The fund through which Ohio pays out benefits to people who’ve lost their jobs went broke during the Great Recession. And state lawmakers have been working to figure out how to shore up that fund so the state doesn’t have to turn to the feds again in another downturn. Statehouse correspondent Andy Chow is here to explain the latest deal – and how no one seems to be happy about it.
Since central Ohio Republican Congressman Pat Tiberi announced last week he’s leaving office by the end of January, the list of those who want to replace him as grown, but Democrats say they've made inroads in this solidly Republican district. House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) is considering running for auditor. The state parole board has voted 11-1 to recommend Gov. John Kasich deny clemency to Alva Campbell Jr., the next inmate scheduled to be executed in Ohio.
Ten months ago state lawmakers created a bipartisan panel with the power to review the state budget and make recommendations for ending billions in tax loopholes. That group finally met for the first time last week. The group will review more than 120 credits, exemptions and other tax breaks in the budget, which add up to around $9 billion a year. The six-member panel includes four Republicans and two Democrats. I talked to two of them after their first meeting – Republican Rep. Tim Schaffer of Lancaster and Democratic Rep. John Rogers of Mentor-on-the-Lake.