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Republicans give themselves a pat on the back
Republicans in the Ohio House issued this statement today:
House Republicans Applaud a Job-focused 100 Days
Recognize Additional Work that Lies Ahead
Speaker Boehner faced a mountain of trash
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Politics Extra blog reported Friday, prior to the looming federal government shutdown, that there was a Facebook campaign in Washington, D.C., to have everyone dump their uncollected trash in House Speaker John Boehner's yard.
The blog said that there were about 5,000 followers on the Facebook page. Boehner is from the Cincinnati area.
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Legislature not likely to cut its own pay as it cuts others'
The Plain Dealer reported Sunday that it's not likely that the state legislature will cut its own pay or benefits as the Republican-controlled House, Senate and governor's office enact legislation that requires state employees to pay more for health care, their pensions and possibly take pay cuts.
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Unions gear up for Ohio fight
Senate Bill 5 foes prepare to collect a half-million signatures for November referendum that would strike down new law
By Stephanie Warsmith
and Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writers
Kasich, House Republicans target teachers with new plan
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Gov. John Kasich and House Republicans are considering ways to implement provisions of Senate Bill 5, circumventing a petition drive that would put the new law on hold while it goes to a statewide referendum.
In a story by reporters Joe Vardon and Jim Siegel, the Dispatch reports that Republicans may add language to the budget bill that would single out teachers and immediately enact SB5 provisions regarding evaluations. SB5 requires that all pay now be linked to performance evaluations and not longevity.
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Who writes the most bills?
Two lawmakers in the Ohio House are tied for the most legislation -- eight bills each.
They are:
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Campaign finance program available for 2011 candidates
The Secretary of State's office will offer a web seminar for political candidates on how to properly maintain a campaign fund and file the mandatory reports.
This year is when Ohio elects township trustees and clerks, school boards and many village and city officials. In the Akron-Canton area alone, there will be more than 1,000 candidates on the November ballot, most of whom do not have sophisticated campaign operations.
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Government efficiency blog moving
We are moving Government Efficiency items to their own blog listed directly below this blog at Ohio.com. The URL is:
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Senate approves school for inmates
The Ohio Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Sawyer, D-Akron, that will allow the creation of a charter school for inmates of state institutions. The program will help high school dropouts complete an education that meets state standards for a high school diploma. The bill now goes to the House.
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Dems introduce bill to allow recall of governor and others
Democratic State Reps. Mike Foley of Cleveland and Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown said they will introduce legislation next week that allows for the recall of statewide non-judicial office holders and members of the legislature.
In a joint release they said:
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Would you be threatened?
Also, sign up for alerts to new entries at the government efficiency blog through my twitter account @davescottofakro (there is no "N"; Twitter likes short names!)
Bills sponsored by Akron-Canton lawmakers
Ever wonder what weighty subjects are under consideration in the Ohio legislature?
There are proposals to ban smoking in a car carrying a child, to rename highways, require bicyclists to wear helmets and proposals for special license plates for the Massillon Tigers and Prince Hall FreeMasons.
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The governor makes the rounds
Governor John Kasich has been making himself available to a number of national conservative news organizations to discuss his budget and legislation.
In the National Review:
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Kasich's savings estimate of $1.3 billion for SB5 in question
Opponents of the new law disagree
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that there are potential flaws in the Kasich administration's study that suggests Ohio will save $1.3 billion with Senate Bill 5, which curtails public unions, requires higher contributions to health and retirement benefits and removes pay steps based on longevity.
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Akron moves forward with controversial sewer work
Members of council debate whether city should delay projects until lawsuit is settled
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Opponents of SB5 submit petitions
By Associated Press
COLUMBUS: Opponents of Ohio's new collective bargaining law have taken the first step in their fight to repeal its limits on public workers' union rights.
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Lawrence, Canal Fulton look at merger
The city and township are asking residents what they thing about creation of a potential fire district. This site even includes a slide show with some fire department history and a look at the economic questions. Take a peek and then come back here and tell us what you think.
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Vindicator: Local chamber suffers from Senate Bill 5
In the Mahoning Valley, one of the most union supportive areas of the state, the chamber of commerce is feeling some pressure for its support of Senate Bill 5, which limits many bargaining topics for unionized government workers.
One company executive said:
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Recall petition work begins
The Columbus Dispatch reported Saturday that the effort to place a referendum regarding Senate Bill 5 on the ballot began in the city's busy Short North District.
Petitioners began the first round of gathering 1,000 signatures necessary before ballot language can be prepared and approved by state officials. After language is approved, then proponents of the ballot issuee must obtain signatures from more than 200,000 registered voters.
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It was chilly outside
It apparently was no secret Gov. John Kasich was speaking at the annual Warren County Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner in Mason, one of Ohio's wealthiest communities. The road outside was lined with persons unhappy with the recent passage of Senate Bill 5, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Otherwise, he had strong support inside the hall, according to the Enquirer:
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Summary of Senate Bill 5
Below is the Ohio Legislative Service Commission's summary of Senate Bill 5 as it was approved by the legislature and sent to the governor for signature.
The full LSC analysis is available online.
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Police, firefighters outraged
Local safety workers to join effort to repeal union law signed by Kasich
Published on Friday, Apr 01, 2011
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