Capital Blog

Kasich on Taxes, Medicaid Expansion, Obamacare

mkovac — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:13:37 +0000

Gov. John Kasich talks to reporters about the state’s biennial budget legislation, voicing his support for tax cuts for businesses and individuals and an expansion of Medicaid.

And here are Kasich’s comments to NFIB Ohio earlier:

Kasich at 120 mph+

mkovac — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:57:59 +0000

Here’s my 4-minute or so ride around the Transportation Research Center test track out near Honda in Marysville. Speeds of about 120 mph over 7.5 miles:

Gov. John Kasich takes a spin on the resurfaced testing track out near Honda in Marysville. Apologies for the terrible audio — wind was blowing right into my FlipCam. Can’t hear much of what he has to say at times.

Budget Concerns

mkovac — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:55:59 +0000

Press featuring Catherine Turcer from Common Cause Ohio, Democratic state Rep. Mike Foley, ACLU Associate Director Gary Daniels and Progress Ohio’s Brian Rothenberg, all discussing their concerns with the provisions added by Republican lawmakers to the state budget:

Kasich on Vets, Job Training, “Cool”

mkovac — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:52:35 +0000

Gov. John Kasich talks about what the state is doing to open job opportunities to draw people to Ohio to live.

Col. Tom Moe, who serves as director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, offers comments on an executive order signed by Gov. John Kasich to determine ways to provide education credits to military men and women for training they received in the service that could be put to use in jobs in Ohio.

And here’s Kasich on that executive order:

Senate President on the Budget

mkovac — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:41:30 +0000

Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) talks about the $61 billion-plus biennial budget bill passed by the chamber and headed for conference committee negotiations.

And here, Faber discusses language added to the budget increasing criminal penalties against kennel owners that abuse animals in their care. The amendment differs from a standalone bill, Nitro’s Law, in that it does not allow felony charges in cases of starvation and dehydration. Faber explains why.

Right to Work Hearing

mkovac — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:44:23 +0000

Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) warns audience members about outbursts during a hearing on right-to-work bills.

Jaladah Aslam, a union worker from Youngstown, said the bills are “absolutely wrong for all working Ohioans, not just unions.”

Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) sums up here right-to-work legislation for reporters following what is expecting to be the only hearing for the bills before the House’s Manufacturing and Workforce Development Committee.

Here are my clips from the hearing. Not complete, as my battery was running low.

Senate GOP School Funding Formula

mkovac — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:13:08 +0000

Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) and Sens. Chris Widener (R-Springfield) and Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) unveil the chamber’s school funding proposal, saying it provides more funding for schools than any other state budget in the past decade or more.

Faber on JobsOhio Amendment

mkovac — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:46:09 +0000

Republican Senate President Keith Faber answers reporters’ questions on a variety of topics, including an amendment added to legislation to block the state auditor from accessing the full financial books of JobsOhio, the nonprofit created by lawmakers and Gov. John Kasich to spearhead the state’s economic development efforts.

Local Govt Cuts

mkovac — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:43:32 +0000

Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters President Mark Sanders and Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald urge lawmakers to increase local government funding during a press conference near the Statehouse. Warren firefighter Jeff Younkins also offers comments.

src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/IBGAmQZWepY” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen>

Republican Senate President Keith Faber responds:

Medical Marijuana

mkovac — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:53:26 +0000

Rep. Bob Hagan joins representatives of the Ohio Rights Group to voice support for the legalization of medical marijuana: