The State of Ohio is a weekly news program spotlighting the latest happenings at the Statehouse, in the Governor’s office, at the Ohio Supreme Court and throughout the Buckeye State. Award-winning host Karen Kasler presents viewers with unique analysis and thoughtful perspective on important issues of statewide interest through interviews with political leaders, newsmakers, experts and Ohio citizens. The State of Ohio is the only TV show to bring to Ohioans the latest news about taxes, voting, education and other critical matters from where it all happens -- Capitol Square.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Topics: Politics, Other
Short URL  Share Leave a Comment

The Ohio Supreme Court will settle the issue of whether cities can target areas where carry concealed weapons aren’t allowed. The justices heard arguments this week over a 2006 law that shot down some 80 local ordinances passed after the concealed-carry weapons ban went into effect in 2004. The bills that would crack down on payday lenders in Ohio haven’t moved, but public hearings on the issue go on. This week the venue was a church in Columbus, where Attorney General Marc Dann and Rep. Tyrone Yates of Cincinnati heard from supporters and opponents of the quick-loan industry. Attorney General Marc Dann has drawn a lot of interest in the last few days, because of sexual harassment claims filed by two women who worked in his office. The women say Dann’s general services director Anthony Gutierrez made suggestive remarks to them, touched them inappropriately and pressured them for sex in exchange for helping them get their jobs. The House has finalized a long-awaited energy plan to restructure the electricity industry and increase renewable energy investments in the state.

After lawmakers announced they’d be nicking most of the money in the state’s anti-tobacco agency’s budget to pay for an economic stimulus package, the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation lit into those plans with a daring counterattack – transferring the funds away from state officials. Lawmakers and the governor fought back, and now the fight has been frozen by a judge.

These last few months have seen some of the worst economic news in years, with jobless rates around the state above the national average, and record numbers of foreclosures. Helen Jones-Kelley, the director of the state’s Department of Job and Family Services, talks about dealing with these gloomy statistics.

The orange barrels are starting to bloom along Ohio’s highways, marking the start of the most expensive construction season in state history. But ODOT director James Beasley says the costs of construction projects continue to climb, but state gas tax revenues are flattening, so other ideas to fund highway work have to be considered.

Leave a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to ideastream's discussion rules and terms of use. Name:

Email:

Comment:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

Send questions and comments to kkasler@statehousenews.org.