March 16, 2020 •
Gov. Mike DeWine Seeks to Delay Ohio Primary Election
![Gov. Mike DeWine Seeks to Delay Ohio Primary Election](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ohio-Statehouse-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Statehouse
Less than 24 hours before the scheduled primary election, Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced a lawsuit will be filed in Franklin County today. This will be requesting Tuesday’s in-person primary election […]
Less than 24 hours before the scheduled primary election, Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced a lawsuit will be filed in Franklin County today.
This will be requesting Tuesday’s in-person primary election be postponed until June 2.
The proposal will extend the deadline for requesting absentee ballots for voters who are unforeseeably confined or hospitalized.
In turn it will offer curbside voting for anyone concerned about entering their polling place as the state’s primary election rolls on during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Husted explained the June 2 date would allow anyone who had planned to vote in person to request an absentee ballot and return it in time to vote in the election.
Whether or not the election will be postponed will be decided by court order.
March 5, 2020 •
Cincinnati Council Member Resigns After Arrest on Federal Charges
![Cincinnati Council Member Resigns After Arrest on Federal Charges](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Cincinnati_City_Hall-1000x563.jpg)
Cincinnati City Hall - EEJCC
Cincinnati City Council member Tamaya Dennard resigned Monday. Her resignation comes less than a week after being arrested on federal charges accusing her of trading votes for cash on a development deal. Dennard, a Democrat, was not required to resign under […]
Cincinnati City Council member Tamaya Dennard resigned Monday.
Her resignation comes less than a week after being arrested on federal charges accusing her of trading votes for cash on a development deal.
Dennard, a Democrat, was not required to resign under the city’s charter.
However, if she did not, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters stated he would take action.
Deters claims he would have filed a petition with the Ohio Supreme Court seeking to remove her from office.
Dennard’s replacement will be selected by Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld, a fellow Democrat.
Dennard, like all council members when they take office, had to name a fellow council member to select her replacement in the event she would be unable to complete her term.
December 12, 2019 •
Ohio Accepts Electronic Payment for Registration Renewals
![Ohio Accepts Electronic Payment for Registration Renewals](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ohio-Statehouse-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Statehouse
For the first time, the Ohio Lobbying Activity Center (OLAC) will accept electronic payment for registration renewals, meaning lobbyists who pay electronically will not have to print and mail anything to OLAC. A lobbyist may pay individually, by client, or […]
For the first time, the Ohio Lobbying Activity Center (OLAC) will accept electronic payment for registration renewals, meaning lobbyists who pay electronically will not have to print and mail anything to OLAC.
A lobbyist may pay individually, by client, or simply by selecting the “add all pending items to cart” from the agent homepage and pay for renewals at one time.
Lobbyists may begin renewing registrations for executive and retirement engagements in OLAC on December 1. Legislative registrations do not expire until December 31, 2020.
The renewal option closes on January 15, 2020. Registrations submitted after this date will require a signature page signed by both the lobbyist and the employer.
For lobbyists who wish to still pay by check, the Office of the Legislative Inspector General must receive an invoice and filing fee no later than January 31 for each 2020 engagement.
November 7, 2019 •
Ohio Gov. Signs Bill Restoring Tax Exemption for Attorneys
![Ohio Gov. Signs Bill Restoring Tax Exemption for Attorneys](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MIke-Dewine-Crop-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 26 into law on November 6, repealing a state budget amendment that would have caused many Ohio attorneys to pay higher income taxes beginning in 2020. Under Senate Bill 26, attorneys who derive their […]
Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 26 into law on November 6, repealing a state budget amendment that would have caused many Ohio attorneys to pay higher income taxes beginning in 2020.
Under Senate Bill 26, attorneys who derive their income from entities such as LLCs and LLPs qualify to pay no tax on the first $250,000 of income and will pay a flat 3 percent tax rate on income above that threshold.
Senate Bill 26 also allows educators to claim an income tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses.
October 14, 2019 •
Ohio Passes Bill Restoring Tax Exemption for Attorneys, Lobbyists
![Ohio Passes Bill Restoring Tax Exemption for Attorneys, Lobbyists](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ohio-Statehouse-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Statehouse
The House passed legislation on October 10 to reverse the state budget bill, restoring a business tax exemption for attorneys and lobbyists. Senate Bill 26 was originally introduced to allow educators to claim an income tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom […]
The House passed legislation on October 10 to reverse the state budget bill, restoring a business tax exemption for attorneys and lobbyists.
Senate Bill 26 was originally introduced to allow educators to claim an income tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses.
The House Finance Committee approved amendments to restore the deduction for attorneys and lobbyists excluded in the two-year state operating bill tax policy of House Bill 166.
Since 2013, the state business income deduction (BID) has allowed those deriving income from any pass-through entity (e.g., LLCs, LLPs) to pay no tax on the first $250,000 of income and a flat 3% on any income above the threshold.
House Bill 166 excluded otherwise eligible income from legal services provided by an attorney or income from legislative, executive agency, or retirement system lobbying activity beginning in 2020.
Senate Bill 26 has been re-referred to the Senate for final approval.
August 19, 2019 •
NYCU Video Digest – August 19, 2019
Four more states making changes to lobbying and ethics laws. Find out which jurisdictions in this edition of News You Can Use Video Digest!
Four more states making changes to lobbying and ethics laws. Find out which jurisdictions in this edition of News You Can Use Video Digest!
August 6, 2019 •
Ohio Budget Bill Removes Tax Exemption for Attorneys and Lobbyists
![Ohio Budget Bill Removes Tax Exemption for Attorneys and Lobbyists](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MIke-Dewine-Crop-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
The state budget bill signed by Gov. DeWine includes a provision removing a tax exemption for attorneys and lobbyists beginning in 2020. Since 2013, the state business income deduction (BID) has allowed those deriving income from any pass-through entity (e.g., […]
The state budget bill signed by Gov. DeWine includes a provision removing a tax exemption for attorneys and lobbyists beginning in 2020.
Since 2013, the state business income deduction (BID) has allowed those deriving income from any pass-through entity (e.g., LLCs, LLPs) to pay no tax on the first $250,000 of income and a flat 3% on any income above the threshold.
House Bill 166 excludes otherwise eligible income from legal services provided by an attorney or income from legislative, executive agency, or retirement system lobbying activity.
A professional coalition including the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) is beginning a grassroots campaign to reverse the exclusion.
July 30, 2019 •
Ohio Gov. Signs Campaign Finance Bill
![Ohio Gov. Signs Campaign Finance Bill](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MIke-Dewine-Crop-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
Gov. Mike DeWine signed a campaign finance bill into law, promoting transparency for campaign finance reports. Senate Bill 107 allows certain local political candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically. The bill further requires the Secretary of State to […]
Gov. Mike DeWine signed a campaign finance bill into law, promoting transparency for campaign finance reports.
Senate Bill 107 allows certain local political candidates to file their campaign finance reports electronically.
The bill further requires the Secretary of State to make the information in the electronic statements available online.
Senate Bill 107 will take effect January 1, 2021.
May 6, 2019 •
Federal Judges Rule Ohio Congressional Map Unconstitutional
![Federal Judges Rule Ohio Congressional Map Unconstitutional](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ohio-Congressional-Map-3-e1557167039522-800x563.png)
Ohio's Current Congressional Map
A three-judge federal panel unanimously ruled Ohio’s gerrymandered congressional district map unconstitutional under the First and 14th Amendments. On behalf of the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed the suit. The suit claimed the […]
A three-judge federal panel unanimously ruled Ohio’s gerrymandered congressional district map unconstitutional under the First and 14th Amendments.
On behalf of the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed the suit.
The suit claimed the congressional map disfavored democratic voters on the basis of their political affiliation.
The court ordered the state to create a new map by June 14 to prepare for the 2020 election.
March 18, 2019 •
NYCU Video Digest – March 18, 2019
Campaign finance reform, elections changes, and new lobbying and ethics bills passed in this week’s News You Can Use video digest!
Campaign finance reform, elections changes, and new lobbying and ethics bills passed in this week’s News You Can Use video digest!
March 14, 2019 •
Ohio Senator Introduces Bill to Allow Electronic Filing of Campaign Finance Reports
State Sen. Michael Rulli introduced legislation to promote greater transparency in local elections by allowing local candidates to file campaign finance reports electronically. Senate Bill 107 would remove the paper-only filing requirements for individuals who file with local boards of […]
State Sen. Michael Rulli introduced legislation to promote greater transparency in local elections by allowing local candidates to file campaign finance reports electronically.
Senate Bill 107 would remove the paper-only filing requirements for individuals who file with local boards of elections.
The bill would also require the secretary of state to make the information in those electronic statements available online.
If passed, the bill would take effect on the first day of January that occurs at least 180 days after the act is filed with the secretary of state.
February 26, 2019 •
State & Federal Communications Sponsors Harvest for Hunger Campaign Breakfast
State & Federal Communications was a proud platinum sponsor of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign Kick-off Breakfast at the John S. Knight Center on February 26. Harvest for Hunger, the Foodbank’s largest fundraising campaign, helps support […]
State & Federal Communications was a proud platinum sponsor of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign Kick-off Breakfast at the John S. Knight Center on February 26.
Harvest for Hunger, the Foodbank’s largest fundraising campaign, helps support food distribution across 21 counties in Northeast Ohio.
President & CEO Dan Flowers of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank said the organization’s 2019 goal is to provide more than 5.3 million meals to neighbors in need.
February 25, 2019 •
Ohio Releases New Campaign Contribution Limits
The Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, released new campaign contribution limits adjusted for inflation each odd-numbered year. The changes include an increase in the amount PACs and individuals may contribute to statewide candidates from $12,707.79 to $13,292.35 per election […]
The Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, released new campaign contribution limits adjusted for inflation each odd-numbered year.
The changes include an increase in the amount PACs and individuals may contribute to statewide candidates from $12,707.79 to $13,292.35 per election period.
The new limits are effective today, February 25, 2019, through February 24, 2021.
November 29, 2018 •
Columbus Officials Propose Campaign Finance Reform
Mayor Andrew Ginther and the City Council announced plans to limit contributions to municipal elections for the first time in city history. The proposal seeks to limit annual contributions to municipal candidates by following state contribution amounts of $12,707.79. The […]
Mayor Andrew Ginther and the City Council announced plans to limit contributions to municipal elections for the first time in city history.
The proposal seeks to limit annual contributions to municipal candidates by following state contribution amounts of $12,707.79.
The proposal also requires anyone issuing an advertisement in an election period to disclose contributions, expenditures, and debt. Additionally, all campaign finance filings must be audited.
Officials will host a presentation and hear public feedback on the proposal on Tuesday, December 4 at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers.
City Council will vote on the proposal at the December 10 council meeting. If passed, the proposal will take effect for the 2019 municipal elections.
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