December 10

Updated: 12:12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 | Posted: 12:12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012

What Senate lame-duck maneuver says about Ohio GOP

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Not a month after Democratic President Barack Obama won Ohio, one of the state's most powerful Republican moderates unceremoniously spiked a trio of GOP-backed bills remaining this legislative session.

GOP Senate President Tom Niehaus, who is term-limited, axed proposals that would have limited abortion, hindered Planned Parenthood funding and tightened voter ID rules.

The move raised the question: Have Obama's two Ohio victories suddenly empowered centrists within the state's increasingly conservative GOP, or did the state just witness the final Hail Mary of a GOP moderate before his party lurches to the right?

John Green, who heads the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, believes Niehaus' move suggests the GOP got a wake-up call from voters.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/legislative/what-senate-lame-duck-maneuver-says-about-ohio-gop/nTQh3/

Pay raise for officeholders? Not very likely

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Monday December 10, 2012 5:57 AM

Ohio’s state, county and township elected officials haven’t had a pay raise since the start of 2008, and it’s a long shot that they’re going to get one anytime soon.

While there has been talk in this lame-duck legislative session of enacting pay raises for those state and local officials — including judges, whose salaries are set by state law — the idea appears to be getting a cool reception from House and Senate leaders.

But Sen. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, said he has spoken to members in both parties in both chambers, and he’s not giving up on seeing the bill move this week, likely the final days of House and Senate sessions this year.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/12/10/pay-raise-for-officeholders-not-very-likely.html

A good way to jettison gridlock: editorial

Published: Saturday, December 08, 2012, 3:45 PM     Updated: Saturday, December 08, 2012, 3:46 PM

By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board The Plain Dealer

Members of a bipartisan Ohio legislative task force think they are very close to a consensus proposal to reform how the state draws boundary lines for General Assembly and U.S. House districts. The group -- led by a pair of state senators, Democrat Nina Turner of Cleveland and Republican Keith Faber of Celina -- could settle on a blueprint as early as this week. Such a consensus would enable the incoming legislature and the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission to move quickly on reform in 2013.

Assuming it comes together, such a serious bipartisan initiative would represent a welcome break from the nonstop partisanship of Columbus. It also could provide a template for cooperative governing -- especially since Faber and Turner sit at opposite ideological poles.

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/12/a_good_way_to_jettison_gridloc.html

OSHP Investigating Letters Threatening GOP Representatives, Their Families

Hannah Report 12/7/12

"It's the most threatening thing I've actually seen in my years here."

That was the message from House Chief Legal Counsel Mike Lenzo regarding the letters that were anonymously sent to several representatives. The letters only suggested that they were a message from the "Army of the 12 Monkeys."

Lenzo did not want to discuss, in great detail, the content of the letters, which were received in September. But he did tell Hannah News that the messages were threatening to the representatives, their families and specifically their children.

"We see a lot of what are called 'crank' emails and -- occasionally -- phone calls and things like that from people. I've seen quite a few here in my time. But this is actually -- probably -- the most aggressively threatening letter that I've ever seen," said Lenzo, who then explained that these letters went beyond typical death threats. "It was a lot more than that." http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191370

Hannah Report 12/7/12

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

At Tuesday's session, the House passed HB278 (Stebelton), to increase the minimum liability coverage for auto insurance; HB496 (Hackett-Garland), which updates laws on psychology; HB567 (Sears), which updates laws on licensing of counselors, socials workers and marriage and family therapists; and SB333 (Obhof), which addresses mortgage loan originator licenses.

The Senate on Tuesday passed HB143 (Stinziano-O'Brien), the youth-sports concussion bill; HB325 (Landis), an omnibus highway naming bill; and HB334 (Johnson-Bubp), which deals with tracking pseudoephedrine sales and cracking down on synthetic drugs; and concurred with House amendments to SB141 (Gillmor-Hite). Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) said he still thinks the Senate is on target to finish its work by Dec. 13.

House Clerk Jennifer Woodring submitted her resignation effective Jan. 7, when the new 130th General Assembly convenes. She wrote to House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) that she wants to have more time to spend with her daughter, who was born in May.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191383

December 6

Unregulated Gambling Bill Moves Forward

Fayette Advocate Staff Reports

House bill 605 passed through the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday.

The bill, which would establish strict limits on sweepstakes gaming at internet cafes, passed by a vote of 63-30.

“I thank Speaker Batchelder, Representatives Huffman and Blessing, and the Ohio House of Representatives for taking action on the unregulated gambling taking place at internet cafes across Ohio,” said Ohio General Mike DeWine. “HB 605 is a major step forward to protect Ohio consumers. I look forward to and encourage swift passage of HB 605 in the Ohio Senate.”

Next, the bill will go to the Senate for a vote. If passed in the Senate, it will go to Ohio Governor John Kasich’s desk for a signature.

There’s no word on when the Senate will vote on the bill, although it’s likely the vote will take place in the next two weeks.

http://fayetteadvocate.com/archives/5911/2012/12/06/unregulated-gambling-bill-moves-forward/

Sweepstakes Ban Passes House after Squeaking through Committee

Hannah Report 12/5/12

House lawmakers approved tough limits on sweepstakes parlors Wednesday afternoon in a decision that split both caucuses, coming shortly after the bill cleared committee on a one-vote margin.

Rep. Matt Huffman's (R-Lima) HB605 is meant to be a de facto ban on so-called Internet cafes, imposing broader definitions of illegal gambling, banning cash payouts from electronic sweepstakes devices, and capping the value of any merchandise awarded at $10.

He called the regulation of Internet cafes a difficult process. "I think it's been a difficult process because it is a complicated area."

Huffman said owners and operators of the cafes have relied on essentially an unclear area of the law. He said the goal should be clarity and uniformity, adding that he believes the bill accomplishes that. If it looks like gambling, he said the Legislature needs to treat it that way and ensure any kind of gaming is not part of the law unless voters approve it. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191352

House Passes Internet Cafe Ban

Gongwer 12/5/12

A proposal to effectively outlaw so-called sweepstakes cafes cleared the House Wednesday with a solid majority amid warnings that it would put thousands of Ohioans out of work.

The proposal to ban the cafes (HB 605 ) passed 63-30, but appeared to stall earlier in the day when the House Judiciary & Ethics Committee recessed without voting on the measure.

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) later called a break during House session and the committee reconvened to narrowly vote the bill out 7-6.

The action represents a change of course for the House, which only last week appeared to favor a separate proposal that would regulate and tax sweepstakes parlors (HB 195 ), a plan favored by many in the industry.

Speaker Batchelder told reporters that there was an increasing sense of "unease" within his caucus as members learned more about the operations, which generally allow customers to buy prepaid phone cards that allow them to use a video terminal with slot machine-like games that have predetermined winners.

The speaker said his conversations with Democrats revealed similar misgivings within the minority caucus.

"A lot of urban people were concerned about who's running this, where did the money go, and so forth," he said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812350203

Elected Officials Unlikely To See Pay Raise Anytime Soon Despite Push From Locals, Some Lawmakers

Gongwer 12/5/12

Legislative leaders said Wednesday there was little support for a plan to give elected officials' a pay raise during lame duck session, despite a push from local officeholders and recent discussions around a plan floated for lame duck action.

Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) said he was pushing for a proposal to give state and local elected officials a cost-of-living increase that would take effect Jan. 1, 2014 only if the legislature appropriates enough money in the next biennial budget to cover the increased cost to the state.

Regular pay raises would be limited to 3% or the consumer price index, whichever is less, and would be contingent on next year's budget, he said in an interview. "If that happens, then the raises for the countywide officials and so forth would be allowed to go into effect. If it doesn't, it wouldn't."

Sen. Seitz noted that legislators, judges, county commissioners, sheriffs, prosecutors and other elected officials have seen no increase in their pay since January 2008.

"This is not a raise, this is a cost-of-living," he said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_id=812350206

Deember 5

Bipartisan redistricting deal is closer

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday December 5, 2012 6:13 AM

A bipartisan legislative task force could forge a full compromise plan in the next few days to overhaul the way Ohio draws legislative and congressional districts.

The task force co-chairs, Sens. Keith Faber, R-Celina, and Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who together represent about as wide a political spectrum as one might find anywhere in the Statehouse, each said yesterday that talks are ongoing and a deal could be in the works.

There have been doubts about whether the panel could agree on a full plan, or would just focus more on broader recommendations.

Faber said he’s optimistic that a report will be ready this week, with a public hearing scheduled next week — the likely final week of legislative sessions for this General Assembly.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/12/05/bipartisan-redistricting-deal-is-closer.html

House Passes Legislation Increasing Minimum Auto Insurance Liability
Hannah Report 12/4/12

In a session where the House began to say its goodbyes to departing members, the chamber also took the opportunity to update a number of laws spanning back decades.

Among those was a 1969 law that set minimum liability amounts for automobile insurance. HB278 sponsor Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) noted that in the 43 years since those limits were set, the Consumer Price Index has gone from 36.7 to 218.05, meaning items that cost a dollar then cost more than $5 now. He said it is "almost unbelievable that the minimum requirements haven't been updated in 43 years."

The legislation changes the current limits to $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in any one accident, to $50,000 for bodily injury or death for two or more people in any single accident, and $25,000 for property damage in any one accident.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191329

People in the News: Woodring; Ryan

Hannah Report 12/4/12

House Clerk to Resign

Jennifer Woodring, clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives, has submitted her letter of resignation to House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina), effective at the close of business on Monday, Jan. 7 -- the day the 130th General Assembly convenes.

In the letter, Woodring referenced the May birth of her daughter, telling the speaker that her "desire to be actively involved in her childhood has brought me to a place where I wish to no longer allow my role as clerk to preclude precious time with her."

Woodring, a 12-year employee of the Ohio House, was first named interim clerk in January 2012.

After House session Tuesday, Batchelder said they could name a replacement by as early as next week.

“We’ve had discussions with an individual with previous experience who could do the job for us. I have not yet talked to his present employer and I also want to visit with him one more time, and I want him to visit with our leadership group,” Batchelder said. “I think the members who have been here a long time will be pleased.”

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191335

Capitol Scene: House Clerk To Resign; ODNR Names New Communications Chief

Gongwer 12/4/12

House Clerk Jennifer Woodring on Tuesday submitted a letter of resignation effective Jan. 7, saying she wanted to spend more time with her young daughter.

Ms. Woodring assumed the post in January after serving for more than a decade on House staff. She had previously served as the House Journal clerk.

"It is a gross understatement that I have enjoyed my 12-year tenure with the Ohio House of Representatives," the departing clerk said in a letter to Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina). "I hold this extraordinary institution, the legislative process, and the beautiful Ohio Statehouse in the highest regard."

Speaker Batchelder said he was talking with a candidate for the post who has prior experience and would have an announcement on Ms. Woodring's replacement next week.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812340210

December 4

Wheelchair effort rolled into bill

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday December 4, 2012 6:24 AM

A bill aimed at the licensing of chemical-dependency counselors passed the Ohio House unanimously last week, but not before Republicans added an amendment that could benefit nursing homes and wheelchair providers to the tune of $20 million a year.

But it appears that the proposal will stall — at least this year.

A spokeswoman for Senate President Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, said the Senate will not go along with the House amendment. “The (Kasich) administration has indicated that they are not in support of this amendment and would like to take it up in the budget bill next General Assembly, and Sen. Niehaus agrees,” said spokeswoman Angela Meleca.

Rob Nichols, spokesman for Kasich, declined to comment on whether the governor would sign the bill as is or whether he wants to see the wheelchair legislation added to his new two-year budget, which will be rolled out in early February.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/12/04/wheelchair-effort-rolled-into-bill.html

Senate Doubles Up On Report Card Hearings In Penultimate Week Of Lame Duck

Gongwer 12/3/12

House Action: Although Tuesday's session is expected to be on the light side, the House could take up as early as Wednesday a floor vote on sweepstakes legislation (HB 605 ).

Rep. Matt Huffman's (R-Lima) bill to essentially regulate sweepstakes parlors to the point that they cannot operate is up for hearings both Tuesday and Wednesday with possible amendments, substitute and vote slated for the latter day.

The action follows an abrupt halt to alternative legislation (HB195) that would have less stringently regulated the Internet cafes. The House State Government & Elections Committee opted not to vote out the bill after veterans groups said it would impact machines used for charitable gaming. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, November 29, 2012)

Other bills that will likely surface on Tuesday's calendar would revise the laws governing the practice of psychology (HB 496 ), modify counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist licensing law (HB 567 ) and increase the minimum amounts required for valid proof of financial responsibility (HB 278 ).

Also pending before the lower chamber is a concurrence vote on a measure to create a collaborative legal process designed to allow separating couples avoid divisive divorce proceedings (HB 461 ).

With next week expected to be the last days of session before the chamber adjourns for the year, the calendar could get quite heavy. The House will also likely start this week the farewell speeches and recognition for the about one dozen members who will leave their positions at year's end.

Although noncommittal on any particular legislation going forward, House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said last week "there are a number that are still possibilities," including a bill (HB 606 ) to abolish a judgeship of the Youngstown Municipal Court. The measure is set for a possible vote Tuesday in the House Judiciary & Ethics Committee.

Among bills scheduled for committee votes that could see full enactment this month are measures to: provide a person is not criminally or civilly liable for trespassing on certain abandoned land if he or she enters to beautify it (SB 109 ); and establish conditions for the operation of certain specialized motor vehicles and other changes to motor vehicle law (SB 114 ).

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812330202

December 3

Hannah Report 11/30/12

GAMING

Both House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) said Tuesday that they expect to address Internet cafes and so-called sweepstakes machines before the end of the 129th General Assembly. Law enforcement and Attorney General Mike DeWine have expressed concern with the proliferation of the establishments, which total nearly 800 according to an official count by DeWine's office. At least two bills in the House, HB195 (Baker-Anielski) and HB605 (Huffman) seek to rein them in and regulate them, as well as one Senate bill, SB317 (Schiavoni).

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE

The incoming 130th General Assembly has relatively fewer new faces than seen at the start of the past few sessions, as well as fewer lawmakers moving from one chamber to the other in the election.

House Republicans held their leadership elections Tuesday and chose to keep House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) at the top of the caucus for the 130th General Assembly. As expected, most of the leadership from the 129th General Assembly remained, with members moving up one leadership spot to replace House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who is term-limited. Taking Blessing's spot is Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), the current majority floor leader. Rounding out the leadership team for next session are Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) as majority floor leader; Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) as assistant majority floor leader; and Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as majority whip, and Rep. Jim Buchy (R-Greenville), as assistant majority whip.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191315

November 30

House Debates Provisions of Military Medal Law, Education Performance Ranking

Hannah Report 11/29/12

After a full slate of committee meetings in the past few days, the House gathered Thursday for its third session of the week. On the calendar were two issues that were hotly debated in committee and that debate continued on the House floor.

The first bill to be considered was HB532 (Kozlowski-Gonzales), which revised the law on the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction. Rep. Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) explained that he introduced the bill after the family of Lance Cpl. Kevin Cornelius, who died in Afghanistan on Aug. 7, 2010, approached him.

Kozlowski said, in this case, Cornelius' Medal of Distinction went to his biological mother.

"Leaving his father with no medal to commemorate the life of his son they lost serving our country," said Kozlowski, who explained that the bill makes it so primary family members could obtain an additional medal at no extra cost in the case of a divorce or separation, or another individual is named next of kin. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191296

Split House Passes Report Card Bill With New A-F Grade System

The House on Thursday voted along party lines to pass a bill to revamp the state's report card for schools and districts, moving it to an A-F grading system.

Republicans maintained the new system would increase transparency and eliminate misleading and confusing aspects of the current methods. Minority members insisted the bill (HB 555 ) contains too many flaws to put forward now and urged delays for both passage and effective dates in the measure.

The legislation is intended for passage before the end of the year to comply with promises made in the state's waiver to the federal No Child Left Behind law.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said after session the Senate Education Committee chairwoman has been keeping tabs with House Education Chairman Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) on HB555. "So they may be in pretty good shape over there; I just don't know," he said about any changes that could occur in the upper chamber.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812310201

House Approves Bills To Amend Medal Of Distinction Law, Merge Medical Boards, Alter Chemical Dependency Panel

The House voted unanimously Thursday to pass legislation altering qualifications of the Military Medal of Distinction despite Democrats' objections to one of several riders the bill picked up in committee.

The chamber also approved Senate amendments to legislation to increase the penalty for assault against a health care professional (HB 62 ). The Senate passed the bill Tuesday and it next goes to the governor for his signature. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, November 27, 2012)

The House, however, voted unanimously to reject Senate changes and sent to conference committee a bill to change licensure for pediatric respite care programs and alter laws pertaining to cancer drug delivery and methadone treatment licensure (HB 367 ).

Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) insisted on the vote against concurrence and called for an expedited conference committee because of the time-sensitive nature of the bill. Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said the committee would convene "soon, very soon."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812310202

Senate President Blocks Final ‘Heartbeat' Push With Parliamentary Moves

Days after Senate leadership announced it would not take-up abortion legislation during the lame duck session, President Tom Niehaus on Thursday blocked efforts to force a vote on the so-called "heartbeat bill," in a move that irked some bill proponents.

Exercising a parliamentary procedure, Sen. Niehaus (R-New Richmond) pushed to re-refer legislation (HB 128 ) that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected to the Senate Rules & Reference Committee.

Prior to that maneuver, he removed bill proponents Sens. Keith Faber (R-Celina) and Shannon Jones (R-Springboro) from the Rules Committee.

Down two members, the panel unanimously passed the measure, meaning that heartbeat legislation must now sit in the committee for at least 30 days under Senate rules and is effectively barred from reaching the floor before the end of the session.

"I don't expect to be here on December 29th," President Niehaus told reporters. "In my opinion it is effectively said that we are not going to take this bill up in the 129th General Assembly."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812310204

Niehaus Ethics Bill Gets First Senate Hearing

Leadership-sponsored legislation that would make multiple changes and updates to Ohio's ethics laws began movement in the Senate Thursday, with just two weeks left in the lame duck session.

Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), who officially introduced the measure last week, offered sponsor testimony to members of the chamber's Government Oversight and Reform Committee. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, November 21, 2012)

The bill (SB 391 ), which the Senate President has touted as a "substantial revision" to the state's ethics laws, represents his last major legislative push before leaving the legislature at the end of December.

Despite its backing by the outgoing Senate president, Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) was fairly noncommittal when asked Thursday about his chamber's plans for the bill.

"We'll sure take a look at it," Speaker Batchelder said. "I think we're not going to be here very long, so we'll see what happens over there; I don't want to judge that at all. Obviously if the president of the Senate has introduced legislation on an important area like that, if we have the time, we would look at it."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812310206

November 29

Updated: 6:21 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 | Posted: 6:21 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

Backer of 'heartbeat' bill wants to force vote

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

The chief advocate of a blocked Ohio bill that would impose the tightest abortion restriction in the nation vowed Wednesday to use a legislative maneuver to try to force a vote before year's end despite the Senate president's opposition.

A host of practical and political obstacles quickly arose that seemed destined to derail the effort.

Janet Folger Porter, president of the conservative action group Faith2Action, said she'll work to collect 17 Republican signatures on a discharge petition, which can be used to force the so-called "heartbeat bill" out of a committee.

"We've got three weeks to find 17 people with the courage to sign and say, 'Yeah, we're going to end abortion now,'" Porter said. "That's what they ran on, that's what they won on, and now we're just asking them to make good on their word."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/social-issues/snuffed-heartbeat-bill-backer-wants-forced-vote/nTHP4/

Updated: 3:26 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 | Posted: 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

GOP chooses Faber as next Ohio Senate president

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Republicans in the Ohio Senate have picked a new leader to replace their term-limited president.

State Sen. Keith Faber (FAY'-bur) will take over in January for current Senate President Tom Niehaus (NEE'-hows), who leaves his seat at the end of the year. Faber, of Celina (suh-LEYE'-nuh), has been in the Senate since 2007. He currently holds the chamber's No. 2 leadership position.

Other Republicans elected to leadership roles include Sen. Chris Widener of Springfield, Sen. Tom Patton of Strongsville and Sen. Larry Obhof (OHB'-hawf) of Medina.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/legislative/gop-chooses-faber-as-next-ohio-senate-president/nTHfd/

Ohio Senate: Republicans select Faber as new leader

By  Jim Siegel

The Columbus Dispatch Thursday November 29, 2012 5:50 AM

Sen. Keith Faber was elected yesterday by his GOP colleagues as the next president of the Ohio Senate.

Faber, a lawyer from Celina who joined the Ohio House in 2000 before moving to the Senate in 2007, has long been considered the front-runner to replace current President Tom Niehaus, who is term-limited at the end of the year. Faber, the current No. 2 GOP leader, will take over in January and can oversee the chamber for four years.

“We’re going to need to work on growing the economy and strengthening Ohio’s jobs environment,” he said of the focus next session.

Sen. Chris Widener of Springfield was chosen as the next president pro tempore, while Sens. Tom Patton of Strongsville and Larry Obhof Jr. of Medina will round out the Republican leadership team.

Meanwhile, House Republicans this week re-elected Speaker William G. Batchelder of Medina to his leadership post. The longest-serving member of the legislature has one term remaining.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/11/29/republicans-select-faber-as-new-leader.html

Niehaus draws a line

Published: November 28, 2012 - 07:12 PM

Niehaus draws a line November 29,2012 12:12 AM 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.

Tom Niehaus already had signaled his concerns about the “heartbeat bill.” On Tuesday, the Senate president shared his decision that the chamber would not take up the legislation banning abortion after the heartbeat of a fetus becomes detectable. Neither will the Senate use the lame-duck session to strike a funding blow against Planned Parenthood that would all but deny the organization federal money in Ohio.

Niehaus understands that the heartbeat bill would not pass the test of constitutionality, placing, as it does, an undue burden on abortion rights. He also explained that he looks “at the entirety of the work that’s done by Planned Parenthood” and rightly finds that it offers “much needed services that are not available other places.”

Here is an example of legislative leadership as it should be practiced, drawing lines with the interests of the whole foremost in mind. Unfortunately, Niehaus won’t return for the next legislative session. The next Senate president, Keith Faber, has made plain he won’t be so unfavorably inclined toward the “heartbeat bill” or to reducing funding for Planned Parenthood, and he will have a partner in a House led by Speaker William Batchelder.

So the Niehaus decision may amount to little more than a postponement.

Worth noting is that Niehaus did remind his colleagues that “we have been the most pro-life legislature in my memory.” The Republican majorities have moved to restrict the right to choose, government playing a more intrusive role in the private decisions of women. How much further will they go? The question is apt for John Kasich. The governor has joined his legislative allies so far. Is he ready to sign such an extreme measure as the “heartbeat bill”? Does he think it is wise policy to strip Planned Parenthood of federal money?

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/niehaus-draws-a-line-1.353706

State GOP now has 2 leaders from Medina County

Filed by David Knox November 29th, 2012 in News.

Medina County Gazette

Medina County now has two state legislators among the Republican leadership in the General Assembly.

State Sen. Larry J. Obhof Jr., R-Montville Township, was selected Wednesday to serve as majority whip in the Senate.

Obhof joins William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, who was renamed speaker of the House, among the top GOP officials in the Legislature.

“I am honored to have received the support of my colleagues in joining our leadership team,” Obhof said. “I look forward to working with all members of the Senate as we look to build on the progress made during this General Assembly in growing our economy and creating more job opportunities for Ohioans.”

http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/2012/11/29/ohio-gop-now-has-2-leaders-from-medina-county/

Faber Tapped as Next Senate President

Hannah Report 11/27/12

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus Wednesday elected Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina) as Senate president for the 130th General Assembly. Faber will replace Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), who is term-limited.

Faber will be the first legislator from Mercer County to serve as Senate president. The current Senate president pro tempore was first elected to the chamber in 2007 and he has been serving in leadership since 2009, starting as the majority floor leader.

"I'm humbled and honored to have the confidence of my colleagues in leading one of the most respected legislative institutions in the nation," said Faber in a statement. "I look forward to building on the progress we've already made in revitalizing our economy and getting Ohioans back to work. That will continue to be priority number one in the next General Assembly." http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191283

 ‘Heartbeat Bill' Supporters Try To Bypass Niehaus Opposition

Gongwer 11/28/12

Supporters of a proposal to ban abortion at the point a fetal heartbeat becomes detectable asked senators Wednesday to override Senate President Tom Niehaus's opposition to the bill.

Faith2Action, which has lobbied aggressively for the so-called "heartbeat bill," (HB 125 ), is working to get 17 Republican senators to sign a discharge petition, which would bring the measure to a floor vote despite Sen. Niehaus's decision to block the bill. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, November 27, 2012)

"What the outgoing Senate president has to say isn't nearly as significant as what the Senate president and the 21 other Republican senators can do about it," Faith2Action President Janet Porter said in a statement.

Ms. Porter said she circulated the state's first successful discharge petition in 1994, which led to the passage of the nation's first partial-birth abortion ban.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=812300205