Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a special election for November 2 to fill the vacancy in U.S. House District 11 created by the departure of Marcia Fudge, who is now the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

The special primary election will be held August 3, whereas the regularly scheduled primary election for ballot issues and municipalities remains on May 4.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office released the 2021 Campaign Contribution Limits.

These limits will be effective from February 25, 2021 through February 24, 2023.

Beginning Wednesday, PACs, PCEs and individuals may contribute $13,704.41 per election period to statewide candidates and candidates for the General Assembly; $13, 704.41 per calendar year to other PACs and PCEs with which the contributing PAC or PCE is not affiliated; $41,113.24 per calendar year to state parties; and, $20,556.62 per calendar year to legislative campaign funds.

Two proposed charter amendments establishing procedures to handle council members indicted for crimes will be on the ballot for voter approval on May 4.

There is currently no process in the Cincinnati Charter and three of the nine council members were indicted on federal bribery charges last year.

Both proposals prohibit indicted council members from changing their successor designee.

Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman’s proposed amendment requires the city solicitor to hire a special prosecutor to consider removal of the council member to eliminate potential conflicts of interest.

A second amendment proposed by Councilwoman Betsy Sundermann permits removal of an indicted council member with a vote by seven of their fellow council members, and if convicted, five council members can vote to remove within 10 days of the conviction.

If no vote is taken, the convicted council member automatically forfeits his or her seat on the 11th day.

Sundermann’s proposal also makes ethics training mandatory for all council members.

State and Federal Communications won the 2020 Healthy Worksite Bronze Award and attended the virtual awards ceremony along with several other organizations.

The Healthy Worksite Award program annually recognizes Ohio employers that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees’ health by providing comprehensive worksite health promotion and wellness programs.

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Betsy Sundermann proposed a charter amendment to the city charter.

The amendment would allow the city to suspend a council member upon the filing of an indictment or certain criminal charges, and to remove them if convicted.

There is currently no provision in the Cincinnati Charter addressing what happens in the event of public corruption allegations.

The proposed charter amendment also requires ethics training for new council members within 60 days of oath of office.

The amendment also prohibits council members from amending their successor designation certificate after being indicted.

If approved by council, the charter amendment would be submitted to the voters for approval in 2021.

Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld is the second councilman suspended in a process initiated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost after being arrested on federal bribery charges.

Sittenfeld voluntarily agreed to the temporary suspension without objection.

Additionally, Hamilton County Probate Court Judge Ralph “Ted” Winkler will appoint his temporary replacement next week.

Sittenfeld’s third term on council began in 2018 and ends at the end of 2021. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 404 into law, extending expiration dates for licenses issued by state agencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lobbyist registrations set to expire at the end of 2020 will remain active until July 1, 2021.

Any lobbyist who does not plan to continue lobbying activity in 2021 must log in and terminate engagement in OLAC.

The new renewal registration window will open in late spring 2021.

All registered lobbyists will receive follow-up information regarding specific dates from JLEC.

This extension is limited to lobbying engagements registered prior to November 22, 2020.

New lobbyists submit registrations in the usual manner, within 10 days of engagement.

This extension does not affect the deadline for activity and expenditure reports required to be filed electronically in OLAC by Monday, February 1, 2021.

Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Pastor was suspended in a process initiated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Pastor’s suspension comes after he was arrested on federal bribery charges.

This is the first time the city of Cincinnati has used the process through the probate court.

Additionally, Pastor accepted the temporary suspension without objection.

As part of the process, Hamilton County Probate Court Judge Ralph “Ted” Winkler named Cincinnati attorney Steve Goodin as Pastor’s temporary replacement.

Interim Council Member Goodin’s term began immediately after the suspension.

Goodin will continue the term until Pastor’s court case is completed or he is removed from office.

Pastor’s four-year term began in 2018 and ends at the end of 2021.

Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld was arrested on federal corruption charges.

He is the third council member to be arrested this year.

Sittenfeld denies the allegations of bribery and attempted extortion and does not plan to resign.

If he does resign, four members of the council will choose his successor by a majority vote.

Two Cincinnati Councilmembers, Greg Landsman and Betsy Sundermann held separate news conferences in front of City Hall today.

The two councilmembers announced a series of proposed reforms to restore the public’s trust in government after two members were charged with corruption just this year.

The proposed reforms include establishing an ethics commission, designating a chief ethics and good government officer, campaign finance reform, ongoing training, and a potential charter amendment that would allow for the recall of people in office.

At this time, there is no provision in the Cincinnati Charter addressing what happens in the event of public corruption allegations.

Tamaya Dennard resigned from council in February. Councilman Jeff Pastor, who was arrested Tuesday has not resigned despite calls for him to do so.

Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Pastor was arrested Tuesday by FBI agents for leading a bribery scheme involving payoffs for city development projects.

Pastor is accused of bribery, money laundering, extortion, wire fraud, theft of honest services, and conspiracy.

If convicted, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

Additionally, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and many council members have called for Pastor to resign.

Pastor is the second council member this year charged with taking bribes from developers.

Tamaya Dennard resigned from the council in February after her arrest on fraud and bribery charges in an unrelated case.

Finally, if Pastor resigns, Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman will select his replacement.

This would have been our 11th Donut and Cider Sale where we have raised money for the United Way and have fun with the community. With the pandemic the sale was impossible, but we still love donuts! For all the wonderful staff and National Guard at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, State and Federal Communications brought the great donut drop for a morning treat on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

Akron, Ohio voters approved Charter Amendment Issue 4, amending the city charter to increase the amount of a city project or purchase requiring the mayor to obtain City Council approval from $15,000 to $50,000.

The amendment also increases the amount requiring approval from the Board of Control from $5,000 to $15,000.

The amendment also provides for greater access to bidding opportunities and reduces administrative costs by allowing for publication online.

The intent is to provide the city with greater flexibility to obtain goods and services from local vendors at competitive prices.

Ohio Republicans maintained a supermajority in the state Senate and House of Representatives in yesterday’s election.

Most notably, Rep. Larry Householder was reelected after being removed from his leadership post as House speaker.

This came following his arrest and indictment earlier this year in connection with a $60 million federal racketeering case related to House Bill 6.

Householder was the only name on the ballot and was endorsed by the local Republican party.

Republican colleagues in the House considered removing him from the chamber earlier this fall.

However, if they had done so before his reelection they would not be able to remove him again, as a lawmaker cannot be expelled twice.

The only option now is to wait until the legislative session begins in January to consider expulsion or impeachment.

Householder would be automatically removed from office if he is convicted of conspiracy to commit racketeering.

Ohio law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony or bribery charges from holding public office.