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Ohio Capital Journal
Increasing the minimum wage will save 4,000 Ohio lives, study says
There may be some drawbacks, but increasing Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 an hour would save 4,000 lives and create a $25 billion benefit to the state economy by 2036, according to a study released last month by Scioto Analysis. A group proposing to increase the minimum wage from the current $10.45 an hour to […] The post Increasing the minimum wage will save 4,000 Ohio lives, study says appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Slow burn — Ohio recreational marijuana dispensaries on way to sales
More than 100 dispensaries in Ohio are on their way to selling recreational marijuana. The Division of Cannabis Control has given provisional licenses to 110 dispensaries so they can sell both medically and recreationally once they receive final approval. Of the 110, Northeast Ohio has 36. Southwest Ohio has 29, and Central Ohio has 18. […] The post Slow burn — Ohio recreational marijuana dispensaries on way to sales appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
With our democracy under siege, this Independence Day was a somber one
July 4th hits different when you’re confronted by the unescapable reality that the American experiment is over in a fundamental way. And no, that isn’t hyperbole if you read the U.S. Supreme court opinion released last week in Trump v. the United States by six right-wing justices, who function more like insular high clerics than thoughtful jurists. The case […] The post With our democracy under siege, this Independence Day was a somber one appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows
Clinic closures in the wake of the Dobbs decision and questions about the legality of emergency contraceptives, including disinformation that some are abortion drugs, may have contributed to a sharp drop in the rate of prescriptions for contraceptives in states with the most restrictive abortion bans, according to a University of California Los Angeles study. The […] The post Confusion, clinic closures may have caused big declines in contraception use, study shows appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?
WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm […] The post ‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills? appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Child care still unaffordable, inaccessible for many in Ohio
Ohio parents are working hard, sometimes at multiple jobs, but most still can’t afford child care, that is if there are child care options at all where they live. A new report from child care advocacy group Groundwork Ohio showed the scarcity of child care and the struggles parents had even when they could obtain […] The post Child care still unaffordable, inaccessible for many in Ohio appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio traffic deaths up compared to ten years ago despite recent declines
The July 4 weekend means Ohio’s roads will be packed with holiday travelers. AAA projects almost 61 million will hit the road and another 10 million have other travel plans. A recent report digging through a decade of traffic fatality data offers a reminder to be patient behind the wheel. The Roadway Information Program, or […] The post Ohio traffic deaths up compared to ten years ago despite recent declines appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
New report looks at underlying causes of Ohio’s violent crimes
Many societal structures and systems can be drivers of violent crimes, according to a new report by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. More than 30,000 violent crimes — including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — were reported in Ohio in 2023. “Even with laws and penalties such as arrest and incarceration in place, […] The post New report looks at underlying causes of Ohio’s violent crimes appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
2024’s violent tornado season has been one of the most active on record
Spring 2024 was unnerving for people across large parts of the U.S. as tornado warnings and sirens sent them scrambling for safety. More than 1,100 tornadoes were reported through May − a preliminary number but nearly twice the 30-year average at that point and behind only 2011, when deadly tornado outbreaks tore across the southeastern […] The post 2024’s violent tornado season has been one of the most active on record appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Arkansas OB-GYN says proposed abortion-rights amendment could revive standard of care
Of the several state abortion-rights initiatives trying to make it to the ballot this November, Arkansas’ is perhaps the most controversial among reproductive justice advocates, as it would reinstate an abortion policy more restrictive than under Roe v. Wade. Attempting to also appeal to the conservative voters of the deep red, heavily gerrymandered state, Arkansans for Limited Government’s proposed Arkansas […] The post Arkansas OB-GYN says proposed abortion-rights amendment could revive standard of care appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Florida U.S. Rep. Luna changes course in campaign against attorney general
WASHINGTON — Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna plans to force a vote as early as next week to invoke the House’s rarely used power of “inherent contempt” to levy a daily fine against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in an attempt to obtain audio tapes from a Justice Department special counsel’s interview of President […] The post Florida U.S. Rep. Luna changes course in campaign against attorney general appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Economic benefits of eliminating Ohio income tax questioned
Some Ohio lawmakers have proposed eliminating the state income tax, saying it would strengthen the economy. But a majority of economists surveyed on the matter disagree. Republican lawmakers in both houses of the General Assembly filed a bill that would eliminate the income tax and the commercial activities tax by 2030 on the rationale that […] The post Economic benefits of eliminating Ohio income tax questioned appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
As capital budget passes with more jail funding, Ohio incarceration ranks above most U.S. states
A new report comparing incarceration rates in the U.S. and globally showed Ohio above many states and some countries, including the United States itself. The Prison Policy Initiative released a report looking at the populations of state prisons, local jails, federal detention centers and other “systems of confinement” in the U.S. – which they found […] The post As capital budget passes with more jail funding, Ohio incarceration ranks above most U.S. states appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Member who resigned from Ohio teachers’ pension fund concerned about controversial investment firm
The member who resigned from Ohio’s chaotic teachers’ pension board differed from reform-minded leaders, sharing concerns about giving billions of dollars to an “illegitimate” investment firm. Both the proposed controversial firm and the current system aren’t good financial options for the state’s educators, Steve Foreman told us in an exclusive interview. Of the 11 members […] The post Member who resigned from Ohio teachers’ pension fund concerned about controversial investment firm appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Black economic boycotts of the civil rights era offer lessons on how to achieve a just society
Signed into law 60 years ago, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination in the U.S. based on “race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.” Yet, as a historian who studies social movements and political change, I think the law’s most important lesson for today’s movements is not its content but rather how it […] The post Black economic boycotts of the civil rights era offer lessons on how to achieve a just society appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling
WASHINGTON — A New York judge agreed Tuesday to delay the criminal sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the state hush money case after Trump claimed the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision absolves him. New York Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, ordered the delay until Sept. 18 so the court could hear arguments […] The post Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout
WASHINGTON — Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett called for President Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee Tuesday, becoming the first congressional Democrat to do so after Biden’s poor performance in last week’s presidential debate that has sent the party reeling four months before the November presidential election. Biden has acknowledged a shaky debate […] The post Texas U.S. House member calls for Biden to withdraw amid debate fallout appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
After saying proposal to increase minimum wage failed to make Ohio ballot, organizers backtrack
After the organizers for the proposal to raise the minimum wage in Ohio to $15 said they failed to meet the requirements to get on the November ballot, they backtracked and said their team is going to look at all options prior to the 11:59 p.m. deadline. This story has been updated numerous times, as […] The post After saying proposal to increase minimum wage failed to make Ohio ballot, organizers backtrack appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Putin foe: Ohio’s Vance is repeating Kremlin talking points on sanctions
Few westerners know what a bad guy Vladimir Putin is better than Bill Browder — or what it’s like to get on the Russian autocrat’s bad side. And Browder says that Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance’s positions regarding Russia sound eerily like Putin’s own. Browder is the co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, and was declared […] The post Putin foe: Ohio’s Vance is repeating Kremlin talking points on sanctions appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
What happens next if U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance is tapped for Vice President
In two weeks, the Republican National Convention meets in Milwaukee, and it may shake up the political landscape here in Ohio. Although there’s no doubt about the top of the ticket, former President Donald Trump has indicated he plans to select a Vice President before or during the nominating convention. U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-OH, […] The post What happens next if U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance is tapped for Vice President appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
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The Ohio Capital Journal is a hard-hitting, independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to connecting Ohioans to their state government and its impact on their lives. The Capital Journal combines Ohio state government coverage with relentless investigative journalism, deep dives into the consequences of policy, political insight, and principled, progressive commentary. All those cheesy journalism aphorisms about reporters being the eyes and ears of the people in the halls of power? We believe them, deeply. We also deeply believe in sharing the stories of people outside the halls of power, connecting the actions of state leaders to their impacts on Ohioans. The Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Ohio Capital Journal retains editorial independence.
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