November 15

Posted: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

Indicted state rep still on payroll

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By Andrew J. Tobias

Staff Writer

Dayton Daily News

Although he has been all but barred from voting on state matters, embattled Ohio Rep. Clayton Luckie continues to receive a paycheck as he waits out his final months in office.

The Ohio House of Representatives reconvened on Wednesday, but Luckie (D-Dayton) didn’t attend, making it the fourth straight session he has missed. Luckie was indicted last month on 49 criminal counts accusing him of raiding $130,000 from his campaign account and spending it at places such as casinos, and furniture, jewelry and clothing stores.

Luckie, who declined to comment for this story when reached by phone, has been a no-show at state functions since July 9, when he last attended a bi-monthly meeting of the state controlling board. Since then, Luckie has been paid just over $21,000. He is slated to receive another $11,000 in salary before he leaves office at the end of the year, when his term will expire.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/indictedstate-repstill-onpayroll/nS6mj

Kearney Re-elected Senate Minority Leader

Hannah Report 11/14/12

Senate Democratic Leader Eric Kearney was unanimously selected Wednesday to retain his leadership position by the caucus for the 130^th General Assembly.

In addition to Kearney’s re-election, the caucus also re-elected his leadership team: Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni (R-Boardman), Minority Whip Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown (D-Toledo). http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191165

Batchelder Says Luckie Must Go, Weighs-In on Election

Hannah Report 11/14/12

House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said Wednesday that he wants to meet with members of his caucus leadership and the House Democratic Caucus leadership before he takes action to remove indicted Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton), but made it clear that he would act by the end of the session if Luckie does not resign soon.

Luckie was not present for Wednesday’s House session and has not attended sessions since he was indicted in October on charges of money laundering, theft in office and tampering with evidence. Batchelder called for Luckie to resign after the indictment was announced, but Luckie has not done so yet. (See The Hannah Report, 10/10/12.)

On Wednesday, Batchelder said if it was his choice alone, he would move to “purge the chamber of this member.” He noted there are House rules that allow a member to be removed or to keep them from taking their seat if there are sufficient reasons. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191167

Campaign against Mayors’ Courts, Red Light Cameras Finds New Life

Hannah Report 11/14/12

Constitutional concerns over administrative traffic fines gained new life Wednesday as the Ohio House Judiciary and Ethics Committee heard new legislation to weaken mayors’ courts and an update on efforts to abolish red light cameras.

Both forms of local revenue enhancement have raised due process concerns under the state and U.S. constitutions.

Rep. Courtney Combs (R-Fairfield) followed former Rep. Larry Wolpert’s lengthy but unsuccessful campaign to abolish mayors’ courts in 2007-2008 with a short-lived bill in the previous General Assembly to block further use of “photo-monitoring devices,” as traffic cameras that have proliferated since former Gov. Bob Taft’s veto of 126-HB56 (Raussen) are officially called. The Legislature succeeded in imposing a much more limited red light camera signage ordinance in 127-HB30 (McGregor). Meanwhile, Senate efforts to abolish or limit mayors’ courts in 127-SB252 (Coughlin) and 129-SB254 (Patton) died after several hearings. Former Rep. Stephen Dyer’s mayors’ court 128-HB303 met a similar fate. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191177

Hannah Report 11/14/12

Ohio Digest: OSBA

OSBA Asks Constitutional Modernization Commission to Take Up Redistricting

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Constitutional Modernization Commission, Reps. Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Vern Sykes (D-Akron), asking that they make redistricting a priority of the commission.

OSBA opposed Issue 2, the proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting, because it "inappropriately" involved the judiciary in the redistricting process. The voters of Ohio soundly defeated Issue 2, but many, including the OSBA, believe that Ohio’s redistricting process is in need of reform. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191176

Senate Democrats Re-Elect Current Leadership Slate For Another Term

Gongwer 11/14/12

Senate Democrats voted unanimously to keep Sen. Eric Kearney in the top spot as minority leader, the caucus announced Wednesday.

Members also voted to keep the caucus's remaining leadership team intact for next session, which includes: Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Youngstown), assistant minority leader; Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), minority whip; and Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo), assistant minority whip.

Sen. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued a statement saying he was honored that his colleagues moved so quickly to give him another term as their leader in the Senate.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812210208

House Panel Approves Bill To ‘Defund' Planned Parenthood Despite Partisan, Ideological Battle

Gongwer 11/14/12

After hearing passionate testimony from a wide array of supporters and opponents, the House Health & Aging Committee passed contentious legislation to alter the grant process for family planning clinics.

Split along party lines, committee members backed the measure (HB 298 ) by an 11-9 vote. Three Republican panelists had yet to cast their votes as the committee adjourned, and had until 9 a.m. Thursday to weigh in.

The substitute version of the legislation proposes changing the process through which the state awards public and federal funding from the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, the Family Planning program, the Social Services Block Grant and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant to organizations that provide specific health care services.

Prior to Wednesday's committee vote, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said he was willing to bring the proposal up for a vote on the House floor.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812210205

November 14

Ohio State Bar Association urges commission to take up redistricting reform

By Kate Irby, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer
on November 14, 2012 at 6:00 AM, updated November 14, 2012 at 6:06 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State Bar Association has joined the growing call after the defeat of Issue 2 for fresh action on redistricting reform.

But rather than relying strictly on the legislature, the OSBA asked that a recently appointed commission that hasn't formally met yet address the issue.

The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission was established by the legislature in June 2011 to review the Ohio Constitution and ensure that it's up to date. OSBA leaders wrote a letter Monday to the co-chairs of the commission, Republican House Speaker William G. Batchelder of Medina County and Democratic Rep. Vernon Sykes of Akron, saying the commission was well-suited to address the topic and asking it to make it a top priority. The president of OSBA is a member of the commission. http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/11/ohio_state_bar_association_urg.html

OSBA Urges Constitutional Commission To Take Up Redistricting Reform

Gongwer 11/13/12

Almost a week after voters rejected Issue 2, the Ohio State Bar Association has asked the leaders of the Constitutional Modernization Commission to give priority to reforming Ohio's redistricting process.

The OSBA had opposed Issue 2, saying it would have inappropriately involved appeals court judges in the highly contentious political process of redrawing legislative and congressional districts. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, October 2, 2012)

However, in a letter to the two commission co-chairmen, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), OSBA leaders noted that they've also consistently held that the current redistricting system needs to be changed.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812200208

November 13

Ohio Supreme Court: New rules sought for justices’ campaigns

By  Pamela Engel  and  Jim Siegel

Tuesday November 13, 2012 6:38 AM

Following an election that left many scratching their heads as to why a pair of incumbent Ohio Supreme Court justices were ousted, some are asking whether the campaign and election process should be modified.

The incumbent justices didn’t lose because they were badly outspent. Neither justice had his or her qualifications called into question. Sharon Kennedy, a Republican domestic-relations court judge who was given a “not recommended” rating by the Ohio State Bar Association, defeated “highly recommended” incumbent Democratic Justice Yvette McGee Brown, who was well-regarded by even the GOP members of the high court.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/13/new-rules-sought-for-justices-campaigns.html

Process of drawing legislative and congressional maps may change

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Monday November 12, 2012 6:44 AM

Issue 2 is dead, buried deep by Ohio voters last week.

But over and over again, opponents of the redistricting plan, be they Republicans or editorial-page writers, noted that their opposition was not based on the belief that the current system of drawing legislative and congressional districts is good.

In fact, most acknowledged that it remains badly in need of an overhaul.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/12/process-of-drawing-maps-may-change.html

Legislative abuse

Changes to puppy-mill bill would pull its teeth, prolong animal suffering

Sunday November 11, 2012 6:41 AM

After seven long years, Ohio is the closest it has ever come to finally regulating high-volume dog breeders, aka puppy mills, and cracking down on neglect and cruelty.

A state law is sorely needed: Ohio has earned a reputation as the easiest state in which to get away with severely mistreating animals in the pursuit of profit. Notorious dog breeders have set up shop here after being driven out of other states.

Senate Bill 130, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, passed in the Senate but has been stalled for months in the House agriculture committee. The committee chairman, state Rep. Dave Hall, R-Killbuck, has introduced radical departures from Hughes’ bill that animal-welfare advocates say they cannot accept — and with good reason. A committee vote on the amended bill is scheduled for Tuesday.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2012/11/11/legislative-abuse.html

Ohio voters don't toe anybody's line: Thomas Suddes

Published: Sunday, November 11, 2012, 12:01 AM     Updated: Sunday, November 11, 2012, 12:03 AM

By Thomas Suddes, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

In Ohio, you don't need a focus group to know which way the wind blows: Ohioans are pick-and-choose voters. They shop for products, not brands.

Nationally, campaign contractors, in the wake of Tuesday's GOP losses, will charge a fortune to figure out Republicans' "problem." But that's no mystery.

Guess who said this to fellow Republicans who were bucking public-welfare legislation in Congress: "If you deny the Republican Party's interest in the welfare of the low-income people of this nation, there soon won't be any Republican Party." (Answer: Sen. Robert A. "Mr. Republican" Taft -- in 1949.)

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/11/ohio_voters_dont_toe_anybodys.html

Husted wants law on early voting

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Friday November 9, 2012 5:30 AM

Secretary of State Jon Husted urged lawmakers yesterday to take a deep breath, tone down the rhetoric and put election-law reforms on hold for a bit to find bipartisan solutions to issues such as early voting and provisional ballots.

“Let’s find some common ground here,” Husted said during a panel discussion at the Impact Ohio post-election conference. “If it’s about doing what’s best for turnout models for each political party, then we can’t. This is not hard, folks.”

Lawmakers will return to the Statehouse next week to begin the frantic lame-duck session, the period when members try to pass pending legislation before everything resets at the start of 2013.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/09/husted-wants-law-on-early-voting.html

3 GOP state legislators cruise to victory

Filed by Steve Grazier November 6th, 2012 in News.

Medina-Gazette

Incumbent Republicans representing Medina County in the Ohio General Assembly swept to easy wins Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Medina County Board of Elections.

Ohio House District 69

Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder won re-election against Democrat Judith Cross, a former Medina County common pleas judge.

Batchelder, 69, will be entering his 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.

The speaker returned to the Ohio House in 2007 and was named house speaker during the 129th General Assembly.
http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/11/06/3-republicans-in-ohio-legislature-cruise-to-victory/

 

Hannah Report 11/9/12

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE


Filling in for House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) at Thursday's Impact Ohio conference, Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) said Thursday that puppy mill legislation is a priority for the lame duck session, but most of the other issues she mentioned will likely be handled next year, such as municipal income tax uniformity and energy taxes. Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina), the presumptive Senate president for the next session, said tax reform, school funding and Medicaid reform are among priority topics for the 130th General Assembly.http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191136

Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Statewide Issues On Redistricting, Constitutional Convention

Gongwer 11/6/12

Statewide ballot issues on a redistricting reform proposal and a state constitutional convention were both soundly defeated, according to unofficial election returns.

Issues 1 and 2 received roughly 32% and 36% of the vote, respectively. Both issues were losing right out of the gate, as early voting tallies showed roughly two-thirds of voters in opposition.

Issue 2, the more prominent of the two ballot questions, would have handed control over drawing the state's congressional and legislative boundaries to a 12-member citizen commission selected by appeals court judges.

Backers of the plan, which included the League of Women Voters of Ohio, Democrats and unions, said it would stop elected officials from gerrymandering boundary lines, resulting in more competitive districts.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812160205

Republicans Win Goyal Seat In House, Democrats Beat Kozlowski; Gentile Holds On In Senate

Gongwer 11/6/12

Even with three House races still too close to call on election night, both sides agreed that about a dozen hard-fought contests resulted in no major power shift in the lower chamber this year.

Democrats, who currently hold 40 of the 99 House seats, knocked out at least one Republican incumbent, Rep. Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont), who was one of Republicans' surprise victories two years ago. Democrat John Patterson, a retired teacher, won the district with nearly 53% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state's office.

Meanwhile the GOP won one Democrat-held seat left open by Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield), who declined to run for re-election. Mark Romanchuk, owner of a local manufacturing plant, beat Mansfield City Councilwoman Ellen Haring with nearly 58% of the vote.

Rep. Craig Newbold (R-Columbiana) also lost by 383 votes to Democratic Columbiana County Treasurer Nick Barborak, but the outcome could be subject to a possible recount.

Rep. Al Landis (R-Dover) beat former Rep. Josh O'Farrell by an even narrower margin of 260 votes and Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) edged out former Rep. Matt Patten by a similarly slim margin, with a few precincts yet to report.

Two years ago Republicans rode the national GOP wave winning 13 House seats and recapturing the majority after Democrats' brief two-year control of the chamber.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812160202

Provisional Ballots Could Swing Outcome Of House Races; Senate Balance Of Power Unchanged

Gongwer 11/7/12

Republicans easily maintained control of the House in Tuesday's election, but provisional votes in three tight races will determine whether or not Democrats weakened the GOP's current 59-40 majority in the chamber.

Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) and Rep. Al Landis (R-Dover) edged out their Democratic challengers, but Democrats are hopeful that a large number of provisional ballots and outstanding absentee ballots will ultimately tip the scales in their favor in coming weeks.

By the same token, the roughly 1,500 outstanding provisional and mail-in ballots could also upset Democrat Nick Barborak's 383-vote victory over Rep. Craig Newbold (R-Columbiana). However, provisional voters have historically leaned Democratic.

Rep. Landis defeated former Democratic Rep. Josh O'Farrell by 270 votes, but there are nearly 2,000 provisional votes and more than 500 absentee ballots uncounted, according to unofficial results. Rep. Dovilla beat former Democratic Rep. Matt Patten by 305 votes in the Cuyahoga County district, where there are still more than 60,000 uncounted provisional and absentee ballots countywide.

County boards of election now have 10 days to attempt to verify provisional ballots and will begin counting them on Nov. 17, a spokesman for the secretary of state said. Local officials have until Nov. 27 to forward the results to the secretary of state's office, which must then certify the official count by Dec. 7.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812170201

GOP Leaders See Possible Lame Duck Action On Puppy Mills, Elections Law; Next Year It's ‘Tax Reform'

Gongwer 11/8/12

Legislative leaders were vague about next year's agenda, but some kind of broad action on taxes appears to loom large on Republicans' to-do list.

As for the upcoming lame duck session, the only certainty is passage of a bill designed to crack down on puppy mills (SB 130 ), House members told participants during the Impact Ohio 2012 Post Election Conference in Columbus on Thursday.

Rep. David Hall (R-Millersburg), chairman of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, said he planned to hold a vote on the puppy mill bill Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Republicans are still considering tackling elections law legislation - something that makes minority Democrats very nervous.

 Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) said in an interview that it was still "wide open" as to what would be in a lame duck election bill.

The president said he convened a working group chaired by Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) to study the issue but he wasn't sure if that group has met. He said he's seen no election proposal yet.

Sen. Niehaus compared his approach to election reform to the way he's run a business: go back and see what's worked and what hasn't worked.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812180201

No Major Shakeups Anticipated In Upcoming Leadership Elections

Gongwer 11/9/12

With the general election in the past, and no major losses for any of the four legislative caucuses, House and Senate members are preparing to elect their leadership rosters for next session in the coming weeks.

While caustic leadership battles sometimes emerge during lame duck session, this year's contests portend relatively little drama, according to some of the legislators directly involved.

The most significant leadership change will occur in the Senate majority caucus since President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) is leaving the chamber at the end of the year due to term limits.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812190201

November 5

Westerville woman top Ohio House GOP donor

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Saturday November 3, 2012 6:22 AM

The top contributor to Ohio House Republicans this election is not a charter-school operator, oil driller, coal-company executive or major utility.

Rather, it’s a 67-year-old Westerville woman whose primarily public work over the past two decades has been elder-care advocacy, working with families affected by dementia and promoting both in Washington and the Ohio Statehouse issues important to seniors, such as pushing for more home-based care.From the start of 2011 through mid-October 2012, Virginia “Ginni” Ragan has given $345,000 to Ohio House Republicans. That not only makes her the top giver, she’s in a league by herself based on data from the secretary of state. The next-closest single contributor, the Ohio Beer and Wine Association, has given $100,000 less.

Ragan was once awarded the Outstanding Advocate Award from the National Alzheimer’s Association. She has testified a number of times on state budgets and other issues related to the elderly, serving as legislative chairwoman for the Ohio Advisory Council for the Aging and a volunteer representative of the Ohio Council of the Alzheimer’s Association.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/03/westerville-woman-top-ohio-house-gop-donor.html

The Truth-O-Meter Says:

"We have more hospitals that are children’s hospitals than any other state in the union." 

William G. Batchelder on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 in an interview with The Plain Dealer

William Batchelder claims Ohio has the most children's hospitals

Share this story:

Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder, up for re-election Nov. 6, 2012, recently sought the support of The Plain Dealer’s editorial board.

During an endorsement interview on Sept. 18, 2012, the subject turned to healthcare in Ohio and the Medina Republican, among other things, noted the state’s impressive network of children’s hospitals was worth bragging about.

For example, Ohio is the only state with a "flagship, world-class children’s hospital within two hours of every child living in the state," according to the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association.

During the interview, Batchelder noted that "We (Ohio) have more hospitals that are children’s hospitals than any other state in the union."

That got Politifact Ohio’s attention.

http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2012/nov/05/bill-batchelder/william-batchelder-claims-ohio-has-most-childrens-/

 

 

Election 2012: Cross and Batchelder run for District 69 House seat

Published: Monday, November 05, 2012, 8:00 AM     Updated: Monday, November 05, 2012, 8:19 AM

By Tara Quinn, Sun News cleveland.com

Judith A. Cross is challenging Ohio’s Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder this November in District 69.

The former Medina County Common Pleas judge said she got into the race because of last year’s Ohio Collective Bargaining Limit Repeal, otherwise known as Senate Bill 5, which would have limited collective bargaining for public employees and allow union workers to opt out of paying dues.

“Senate Bill 5 is what got me angry enough to get in the race,” she said. “I was a teacher — I worked for Brunswick schools when it was illegal for public employees to strike. Collective bargaining agreements were just being written. My brother and sister were in unions. I honestly believe unions have made the middle class. I think Senate Bill 5 was the first step in an attack on unions.”

http://www.cleveland.com/medina/index.ssf/2012/11/election_2012_cross_and_batche.html

November 2

Bill Batchelder, Judy Cross face off in spirited debate

Filed by Loren Genson November 2nd, 2012 in BREAKING.

Medina Gazette

MEDINA — Candidates for Medina County’s 69th House District seat fielded questions Thursday night about a well-drilling process for gas and oil; Senate Bill 5, which would have limited collective bargaining; and the state budget.

Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder, the Republican incumbent, and his Democratic challenger, Judy Cross, both of Medina, took turns answering written questions from the audience at Medina Library. Many of the questions were about hydraulic fracturing.

“We are in a position where we may profit considerably as a state from drilling,” Batchelder said.

He added that bills passed under Gov. John Kasich and former Gov. Ted Strickland have strengthened the state’s position to be ready for companies to begin hydraulic fracturing operations.

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/11/02/bill-batchelder-judy-cross-face-off-in-spirited-debate/

November 1

Bill Batchelder, Judy Cross to talk politics

Filed by Medina Gazette November 1st, 2012 in News.

MEDINA — State Rep. Bill Batchelder, the incumbent Republican speaker of the Ohio House, and his Democratic challenger, Judith Cross, will have their one and only meeting this evening at the Medina Library.

The candidates are competing for the 69th Ohio House seat. The district covers the eastern portion of Medina County.

The format for the discussion, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s community Rooms A and B, is informal. The candidates will present their views and opinions on how they best would represent the district. The audience then will be allowed to submit written questions to which the candidates will respond.

The event is being billed as a “discussion” and not a debate because there will be no moderator.

The candidates are at opposite ends of several issues.

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/11/01/bill-batchelder-judy-cross-to-talk-politics/