech to senators on Wednesday.

A day after Gov. John Kasich and Republican leaders laid claim to a bipartisan atmosphere the Democrats issued statements that suggested all was not as rosy as suggested.

Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) said of Thursday's news conference featuring the governor, Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), "Webster's dictionary defines 'bipartisanship' as cooperation, agreement and compromise between political parties. So it strikes me as very odd that the governor and Republican leaders would hold a press conference touting their new-found spirit of bipartisanship and not invite Democrats to the event."

Following Thursday's event held at the governor's residence, Sen. Niehaus issued an assessment of the spring session.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811160207

June 15

Kasich touts latest reforms

Legislation hits education, energy, government

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Friday June 15, 2012 5:53 AM

He honored those who helped save two girls this weekend near Bowling Green from an apparent human-trafficking situation and offered strong words for Ohio universities that resist reforms while their costs explode.

In between, Gov. John Kasich touted the latest chapter of what he called the “most-aggressive reform agenda in modern Ohio history.”

After a whirlwind three months of legislative action, prompted largely by a wide-ranging package of policy changes that he called the mid-biennium review, Kasich gathered with legislative leaders at the governor’s residence yesterday to highlight the passage of a variety of education, energy, criminal-justice and government overhauls.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/15/kasich-touts-reforms-of-latest-legislative-session.html

State GOP touts bipartisanship; Dems don’t quite see it that way

Published: Fri, June 15, 2012 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

A year ago, Gov. John Kasich and the Republican leaders of the Ohio House and Senate greeted reporters at the governor’s residence to tout a budget bill that received no Democratic support.

The wrap-up followed a contentious first six months and a battle royal of partisanship, with the majority GOP grappling with the minority party over public employee collective bargaining, election laws and other legislation that brought little agreement between the two controlling political parties.

On Thursday, Kasich, House Speaker Bill Batchelder and Senate President Tom Niehaus again gathered at the governor’s residence to talk about their accomplishments year to date.http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jun/15/state-gop-touts-bipartisanship-dems-dont/

Published: 6/15/2012 - Updated: 1 hour ago

Kasich lauds rescuers who thwarted kidnap of 2 teen girls

BY JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS -- Using Saturday's rescue of two possible kidnapping victims as one victory in Ohio's war against human trafficking, Gov. John Kasich Thursday praised the Ohio Highway Patrol and a Wood County truck stop employee for their quick actions.

"It's easy for people to stand on the sidelines, and not take the heat, and not stick their noses out there into the people's business sometimes," Mr. Kasich told Enrique Vento, state terminal travel counselor at the I-75 rest stop in Bowling Green.

"Without you, we have two girls who may have lost their lives," the governor said.

Mr. Vento was approached by a 17-year-old Kentucky girl who allegedly had been kidnapped and then forced out of a commercial truck at the rest stop.

http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2012/06/15/Kasich-lauds-rescuers-of-2-teen-girls.html

Split House Passes Education MBR; Speaker Hints at Fall Sessions

Hannah Report 6/13/12

A House chamber divided along mostly party lines passed the Gov. John Kasich education plan, SB316 (Lehner), and sent human trafficking legislation to the governor for his signature. Considering Kasich's personal appearances advocating on the latter bill, including to a House Republican Caucus and before the Ohio Senate during a recess Wednesday, it won't be long before the bill gets that signature.

Meanwhile, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) told reporters after session that it is likely the House will return around Labor Day to address pension reform. He indicated that there will be hearings over the summer on the pension bills, starting around July 11 when the consultant’s report is due. He does plan to finish work on the bills, calling the House back into session to vote on the bills.

He also indicated that Reps. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) and Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) will be having hearings over the summer on the school funding issue. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189708

Kasich, Leaders Laud MBR, Governor Says 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'

Hannah Report 6/14/12

Gov. John Kasich and lead GOP lawmakers celebrated the scope, weight and pace of the busy spring session Thursday during an event at the official governor's residence in Bexley.

Kasich described the Mid-Biennium Review and other high-priority legislation passed in recent weeks as "the most aggressive reform agenda in modern Ohio history" while also casting the actions as modest compared to the budgets and administration initiatives to come.

"I have to say, as much as has been accomplished in the budget and the Mid-Biennium Review, you ain't seen nothing yet," the governor. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189709

Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of JobsOhio Lawsuit

Hannah Report 6/14/12

The Ohio 10^th District Court of Appeals Thursday upheld the dismissal of lawsuit brought by ProgressOhio and two state legislators challenging the constitutionality of Gov. John Kasich's private economic development entity, JobsOhio.

A three-judge panel unanimously ruled that ProgressOhio, Sen. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) all lack standing to bring their lawsuit.

The legislators and ProgressOhio filed the lawsuit last year, claiming that the legislation creating JobsOhio is unconstitutional because it confers corporate powers and take an equity stake in a private corporation, among other arguments. (See The Hannah Report, 8/30/11.)

Franklin County Judge Laurel Beatty dismissed the case last December, saying that while there may be concerns with provisions in the law creating JobsOhio, she could not let the lawsuit go forward because the plaintiffs lacked standing. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189710

Appeals Court Dismisses JobsOhio Lawsuit, But Too Late For 2012 GRF Transfer

Gongwer 6/14/12

A Franklin County appeals court on Thursday upheld a lower court's ruling that plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the constitutionality of the privatized economic development entity JobsOhio.

The 10^th District Court of Appeals ruling dismisses claims by ProgressOhio, Sen. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood), and Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) that the private, non-profit entity created last year (HB 1 ) was an unconstitutionally chartered corporation that will spend government revenues secretly and absent unaccountability.

The ruling clears the way for the Kasich Administration to transfer the state's liquor operations to JobsOhio to lease the revenue stream to fund operations. The transaction has been on ice while the lawsuit worked its way through the courts. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, April 20, 2012)

Part of the complex deal entails a one-time $500 million transfer to the general revenue fund for the fiscal year 2012 budget, which had also been stalled by the lawsuit. JobsOhio was supposed to issue long-term bonds backed by future revenue from the liquor franchise to raise the funds needed to pay the state.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811150201

Kasich, Niehaus, Batchelder Applaud Unprecedented Session Workload, Bipartisanship

Gongwer 6/14/12

On the first day of summer recess Thursday, Gov. John Kasich and legislative leaders celebrated the mountain of bills approved over the last few months and the bipartisanship that took place.

The governor, Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) and House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) highlighted the provisions of the mid-biennium review bills and other priority measures during a news event at the governor's residence in Bexley.

Speaker Batchelder said in the 19 sessions he has been in the legislature, "there has never been a session like this session."

The Kasich administration presented lawmakers with three MBR bills in the spring that were packed with policy on education, energy and other aspects of state government. The main MBR was later divided into 10 bills, most of which were enacted.

"This has been an absolutely incredible session," Rep. Batchelder said. "This is without question the most meaningful, the most reform-minded, the most enthused that I have seen the legislature and the legislative process. I think it has something to do with the man that is our governor."

Gov. Kasich said the work of the legislature this spring to pass so many bills - including 16 mid-biennium review bills - in a short time span is evidence of a change in culture.

"Instead of waiting two years to fix things, we're fixing them on a daily basis," he said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811150202

Kasich: Looking At Spring Session, Education Bills Chief Among Accomplishments

Gongwer 6/14/12

Despite the multitude of bill topics passed by the General Assembly this month, when Gov. John Kasich spoke of them Thursday, education issues rose to the surface.

The governor, Senate President and House Speaker held a summary press conference at the governor's residence (see separate story) to discuss the legislative work during the spring, which included an education mid-biennium review package (SB 316 ) and the Cleveland schools plan (HB 525 ).

Gov. Kasich said the majority of legislation he backed for enactment this spring is about people and children and allowing them to realize their talents. He described the third-grade reading guarantee contained in the MBR as reasonable, enforceable "and something that's going to really give our young people an opportunity to be successful."

Provisions that define and permit blended education will allow students to get credit for taking online courses, he said. "So kids can learn at their own speed using the modern technology of the 21st Century."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811150203

Legislature Completes Work On Human Trafficking, Collateral Sanctions, MBR Bills Before Summer Recess

Gongwer 6/14/12

Lawmakers completed an unusually lengthy and action-packed election-year session on Wednesday evening, sending several proposals - including plans to crack down on human trafficking and relieve ex-prisoners of post-incarceration burdens - to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

The votes on the measures were among numerous taken in the House and Senate as the chambers traded bills back and forth before finishing work for the summer. Neither chamber is expected to return to full session for a couple of months, although some work is expected to progress at the committee level on retirement fund legislation and studies of the municipal tax system and school finance.

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said he anticipated the House would hold hearings starting in July on the handful of retirement system bills that already cleared the Senate and expects to have the full House act on the measures in early September.

The passage of the human trafficking measure (HB 262 ) marked a rare success for a Democrat-sponsored bill and was hailed by the governor and other officials as a landmark, bipartisan effort.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811140201

June 13

House Passes Cleveland Schools, Hidden Compartments, Scrap Metal Bills

Hannah Report 6/12/12The House easily passed legislation to reform the Cleveland City Schools Tuesday on a bipartisan basis even as Democrats questioned charter school provisions in the legislation.

Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), a primary sponsor of HB525, said that the legislation is not their bill, but the result of the efforts of Cleveland leaders to make reforms to the city school system. He said he joined with others in sponsoring the bill because they recognized there needed be strong support for the plan on both sides of the aisle.

"It is the right thing to do for Cleveland. It is the right thing to do for every parent and grandparent who has a child or will have a child that wants a better opportunity for education in that city," Amstutz said.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189680


Senate Passes Human Trafficking Bill, Cleveland Education Plan

Hannah Report 6/12/12
The Senate Tuesday handled two high-profile bills: the Senate bill enacting the "Cleveland Plan" to turn around the education system in that school district, SB335 (Turner-Lehner), and Rep. Teresa Fedor's (D-Toledo) HB262 dealing with human trafficking, for which she received applause from the senators once the bill passed.

The Senate will turn around Wednesday and vote on the House version of the Cleveland Plan, which Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) told reporters after session is the same as SB335. However, he said, given all the work Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) has put in on the bill, he felt the House bill should be the vehicle.

HB262 passed unanimously by a vote of 32-0, with Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina) highlighting the focus of Senate amendments to the bill: using the criminal code to crack down on human trafficking, which includes increasing penalties on a number of crimes; providing for "significant civil reform," including providing a "cause of action" for victims; and improving the rehabilitation opportunities for victims.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189693

June 12

Deal struck on Kasich’s schools bill

By  Catherine Candisky

The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday June 12, 2012 7:46 AM

Special charter schools for gifted children are out, and there will be no exemption from Ohio’s school-closure law for failing dropout-recovery charter schools under an agreement reached by state legislators on Gov. John Kasich’s sweeping education bill.

The House and Senate are expected to pass Senate Bill 316 this week after legislators and the administration reached a compromise on competing versions of the proposal.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/12/deal-struck-on-kasich-education-bill.html

Signing of Ohio gas drilling regulations doesn't end debate

Jun. 12, 2012  |  

Written by

Julie Carr Smyth

Associated Press

COLUMBUS -- The policy debate about hydraulic fracturing in Ohio doesn't end with Gov. John Kasich's signing of new drilling rules Monday.

A fellow Republican in the Ohio House said Monday he and some GOP colleagues plan to revisit the governor's proposed tax increase on the industry before the session ends in December, setting up a likely fight among lawmakers, the governor and the oil and gas industry.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves blasting millions of gallons of chemically laced water into the Earth to fracture shale formations and release oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids such as propane.

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120612/NEWS01/206120303/Signing-Ohio-gas-drilling-regulations-don-t-end-debate

Mid-Biennium Review SB316 Scheduled for Few More House ‘Tweaks’

Hannah Report 6/11/12

Mid-Biennium Review education bill, SB316 (Lehner), is heading back to the House Education Committee, Chairman Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) announced Monday, saying he and House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) agree more changes should be made to the omnibus before a final vote by the full House.

The legislation, which saw a flurry of insertions and retractions in May, was last destined for Conference Committee when it received informal House passage on May 24. (See The Hannah Report, 5/23/12, 5/24/12.) Stebelton, however, signaled a return to major work on the bill in the House Monday.

“I have been working with the speaker on this bill, and we have decided that there are a few tweaks to make to the bill before having a full House vote,” he said in a memo to House Education Committee members. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189679

House Preps Changes, Including Removal Of Gifted Provisions, To Education MBR

Gongwer 6/11/12

The chairman of the panel considering Gov. John Kasich's education MBR on Monday detailed planned changes to the bill, which is slated for final action in the legislature this week.

Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) said in a memorandum to House Education Committee members that in working with House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina), he has developed a substitute bill (SB 316 ) with a number of additions and deletions to the policy measure.

Notably removed from the proposed sub bill is language pertaining to the creation of regional gifted schools. The latest version, which reverses House-added provisions, would also reinstate current law allowing school administrators to be gifted education coordinators.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811120203

June 11

Gov. John Kasich wins points with black leaders in Cleveland: Mark Naymik

Published: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 9:05 AM     Updated: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 4:35 PM

By Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

Gov. John Kasich recently visited Cleveland with little fanfare.

His trip was low-key compared to many visits, which are strategically designed to highlight policies and business development he sees as good for the region and his political fortunes.

On May 31, Kasich met with a group of several dozen black leaders with a range of titles, including political activist, small business owner, minister, community advocate, and non-profit head. Just a handful of elected officials were at the meeting, held in a Cleveland Clinic conference room.

George Forbes, the irascible former head of the Cleveland branch of the NAACP, set up the meeting largely at the behest of Kasich, and handpicked the guests.

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_john_kasich_wins_points_wi.html

Legislating in Ohio for the kids -- yeah, sure: Brent Larkin

Published: Saturday, June 09, 2012, 11:04 AM

By Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

When it comes to charter schools, Republicans who control the Ohio House don't lie all the time.

Only when their lips move.

When the public is paying attention, House Speaker Bill Batchelder and his unshakable majority say all the right things, stressing the need for accountability at all levels of public education -- including charters.

But when the public turns its back, common sense sometimes gets replaced by breathtaking hypocrisy. http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/06/for_the_kids_--_yeah_sure.html

Rep. Johnson receives Legion of Merit for outstanding military service and achievement

Published 12:00am Sunday, June 10, 2012

Ironton Tribune

COLUMBUS — Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) was awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit during a recent session of the Ohio House of Representatives.

The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

“Representative Johnson is a remarkable individual who not only gives 100 percent of himself to his constituents in the 89th House District, but also served our nation with distinction and dignity,” said Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder. “He is truly deserving of this honor and I could not be prouder to have him as my colleague and friend in the House.”
http://www.irontontribune.com/2012/06/10/rep-johnson-receives-legion-of-merit-for-outstanding-military-service-and-achievement/

Updated June 6, 2012, 9:10 p.m. ET

Wall Street Journal

Labor Faces New Challenge

Losses in Wisconsin, California Come as Ranks of Government Unions Decline

By KRIS MAHER and MELANIE TROTTMAN

Some analysts cautioned against overstating the significance of the Wisconsin vote. They say the recall focused more on Mr. Walker than on collective-bargaining rights. They also note that lawmakers elsewhere may not want to provoke a costly battle against unions.

"With the vote that we had here in Ohio that would not be likely something we would undertake," said Republican House Speaker William Batchelder of trying to pass certain provisions to trim union rights. But he said lawmakers could consider making changes to pension plans and have commissioned a study on the subject due out in July.

—Michael Corkery, Erica Orden and Daniel Lippman contributed to this article.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303665904577450890555194260.html?KEYWORDS=labor+faces+new+challenge

Niehaus: MBR Bills, Cleveland Schools, Human Trafficking on Next Week's Agenda

Hannah Report 6/7/12

Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) Thursday gave a preview of what he expected the Senate to finish in what is expected to be the final week before summer recess.

He said the three biggest priorities are pieces of Gov. John Kasich's Mid-Biennium Review (MBR) plan. Those pieces are the education MBR, SB316 (Lehner); HB509 (Blair), the local government MBR; and HB490 (Dovilla), the veterans MBR.

Niehaus also said he expects to pass the Cleveland schools reform plan, but that depends on House action. The current plan in the Senate is to hold a committee hearing on companion legislation SB335 (Turner-Lehner) on Tuesday, pass it out of committee and off the floor on Tuesday, then hold it and pass HB525 (Williams-Amstutz) on Wednesday after the House passes it and sends it over.

 http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=189638

Group Ends Bid To Place Dog Auctions Ban On Ballot, Looks To Legislative Solution

Gongwer 6/6/12

Facing a funding crunch and a closing window to gather signatures, supporters of a ban on Ohio dog auctions will not be taking the issue to voters, the group leading the efforts said Wednesday.

Earlier this year, the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions met requirements for an initiated statute to put the measure in front of the General Assembly. When the deadline for legislative action passed in early May, the group was given 90 days to gather additional signatures to put the proposal up for a statewide vote, but a spokesman said in an interview that the effort was being abandoned.

"Looking at everything and looking at the money that we had on hand and the money that we were raising, we've actually decided not to go forward," said attorney Mark McGinnis, the coalition's lobbyist. "We're not in the process of collecting the second round of signatures at this point."

CBODA is studying its options to get the measure in place, including attaching language to pending legislation or seeking a standalone bill, Mr. McGinnis said. However, spokespeople for the House and Senate Republican caucuses and said they were unaware of potential efforts to legislatively address a ban.

House GOP spokesman Mike Dittoe said Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and caucus members are "certainly open to having that discussion if that group would like to bring something forward."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811090202

Niehaus Says Education MBR, Cleveland School Plan, Human Trafficking Bill Tabbed For Votes Next Week

Gongwer 6/7/12

The two chambers will likely resolve lingering differences next week over Gov. John Kasich's proposals on education, veterans, and local government policy and human trafficking legislation without resorting to conference committee, Senate President Tom Niehaus said Thursday.

Although House and Senate versions of the education mid-biennium review bill (SB 316 ) vary substantially, the Senate president told reporters that he expects to vote on concurrence next week before recessing until the fall.

"We'll see the bill when it comes back from the House. We'll talk with them when they pass it and look to see about concurrence," he said. "Everyone's committed to working through the differences and getting it resolved so that next Wednesday is our last day here in Columbus."

In addition to differences over Gov. Kasich's proposed third-grade reading guarantee and changes to the school rating system, House revisions to dropout recovery schools and gifted education are among the issues remaining for the chambers to work out with the governor.

The Senate went along with Gov. Kasich's plan to apply charter school closure requirements for underperforming dropout recovery programs, but the House version of the education MBR would restore the current exemption.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=811100201