Tagged: Governor John Kasich

For this week's PoliticsOhio, Emily McCord speaks with Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen, who covered the Governor's State of the State speech this week. Cohen reports that while Kasich reiterated themes regarding jobs coming back to Ohio and moving forward on fracking, little new was introduced. He adds that reaction from lawmakers was, as expected, split among party lines and the speech did draw some national attention and criticism from liberal organizations.

 Gov. John Kasich is telling Ohio lawmakers to steer clear of what he calls "mindless partisanship" and find common ground.

The first-term Republican made his plea for legislators to put politics aside and focus on what's good for Ohio in his State of the State address  Tuesday in Steubenville. Kasich's fellow Republicans control the state Legislature. The GOP holds a 23-10 edge in the state Senate, and a 59-40 advantage in the House. The governor told state lawmakers that the country is losing faith in their elected officials.  

Barred from using tax dollars, some Ohio lawmakers expect to use campaign cash for travel expenses related to this year's new site for the governor's State of the State address.

State law allows elected officials to pay for meals and mileage related to public duties with campaign funds.

The provision keeps taxpayers from picking up certain tab, but it raises concerns from at least one state government watchdog who says it could extend donors' influence beyond elections.