Ohio: Tom Niehaus

March 9, 2009 - 05:29 pm

Ohio's passenger rail debate: Funding and philosophical concerns at the core of the battle

That could have been the cry as the "3C Corridor" plan to bring passenger rail linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati emerged somewhat battered and bruised, but still intact after a partisan donnybrook in the Ohio House last week.

Derided as "snail rail" by Republican critics, the $250 million conventional-speed rail line plan would be launched primarily with federal stimulus dollars. The plan is tucked into Gov. Ted Strickland's transportation budget, which faces an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled Senate. Hearings on the transportation budget begin in earnest this week.

The "3C Corridor" was one of the most controversial elements of the $7.

March 3, 2009 - 11:09 pm

Ohio House, Senate pass dueling film tax credits

COLUMBUS -- State lawmakers passed dueling tax credits to draw the film industry to Ohio as each chamber of the Ohio legislature pushed forward with a different plan Tuesday.

The separate plans passed by the Ohio House and Senate set up a showdown over the details that is more "High Noon" than "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Majority Senate Republicans pushed through an ambitious plan on a 20-11 party line vote that offers up to $100 million a year in tax credits, while majority House Democrats served up a more modest offering of $20 million over the next two years. The House vote was 83-14.

February 15, 2009 - 07:02 am
NEWS FEED: Columbus Dispatch

State's use of stimulus: plodding or on pace?

But a year after the governor proposed the bipartisan plan during his annual State of the State address and eight months after the legislature passed it, less than 15 percent of the $1.57 billion has been spent or fully committed, figures provided to The Dispatch by the Strickland administration show.

State officials insist the stimulus is on track, noting that applications for funding are pending and more spending is expected in the coming months -- and that moving too quickly without taking time to solicit and review applications could waste money.

Critics say more of the money should have been spent by now, arguing that the point of an economic-stimulus plan is to get spending into the economy quickly to help create jobs when they are needed most.

Tue, 12/02/2008 - 10:34

Becker announces for state Senate 4 years early

John Becker has announced his candidacy for the state Senate almost four full years before Election Day.  

Becker, a Republican Party State Central Committeeman, announced his candidacy in his newsletter “The Becker Report” late Monday. The 14th state Senate seat will be vacant for the 2012 election because state Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) is term-limited.

Read More >
Thu, 11/13/2008 - 16:45

Harris, Niehaus, Faber, Wagner seek Senate GOP leadership

Four Republicans are campaigning for Senate GOP leadership positions.

Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) will run for re-election, while state Sens. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), Keith Faber (R-Celina) and Mark Wagner (R-Toledo) are campaigning inside the caucus for leadership posts. Next Tuesday the caucus is expected to meet and elect its leaders for the 128th General Assembly.

Read More >
Thu, 06/12/2008 - 14:54

Chamber compromise on Cuyahoga reform leads to commission

A compromise has been reached between Ohio's legislative chambers that will send the issue of Cuyahoga County government reform to a commission that will develop recommendations to be put on the ballot for Cuyahoga voters to decide.

Read More >
Thu, 06/05/2008 - 12:01

Conference committee appointees named

Senate President Bill Harris (R - Ashland) and House Speaker Jon Husted (R - Kettering) named the three Senate and House appointees to the conference committee on the Capitol Bill today.

The Senate appointees include Finance Chair John Carey (R - Wellston), senior Democrat on the finance committee Capri Cafaro (D - Hubbard) and state Sen. Tom Niehaus (R - New Richmond).

The House appointees include Finance Chair Jay Hottinger (R - Newark), senior Democrat on the finance committee Michael Skindell (D - Lakewood) and state Rep. Shannon Jones (R - Springboro).