News Articles Archives

View By: Date [Category]

Select a category:

Dec 3, 2007 Dispatch - Strickland revisits campaign promises "I own this issue," [Strickland] said yesterday. "I am not going to run away from it or walk away from it. I am not crawling away from it either. I think about it every day. It is my strong commitment to get this done." Columbus Dispatch more
Nov 27, 2007 Dispatch - Legislature hasn't been a house afire this year Ohio lawmakers are on pace to hold fewer sessions and pass fewer bills in 2007 than in any corresponding year for at least a decade. While legislators frequently gather in Columbus for committee hearings and handle a variety of business in their districts, the House will have convened just 37... Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 18, 2007 The Other Paper - Radioactive While his campaign was putting finishing touches on one of the most controversial political ads in Columbus history this weekend, Bill Todd was three time zones away and out of breath. He was in Oregon running the Portland Marathon. Although Todd finished the race, he wasn’t pleased with his... The Other Paper more
Oct 7, 2007 Dispatch - Ex-aide calls 'Ney World' irresistible By 2005, Capitol Hill insider Neil Volz had come to realize that he had to help destroy his former boss, Rep. Bob Ney, to save himself and begin recovering his self-respect. Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 22, 2007 Dispatch - Dann seeks to close third charter school Attorney General Marc Dann yesterday sought to shut down a third tax-funded, privately operated charter school where student performance has been dismal. In a lawsuit filed in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Dann alleged that the Moraine Community School of Dayton has failed in its mission... Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 22, 2007 Dispatch - Ex-BWC official pleads guilty Prosecutors agreed to the deal with McLean in part because of his "extensive" cooperation in a sweeping investigation of scandals at the bureau, said Lara N. Baker, chief prosecutor in the Columbus city attorney's office. Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 13, 2007 Dispatch - Dann's moves to close charter schools called political; Institutions already at risk over poor grades, bookkeeping “We don't want to wait because we don't want to see more tax dollars wasted. We don't want to see kids in failing schools any longer than they have to be. When a kid is in a school where they are not being educated, that's one day too long,” said Leo Jennings III, spokesman for Dann. Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 9, 2007 Dispatch - Backing for president, war sinks further in central Ohio, poll says As America prepares to hear a long-awaited progress report on Iraq and mark another 9/11 anniversary, central Ohioans' disdain for their president and his war stands at an all-time high. Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 7, 2007 Dispatch - Strickland Asks For Expanded Federal Flood Aid For 7 Counties Governor Ted Strickland Thursday asked President Bush to expand federal aid to seven Ohio counties declared major disaster areas because of flooding last month. Ohio News Network more
Sep 6, 2007 ThisWeek Pickerington - Council, board races each attract 7 candidates Pickerington-area voters will see a full ballot in the Nov. 6 election. According to information filed with the Fairfield County Board of Elections, seven people are seeking election to three open seats on Pickerington City Council. This Week - Pickerington more
Aug 19, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Republican Party names Hedges to replace Lutz on ballot Lancaster Republicans have chosen Robert Hedges to replace Bradley Lutz as an at-large candidate for city council in the November election. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Jun 24, 2007 Dispatch - Governor praised for theft response, Experts say his swift action and commitment to sharing details are best way to handle data loss Crisis-management and communications experts generally give Strickland high marks for his handling of the crisis, despite questions about whether his administration took too long to figure out what data was compromised and whether he initially understated the scope of the problem. Columbus Dispatch more
Jun 24, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Education elections open The Ohio School Board's Association is working to get people involved in public education in November. It's a school board election year, and OSBA wants as many people to get involved as possible. That's why the organization is getting its school board candidate campaign under way. Local boards... Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Jun 24, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Jerry Woodgeard, candidate for Mayor Learn about Democratic candidate Jerry Woodgeard in this Eagle-Gazette online special report. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Jun 23, 2007 Dispatch - Legislators settle the easy issues for next budget A special conference committee whipped through a 10-minute hearing yesterday, settling 23 of the easiest-to-resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the $52.3 billion state budget. Columbus Dispatch more
Jun 12, 2007 Dispatch - Governor vows to veto video wagering games Hours after Gov. Ted Strickland threatened to veto legislation that would allow Ohioans to wager on archived horse races via a video console, the speaker of the House declared the bill dead. At the same time, Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dann said devices that function like a slot... Columbus Dispatch more
Jun 8, 2007 Dispatch - School funding amendment- Education groups to pursue fall vote Education groups pushing a constitutional amendment aimed at changing Ohio's school-funding system want the proposal on the ballot this November, not a year later. Columbus Dispatch more
Jun 1, 2007 Dispatch - Brunner asks auditor to help recoup Blackwell gifts On his way out of office as secretary of state, J. Kenneth Blackwell gave parting payments totaling $80,186 to 19 top staffers in December. Jennifer Brunner, his Democratic successor, wants the money paid back. Brunner is seeking to recover the payments on grounds they were illegal, after... Columbus Dispatch more
May 20, 2007 Gazette - Schools responds well to poor 2005 audit, cleaning up its previous Lancaster City Schools officials are ready to move forward with additional plans to organize its finances after a recent 2006 audit showed no findings for recovery. The recent audit follows a 2005 audit that led to the resignation of the school district's treasurer, Scott Osborne. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
May 12, 2007 Dispatch - Ohio Democratic Party ready for role in 2008 In Columbus tonight, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will find an Ohio Democratic Party that actually appears capable of helping her win the presidency next year. Such a proposition was dubious for the party's last two presidential nominees. And in 1996, Clinton's husband, Bill, won Ohio almost in... Columbus Dispatch more
May 6, 2007 Dispatch - Ex-official repays state after being confronted After she was defeated in last year's GOP primary, former state Treasurer Jennette Bradley spent $1,200 in taxpayer money to update her personal resume. Bradley also signed off on spending $5,150 for 23 treasurer's employees to attend a career consulting seminar. The topics included... Columbus Dispatch more
Apr 28, 2007 Blade - Reports show how BWC workers were tied to scandal Hundreds of pages of investigative reports released yesterday by prosecutors reveal how three investment department employees with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation were swept up in the scandal that has gripped the state agency for more than two years. Toledo Blade more
Apr 28, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - County needs poll workers for May 8; This year's turnover higher than normal because of change in Ohio's governor's party Fairfield County elections officials are struggling to recruit enough poll workers for the upcoming election in May. Five hundred workers are needed to run a normal election across the county. Election officials still needed at least 10 poll workers as of Friday for the primary election. But... Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Apr 28, 2007 Pickerington Times-Sun - City Council gives City Manager Gilleland a contract renewal In a meeting April 17, Pickerington City Council unanimously approved the renewal of City Manager Judy Gilleland's contract and authorized her to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Child Advocacy Center of Fairfield County. Fairfield County Democratic Party more
Apr 28, 2007 Pickerington Times-Sun - Issue 9: Charter amendment a worthy move for Pickerington Changing or amending a city charter -- the "constitution" by which a municipality is structured and operates -- is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it something that should happen frequently. That noted, it is also important to maintain the integrity of that document and make sure the... Pickerington Times-Sun more
Apr 28, 2007 Pickerington Times-Sun - Issue 9: Charter amendment a worthy move for Pickerington Changing or amending a city charter -- the "constitution" by which a municipality is structured and operates -- is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it something that should happen frequently. That noted, it is also important to maintain the integrity of that document and make sure the... Pickerington Times-Sun more
Apr 5, 2007 Dispatch - Strickland extends freeze on state's food spending Gov. Ted Strickland today extended his temporary freeze on certain state meal-related expenditures until May 4. It was to have expired today. After learning that the state spent nearly $8.2 million on food and related purchases since July 2003, Strickland last month issued an order temporarily... Columbus Dispatch more
Apr 5, 2007 Dispatch - Elections-panel chief loses bid to stop hearing on his ouster Ohio's attorney general and secretary of state personally went to court yesterday to fight for the right to remove Robert T. Bennett from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Columbus Dispatch more
Apr 5, 2007 Dispatch - Boehner, Hobson clash on Pelosi trip; Ohio Republicans disagree on mission to Syria Rep. David L. Hobson of Springfield, who joined Pelosi and other lawmakers in a meeting yesterday with Syrian President Bashar Assad, disagreed with Boehner that Pelosi "came here to embarrass Bush. I think she came here to reinforce certain policies, understand the region better and have the... Columbus Dispatch more
Apr 1, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Sewer fees may triple by 2020 Lancaster residents will pay higher sewer fees starting next year. The question for city officials is how much and from what source the money will come. The fee hike comes from the Ohio EPA officials telling Lancaster officials they must complete seven projects to meet the agency's requirement... Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Apr 1, 2007 AP - Governor signs transportation budget Governor Strickland this morning signed the state's 7.8 billion-dollar transportation budget for the next two years. The Democrat used his line-item veto on a provision that would have allowed charter schools to create their own transportation districts. Ohio News Network more
Apr 1, 2007 Pickerington Times-Sun - Committee holds economic pact with proposed changes City Council President Keith Smith said he doesn't think the revised agreement the township delivered to the city has enough votes to pass because of how the document describes the use of expenses between the township and the city. Pickerington Times-Sun more
Mar 27, 2007 Third member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections resigns Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner received notice Tuesday from Cuyahoga County Board of Elections member Sally Florkiewicz that she has resigned from the board. The resignation by Florkiewicz, a Republican, leaves fellow Republican Robert T. Bennett as the sole member of the Cuyahoga... Ohio Secretary of State more
Feb 27, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Lancaster City Council: More input, please; Proposed salary increases draw apathetic response Lancaster City Council members want to hear what you think about the proposed pay raises they will be voting on at the next meeting. The proposed salary increase was not brought up by any member of the public during the council meeting Monday night, however, Council members did raise the issue. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Feb 21, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Veteran politicians face off for mayor; Smith and Woodgeard prepare for their second race against each other City Councilman Jerry Woodgeard, D-At Large, filed petitions to run for mayor. He will face Republican Mayor David Smith. Smith has until Thursday to file his petitions, but he said he plans to run for the office again. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Feb 20, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - National City Bank VP to run for city treasurer The race for Lancaster City Treasurer will include a prominent Democrat. Robert C. Wolfinger, 56, has filed petitions to run for the part-time seat now held by Republican Wayne Roller. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Feb 6, 2007 Dispatch - Audit of Blackwell office requested The shredding of documents before J. Kenneth Blackwell left office as secretary of state is one reason his successor wants a complete audit of the office. The new secretary of state, Jennifer L. Brunner, hand-delivered a letter yesterday to Auditor Mary Taylor seeking a top-tobottom review of... Columbus Dispatch more
Feb 6, 2007 Dispatch - New Workers’ Comp bribery accusations surface; Agent charged with paying former official Clarke T. Blizzard showered a former top official at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation with tickets and gifts, including $2,300 cash to his former girlfriend and more than $9,000 for his son’s college tuition, authorities said yesterday. In return, companies that Blizzard represented... Columbus Dispatch more
Jan 30, 2007 Dispatch - Cordray says state owns thousands of pieces of unused property Cordray, who has been in office since Jan. 8, has already done a preliminary inventory of state property in 20 counties. He found 7,364 parcels of state property. He estimated 446 of those could be sold for private development or use for community projects. The McKinley Avenue plot, 12 acres... Columbus Dispatch more
Jan 16, 2007 Blade - Blackwell handed out $80,000 in bonuses as he left office On his way out the door, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell handed 19 of his key employees more than $80,000 in bonuses, even as his replacement, Democrat Jennifer Brunner, said he left her some $1 million short to meet her office’s obligations for this fiscal year. Toledo Blade more
Jan 12, 2007 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - McCain Defends Bush's Iraq Strategy Despite pointed questions from Levin and other Democrats, the testimony of the two top officials drew considerably less consternation than Thursday's testimony from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., told Rice that he feared Bush's plan would be the worst foreign... Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Jan 3, 2007 Eagle-Gazette - Voters may decide fate of economic development agreement PICKERINGTON -The economic development agreement that divided Pickerington City Council for the last half of 2006 will continue to split the council this year. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Dec 30, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Replacement named for Lancaster's 1st Ward, Bobbitt to be second woman on Lancaster Council The residents of Lancaster 1st Ward will have a new councilwoman starting in January. Melody Bobbitt was the unanimous choice to replace John Smith on the City Council. The decision came during a special meeting of the 1st Ward Fairfield County Democratic Central Committee members on Thursday. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Dec 29, 2006 New York Times - Ohio Ruling Denying Pay in Job Injury Draws Debate The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld a KFC franchise’s petition to deny workers’ compensation payments to a teenage boy who was severely burned while cleaning a pressure cooker, raising questions from lawyers and the dissenting judges about the basic no-fault tenet of the state’s workers’ compensation. New York Times more...
Dec 27, 2006 Dispatch - Taft reprimanded for ethics violations The Ohio Supreme Court today publicly reprimanded outgoing Gov. Bob Taft over ethics violations while in office, a black mark that stays on his permanent record as an attorney. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 24, 2006 Blade - Strickland vows end to ‘business as usual’; Innovation viewed as key to development Gov-elect Ted Strickland says he will redirect Ohio’s development spending to the roots of the state’s economic slump: a shortage of the research, ideas, and investment that lead to profitable companies and higher incomes. His administration will gauge its progress with a new “scorecard” focused... Toledo Blade more
Dec 24, 2006 Dispatch - Womer Benjamin appointed to State Board of Education Taft, who leaves office on Jan. 7, appointed Womer Benjamin, 53, as the state’s insurance chief in 2002 after her loss to Democrat Tim Ryan in a northeastern Ohio congressional race. She served in the Ohio House from 1995 to 2003. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 24, 2006 Dispatch - State rules 81 percent of provisional ballots valid About 81 percent of provisional ballots cast statewide in the Nov. 7 election were valid, up from 78 percent that were counted and verified in the 2004 election, the Ohio secretary of state’s office said Friday. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 24, 2006 Dispatch - Issue 2 Backers Want Veto The coalition that backed Issue 2, the minimum-wage constitutional amendment on the November ballot, is now asking Governor Bob Taft to veto the law that would put the amendment into action. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 24, 2006 Associated Press - Strickland Names Two New Cabinet Officers Governor elect Ted Strickland named two new cabinet officers Thursday, including the state's first openly gay agency director. The appointment of Columbus city councilwoman Mary Jo Hudson as insurance director follows a 2004 election in which religious conservatives in the state successfully... Ohio News Network more
Dec 21, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Hybrid position filled for county commissioners Fairfield County will have a new clerk-manager for the county commissioners. Carri Brown was hired on Tuesday by the county to enter the new position, a hybrid that includes the clerk's job, a fiscal element and elements of the old county administrator's position. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Dec 20, 2006 Associated Press - Limits on unions mark Republican lawmakers' last day Bills limiting organizing and political giving by labor unions were Republicans lawmakers' parting gift to Democratic Gov.-elect Ted Strickland on Wednesday. Ohio News Network more
Dec 19, 2006 Blade - Strickland: No tolerance for any Bureau of Workers' Compensation kickbacks Governor-elect Ted Strickland yesterday said managed-care companies should be "terminated" from doing business with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation if investigators determine that the firms have offered kickbacks in exchange for employer referrals. Toledo Blade more
Dec 19, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Council approves budget; staff, services won't be affected City Council unanimously passed its 2007 budget on Monday night. The new budget includes $25,699,635 for the general fund and an additional $70,229,769 for the non-general fund departments. The total budget is $95,929,404. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Dec 18, 2006 Associated Press - Lawmakers grapple with will of the people After voters convincingly approved a minimum-wage increase on the November ballot, lawmakers wrote a bill containing rules that cut a long list of worker categories out of the raise - drawing ire from the ballot issue's backers. "By attempting to insert certain exemptions, this bill is... Ohio News Network more
Dec 18, 2006 Associated Press - Report: Workers' comp bureau not aggressive in kickback probes The state's scandal-plagued fund for injured workers failed to aggressively investigate allegations of kickbacks and other schemes by managed care providers, The (Toledo) Blade reported Sunday. Ohio News Network more
Dec 18, 2006 Blade - BWC scandal riles claimants; Injured workers see millions lost as they fight for help Bureau critics say that the plight of injured workers has deepened because two Republican governors, George Voinovich and Bob Taft, have thrown the system out of balance to reward their business backers. Toledo Blade more
Dec 17, 2006 Dispatch - Analysis of election Thanks to the state’s new no-excuse absentee voting law, Ohioans cast a record number of absentee ballots in last month’s general election, a Dispatch analysis of official returns shows. The analysis also shows that the percentage of provisional ballots cast in the Nov. 7 election increased only... Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 15, 2006 Dispatch - Noe trail leads to Voinovich associate Quarterly payments of $2,500 from convicted coin dealer Thomas W. Noe to a company run by the wife of U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich’s former campaign treasurer are part of an ongoing investigation. The payments were made to an obscure company incorporated in Florida that names as the only... Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 15, 2006 Dispatch - When it comes to bill stuffing, legislators are fruitful During their lame-duck session, lawmakers stuffed 64 provisions into Goodman’s bill, honoring children’s author Robert McCloskey, homeless people, Germans, black people, veterans, farmers, police killed in the line of duty, nurses and, in a compromise, two fruits. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 12, 2006 Dispatch - Discord over wage bill deepens; GOP ignoring voters, labor in writing law, critics say Charges that Republican state lawmakers are making a sweeping end run around Ohio’s minimum-wage amendment fired up Don Coulter yesterday. "What’s the sense of having an election if you’re going to turn back the clock and start all over again?" asked Coulter. The retired steelworker from... Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 11, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Recount ends for fire levy, results remain the same The Fairfield County Board of Elections finished the manual recount of the Greenfield Township fire levy, which failed in the Nov. 7. The results remain unchanged from the final certification Nov. 28. The levy failed by a vote of 1,211 to 1,159. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Dec 11, 2006 Dispatch - Strickland says he won’t cozy up to coal interests When Strickland takes office next month, he might have to deal with a threatened federal takeover of Ohio’s coal programs. But the governor-elect says that if Ohio needs to raise more money to clean up bankrupt mines, he will present coal companies with the bill. Columbus Dispatch more
Dec 7, 2006 ThisWeek Pickerington - Diebold taking blame for invalid election results The Fairfield County Board of Elections recertified official election results last week after an error attributed to the voting machines' manufacturer produced inaccurate final vote counts. According to elections board director Deborah Henderly, Diebold Election Systems failed to notify the... This Week - Pickerington more
Nov 30, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Councilman plans to resign in December One of the councilmen whose election was key to Democrats taking control of Lancaster City Council in 2005 is resigning. John Smith, D-1st Ward, said he was moving to a new home in Perry County after the first of the year. He plans to resign his council seat sometime in December. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Nov 30, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Elections officials correct procedural tabulation error The Fairfield County Board of Elections blames Diebold for errors with the first official vote count of the Nov. 7 general election. Three of the board's four members certified the vote count for the Nov. 7 general election during an emergency meeting Tuesday night. It was the second time... Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Nov 29, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Greenfield Township votes down proposed development The Greenfield Township Zoning Board voted down a proposed development along Plum Road Tuesday, putting its fate into the hands of township trustees. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Nov 29, 2006 Buckeye Lake Beacon - Decision on Liberty Township salvage yard coming soon News bytes from Liberty Township. Buckeye Lake Beacon more...
Nov 16, 2006 The Other Paper - Did we need so many provisional ballots? “The overuse of provisional ballots is an under-the-radar-screen issue right now,” said Sean Greene, research director of Electionline.org, an election-issues think tank. “But any election decided by less than 5 percent of the vote may well ride on how provisional ballots are handled.” The Other Paper more...
Nov 13, 2006 Bush says he's ready to listen on Iraq Monday, November 13, 2006. From the Cleveland Plain Dealer Responding to a humbling election, White House aides said Sunday that President Bush welcomes new ideas about the war in Iraq. Bush will meet today with the 10-member bipartisan Iraq Study Group, led... Ohio Democratic Party more...
Nov 13, 2006 Noe found guilty of theft, forgery, money laundering By Mark Niquette The Columbus Dispatch Monday, November 13, 2006 3:32 PM AP Noe, right, with his lawyer Bill Wilkinson, listens to the jury instructions in court last week. TOLEDO - Coin... Ohio Democratic Party more...
Nov 13, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Noe found guilty of theft, forgery, money laundering Coin dealer Thomas W. Noe today was found guilty of aggravated theft, forgery, tampering with records and money laundering today by a Lucas County jury. Columbus Dispatch more
Nov 8, 2006 Ohio News Network - Strickland Declared Winner of Gubernatorial Race Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland won for governor in scandal-scarred Ohio on Tuesday, ending 16 years of Republican control of the office leading into the 2008 presidential election. Ohio News Network more
Nov 8, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Blackwell loses, and it wasn’t even close Ted Strickland led a Democratic onslaught last night by swamping Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell in the most lopsided governor's race since 1994. Columbus Dispatch more
Nov 3, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Rep. Ney resigns seat Ney pleaded guilty Oct. 13 to conspiracy and making false statements, acknowledging taking trips, tickets, meals and campaign donations from disgraced lobbyist Abramoff in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff clients. Columbus Dispatch more
Nov 3, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Judge rules Ohio counties can scan absentee ballots early All 88 Ohio counties can start scanning absentee ballots before Election Day, a Cuyahoga County judge ordered late today, overruling a state order that had banned early scanning. Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 31, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Endorsement of candidacy: Ted Strickland We need a governor who judges issues on their merits, not his political agenda. We need a leader who can work with both parties and all political perspectives. There's only one man who meets those tests. That man gets our endorsement and should get your vote: Ted Strickland. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Oct 29, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Endorsement of candidacy: Jennifer Brunner Jennifer Brunner offers the better choice as Ohio's next Secretary of State. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Oct 29, 2006 Pickerington Times-Sun - Endorsement: Lupher The Pickerington Times-Sun believes voters should elect Democrat Dennis Lupher as senator from the 31st District. Pickerington Times-Sun more
Oct 28, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Eight local tax requests will be on the ballot Voters in two villages and six townships will decide the fate of eight local tax requests in the Nov. 7 general election. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Oct 28, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Endorsement of candidacy: O'Neill and Espy "We urge your votes for O'Neill and Espy." Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more
Oct 27, 2006 Associated Press - Candidate’s property transfer attracts federal attention A federal bankruptcy trustee is investigating whether a congressional candidate gave property to her family last year to keep it from her creditors. Court files show that state Sen. Joy Padgett transferred her one-third share of her family farm less than a month before she and her husband sought... Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 26, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Judge suspends Ohio’s voter ID law for absentee voting A federal judge today suspended Ohio's new voter identification law as it applies to absentee voting, saying the state's 88 counties are inconsistently applying the new rule in voting that is currently under way. Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 25, 2006 Toledo Blade - Forensic accountant testifies that Noe’s checkbook shows he lived off state coin funds A forensic accountant took jurors through a painstaking walk through Tom Noe's business checkbook this morning, going over line after line of what he allegedly spent the state's money on. Emlyn Neuman-Javornik said this morning that almost all of the checks, written with money from the state's... Toledo Blade more
Oct 25, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Woman who filed complaint asks for dismissal of Strickland voting challenge The northeast Ohio woman who filed a challenge of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ted Strickland's eligibility to vote has asked to have the complaint dismissed, elections officials said. Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 25, 2006 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Issue 4 vs. Issue 5 Statewide; smoking bans raise debate Business owners and voters in Fairfield County are divided over whether a total or partial smoking ban would be the right thing for Ohio. There are two issues on Ohio's Nov. 7 ballot involving statewide smoking bans. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette more...
Oct 24, 2006 Toledo Blade - CPA can't confirm millions in coin sales; She says most deals were not recorded On dozens of occasions since the state gave Tom Noe $50 million, he transferred millions into his personal coin business under the guise of coin sales for which there is little documentation, a forensic accountant testified yesterday. Toledo Blade more
Oct 17, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Investigator: Noe search found fraction of expected coins When state investigators inspected the coins held at Thomas W. Noe's Maumee coin shop in May 2005, they expected to find about $13 million in assets but discovered only about $600,000, a witness in Noe's corruption trial testified this morning. Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 17, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Polls: Brown widens lead over DeWine in Senate race Two polls released today show GOP Sen. Mike DeWine trailing his Democratic rival in a Senate race once considered among the closest in the country. U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown was favored by 53 percent of likely Ohio voters surveyed by The Quinnipiac University Poll, compared to 41 percent who... Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 17, 2006 Toledo Blade - BWC official says he was asked to show executive how to 'double delete' e-mails Tom Wersell, the director of investigations for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, testified this morning that the bureau's chief legal officer asked him to show another executive how to delete e-mails in the weeks after the Tom Noe coin scandal erupted. Toledo Blade more
Oct 17, 2006 Toledo Blade - Prosecutor, defense fire away at Noe trial; 'Swindle' alleged; BWC contract blamed Tom Noe was deep in debt when he convinced the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in 1998 to invest $25 million in rare coins, “setting the stage for one of the biggest swindles” ever committed against the state of Ohio, a Lucas County prosecutor said yesterday. Toledo Blade more
Oct 9, 2006 Ohio's minimum wage: what's at stake at polls What will Issue 2 do? Cleveland Plain Dealer more...
Oct 8, 2006 Toledo Blade - Kidd's 'wrong choice' led to Noe's downfall; Political ties grew into campaign cash scheme Federal prosecutors, aided by Mr. Kidd, proved that Noe poured more than $45,000 into the President's campaign to become a Bush "Pioneer" - a distinction posted on the campaign Web site for those who raised at least $100,000. Toledo Blade more
Oct 7, 2006 Toledo Blade - Judge blocks statements by Noe lawyers; coin audit OK Judge Osowik also denied requests by Noe’s attorneys to bar a handwriting analysis at trial, and evidence of other crimes, including illegal contributions to President Bush’s re-election campaign and a bribe to the former chief financial officer of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Toledo Blade more
Oct 4, 2006 Toledo Blade - Noe's upcoming trial to hear from ex-BWC officials Prosecutors yesterday disclosed the potential witnesses they could call to testify in the trial of former Toledo-area coin dealer Tom Noe, and the list is a virtual "who's who" of past officials of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Fairfield County Democratic Party more
Oct 4, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Federal judge voids part of Ohio's new voter rule A federal judge today struck down a new Ohio voting rule that required naturalized citizens to provide proof of their citizenship if challenged by a poll worker. Columbus Dispatch more
Oct 2, 2006 Dispatch - Strickland’s concern for others springs from his family and faith LUCASVILLE, Ohio — Ted Strickland laughs when asked whether there one day might be a historical marker outside the modest home on Duck Run where he grew up. Boyhood home of Ted Strickland, Ohio’s 68 th governor. Dispatch more...
Oct 1, 2006 Blade - New state law expands absentee balloting Starting Tuesday, voters may cast absentee ballots either by mail or in person to avoid lines on Nov. 7 potentially caused by new identification requirements and new voting machines in some counties. Toledo Blade more
Oct 1, 2006 Columbus Dispatch - Tight races in Ohio may decide fate of Congress; Ouster of Pryce, Chabot crucial for Democrats to win House, analysts say Want to know which party will control the U.S. House next year? Look to Ohio, say Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan pundits. Columbus Dispatch more
Sep 30, 2006 Blade - 40 excused of 175 in Noe jury pool With the trial less than 10 days away, Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Osowik yesterday released 40 potential jurors from the high profile case during a hearing with defense attorneys and prosecutors on pretrial issues. Toledo Blade more
Sep 30, 2006 New York Times - Campaign Cash Mirrors a High Court’s Rulings An examination of the Ohio Supreme Court by The New York Times found that its justices routinely sat on cases after receiving campaign contributions from the parties involved or from groups that filed supporting briefs. On average, they voted in favor of contributors 70 percent of the time.... New York Times more...
Sep 24, 2006 Dispatch - Strickland Strong Ted Strickland leads Ken Blackwell by 19 points, Sherrod Brown leads by a healthy margin and other statewide Democrats are poised for big victories, according to the latest polling from the Columbus Dispatch. The Columbus Dispatch more...
Sep 24, 2006 Beacon Journal - Brown talks tuition during University of Akron visit Sherrod Brown visited the University of Akron to talk to students and propose solutions to the high price of college education - up 68% in Ohio since 2000. The Akron Beacon Journal more...
Sep 22, 2006 Dispatch - Ney's about-face leaves bad taste with voters Republicans in the 18th Congressional District are feeling hurt, angry and betrayed after Bob Ney's guilty plea to corruption charges. They're also gravitating toward Zack Space, the Democrat running for the seat. The Columbus Dispatch more...
Sep 22, 2006 Beacon-Journal - Sutton campaigns on 3 E's The road back to economic health for Northern Ohio is simple: education, ethics and entrepreneurial innovation, according to Betty Sutton, the Democratic nominee for the 13th Congressional District. Ohio Democratic Party more...
Sep 17, 2006 Dispatch - Clinton takes aim at Blackwell Former President Clinton visited Cleveland Saturday to lend his name to a fundraiser that pumped up the campaign coffers for gubernatorial nominee Ted Strickland. The Columbus Dispatch more...
Sep 15, 2006 AP - Strickland calls for changes at BWC U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland would clean up the scandal-scarred state insurance fund for injured workers by replacing its oversight commission with an independent board of directors, he told The Columbus Dispatch for a story Thursday. The Associated Press more...
Sep 14, 2006 Beacon Journal - Quiet, intense races down the ticket Ohio Democrats have a chance to seize control of the Ohio Apportionment Board, the apparatus that controls the drawing of legislative districts, thanks to a strong ticket, from top to bottom. The Akron Beacon Journal more...
Sep 8, 2006 Plain Dealer - Ohio Democratic Party sues Blackwell to unmask attack-ad donors On Thursday, the Ohio Democratic Party sued Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, seeking to unmask donors to a nonprofit group that spent more than $1.5 million last month on anonymously financed TV ads that hammer Rep. Ted Strickland. Ohio Democratic Party more...
Sep 7, 2006 Dispatch - Racism charged in lawsuit in state auditor's race Democrat Barbara Sykes yesterday went to federal court to stop what she said is a racist campaign tactic by Republican Mary Taylor in the state auditor’s race. The Columbus Dispatch more...
Sep 7, 2006 Plain Dealer - Ohio minimum-wage amendment qualifies for Nov. ballot The effort to amend Ohio's Constitution to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 an hour, and provide inflationary increases, easily qualified for the ballot with more than 363,000 valid signatures spread across 69 counties. Cleveland Plain Dealer more...
Sep 5, 2006 Plain Dealer - Cleveland parade showcases Democrats The annual Cleveland Labor Day parade organized by Democratic Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, showcased the party's candidates for statewide office, from gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland to Ben Espy, a candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court. Cleveland Plain Dealer more...
Sep 5, 2006 Enquirer - Democrats hit well-traveled campaign paths Democrats were out in force over the Labor Day weekend, visiting the Coney Island AFL-CIO picnic to mingle with thousands of union families and loyal supporters. Cincinnati Enquirer more...
Sep 3, 2006 Beacon Journal - Brown takes on role of challenger Sherrod Brown has served Ohio in many capacities: State Rep, Secretary of State and now, U.S. Congressman. He hopes to play one more role - Senator. The Akron Beacon Journal more...
Sep 3, 2006 Plain Dealer - Unions plan big push for Democrats The AFL-CIO hopes to shift government co