Latest news with #USATODAYNetworkOhioBureau
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohioans' COVID-19 unemployment checks in limbo again, despite judge's order
Whether Ohioans will receive an estimated $900 million in federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits remains up in the air — despite a judge's recent order to dole out the money. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the federal government distributed an additional $300 per week for unemployment benefits on top of what states were providing. Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, cut off that program 10 weeks earlier than the September 2021 end date, forgoing about $900 million in benefits. Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, a Democrat, sued over those payments, saying DeWine had no authority to cut Ohioans off early. The lawsuit has taken years to resolve, but last week, a Franklin County judge said DeWine should ask President Donald Trump's administration to reinstate those prematurely ended payments. Shortly after, DeWine's administration appealed that decision. And on Monday, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael J. Holbrook put his decision on hold while the appeal is sorted out. "While this court believes that the entry of a partial stay is in the best interest of all the parties, it is compelled to act within the bounds of the law," Holbrook wrote in his decision. Ohio Assistant Attorney General Ann Yackshaw said during a Monday hearing that Ohio "can't unring that bell" if they were to distribute unemployment compensation payments only to have an appeals court say the issue is moot. Dann had argued Ohio has the option to claw back payments if an appeals court sides with the DeWine administration. Ohio's unemployment compensation system has been clawing back money because of unemployment scams that occurred during the pandemic. "The status quo at the moment is governor, go get the money," said Dann, who has also asked the appeals court to release the benefits. But at least for now, the governor will not be going to get that money. Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: $900M in COVID unemployment benefits for Ohioans in limbo again
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plan for K-12 education funding in Ohio takes shape as budget hearings begin
The debate over how to pay for K-12 ublic education has resumed in Ohio, as hearings over the state budget continue this week. The amount of money a school district receives from the state is determined by a formula developed by former state representatives Robert Cupp and John Patterson in 2017. The funding plan is based on many factors, such as where students are educated, their needs and demographics. The formula provides more money to districts without the means to raise money locally and uses property values and income to decide the money the state provides. The plan was meant to be phased in, with lawmakers voting on it every two years, but this last phase of funding may not be approved as House Speaker Matt Huffman has said he doesn't believe the spending is sustainable. Gov. Mike DeWine supports continuing the Cupp-Patterson formula, but gradually reducing the funding guarantee in his two-year budget plan. Dewine's plan would provide $23.4 billion for 2026 and 2027 and would reduce the guarantee to 95% in 2026 and 90% in 2027. It's still early in the debate, but some Republican lawmakers have expressed interest in "tweaking" the funding formula. Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Township, said at a budget hearing Thursday the current school funding formula is inadequate and inequitable and that property taxes are a burden on Ohioans. Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake, said she wants to be careful about shifting the burden of inflation onto local school districts. "I just see if we do not adjust for inflation, but we're gonna ask our locals to, we're going to shift all the burden and we are not gonna have schools. I mean, we have to fix the system," she said at the hearing. Stephen Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, said the department wanted to start the budget process by planning for the final two years of the Cupp-Patterson plan with small adjustments and that there is the chance to take a deeper look. Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio officials resume debate over school funding, inflation
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Conception Begins at Erection Act': Ohio Democrats push bill regulating male reproduction
Two Ohio lawmakers are proposing a bill to make ejaculation illegal in some circumstances. Shocking? That's kind of the point. Ohio Rep. Anita Somani, D-Dublin, posted a video on social media about introducing a bill to make it illegal to "discharge semen or genetic material without the intent to fertilize an embryo." Somani compared the bill to regulating abortion access, saying in her post that the legislation would hold men accountable for their role in unwanted pregnancies. "Fair is fair, right? If this legislature is so dedicated to regulating women's bodies and their access to contraceptives then let's start policing men in the same way," Somani said in the video. The bill's other sponsor, Rep. Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, said the bill highlights the difference in the way men's bodies and women's bodies are discussed. The bill would be called the "Conception Begins at Erection Act." It has not yet been introduced, so the text is not available, though at least one Republican lawmaker has pushed back on social media. Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, posted on X that Ohio Democrats "want to treat people differently based on sexual orientation" and that some of his colleagues "clearly missed biology class." Somani currently works as an obstetrician-gynecologist. It's not the first time a lawmaker has attempted to regulate male reproduction. Nina Turner, former Ohio state senator, introduced a bill in 2012 to require men to see a sex therapist and get a cardiac stress test before getting a prescription for Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs. Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio lawmakers propose bill to regulate erections
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio Republican lawmakers want to make major changes to marijuana law approved by voters
Ohio would impose a higher tax on recreational marijuana and limit home grow under a new bill that marks a major departure from the law approved by voters in 2023. Senate Bill 56, introduced Tuesday by Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, increases the excise tax on adult-use cannabis products from 10% to 15%, with all revenue going into the state general fund. Ohio currently directs marijuana dollars to several different pots, including one to support municipalities with dispensaries. The proposal also: Allows people to grow no more than six plants at home, down from the current maximum of 12. Eliminates the social equity and jobs program, which aims to promote diversity in the marijuana industry and support those who were disenfranchised by prohibition. Requires anyone transporting adult-use marijuana and paraphernalia to store it in the trunk of their car. Reduces the THC product cap from from 90% to 70%. Permits smoking and vaping only in private residences, unless they're child care facilities or rentals that ban marijuana combustion. Current law already prohibits smoking in public places, similar to the tobacco ban. Caps the number of active dispensaries to 350 and requires them to sell both adult-use and medical marijuana. Does not require the Division of Cannabis Control to set rules for delivery and online ordering. Recreational marijuana sales in Ohio began last summer, months after voters legalized it for adults 21 and older. Total sales were nearing $300 million as of Saturday, according to data from the Division of Cannabis Control, and the average price of flower sat around $192 per ounce. The voter-approved measure was an initiated statute, not a constitutional amendment, which means lawmakers can tweak as much or as little as they want. Potential changes stalled last year because of Republican infighting, but the Legislature's new GOP leaders generally support overhauling the marijuana law. This story will be updated. Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio bill would increase recreational marijuana tax, limit home grow
