To Ohio lawmaker Kris Jordan, the mask requirement and the roll out of optional COVID-19 vaccines are two steps toward an American genocide like that of the Holocaust during World War II.“It’s just a mask, wear it. It’s just a shot, take it,” reads a March 31 Facebook post from Rep. Jordan, a Republican from Delaware County, who forewarned a slippery slope from pandemic mitigation to mass extermination.A screenshot of a March. 31 Facebook post made by State Rep. Kris Jordan, R-Ostrander.“It’s just a boxcar, get in,” the post concludes. “Every step away from freedom is a step closer to...…To Ohio lawmaker Kris Jordan, the mask requirement and the roll out of optional COVID-19 vaccines are two steps toward an American genocide like that of the Holocaust during World War II.“It’s just a mask, wear it. It’s just a shot, take it,” reads a March 31 Facebook post from Rep. Jordan, a Republican from Delaware County, who forewarned a slippery slope from pandemic mitigation to mass extermination.A screenshot of a March. 31 Facebook post made by State Rep. Kris Jordan, R-Ostrander.“It’s just a boxcar, get in,” the post concludes. “Every step away from freedom is a step closer to...WW…

A Republican lawmaker wants to prohibit “vaccine passports” in the state of Ohio, saying that doing so will ensure residents will maintain their freedom during the pandemic’s final stages.State Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, wants to outlaw any requirement that Ohioans show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination “in order to be allowed entry into an area of establishment,” a news release announcing the proposed legislation states.“Ohioans are encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccine for the health and well-being of themselves and others,” Cutrona stated. “However, a vaccine should not be mandated or...…A Republican lawmaker wants to prohibit “vaccine passports” in the state of Ohio, saying that doing so will ensure residents will maintain their freedom during the pandemic’s final stages.State Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, wants to outlaw any requirement that Ohioans show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination “in order to be allowed entry into an area of establishment,” a news release announcing the proposed legislation states.“Ohioans are encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccine for the health and well-being of themselves and others,” Cutrona stated. “However, a vaccine should not be mandated or...WW…

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 his veto, lawmakers voted to override it. DeWine said he is now hopeful they will consider making fixes to the law he finds most objectionable.Hope seems to spring eternal in the governor’s office, at least in public view. On Thursday, DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted...…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 his veto, lawmakers voted to override it. DeWine said he is now hopeful they will consider making fixes to the law he finds most objectionable.Hope seems to spring eternal in the governor’s office, at least in public view. On Thursday, DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted...WW…

Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill seeking to allow lawmakers to rescind public health orders they disagree with, once again fulfilling a pledge to block any legislation targeting his administration’s authority to respond aggressively to a deadly pandemic.The ball is now in the legislature’s court to override his veto. Republican legislative leaders have already vowed to promptly schedule votes to do so.DeWine said Monday his administration has tried to reach a compromise with Republican legislators in recent weeks, but has been unsuccessful.“Senate Bill 22 jeopardizes the safety of every...…Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill seeking to allow lawmakers to rescind public health orders they disagree with, once again fulfilling a pledge to block any legislation targeting his administration’s authority to respond aggressively to a deadly pandemic.The ball is now in the legislature’s court to override his veto. Republican legislative leaders have already vowed to promptly schedule votes to do so.DeWine said Monday his administration has tried to reach a compromise with Republican legislators in recent weeks, but has been unsuccessful.“Senate Bill 22 jeopardizes the safety of every...WW…

Wednesday marks the 24th anniversary of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling the state’s school funding model is unconstitutional. Twenty-four years later, the Ohio legislature has yet to fix it.Yet less than 24 hours after Gov. Mike DeWine to allow lawmakers to strike down public health orders, GOP supermajorities mobilized to override this veto. will thereby go into effect three months from now. DeWine has expressed hope that Ohio’s health orders such as the mask mandate will already be removed by then, with COVID-19 cases on the decline and vaccines now eligible for the entire adult...…Wednesday marks the 24th anniversary of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling the state’s school funding model is unconstitutional. Twenty-four years later, the Ohio legislature has yet to fix it.Yet less than 24 hours after Gov. Mike DeWine to allow lawmakers to strike down public health orders, GOP supermajorities mobilized to override this veto. will thereby go into effect three months from now. DeWine has expressed hope that Ohio’s health orders such as the mask mandate will already be removed by then, with COVID-19 cases on the decline and vaccines now eligible for the entire adult...WW…

Gov. Mike DeWine has outlined specific metrics the state can hit to trigger an end to Ohio’s public health orders, including the mandate to wear facial coverings in public.A group of Republican legislators think it’s already time to remove the mask mandate.Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, recently introduced  to terminate the existing mask mandate. The bill would also prohibit the state from reissuing a requirement to wear masks unless the General Assembly approves such a plan. Two-dozen Republicans have signed on as cosponsors to the bill.Powell’s bill was formally introduced on...…Gov. Mike DeWine has outlined specific metrics the state can hit to trigger an end to Ohio’s public health orders, including the mandate to wear facial coverings in public.A group of Republican legislators think it’s already time to remove the mask mandate.Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, recently introduced  to terminate the existing mask mandate. The bill would also prohibit the state from reissuing a requirement to wear masks unless the General Assembly approves such a plan. Two-dozen Republicans have signed on as cosponsors to the bill.Powell’s bill was formally introduced on...WW…

As Ohio lawmakers considered a bill last November to allow themselves to strike down public health orders, a handful of organizations banded together to state their unequivocal opposition.“Now is not the time to let up. The public health crisis is not over,” the organizations told lawmakers.This disagreement in a matter of life and death did not keep one of the groups from supporting the campaigns of those advocating for the bill. The Ohio Hospital Association had already donated money to both Republican sponsors of the bill, Sens. Kristina Roegner of Hudson and Rob McColley of...…As Ohio lawmakers considered a bill last November to allow themselves to strike down public health orders, a handful of organizations banded together to state their unequivocal opposition.“Now is not the time to let up. The public health crisis is not over,” the organizations told lawmakers.This disagreement in a matter of life and death did not keep one of the groups from supporting the campaigns of those advocating for the bill. The Ohio Hospital Association had already donated money to both Republican sponsors of the bill, Sens. Kristina Roegner of Hudson and Rob McColley of...WW…

Welcome back to the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag, the political column that eight out of 10 doctors say is a perfect cure for winter boredom. Let’s get to it:Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to tbuchanan@ohiocapitaljournal.com or tweet them to @tylerjoelb.Where are they on Larry Householder’s status? Can he be removed?– Duane Daniel, on Twitter.Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford.Answer: Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, can be removed from office. The status of his possible removal is, well … complicated.This is a topic I’ve explored...…Welcome back to the Ohio Capital Journal Mailbag, the political column that eight out of 10 doctors say is a perfect cure for winter boredom. Let’s get to it:Got a question about Ohio politics/government? Send them by email to tbuchanan@ohiocapitaljournal.com or tweet them to @tylerjoelb.Where are they on Larry Householder’s status? Can he be removed?– Duane Daniel, on Twitter.Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford.Answer: Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, can be removed from office. The status of his possible removal is, well … complicated.This is a topic I’ve explored...WW…

John Locher/APFILE IMAGE: Betting odds for NFL football's Super Bowl 55 are displayed on monitors at the Circa resort and casino sports book, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)10:08 AM, Feb 16, 2021COLUMBUS, Ohio — The was originally published in the Ohio Capital Journal and published on News5Cleveland.com under a content-sharing agreement.Ohio lawmakers are taking a fresh start to approaching the issue of legalized sports gambling in the Buckeye State.There are not yet any specific proposals on the table in 2021. Instead, seven state senators make up...…John Locher/APFILE IMAGE: Betting odds for NFL football's Super Bowl 55 are displayed on monitors at the Circa resort and casino sports book, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)10:08 AM, Feb 16, 2021COLUMBUS, Ohio — The was originally published in the Ohio Capital Journal and published on News5Cleveland.com under a content-sharing agreement.Ohio lawmakers are taking a fresh start to approaching the issue of legalized sports gambling in the Buckeye State.There are not yet any specific proposals on the table in 2021. Instead, seven state senators make up...WW…

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. The term “vaccine passport” refers to showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination that could allow entry into a given place or public event.The vaccine is optional in Ohio, and Gov. Mike DeWine has given no indication the state...…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. The term “vaccine passport” refers to showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination that could allow entry into a given place or public event.The vaccine is optional in Ohio, and Gov. Mike DeWine has given no indication the state...WW…