The Ohio House will hold a full voting session of the chamber at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3rd. Speculation on the return of the members centers around Congressional redistricting.
Ohio House of Representatives Speaker William Batchelder changed the House session calendar removing planned sessions on November 9th and 30th. The House will meet November 15th, 16th and 29th and December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th.
Apportionment Board Joint Secretaries Ray DiRossi and Heather Mann Filed with the Ohio Secretary of State the Newly Proposed Ohio House and Senate Districts. Maps and descriptions are on the Secretary of State’s Website. The Apportionment Board will hold a hearing Monday, September 26, 2011 to hear testimony on the plan. Action on the new districts is expected to finalized later in the week. The Apportionment Board consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and two members of the Legislature. Every ten years after the U.S. Census, the Apportionment Board is required to update General Assembly districts.
09/21/2011 – Wednesday, the Ohio Senate passed H.B. 319 New Congressional Districts with a 24-7 vote. Shortly, thereafter, the Ohio House voted to concur on the consideration of Senate Amendments with a 60-35 vote. During the Senate deliberations, members added an appropriation of $2.75 million to H.B. 319, which is to help local county Boards of Election prepare for new congressional districts. The Text of HB319 .
HB 319 CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING Introduced in the Ohio House and referred to House State Government & Elections Committee - To establish Congressional district boundaries for the state based on the 2010 decennial census of Ohio. En. 3521.01 and to repeal section 3521.01 http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_319_I_Y.pdf
The Ohio House Republicans announced today the selection of Louis Terhar, a retired naval officer for the vacant seat in the 30th House District. Terhar is expected to be sworn in by the House on Wednesday. Terhar is a managing direct of Strategic Planning Advisors LLC, and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Harvard University and Syracuse University.
Speaker of the House William Batchelder (R-Medina) announced the appointment of Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) as chair of the House State Government and Elections Committee. In addition, Huffman announced a series of three hearings on redistricting in September
House Assistant Minority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) discusses a variety of issues, including her new caucus leadership position, her legislative goals for 2010, the importance of economic development, and some advice for other women who might be interested in public service.
The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling on Monday regarding the Governor’s plan to install Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at Ohio’s seven racetracks. The court ruled 6-1 that the enabling legislation from House Bill 1, and the Governor’s Executive Order, are subject to a referendum by the people. The lawsuit was filed by a ballot issue group called LetOhioVote.org.
LetOhioVote.org now has 90 days in which to submit at least 241,366 valid signatures, from at least 44 of the state’s 88 counties. If they are able to get these signatures, the issue will be placed on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
Governor Strickland said in a statement that he was “disappointed” in the court’s decision. However, Mr. Strickland did not reveal whether he would direct the Lottery Commission to move forward with the slots program in the meantime until this issue is put before the voters.
House Minority Leader William Batchelder (R-Medina) shares his thoughts on the Ohio budget process.
Proposed New Ohio Congressional Maps Released Today
Proposed New Ohio Congressional Maps Released Today. 2011 Proposed Ohio Congressional MAP
The proposed new maps were released during the House State Government & Elections Committee. Notable changes include combining the Districts of U.S. Representatives Steve Austria a Republican from Beavercreek and Mike Turner a Republican from Centerville as well as district of U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur a Democrat from Toledo and Dennis Kucinich a Democrat from Cleveland. Ohio is lossing two congressional seats because of population shifts.