When Gov. John Kasich chose not to veto items in the state budget that related to abortion it meant that Ohio will have some of the most restrictive regulations in the country.

Ohio Right to Life quickly applauded the governor’s decision to keep five pro-life amendments in the budget and said the state’s two-year spending plan has been referred to as the “most pro-life in history” thanks to the leadership of Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder and Ohio Senate President Keith Faber.

The organization cited the amendments that it endorsed: reprioritization of family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood, heartbeat informed consent requirement, establishment of new funding for pregnancy centers, a ban on public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics, and strengthening of abortion clinic regulation.

After the governor signed the budget a week ago he did not take questions from reporters, various media outlets reported.

Pro-choice groups along with the Ohio Democratic Party blasted the new regulations regarding abortion.

Kasich’s likely challenger in the Nov. 2014 is Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat, who said the governor refused to stand up for Ohio women and escalated attacks on women’s health care by defunding Planned Parenthood.

FitzGerald also said the new regulations force doctors to perform medically unnecessary procedures that interfere with the privacy between a woman and her doctor and that jeopardize women’s health.

As I have written before, the state budget often defines a governor’s term in office and it can provide an issue for the opposite party to rally behind for the next election.

A picture of the governor signing the budget with six men around him quickly has circulating the Internet and was placed front and center while FitzGerald gave remarks recently during a rally in Cleveland.

The governor repeatedly has said that he considers himself pro-life, so his decision not to veto the abortion provisions was not a shock.

Will the subject of abortion become a major issue when voters go to the polls to vote next year?

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Charles C. Hillier, Josh Pennack and Susan McGuinness for Painesville Township trustee, Jennifer Harden and Belinda Grassi for Riverside School Board, Laura DePledge and Mary F. Matala for Eastlake Council at large, Dennis Dicki for Timberlake Council, David J. Krych for Wickliffe Council president, Mark Iafelice and Sherry Koski for Wickliffe Council at large, Edward C. Matyja for Wickliffe Council Ward 2, Stephen Norris for Willoughby Council Ward 2, Robert E. Carr for Willoughby Council Ward 4, Lauren Reichard for North Perry Council.

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Frank Zalek Jr. for Painesville Township trustee, Tom Fitzgerald for Painesville Council Jan. 1, 2014 term, Katherine Paolino for Fairport School Board, Robert J. Dawson for Perry Township trustee, Kenneth Zalar for Timberlake Council, and Cindy Quinn-Hopkins for Eastlake mayor.

It’s worth noting that if Quinn-Hopkins eventually files there would be a nonpartisan primary Sept. 17 with the two top voter-getters then appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. Others who already filed for the office are Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley. The deadline to file for this race is July 17.

Fundies

n Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 19 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah