Stateline Headlines

Ohioans have personal stake in immigration reform

Liquor-treat legalization draws fire

State covers health insurance for many foes of expanding Medicaid

Ohio Statehouse could get tighter security

PA, five other states plan distracted driving enforcement blitz

Reckoning the relative costs of Ohio Medicaid expansion

Kasich’s order borrowed from two bills

Ohioans have personal stake in immigration reform

IRS scrutinized pro-Kasich group

Ohio House Republicans propose more abortion restrictions

Task force urges state panel be created to evaluate death penalty prosecutions

Experts say final work on Ohio's budget will happen mostly behind closed doors

'Right to Work' and a test for Republicans

Reckoning the relative costs of Ohio Medicaid expansion

Lawmakers host hearing on Oregon earthquake plan

Ohio receives $169 million to expand Medicaid home-care program

Kasich takes a victory lap at 130 mph on repaved test track

GOP legislators prepare bill to add hurdles to abortion in Ohio

Ohio may allow car insurance proof by smartphone

Ohio House Republicans propose more abortion restrictions

Bill would make money laundering at casinos illegal

Kasich: Major businesses ‘don’t care’ about state job-vacancy survey

State might expand protection for highway workers

Medicaid effort takes step forward

Proposed database would let Ohio taxpayers monitor state spending online, penny by penny

Ohio House Republicans propose more abortion restrictions

State must act fast on Medicaid

Legislator proposes Ohio database of gamblers’ photos

House, Senate tax cut proposals would have varying effects

Ohio extends contract with company that helps run lottery games, but not without debate

Former Attorney General Marc Dann reinstated to practice law in Ohio

Ohio budget could bring facial-recognition to state's casinos

Big choices ahead on taxes, schools, abortion

Kasich on defense this time around

Kasich acts to open more doors to veterans

Ohio plans program to help fund nonprofits

Feds belatedly send $67 million in disaster funds to Utah, Colorado, 12 other states

Kasich on defense this time around

Taxes, schools, abortion: Legislators face big choices

Ohio Senate passes its version of the state's two-year budget

State Rep. Tom Letson suggests that Ohio Gov. John Kasich wanted campaign kickbacks from Bureau of Workers' Compensation rebate recipients

Medicaid expansion unlikely to be in budget, but it's far from dead

When will gay marriage be back on Ohio's ballot? A closer look at the 2 most likely scenarios

Medicaid expansion is a jobs issue, too

GOP, Kasich at odds over nursing-home performance

New severance-tax plan offers aid to 33 counties

The state budget: Senate OKs $61.7B bill; conference comes next

Breadth of surveillance troubles Ohio lawmakers

Ohio Senate OKs $61.7B budget, sends to more talks

Ohio Senate set to vote on its version of Kasich's budget

Who might succeed State Sen. Nina Turner if she runs for secretary of state next year?

Ohio Senate passes its version of the state's two-year budget

The fight isn’t over

Ohio could get millions in early-education funds

Law license may be in limbo for ex-legislator who drove drunk

Democrats dispute Husted’s report of no voter suppression

Budget bill lets schools keep option of challenging property valuations

Local governments warn of more cuts, higher taxes

Ohio Senate set to vote on its version of Kasich's budget

Bill would expand secrecy on economic development deals

Gov. John Kasich signs Internet cafe law, but opponents vow referendum effort

Ohio Senate aims to ban abortion providers from transferring patients to public hospitals

As North Carolina Weighs Fracking, Questions Loom on Wastewater

Once a well is fracked, where does the waste go? Coastal communities in North Carolina are worried they’ll become dumping grounds.

Obama Administration Poised to Approve Arkansas-style Medicaid Expansions

The Obama Administration is inviting states to apply for Arkansas-style Medicaid expansions in an effort to woo those balking at traditional Medicaid expansion.

Expanding Medicaid with Private Insurance

Arkansas and Ohio are pursuing a “private option” for expanding Medicaid.

Should Public Workers Have to Live Where They Work?

Municipal residency requirements have gradually become less common. State efforts to ban them can get ugly as cities fight to maintain their middle class population base.

Ohio State of the State Address 2013

LIMA, Ohio -- Feb. 19 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Ohio Redistricting Overhaul Gains Support

Even if Ohio approves changes to its system for drawing legislative and congressional district lines, it will be a decade before they go into effect. That is one of the major reasons the changes have a chance to pass.

Ohio Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion

Governor John Kasich will press lawmakers to expand Ohio’s Medicaid system, becoming the fifth Republican governor to endorse that key component of President Obama’s controversial health law.

Gas Tax Loses Favor as Governors Look for New Transportation Money

In the search for more transportation money, governors and state lawmakers are largely avoiding one of the most obvious and straightforward funding sources: state gasoline taxes.

Economic Development Agencies Face New Scrutiny

When Wisconsin partially privatized its Department of Commerce last year, the hope was to create a less bureaucratic job creation organization. Since then, though, the new entity has faced a series of setbacks.

In Massacre’s Wake, Michigan Governor Vetoes Concealed Pistol Bill

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons into schools and other places that are off limits under current state law.

Another Mass Shooting Revives Debate on Gun Laws

Another mass shooting is fueling another debate about the nation’s patchwork of gun laws. But this time some new and prominent faces are calling for the stricter gun measures.

Ohio Awaits Turnpike Study

Many Ohioans are eagerly awaiting the results of a yearlong study on the future of the Ohio Turnpike, but almost everybody, it seems, assumes that the study will call for privatization of the 241-mile-long toll road.

In Some States, Election Season Could Linger Long After Tuesday

Here’s a look at several states whose elections may remain undecided long after Tuesday night.

Supreme Court Denies Ohio Plea to Shorten Early Voting

The U.S. Supreme Court has rebuffed Ohio’s last-ditch attempt to shorten its early voting period, confirming victory for the Obama Administration which argued the move would disproportionally affect minority and low-income would-be voters — those more likely to vote Democratic.

Ohio Must Count “Right Place Wrong-Precinct” Ballots, Fed Court Says

Ohio elections officials must count provisional ballots with errors caused by elections officials, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

Supreme Court Considers Competency in Death Penalty Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments from Ohio and Arizona that federal judges should not be allowed to indefinitely stay a death sentence even if there are questions about an inmate’s mental competency.

Federal Court Reinstates Early Voting in Ohio

Ohio counties can keep polls open for early voting the three days before Election Day, a federal appeals court ruled Friday, handing Democrats another victory in their battle to undo new restrictions on voting passed by Republican-led state legislatures.

States Defend Anti-Terrorism Centers After Harsh Senate Report

Law enforcement agencies and state officials defended regional information-sharing offices known as “fusion centers” as a key part of the nation’s homeland security network. A Senate report questioned the value of the fusion centers, which they found had “not produced useful intelligence.”

Michigan Addresses Head Injuries in Youth Sports

Michigan is poised to join the growing list of states addressing head injuries in youth sports.

Feds Slam Wisconsin Public-Private Partnership for Economic Development

Transferring control of Wisconsin’s economic development efforts from a state agency to a new public-private partnership was a focus of Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and one of the first things he accomplished when he took office.

California Scales Back Pension Benefits

A law signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday will scale back retirement benefits for public employees in an effort to rein in the costs of the state’s woefully underfunded pension systems.

Democrats Seeking Comeback in State Legislatures

Republicans won landslide victories in legislative chambers two years ago. Democrats hope to reverse some of the results in November. In many states, though, it won’t be easy.

Farmers, Frackers and Scarce Water

Hydraulic fracturing by energy drillers may not be the heaviest consumer of water on parched land. But environmentalists and some farmers are starting to worry about it.

Best of #StateReads: California Mental Health Money Spent Elsewhere

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Choices Often Limited in ‘School Choice’ Programs

Many top private schools have chosen not to participate in statewide voucher and scholarship tax credit programs in states such as Ohio, Louisiana and Florida.

Best of #StateReads: California Parks Director Resigns After Budget Revelations

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

States Find Laws Against Sports Head Injuries Tricky to Enact

Everyone wants to reduce the number of head injuries suffered by young athletes. But deciding just how to do that is more complicated than it might seem.

Best of #StateReads: Iowa Felons Struggle for Voting Rights

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Several U.S. States Deemed Best Global Oil and Gas Investments

Oklahoma is the best place on earth to invest in oil and gas development, according to a survey of energy executives. Six other states joined it in the top 10.

Natural Gas Growth Adds Strain to State Regulators

To keep pace with a surge of natural gas drilling, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking to triple its staff of well inspectors. In many other states, inspection teams remain small while wells go unchecked.

States Scramble to Regulate Fracking

As natural gas drilling expands throughout the country, states are trying to balance economic and environmental interests. Finding agreement isn’t easy.

Infographic: A Turning Point for Gay Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have won big victories in state courts and state capitals in recent years. Now, they’re hoping to extend that success to the ballot box.

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Ohio Governor Declines Federal Disaster Aid

TODAY'S TAKE: While the governors of Indiana and Kentucky accepted federal disaster relief after devastating tornadoes, Ohio Governor John Kasich declined, saying his state could handle the recovery on its own.

Ohio State of the State Address 2012

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Feb. 7 - Following is a transcript of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Well, thank you, Mr. President, and Mr. Speaker. Thank you members of the General Assembly, my partners in moving Ohio forward. How about that cabinet? Thanks for coming ov

Minimum Wage Set to Rise in Eight States

TODAY'S TAKE: Workers in eight states will see slightly larger paychecks beginning January 1, thanks to laws requiring minimum wages to rise with inflation.

Kasich Discovers Perks and Perils of State Plane Travel

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Reporters and political opponents love to scrutinize how governors use state planes, but Ohio Governor John Kasich's office says his frequent use of the aircraft helps him do his job more effectively.

Drive to Reverse SB 5 in Ohio Is Labor's Last, Best Hope for 2011 Win

A law enacted by Republicans in Ohio this spring represents one of the most dramatic challenges to organized labor anywhere in the nation in 2011. But it may be repealed by voters next week.