The iOpener: State Budget Deal Imminent; DeWine: Trump Tweet Inappropriate

Good morning, iOpeners.  It's Tuesday, July 16, 2019.  Fifty years ago today, Apollo 11 lifted off on its mission to the moon.

Gov. Mike DeWine offered mild criticism of fellow Republican President Trump’s tweet that suggested four Congresswomen of color should “go back” to the countries they came from. He told WKYC TV Channel 3 it was “inappropriate.” Other Ohio Republicans went further. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Rocky River called the president’s comments “wildly inappropriate” and divisive; Rep. Dave Joyce of Bainbridge Township called them “wrong;” and Rep. Mike Turner from Dayton said Trump’s tweets were racist and called on him to apologize.

A budget deal appears imminent at the Statehouse. The Columbus Dispatch reports lawmakers could pass the two-year spending plan just hours before a stopgap budget expires.  Republican leaders of the House and Senate missed the June 30 deadline for approving the $69 billion spending plan due to disagreements over income tax cuts, a business tax deduction and education spending priorities. They approved a 17-day temporary budget instead. It expires tomorrow. 

The federal judge in Cleveland who’s overseeing hundreds of lawsuits against drug makers and distributors has ordered the public release of years of opioid drug sales data. U.S. District Judge Dan Polster’s order applies only to opioid sales on or before Dec. 31, 2012. Polster ordered both sides to propose a new protection order for more recent sales data and for federal reports of suspiciously large pill orders. His action follows a federal appellate court’s ruling last month that vacated a protective order on the data. Plaintiffs have relied on it to make their case that drug makers and distributors created the opioid crisis by flooding the market with prescription pain pills. Drug companies argue a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling supports their argument that the information is private and should be kept confidential. 

The Cavaliers have waived colorful shooting guard J.R. Smith, ending his eventful tenure with the team. The Cavs have been trying to trade Smith for months, but the team couldn't find the right package.  The released him before his $15.6 million contract became guaranteed.  The move allows the Cavs to stay under the salary cap and avoid paying luxury taxes. Smith will be remembered for making two critical three-pointers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Championships, which the Cavs claimed after a historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit.  He'll also be remembered for a mistake in the 2018 finals when he mistakenly dribbled out the clock at the end of regulation in a tie game that Cleveland lost in overtime.

The Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers, 8-6. Rookie outfielder Oscar Mercado shook off a slump and hit two home runs, including a seventh-inning blast that broke a 5-all tie. Mercado came into the game in a 1-for-25 skid. The game was delayed for 54 minutes by heavy rain. 

Weather forecast for Cleveland: Increasing clouds, with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms early this afternoon.  High 87.  Tonight, rain, with some storms capable of producing heavy rain.  Low 73.  Tomorrow, rain, with more downpours likely.  High 84.