Author: Hannah Poling

Republican Matt Huffman Unanimously Re-Elected as Ohio Senate President

Hannah Poling

Ohio Senator Matt Huffman, (R-Lima) will once again serve as President of the Ohio Senate for the 135th General Assembly after a unanimous vote Tuesday, as reported by a release from the Senate.

Huffman was first elected to the Ohio Senate in 2016. He was re-elected to a second term in 2020 when he previously served as Senate President during the 134th General Assembly and prior to that as Majority Floor Leader. This follows his serving four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives building up to his election as Speaker Pro Tempore.

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Ohio Right to Life Files Complaint to State Medical Board

Hannah Poling

A complaint has been filed with the State Medical Board of Ohio over a patient who was reportedly denied proper health care while experiencing a miscarriage.

Medical professionals at an Ohio hospital had reportedly cited the state’s abortion laws for delaying health care. However, Ohio law does not prevent doctors from taking action when a patient’s life or health is at risk.

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Ohio GOP Bill Seeks Overhaul of State Education System and Board of Education

Hannah Poling

A new bill introduced by Ohio Senate Republicans aims to “restructure” Ohio’s State Department of Education, create a new administrative division under the governor’s office, and reduce the duties of the state Board of Education.

Senate Bill (SB) 178, sponsored by Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) was introduced in the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee on Tuesday. The bill seeks to “improve the academic achievement and workforce skills of our students, to drive better outcomes in their education, and to prepare for more effective career readiness,” Reineke told the committee.

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Ohio Secretary of State Looks to Identify Areas for Improvement in Ohio Elections

Hannah Poling

One week after another successful statewide election, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is taking action to keep Ohio ahead of the curve.

Beginning immediately, The Secretary of State’s Office will work in conjunction with Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections to conduct an After-Action Review (AAR) of the statewide 2022 midterm election to evaluate overall performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

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Governor DeWine Announces New Outdoor Recreation Projects Across 62 Counties

Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) director Mary Mertz have awarded $1.7 million in grants to help support dozens of new outdoor recreation projects in local communities throughout the state.

“We are excited to help communities all over Ohio create fun, safe, and inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities. These grants help local parks improve and upgrade their outdoor spaces for citizens of Ohio,” Governor DeWine said.

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New Legislation to Help Victims of Human Trafficking Scheduled for Hearing

Hannah Poling

A pair of bills to aid human trafficking victims are scheduled for hearings at the Ohio Statehouse this week, with support to be given by numerous groups of human rights activists.

“Human trafficking victims often are compelled by their traffickers into prostitution, soliciting, and a wide range of other offenses through no fault of their own. Convictions for these offenses prevent human trafficking victims from getting housing, jobs, or professional accreditation,” the Director of Abolition Ohio and Director of advocacy at the University of Dayton Human Rights Center Tony Talbott said.

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Ohio Lawmakers Prepare for the First Week of Lame-Duck Session

Hannah Poling

After taking a break over the summer and part of the fall for the general election, lawmakers are returning to the Ohio Statehouse to consider many different bills before the two-year session of this general assembly ends in December.

The committees and floor votes which occur after an election, known as a lame duck session, work to conclude urgent or unfinished bills that lawmakers have introduced. Once the session ends, lawmakers will either overlook or reject the bills and legislators, returning incumbents, and newly-elected officials will have to reintroduce the pieces of legislation and restart the committee process.

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Marijuana Decriminalization Ballot Measures Approved in Five Ohio Cities

Hannah Poling

Activists in the state have been working to enact local cannabis reform over recent election cycles. While decriminalization did not qualify for every municipal ballot that advocates targeted for 2022, six Ohio cities voted on policy changes.

Five of the six Ohio cities approved local marijuana decriminalization ballot initiatives during the midterm election.

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Ohio Board of Education Votes in Favor of Resolution to Reject LGBTQ Additions to Title IX

Hannah Poling

The Ohio Board of Education’s executive committee voted in favor Monday to move forward with a resolution that could reject proposed changes to broaden the definition of sex-based harassment and discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation for LGBTQ students.

The committee voted 5-2 to move ahead with the amendment. With the executive committee’s vote, the entire Ohio Board of Education will debate and potentially voted on the resolution on Tuesday.

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Ohio Mother’s Group Against Legislation to Regulate Non-Licensed Community Midwives

Hannah Poling

A group of mothers and home-birth activists are speaking out in opposition to a bill in the Ohio legislature that would regulate non-licensed community midwives.

A group of 1,200 Ohioans, who call themselves Dayton Natural Parenting say they are watching House Bill (HB) 496 closely and are working with many Ohio midwives to spread awareness to their clients about the potential repercussions if this bill passes in the state.

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Ohio Republican Party Chair Bob Paduchik Won’t Seek Re-Election

Hannah Poling

Ohio Republican Party (ORP) Chairman Bob Paduchik announced that he won’t seek reelection as state party chairman following a GOP sweep of statewide offices.

“I will not run for reelection for the chairmanship of the Ohio Republican Party. It is time for a new leader to take leadership of the party and I look forward to the January election of ORP officers,” Paduchik wrote in a letter to members of the Ohio Republican Party’s governing body.

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ADAMHS Board to Install Narcan Vending Machines in Northeast Ohio

Hannah Poling

In order to help prevent fentanyl overdoses and lower the death toll in Northeast Ohio the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) board are to install narcan vending machines throughout Cuyahoga County in the upcoming week.

In the next week, the board is rolling out five narcan vending machines across Cleveland and is also working on putting more than 400 weather-resistant narcan cabinets in public parks in the near future.

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Newly Elected Ohio State Representative Beth Lear to Champion Protecting Ohio Families and Economic Concerns

Hannah Poling

A new electee in the Ohio statehouse, Republican Beth Lear, says she will advocate for Ohio families, protect constitutional rights, address economic concerns, and restore integrity in education upon assuming office.

Lear, secured the position of State Representative for District 61 during the midterm election with 59% of the vote.

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Bill Likely to Come Up in Lame-Duck Session Could Require Ohio Voters to Have a Photo ID

Hannah Poling

A bill to make changes in Ohio voting laws has potential to be brought up by Republican lawmakers in the upcoming lame-duck legislative session. The bill would require a photo ID for nearly all Ohio voters.

Representative Bill Seitz (R-OH-30) already has a bill, in the Government Oversight Committee, House Bill (HB) 249 to create online ballot requests with two forms of ID, to limit the locations and window of time for ballot dropboxes, and to shorten the period to request early ballots.

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Ohio Lawmaker Proposes Bill Prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccination Discrimination in Schools

Hannah Poling

An Ohio lawmaker introduced a bill that would prohibit a public or private school from discriminating against an individual based on COVID-19 vaccination status.

Republican Representative Scott Lipps (R-OH-62) put forward House Bill (HB) 739 earlier this month. Although the state does not mandate COVID-19 vaccines in schools, Lipps said HB 739 is a preemptive measure for future law changes.

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Ohio Lawmakers Look to Crack Down on ‘Hooning’

Hannah Poling

Ohio lawmakers proposed a new bill to curb reckless driving in the state.

State Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark) introduced House Bill (HB) 740, which would prohibit hooning on public roads or private property open to the public. Other things the bill would prohibit are speed racing, performing dangerous 360-degree “donuts,” and allowing passengers to ride outside of open windows.

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Ohio Election Day Roundup: Results for National Elected Offices, State Offices, and Statewide Ballot Issues

Hannah Poling

After a long campaign season for the Ohio midterm election, voting numbers from county boards of elections are pouring in and being added to the unofficial results on the Ohio Secretary of State’s Website.

According to the Ohio Secretary of State, results are unofficial until they have been reviewed and certified once the official canvass has been completed by November 29th.

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Ohio State Highway Patrol Seizes 220 Pounds of Illegal Cocaine in Central Ohio

Hannah Poling

Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Troopers seized 99,790.3 grams of cocaine at a traffic stop in Central Ohio which is enough to kill 15,352 people. According to The Recovery Village, a lethal dose of cocaine is about 6.5 grams.

Madison County troopers seized the lethal drugs during a traffic stop of a vehicle for a following too-close violation on Interstate 70. The OSHP says that when they stopped the U-Haul truck which had Arizona registration, they observed “criminal indicators” and a drug-sniffing k-9 detected possible contraband which warranted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

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Ohio Election Eve Roundup: Statewide, District, County, and Municipal Races to Watch

Hannah Poling

Ohio are set to choose their next governor, U.S. senator, and three seats for the state supreme court this election cycle.

The big-ticket race in Ohio is to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by retiring Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). Republican nominee J.D. Vance was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and he is currently in a tight race with Democratic Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-13).

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Ohio Secretary of State Readies Voters, Officials for Busy Election Day

Hannah Poling

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is making one last push to inform Ohioans of important voter information prior to their final opportunity to cast a ballot.

The Ohio secretary of state’s office indicates that there is only one official source for Ohio election information, which is voteohio.gov. To ensure all voters have the correct information ahead of Election Day, LaRose urges voters to only utilize voteohio.gov as an official resource for vital and accurate election information including finding a polling location, voter ID requirements, sample ballots, absentee ballot tracking, support for voters with disabilities, and election results.

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U.S. Senate Hopefuls Vance and Ryan Tour Central Ohio on Election Day

Hannah Poling

Both Ohio Senate candidates Democrat Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) and Republican J.D. Vance are making stops in central Ohio as the two vie for votes in the closing hours of Election Day

Both candidates projected confidence as they canvassed the state in the final days of Ohio’s U.S. Senate race. The candidates spent their weekend urging supporters to get out and vote.

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Poll Finds Inflation and Abortion Among the Top Issues for Ohioans

Hannah Poling

According to a Marist Ohio Poll conducted October 17 through October 20, 46 percent of Ohio adults say inflation is the issue that is top of mind this election season. Following that concern is preserving democracy at 20 percent, abortion at 18 percent, health care at 6 percent, crime at 4 percent, and immigration at 4 percent.

The poll found that inflation is the key voting issue for Republicans at 62 percent and independents at 53 percent. Among Democrats, abortion at 34 percent is at the top of the list with only 22 percent of Democrats most concerned about inflation.

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County Election Officials Test Voting Machines for Accuracy Ahead of Election Day

Hannah Poling

Ohio counties such as Butler and Cuyahoga have been making sure every single voting machine in their districts has been checked. Election officials perform mock votes before using the machines to make sure the information is populating correctly.

Logic and accuracy (L&A) testing on every voting machine and system component ensures that ballots are accurate and that the votes cast will tabulate properly. This includes voting machines used at polling locations on Election Day and those used for scanning absentee ballots.

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Ohio Democratic Senatorial Candidate Changes Stance on Confronting Inflation

Hannah Poling

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) has shown support for regulations that would prevent inflation while simultaneously favoring larger spending bills.

This year Ryan voted against preventing regulations that would cause inflation and a gas tax hike.

However, in late 2021 he favored a larger spending bill (“Build Back Better”) over a slimmed-down plan favored by moderate Democratic senators. Ryan said that Democrats should not minimize the extent of inflation but rather emphasize “Build Back Better” as a way to address it.

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Democrat Tim Ryan Now Says He’s in Favor of Ohio State Issues 1 and 2

Hannah Poling

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) now says he is planning to vote “yes” for State Issues 1 and 2 making him the fourth and last leading statewide Ohio candidate to do so.

When asked previously about the state issues Ryan stated he had not “read them” and intends to “dig into them before I make a decision.” Vance has endorsed both state issues, calling them “common sense.” Republican Governor Mike DeWine and his Democratic contender Nan Whaley have also said they will vote for both ballot initiatives.

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Ohio Law Enforcement Seizes Enough Fentanyl to Kill 190,000 People

Hannah Poling

Law enforcement officials seized 570 grams of fentanyl on Monday in southwest Ohio which the Butler County Sheriff’s Office says is enough to kill 190,000 people, which is roughly half the population of Butler County.

Law enforcement seized the lethal drugs as part of an operation by the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics (BURN) Task Force with the assistance of the Hamilton Police Department’s Vice and Neighborhood Police Section.

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Democratic Candidate for Ohio Senate Seat Says He Advocates for Schools While Supporting School Closures

Hannah Poling

Ohio Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) is highlighting school advocacy as part of his political platform while supporting school closures, forced mask mandates, and remote learning.

“Our kids are entering a competitive and rapidly changing world, and we owe it to them and their parents to make sure they’re ready to take on any challenges the world throws at them,” Ryan said.

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Voter Guides by CCV, BallotReady, iVoterGuide Vie to Inform Ohioans on Candidates and Ballot Issues

Hannah Poling

Several organizations have created nonpartisan voter guides to help Ohioans discover where candidates stand on key issues for the upcoming midterm election.

The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), iVoterGuide, and BallotReady say that the reason behind the resource is to voters determine the true positions of the candidates on some of the most important issues.

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U.S. Senate Hopeful Tim Ryan Dodges Questions on Abortion Limits

Hannah Poling

Throughout the 2022 election cycle, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) has refused to answer questions regarding whether there should be restrictions placed on abortions.

This summer Ryan was asked multiple times in an interview if there should be any restrictions on abortions, but he refused to answer the question. Ryan’s shift to the Left on life stands in sharp contrast to his record while in office.

At one time Ryan was an outspoken pro-life member of Congress. In 2009 frequently discussed his pro-life standpoint that included his support of pro-life legislation.

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Advocates Press Lawmakers to Pass Ohio Bill Lifting Statute of Limitations for Rape Cases

Hannah Poling

A group of parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens are backing a bill in the Ohio legislature that would lift the statute of limitations on rape cases in addition to a bill that aims to provide age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education to school children.

A group of Ohioans, who call themselves Ohioans for Child Protection, gathered at the Statehouse on October 20th, to urge lawmakers to pass House bills (HB) 266 and 105 into law in the state of Ohio.

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Ohio’s Democratic U.S. Senate Hopeful Projects Police Advocacy While Voting to Defund Them

Hannah Poling

Ohio Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) is projecting a pro-police stance as part of his platform while simultaneously voting to defund them.

On March 3, 2021, Ryan voted against a motion to condemn calls to defund, disband, or abolish the police while at the same time also voting to allow for the federal government to micromanage local police and potentially defund them.

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Tim Ryan Unsure If Illegal Immigrants Should Be Permitted to Vote in Ohio

Hannah Poling

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) says that he is still undecided on two major issues on the Ohio midterm ballot, including one deciding if illegal immigrants should be allowed to vote in Ohio elections.

Under two weeks from the midterm election, Ryan says he doesn’t know his standpoint on Ohio’s two ballot initiatives. State Issue 1 if passed would require judges to consider public safety when setting bail amounts for criminal defendants. State Issue 2 would prohibit non-citizens from voting in state and local elections.

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Ohio Secretary of State Warns Voters: Absentee Ballots Cannot Be Returned to Precincts

Hannah Poling

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose cautions voters that Ohio law does not allow them to return their absentee ballots to their precincts on Election day.

Those who elect to hold onto their paper ballots until November 8th must deliver them to their county board of elections office. According to LaRose, poll workers at precinct-level voting locations cannot accept them.

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Ohio Senatorial Candidate Flips Stance, Calls for Fentanyl to Be Classified as ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’

Hannah Poling

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Rep. Tim Ryan (D-13) claims that he wants to label fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” although he previously made a pledge to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 2019 to decriminalize all drug possession.

The long time Democrat has consistently opposed efforts to limit the flood of the deadly opioid into the United States and Ohio.

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Mandatory Dyslexia Screenings to Begin in Ohio Schools

Hannah Poling

Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio students in kindergarten must participate in annual dyslexia screenings aimed at identifying student learning disabilities at an early age.

House Bill (HB) 583, sponsored by State Representatives Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Don Jones (R-Freeport), became law on September 23, making changes to the prior dyslexia support law, HB 436.

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New Tool Tracks Ohio’s American Rescue Plan Funds

Hannah Poling

Ohio has 35 percent remaining of the $5.4 billion that the U.S. Department of the Treasury allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). A new tool is being used to track how the state utilizes the funds.

Advocates for Ohio’s Future, in partnership with the Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC), have launched a tool called the Ohio ARPA Tracker. This tracker provides up-to-date, detailed information on how Ohio spends its money.
Advocates for Ohio’s Future in partnership with the Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC) have launched a tool called the Ohio ARPA Tracker. This tracker provides up-to-date detailed information on how Ohio’s dollars are being spent.

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Ohio Election Officials Warn Voters to Apply Enough Stamps to Absentee Ballots

Hannah Poling

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose requires that county boards of elections specify to voters how much postage is required to mail in an absentee ballot. However, the Secretary of State’s office does enumerate that it’s the voter’s responsibility to make sure that the ballot has enough postage required by federal law.

The required postage to return a ballot by mail can differ depending on the number of items on the ballot. The more items to vote for, the longer a ballot will be which means more weight which may require more stamps.

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