Statehouse News Bureau

The "Backpack Bill" is being considered by Ohio lawmakers, and some supporters are hoping it gets included in the new two-year state budget.

Hundreds spoke out or filed written testimony against the bill to make changes in higher education in Ohio, and its sponsor said some of their concerns will be addressed, but other provisions will remain.

The 19-member Ohio State Board of Education voted on a resolution opposing a Republican-backed bill to overhaul the education department, after Democrats won a majority of the board’s 11 elected seats last fall.

NoLabels is well-funded and hasn’t committed to running a presidential campaign next year, but plans to file paperwork in all 50 states.

Gov. Mike DeWine says the current law, which bans abortion at the point fetal electronic cardiac activity is present, is out of step with many voters.

There was no income tax cut in Gov. Mike DeWine's initial plan, but Republicans in the House and Senate have said they want to see one.

There have been no executions in Ohio while Gov. Mike DeWine has been in office, but he hasn't said he's opposed to the state's death penalty law, which he helped put in place.

Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) is the new head of the Ohio House Constitutional Resolutions Committee, after Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) removed the previous chair.

The House and Senate nearly unanimously voted to approve the two-year transportation budget, after a conference committee worked out differences that could have slowed down its progress.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he's generally opposed to August special elections, but if lawmakers want to revive them for a vote to make amending the constitution harder before a reproductive rights amendment this fall, he's ok with that.