Texting-while-driving ban stalls in the Ohio Senate

Apr. 9, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo
CentralOhio.com

Most House members backed it. Key advocacy groups are calling for it. Yet a bill to ban texting while driving in Ohio is sitting at a very long red light.

The Ohio House passed the measure 88-10 last June, but it has since stalled in a Senate committee.

There are two reasons for the holdup...

Read more in the Mansfield News Journal.

Jobless benefits could be tied to drug tests

Feb. 25, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Drug tests to qualify for unemployment benefits in certain cases might come under the microscope in Ohio.

Congress recently gave states permission to test unemployment applicants if they meet one of two criteria:

» They were let go from their previous job because they failed a drug test or refused to take one.

» They work in a profession that generally requires drug testing as a condition of employment.

State Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, said he’s working on a measure to implement this federal law in Ohio.

Local school districts make progress in Race to the Top

Feb. 20, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

It’s a transformational time for Ohio’s schools.

By 2014, all English and math classes will be operating under new curriculum standards, thanks to a voluntary federal program the state adopted.

By the 2013-2014 school year, all teachers must be paid based on merit, using a teacher evaluation system that is yet to be established.

To make these changes, about half the school districts in the state, including seven in Richland County, have a significant leg up: They’re participating in the federal Race to the Top program, the Obama administration’s education reform plan that calls for improved student testing, more data collection and a special focus on turning around low-performing schools.

Goal: Streamline Ohio’s efforts to develop workforce training

Feb. 14, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Ohio’s workforce development systems are overly complex and fragmented, according to Gov. John Kasich.

There are 77 programs spread across 13 agencies, all depending on a number of state and federal funding sources.

Ohioans need jobs — and Ohio employers need workers with the right skill sets. So Kasich has created an umbrella office, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, to oversee and coordinate the state’s worker training efforts.

But uniting all the different efforts is easier said than done — which may explain why it hasn’t been tried sooner, said Dan Navin, assistant vice president of tax and economic policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Ohio’s students trail U.S. average for AP credit

Feb. 11, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Fewer Ohio students are getting college credit for Advanced Placement tests than the national average.

However, more Ohio students are taking the tests than in previous years, according to a study released by the College Board, which administers the exams.

State Superintendent of Education Stan Heffner said Ohio can do better.

Changes to schools again?

Feb. 6, 2012, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In 2009, Gov. Ted Strickland announced a complete overhaul of Ohio's education system.

“It is absolutely clear to me that simply tinkering with centuries-old education practices will not prepare Ohio's children for success in college, in the workplace, or in life,” Strickland said during the State of the State speech. “Therefore, today I present my plan to build our education system anew.”

It's not the first time such words were spoken.

Deal opens competition for AEP Ohio customers

Nov. 29, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

A pending settlement could change the way AEP Ohio does business.

The subsidiary of Columbus-based American Electric Power is preparing for more competition in the marketplace, so it is planning on billing separately for wiring and distribution, a change from past practices.

The settlement could mean an increase of $2 to $3 per month for the average household using AEP Ohio services over the next three years. It is up to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to approve the settlement.

Election 2011: Endure campaigns. Cast your ballot. Repeat.

Nov. 11, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Elections are a constant cycle. As one ends on Tuesday, campaigning for the next has long since started, and 2012 will be a big year.

To complete the 2011 cycle, Ohioans head to the polls this week to vote on three statewide issues. They also will decide on local candidates and issues specific to where they live.

The new voting rules passed by the Legislature earlier this year will not take effect because signatures were filed for a referendum campaign to repeal them.

Could Jordan lose district in debt fight?

July 30, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo and Bryan Bullock

News Journal

MANSFIELD — Some believe there could be backlash against Republican Party leadership if U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan loses his seat in the redistricting process.

Jordan, R-Urbana, is at odds with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, also of Ohio, over raising the federal debt ceiling.

Jordan, who leads the 176-member Republican Study Committee, urged the more conservative GOP members to oppose Boehner’s plan.

More than a budget: Kasich aims to shake up Ohio governments

Mar. 20, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

With an $8 billion budget hole and a pledge not to raise taxes, Gov. John Kasich had no choice to issue cut after cut in his first budget proposal.

But he also went a few steps further, by suggesting changes that could mean a radical departure from the way Ohio government does business.

“Years of neglect, switching programs into the next fiscal year, smoke and mirrors, refusing to address the basic fundamental structural problems of our budget. That’s what it is, a structural imbalance in our budget because we didn’t take care of the foundation,” Kasich said in his State of the State address. “… We’re trying to give everybody flexibility from state rules and regulations. Let’s have common sense.”

Kasich plans to get rid of what he considers to be costly regulations that come via collective bargaining and prevailing wage agreements.

Then there’s the hammer. Kasich is asking that, by 2013, state aid to local governments be cut in half. To deal with these cuts, he’s asking governments to share services, personnel, and to buy in bulk. He also seeks to remove obstacles to privatization and is promising to get rid of other costly mandates and regulations.

401(k)-style retirement plans on the table for public employees

Mar. 11, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s GOP legislative leaders say a 401(k)-style retirement plan may be on the table for new public employees, although it is not in the pending pension reform legislation.

The General Assembly is considering an overhaul to Ohio’s five public retirement systems. A House committee is holding hearings on the legislation.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, and Senate President Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, say they are open to moving new hires from the current defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan. Ohio’s legislative leadership spoke on a panel Thursday at the annual legislative session sponsored by The Associated Press.

DeWine: Ohio medical board must do more to fight prescription drug abuse

Mar. 11, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said the State Medical Board of Ohio has not been aggressive enough in fighting prescription drug abuse and investigating doctors who irresponsibly prescribe dangerous drugs.

DeWine said tackling prescription drug abuse will be a top priority in his administration. He addressed the issue during a seminar at The Associated Press’ annual legislative session Thursday in Columbus.

Local lawmakers split on merits of collective bargaining bill

Feb. 27, 2011, Mansfield News Journal

STORY BY JESSICA ALAIMO • CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — In all likelihood, voters will get to weigh in on collective bargaining for public employees in November.

But that possibility hasn’t stopped the issue from getting an explosive reaction in Columbus in recent days.

Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, would curtail collective bargaining rights for public employees. All pay scales would be replaced with a merit pay system.

Employees would no longer be able to bargain for health insurance benefits, and the binding arbitration process would be eliminated.

False ads by politicians tough to regulate

Nov. 14, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

If you’re trying to sell Product A, you can’t run an ad falsely saying Product B causes job losses, supports corruption and harms schools. There are laws against saying that kind of thing.

Unless Product A is a candidate for political office. Then truth-in-advertising laws don’t apply.

The past election saw a bombardment of political ads that grew more frequent as Election Day neared. The claims in more than a few were questionable.

Who pays for pickups?

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND LINDA MARTZ

News Journal

MANSFIELD — Bucyrus taxpayers spent $412,214 last year to cover pension contributions that otherwise would have been paid by city employees.

Combined with the city’s mandatory employer contributions, 7.9 percent of all revenues go to the Public Employees Retirement System and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Bucyrus is far from the exception. Often the result of long-standing contracts, many local entities “pick up” — or pay all or some of — their employees’ contributions to the retirement funds.

The practice has continued to grow.

In the past three years, the cities of Coshocton, Lancaster, Chillicothe, Heath and others all agreed to new or increased pickup plans, according to an analysis of public records by CentralOhio.com and the News Journal.

A free retirement

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

SPECIAL REPORT BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Some see it as a little known perk for public employees that's a growing burden for cash-strapped Ohio governments and schools.

Others, including public employee unions, say they're saving taxpayers money while shortchanging their own retirements.

The same can't be said for a select group of school officials – and a few school unions – that have negotiated deals that give them lucrative pensions without paying a penny for them.

Welcome to the world of Ohio's public pension plans, where confusing terms like “pick-ups” and “pickup-on-the-pickup” have nothing to do with trucks and more to do with decisions that can lead to free retirements.

Schools’perk pads pensions

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Many public school administrators pay nothing toward their own pensions. But the perk doesn’t stop there.

A lucrative deal allows 84 percent of Ohio superintendents to retire with a higher pension than they otherwise would have earned — all at additional taxpayer expense, according to an analysis of public records by CentralOhio.com and the News Journal.

About half of Ohio districts also give this benefit to other certified administrators, although it’s far less common for other school employees — only 29 of Ohio’s 613 school districts statewide give the perk to teachers or classified staff. Four of those districts are in the Mansfield area.

The practice is officially called “pickup-on-the-pickup.” School districts pay the employee share of the individuals’ retirement contribution, and then consider it extra salary for pension purposes at a total cost of 26.4 percent of the employee’s salary.

Only 14 percent of that cost is mandatory. While practiced widely at many schools, this method has received virtually no attention on the state level. Many close to the public pension system process are unfamiliar with the practice, and apparently has never been the focus of statewide legislation.

It is only offered in the pension funds for school employees. Ohio’s other three retirement decline to participate.

Is wind power the solution?

July 11, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND RUSS ZIMMER

CentralOhio.com

James Gabriel of Mount Vernon said it was a moment of weakness that led him to install a wind turbine on his farm two years ago.

It cost him $70,000, offset by a $25,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Development. On average, the turbine generates 10 percent of his electricity, and at current rates will take 25 years to pay for itself.

Despite the recent buzz on alternative energy, residential wind turbines remain a novelty in Ohio. They are scattered about in pockets, mostly in the northern part of the state. They remain a rarity in southern Ohio, where strong winds are scarce and electric rates are cheap. They are more common in northern Ohio.

After tragedy, seat-belt legislation moves forward

June 3, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Just hours after a fatal school bus crash near Zanesville on Wednesday morning, a state legislative committee unanimously approved legislation requiring seat belts on all new and refurbished school buses.

One committee member said the tragedy expedited the vote. The legislation may be considered in the Ohio House today, and would then need Senate approval.

State Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, said the mood in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was somber after word of the rollover crash on Ohio 60 north of Zanesville, which killed 6-year-old Kasey King and injured the bus driver and six other students.

Bill could allow more liquor licenses in Richland County

May 1, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND RUSS ZIMMER

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Mansfield and other Richland County municipalities could be eligible for more liquor permits if some Ohio lawmakers get their way.

Senate Bill 252 and House Bill 445, recently introduced in the General Assembly, would allow cities with a population of less than 100,000 in counties with a population of more than 125,000 to establish local entertainment districts. In these districts, up to 10 more liquor permits could be available, depending on population.

The proposal, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, and Rep.Tom Leston, D-Warren, would plug a gap in existing law.