Proposed Bill Would Restrict State from Issuing ‘Vaccine Passports’

By Tyler Buchanan Republican-sponsored legislation will seek to prohibit the Ohio government from instituting a “vaccine passport” program, but the drafted proposal does not appear to restrict private businesses from doing so. Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, is soon introducing this bill in the Ohio House of Representatives. It has already received support from fellow Republican lawmakers. […]
Ohio Judge Blocks Enforcement of Fetal Tissue Disposal Law

By Susan Tebben A Hamilton County judge has blocked an Ohio law regulating disposal of surgical abortion tissue that was set to take effect Tuesday. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Alison Hatheway granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday pausing the enactment of the law temporarily. The judge said because the state has not created forms, rules […]
Planned Parenthood Sues Ohio Over Telemedicine Abortion Ban

By Susan Tebben The national and state chapters of Planned Parenthood sued the state of Ohio Thursday over a law set to go into effect in mid-April that prohibits abortion services conducted through telemedicine. The lawsuit regards Senate Bill 260, signed into law in January and banning an available telehealth option for what’s called a medication […]
Upper Arlington’s Asian Community Responds to Lt. Gov. Husted’s use of ‘Wuhan Virus’

Individuals and families of Upper Arlington’s Asian Community have signed a letter to Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted in response to tweet last week in which the Lt. Governor, who is an Upper Arlington resident, shared an unfounded claim regarding the origins of COVID-19. The tweet links to an Axios article on a claim made by […]
Ohio Democrats Target State’s Wage Gap with ‘Equal Pay Act’

By Tyler Buchanan Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking to close the wage gap in Ohio and ensure that women earn as much as men in the workforce. State Reps. Stephanie Howse of Cleveland and Jessica Miranda of Forest Park recently sponsored the “Ohio Equal Pay Act,” which sets new requirements for public employers as well […]
DeWine on Override of Pandemic Authority Bill: ‘This is Not the Only Crisis We Will Face’

By Tyler Buchanan When lawmakers started debating a bill to give themselves power to strike down public health orders, Gov. Mike DeWine expressed hope they would ultimately reject the proposal. When lawmakers passed the bill, DeWine said he would veto it and expressed hope they would choose against overriding him. Less than 24 hours after issuing […]
House Republicans Seek to Expand Concealed-Carry After Recent Surge in Gun Violence

By Jake Zuckerman After a spate of seven mass shootings around the U.S. in seven days, Ohio House Republicans introduced legislation that would allow Ohioans aged 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a license. House Bill 227, introduced Tuesday by Republican Reps. Thomas Brinkman and Kris Jordan and co-sponsored by 20 more, also […]