Blade | State government – Page 2

Web page keeps former Ohioans close to home

Posted on September 13, 1998 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 13 STEUBENVILLE, O. — Calling all Toledoans in Tulsa, Clevelanders in California, and Akronites in Atlanta. Rick Platt wants you to come back to Ohio. “This is a great place to live,” he said. “Too many people have left over the years.” He’s getting his message out to […]

Legislators vent anger over break at prison; Warden tells of errors that permitted escape firm’s official is ‘very, very sorry’

Posted on August 5, 1998 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 3 COLUMBUS — The men and women who run Youngstown’s private prison said they are “very, very sorry” about last month’s escape of five murderers, but they still got quite a talking-to by Ohio legislators yesterday. “You are very fortunate that none of these men killed anybody, because […]

State can’t shut prison, report says; Youngstown wants site to stay open

Posted on August 4, 1998 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 1 COLUMBUS — The state of Ohio has no easy way to shut the violence-riddled private prison in Youngstown, and local officials want to see it stay open, state officials said yesterday. “It is apparent that there is no legal action the state could pursue to immediately close […]

Corrections union wants Ohio to ban private prisons

Posted on August 1, 1998 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 3 COLUMBUS — The union that represents Ohio’s corrections workers is asking the state to ban new private prisons because of a Youngstown facility’s problems with violent and escaping inmates. Calling them “wasteful, dangerous experiments,” Ernie Conner of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association said private prisons lag […]

Senate passes bill revamping port authorities

Posted on May 14, 1998 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton and Jack Baessler Blade Staff Writers Page 1 COLUMBUS — By a 31-2 vote, the state Senate approved a bill supporters say will modernize and reform the way port authorities in Ohio are set up. One provision, potentially affecting the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, will allow port board members to live and […]

Issue 2 attracts serious money; Supporters winning race for donations

Posted on October 24, 1997 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 3 COLUMBUS — With a statewide referendum on workers’ compensation law going before the voters in only 11 days, supporters of Issue 2 have far outraised and outspent their opponents. Through Oct. 15, Keep Ohio Working – a business-backed committee that supports the issue’s passage – had raised […]

More binding marriage sought; Ohio proposal tries to put damper on many divorces

Posted on October 16, 1997 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 1 COLUMBUS — For now, it’s still “I do.” But lovestruck Ohioans soon may have the option of saying, “I really, really do.” That’s the hope of state Rep. Ron Young (R., Painesville), co-sponsor of a bill to create a more binding kind of marriage – a “covenant […]

Limits on teen drivers pass state committee

Posted on October 15, 1997 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 1 COLUMBUS — Ohio is one step closer to keeping inexperienced teen drivers off the road. A conference committee yesterday reached a compromise on Senate Bill 35, which would make teenagers wait until age 18 to get a full-fledged driver’s license, while allowing them limited access to wheels […]

Issue expanding judges’ power to deny bail defended, attacked

Posted on October 13, 1997 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 1 Some say it would protect Ohio’s citizens from the state’s worst criminals. Others say it would take away their most basic rights. On Nov. 4, voters will pass judgment on Issue 1, which would amend the state Constitution and give judges the power to hold accused felons […]

Culpability of site owners argued in crack-house cases

Posted on October 9, 1997 by jbenton

By Joshua Benton Blade Columbus Bureau Page 22 COLUMBUS –The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in a Toledo case that could expand a prosecutor’s power to shut down crack houses. But attorneys for the buildings’ owners said the state is trying to violate their clients’ property rights. The case involves three Toledo buildings – […]