Statewide News

School and local government employees belonging to more than 550 health insurance plans across Ohio will see their share of health care costs rise if voters approve a collective bargaining law this fall, state data show.

Opponents say the union-limiting bill will hurt tens of thousands of average workers around the state.  Supporters argue having employees pay a bigger share of their health care costs will save government money and align more fairly with the private sector.

The new law will require public employees to pay 15% health-care costs.

Polling sites in 20 counties will get permanent upgrades to assist Ohio voters with disabilities under newly released federal grant money.

Secretary of State Jon Husted said Tuesday that about $100,000 in grants will go to county boards of elections to improve access for voters with disabilities.

The funds were made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Help America Vote Act.  Individual grant amounts range from $40 to $15,000 for improvements in 92 precincts.

Ohioans can cast an early ballot for the Nov. 8 election starting Tuesday. 

Voters this fall will decide whether the state should toss out a law governing public employee unions that was passed this spring. The measure limits the collective bargaining abilities of more than 350,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and other public workers around the state.

Another question facing voters is whether the state's constitution should be amended to prohibit governments from requiring Ohioans to buy health insurance.