In Ohio, it appears at least one candidate may have begun to separate himself from the field for the Republican Party nomination for president in 2012.

Yes, it’s very early and things can — and will — likely change as time moves toward the May primary when GOP voters can make their selection.

Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor from 2003 to 2007, had a fairly strong showing during the Ohio Republican Party’s Presidential Straw Poll conducted at the recent annual dinner in Cleveland.

Romney emerged as the early front-runner in Ohio as he took 25 percent of the vote out of nine candidates.

Other candidates were former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 16 percent; U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, 15 percent; Texas Gov. Rick Perry, 14 percent (which he received as a write-in candidate); U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas with 9 percent; tied with 5 percent were former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and businessman, columnist and radio host Herman Cain; former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich had 3 percent; and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman had 2 percent.

Other write-in candidates received 6 percent of the vote, according to the results.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll released July 21, Ohio voters are split 46-47 percent on whether President Barack Obama deserves a second term, and they give him a negative 46-50 percent job approval.

However Obama defeats four leading Republican presidential contenders, three by double digits,

The poll shows in Ohio, Obama leads Romney 45-41; tops former Alaska Gov. and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin 51-35 percent; beats Bachmann 49-36 percent; and leads Perry 47-35 percent.

Reform referendum?

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law House Bill 194, which contained many election reforms for the state.

Former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat who now oversees the Courage Political Action Committee, champions a repeal of the law through a potential referendum for the November 2012 election.

She said such a referendum would halt the law from implementation until voters had their say.

“Petitions are being circulated for the threshold 1,000 signatures needed for the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to qualify the petition for circulation,” Brunner wrote earlier this month in an email to supporters. “To stop the law from taking effect, once the initial petition is qualified, petitions with at least 231,154 signatures must be filed by Sept. 29, 2011.”

According to Brunner, the potential referendum would look to stop many changes in House Bill 194, including:

n Cutting absentee voting (including by mail) by two weeks.

n In-person early voting taking take place over 14 days with no evening, Saturday afternoon or Sunday voting.

n Full Social Security numbers would have to be provided on absentee and provisional ballot ID envelopes.

n Rules would be softened on corporate political activity.

n Poll workers would not have to tell voters they are in the wrong precinct and, if they are, their vote won’t count.

n There would be no more 10 days after the election to give more information for provisional ballots to be counted.

   

Fundies

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts eighth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante in Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Summertime Cookout for Chuck Hillier, a candidate for Painesville Township Trustee, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Erie Shores Beach Park in Painesville Township. See Ken Fitzsimmons or Diana Hillier.

n Kirtland Mayoral Candidate and City Councilman Doug Davidson will host an outdoor coffee and donut social at The Kirtland Community Center Soccer Field on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. See Sean McGreal, Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

Deadline

For candidates who wish to submit items for this column, my weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Email and faxes are preferred.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Gotta’ give credit where credit is due.

U.S. Rep Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, is enjoying both sides of the coin flip.

A couple of weeks ago he championed a House voice vote that pulls U.S. Environmental Protection Agency support from states like New York and Michigan which have designed stricter rules governing ballast water discharges into the Great Lakes.

LaTourette was heralded by the maritime industry and labor as being a job saver.

However, what New York and Michigan have done is to do what the federal government has foot-dragged on: Namely, come up with tough regulations that seek to keep out such invasive species as zebra mussels, round gobies and Asian carp.

Now LaTourette is crowing that he was able to secure an amendment that rebuilds the EPA’s Great Lakes funding budget by $50 million, taking the money from elsewhere in the agency’s proposed fiscal profile.

And just where will this additional money go? Why to “..mitigate toxic sustances in the Great Lakes, reduce the impact of invasive species like zebra muzzles and Asain carp...”

Note that LaTourette’s measure is not intended to keep out any additional invading pest; only to “...reduce...” their impact.

I wish I was that smart.


- Jeffrey L.Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

There is no question state Sen. Tim Grendell has lost favor with the Geauga County Republican Party leaders, especially since his name was apparently left off of the list of candidates recommended for appointment as Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge.

But the appointment ultimately is left up to Gov. John Kasich, and he can appoint essentially anyone he wants. That makes Grendell, R-Chester Township, the favorite to become the next judge.

Sources confirm that rather than consider only the recommended names from the county GOP, the governor’s office plans to interview each of the 13 candidates who applied for the position after the death of Judge Charles “Chip” Henry.

The governor’s office originally asked that the Geauga GOP recommend at least three candidates for Kasich to consider, but after Grendell and others cried foul with the process, Kasich will consider the baker’s dozen who applied.

So if the appointment is Grendell’s to lose, what would happen to his Ohio Senate seat? Some would like for state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, to be appointed to the Ohio Senate, if he was interested.

But don’t discount someone like former state Rep. Jamie Callender, who lives in Concord Township; and Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway.
Both men have announced they plan to seek the GOP nomination for Ohio Senate in 2012.
If Young were appointed, it would be interesting to learn who might replace him in the Ohio House of Representatives. Stay tuned.

It’s official

There will be a referendum vote on Senate Bill 5 as Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted announced Thursday that the issue will be on the ballot in November. The Ohio Ballot Board will need to approve the actual language that appears on the ballot.

More than 900,000 signatures were validated from all 88 counties. In addition, all 88 counties also exceeded the 3 percent threshold of voters from the last gubernatorial election, according to the group We Are Ohio.

U.S. Senate GOP

Last week, I discussed the decision of former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell not to run and I erroneously wrote that Kevin Coughlin was the only announced candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012.

Other announced candidates (that I know of) are Rusty Bliss, an airline pilot from Willoughby who is making his first run for political office and Dr. Michael Pryce of Hudson, who is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel is raising money to run as a candidate, but has not officially announced his intention to run for U.S. Senate.

The winner of the GOP primary in May would likely face incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who intends to seek re-election.

Candidate happenings

* Kimberly Evers announced he has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run for Eastlake Ward 3 council. Evers is a retired manufacturing and tooling design engineer and U.S. Army Veteran. He cites community involvement including volunteer and coaching work.

* Willoughby Hills Councilman at-large David Fiebig announced he has filed petitions to seek election to a third term. He cites items such as revising the City Master Plan, and crafting reasonable ordinances that improved the community without being intrusive, such as the new residential property maintenance and noise control.

Fiebig will host an “All-American Family Picnic” for the community on Aug. 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Campbell Park. The public is invited and there is no cost.

* Brian Wollet announced he will run for Mentor Council Ward 2. As of Thursday afternoon, Wollet had not filed petitions with the Elections Board. He will have a fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at Toth’s Place in Mentor. See Carolyn Anderson or Wollet.

Fundies

* Fundraiser for Jamie Callender, candidate for Ohio Senate, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Matchworks Tavern in Mentor. See Emilee Tereszuk or Heidi Callender.

* Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for mayor, hosts a cocktail reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at a private residence. See John Grazia, Phil Rini or Gina Davidson.

* Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts eighth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante in Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

* Summertime Cookout for Chuck Hillier, a candidate for Painesville Township Trustee, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Erie Shores Beach Park in Painesville Township. See Ken Fitzsimmons or Diana Hillier.

To leave a comment on this column visit: www.northernohiopolitics.blogspot.com.
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
@newsheraldjah

Are all the numbers being tossed around in the discussion of the budget and debt too big to get a good grasp of? If so, check out wtfnoway.com, which has put together a visualization of U.S. debt stacked in 100 dollar bills. Additional images (humans, tractor trailers, football fields, the Statue of Liberty, etc.) are included as points of reference for just how much money we're talking about.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

In a bit of a surprise, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell recently announced that he will not seek the Republican Party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate next year.

So far, the only announced candidate for the GOP is former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls.

However, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a former state representative and Lyndhurst councilman, has formed a committee with the Federal Elections Commission and is raising money for a potential candidacy.

A report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer stated that Mandel has already raised $2.34 million for the race.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has about $3.5 million in the bank but has had more time to raise funds, the report states.

Mandel, who was elected treasurer in November, has not announced he intends to run for U.S. Senate.

But all indications seem to point toward him entering the race as the Ohio Democratic Party continues to take his candidacy seriously.

Blackwell made his announcement on Twitter after he talked with The Daily Caller, a national news website.

In the report, Blackwell outlined four reasons why he didn’t want to run.

Here’s what he said:

• “Running would require me to make ‘nice’ with folks with whom I would rather not.”

• “After serving as Mayor, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State, I much prefer executive office over a legislative office.”
• “Since I have always said that I would not personally engage in campaigning for elective office past age 70, I could not and would not run for re-election if successful this time. I believe to get done what needs to be done in the U.S. Senate, the next senator needs to make a two-term commitment. I cannot.”
• “The encouragement and commitment I received from movement conservatives and donors in Ohio and from across the country were substantial, and a source of political strength that the GOP establishment has never been able to grasp.”

With Blackwell apparently out of the picture, it certainly opens the door a bit wider for Coughlin, who may face more of a challenge for support statewide since he has not won a statewide office like Mandel or Brown has.

Mandel has served as state treasurer for only seven months, so how will voters respond if he does decide to run for U.S. Senate?

Party time

Both political parties in Geauga County have planned picnic events next Sunday afternoon.

Coughlin will be the featured keynote speaker as the Geauga County Republican Party and Geauga County Republican Women host a picnic from 2 to 6 p.m. at Patterson Farms in Chester Township. For more information, see Dorothy Fromhercz.

The Geauga County Democratic Party and political action committee We Are Ohio will host a picnic from 1 to 4 p.m. at the party’s headquarters in Newbury Township. The event is designed to thank volunteers who support local activities year round and the SB5 Repeal campaign. See Terri McIntee Larnas.

Candidate filings
Cindy Quinn-Hopkins announced she filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run as a candidate for Eastlake Council Ward 3. The filing deadline for Eastlake Council candidates is Friday.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for Mentor Councilwoman at Large Janet Dowling from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Branding Iron Cookhouse in Mentor. See Rick Zaleski or Dowling.
• Picnic in the Park for Quinn-Hopkins from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Surfside Park in Eastlake. See Jim Hopkins.
• Campaign kickoff reception for Jack Johnson, candidate for Euclid mayor, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Tizzano’s Party Center in Euclid. See Frank Ilcin.
• Fundraiser for Jamie Callender, candidate for Ohio Senate, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at the Matchworks Tavern in Mentor. See Emilee Tereszuk or Heidi Callender.
• Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for mayor, hosts a cocktail reception from 7 to 10 p.m. July 28 at a private residence. See John Grazia, Phil Rini or Gina Davidson.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts eighth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante in Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

-- John Arthur Hutchison | JHutchison@News-Herald.com | @newsheraldjah

This is froim the National Rifle Association on the prospects of additiona firearms restriction legislation:

"As we pass the six-month anniversary of the tragic Tucson shooting, multiple press reports indicate the Obama administration is planning to unveil new, but unspecified, gun control initiatives.

At a Thursday briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "As you know, the President directed the Attorney General to form working groups with key stakeholders to identify common-sense measures that would improve Americans' safety and security while fully respecting Second Amendment rights.

That process is well underway at the Department of Justice with stakeholders on all sides working through these complex issues. And we expect to have some more specific announcements in the near future."

Carney provided no further details on the initiatives, but he isn't the only one saying something is in the works. According to a related article on NPR.org, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) said, “I have spoken to the president. He is with me on [gun control], and it's just going to be when that opportunity comes forward that we're going to be able to go forward.”

And longtime anti-gun activist Sarah Brady has said that in March, the president told her “I just want you to know that we are working on [gun control] ... We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.”

Rest assured we'll report any significant developments in the weeks ahead."

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Supporters of the Healthcare Freedom Amendment say they turned in more than 546,000 signatures last week to ask Ohio voters to amend the state constitution to exempt people from a federal health care reform law component to buy health insurance or face penalties.

To get the issue on the Nov. 8 ballot, about 385,000 valid signatures needed to be turned in Wednesday to the office of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

The issue is advocated by many conservative groups that oppose the new federal health care reform law championed by President Barack Obama.

Contributing organizations that spearheaded the effort are Ohio Liberty Council, 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, The Ohio Project (which collected 430,000 signatures) and Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom, which will head up the amendment campaign through November.

Those in favor of the amendment have acknowledged that the change won’t overturn the mandate, but they hope to use the amendment to challenge the law in the courts.
Another reason cited by supporters is the amendment would protect Ohioans from any future health care mandate passed by Ohio legislators.

County boards of elections have 10 working days after petitions are received to validate signatures to ensure the issue qualifies for the ballot. If there are not enough valid signatures, additional petitions with signatures may be submitted within 10 days.

Elections boards are also in the middle of validating signatures for a referendum to overturn Senate Bill 5, recently signed into law by Gov. John Kasich. The new law bans public employee strikes and restricts collective bargaining rights for more than 350,000 teachers, police officers, state employees and others.

More than 1.3 million signatures were submitted on petitions to repeal Senate Bill 5. Around 231,000 signatures need to be considered valid for the issue to make the ballot.

How might these two issues impact voter turnout?

Will conservative supporters of the Healthcare Freedom Amendment cancel out the efforts by Democrats and others who are championing repeal of Senate Bill 5? Or will enough support be there at the polls to overturn Senate Bill 5 and defeat the Healthcare Freedom Amendment?

Keep in mind, it’s also possible that voters may overturn Senate Bill 5 and approve the Healthcare Freedom Amendment or vice versa.

Voter rolls

The Lake County Elections Board recently sent out more than 33,000 mailings to registered voters who have not voted since the 2008 November election. The mailings are done to verify people still live at the same address and to establish residency for the purposes of voting.

As of Wednesday, 6,752 had been returned and 1,456 were undeliverable. Voters whose residency is not established may have to cast provisional ballots if they wish to vote during the next election.

Candidate announcement

Christine L. Shoop announced she will seek Painesville Council Ward 1. Shoop, who works in the insurance industry, cites experience on the Painesville Planning Commission and believes that she would provide a high level of service to the city and residents. Shoop has not yet filed petitions with the Lake County Election Board, but has until Aug. 10.

Lake County filings

Recent filings at the Lake County Elections Board are: Joe D’Ambrosio for Eastlake Council Ward 1; Donna Vaughn for Eastlake Council Ward 2; Robert M. Shiner for Mentor Council Ward 1; Jennifer Bittner for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council; Katie Jenkins for Painesville Council Ward 2; Mike Deleone for Painesville Council Ward 3; John Ross for Willowick Ward 1; Ann Turk for Willowick Ward 2; Terry Gerrard-Ditchcreek for Madison Township fiscal officer; Kimberly J. Martin for Perry Schools Board of Education.

Fundies

* Geauga County Democratic Party annual golf outing today at Pleasant Hill Golf Course in Chardon. Shotgun starts at noon, dinner at 6 p.m. See Dave Netzband.

* Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron Young from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at his residence with guest Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder. See Ron Young.

* Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, annual golf outing: 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Jason Andrzejewski.

* Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.

* Campaign kickoff reception for Jack Johnson, candidate for Euclid mayor, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 21 at Tizzano’s Party Center in Euclid. See Frank Ilcin.

* Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for mayor, hosts a cocktail reception from 7 to 10 p.m. July 28 at a private residence. See John Grazia, Phil Rini or Gina Davidson.

* Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts eighth annual Ferrante Winery Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante in Harpersfield Township. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

-- John Arthur Hutchison | JHutchison@News-Herald.com | @newsheraldjah

State Rep. Ron Young is ruffling the feathers of one Mentor City councilman by requesting to speak before City Council tonight on the state budget and SB 5.

Councilman at Large Ray Kirchner sent the following email to some fellow council members and city officials on Friday: "I am opposed to allowing State Representative Ron Young  to 'offer comments' during our business meeting Tuesday regarding SB 5 unless we allow a representative from the teachers or safety forces unions to speak as well. I harbor very strong opinions about SB 5 and the hidden agenda of those that have anti union intentions and furthermore because of the contentious nature of this law and the repeal that will likely be on the ballot in November, I strongly urge you (to) solicit and allow someone who opposes this law to equal time at our meeting."

Council President Bob Shiner said the policy generally is to prohibit discussion of ballot issues on the council floor, unless it pertains to how the city is run, such as the city income tax and fire levy. "If he wants to talk about it, he’s going to have to answer some tough questions."
 

Young says that's OK with him. "I'm at their disposal, if they don't want me to talk I won't talk. ... I voted for the bill, clearly I'm supportive of it. There's been a lot of misunderstandings about it, so I was going there to clear up some misunderstandings ... so people can know what they're voting for or against. ... They can ask me questions; there can be dialog. I'm available to them as a resource to provide them with info. ... I'm sure they hear from their unions every day, and maybe they're getting only one side of it."

-- Betsy Scott, BScott@News-Herald.com

The new elections reform bill that Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign contains some interesting changes.
Among the changes in House Bill 194 is that the primary election for 2012 will be moved from March 6 to May 8.

One reason is because redistricting of Ohio’s congressional districts may not be done in time for an election to be held in March. There is no deadline for this task to be completed as 17 congressional districts will be condensed down to 15 because Ohio lost two seats in Congress after the 2010 U.S. Census was completed.

When the redistricting is completed, there are likely to be lawsuits filed that could challenge the process.
Needless to say, it would be difficult for candidates to file for an office when they aren’t sure what districts may look like.

For the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives reapportionment, the deadline to make the changes remains Oct. 1. The number of districts — 33 Senate and 99 House — will remain the same, but the boundaries are most likely to change.

The bill also will establish online voter registration. It will be up to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted to define the parameters and protection of the process.

The period for absentee voting in person at county elections boards also will shrink from 35 days to 17. Plus the number of days for someone to request an absentee ballot will decrease from 35 to 21.

Elections boards also will not longer be able to send out unsolicited absentee ballot application to voters. Democratic-leaning Cuyahoga County used to send them to all registered voters, but now voters will have to request absentee ballots.

Sen. Ron Young?

Some fans want state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, to be appointed as the Ohio Senate District 18 senator should current Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, get appointed as Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

The district is currently comprised of Lake, Geauga and portions of eastern Cuyahoga County.
Former state Rep. Jamie Callender and Concord Trustee Christopher Galloway have already announced they are running for Ohio Senate in 2012.

Would they still run if Young was appointed and then decided to seek the Senate seat?
Another factor is what the Ohio Senate district looks like after the reapportionment process. Will it still contain Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties? Or will it instead change to be comprised of Lake and Ashtabula counties?

New Cuyahoga GOP chairman?

Is it possible former state Rep. Matt Dolan — who resigned and moved from Russell Township to Cuyahoga County and ran unsuccessfully in November to be county executive — becomes the new GOP chairman in Cuyahoga County, replacing Rob Frost?

Candidate happenings

* Willoughby Hills Council President Kevin Malecek announced he has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election for District 3. Malecek cites the collective accomplishments of the city government during the past few years to stabilize and strengthen finances, halt the threat of Cuyahoga County airport runway expansion, and build a strong professional and cooperative relationship between the mayor and council.

* Cindy Quinn-Hopkins has announced she will seek the Eastlake Ward 3 City Council seat Nov. 8. As of Thursday morning, Quinn Hopkings had not filed candidacy petitions with the Elections Board but has until July 22. Quinn-Hopkins cites that she is an active community volunteer, served as Lake County Jury Commissioner, past president of the Eastlake Citizen’s Recreation Advisory Committee, and Lake County Christian and Professional Business Women’s Club chairwoman.

Fundies

* Fundraiser to re-elect Euclid Municipal Court Judge Deborah A. LeBarron from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Tizzano’s Party Center in Euclid. See Janet Clinton.

* Lake County Clerk of Courts Maureen G. Kelly will host a summer brunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gavi’s in Willoughby. See Maureen Kelly.

* Geauga County Democratic Party annual golf outing is July 10 at Pleasant Hill Golf Course in Chardon. Shotgun starts at noon, dinner at 6 p.m. See Dave Netzband.

*  Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron Young from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 at his residence with guest Ohio House Speaker Bill Bachelder See Jini or e-mail info@ronyoungforohio.com.

*  Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, annual golf outing: 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 15 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Jason Andrzejewski.

*  Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.

*  Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for mayor, hosts a cocktail reception from 7 to 10 p.m. July 28 at a private residence. See John Grazia, Phil Rini or Gina Davidson.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: newsheraldjah

Governor John Kasich has signed both Senate Bill 17 and House Bill 54 into law.

SB 17 is important concealed carry reform legislation and HB 54 will provide individuals a pathway to restore their firearm rights.

Senate Bill 17, sponsored by state Senator Tim Schaffer (R-31), eliminates the current and some say, confusing, standards of carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Also, this bill also allows concealed permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol, provided the individual is not consuming alcohol. Such establishments can opt out of allowing permit holders to carry their firearms.

House Bill 54, sponsored by state Representatives Ron Maag (R-35) and Jarrod Martin (R-70), would bring Ohio in compliance with federal law to provide for the restoration of firearm rights for certain individuals.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com