The Ohio Senate is going to be hearing discussion probably sometime this week on a bill that would strengthen the State’s parole system. (See Article, but pertinent bill is SB 228, not 248)
Senate Bill 248, introduced earlier this month and not having been assigned to committee, concerns public record statutes and military considerations. It appears, however, to keep medical records, and records pertaining to probation, parole, & adoption proceedings beyond the definition of “public record” in Ohio.
(Analysis of SB 228)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Ohio mayors' courts
The Cleveland Plain Dealer yesterday reported on an update on legislation to eliminate Ohio mayors’ courts and replacing them with “community courts.”
“Mayor’s courts have been viewed as problematic,” the article says, “because mayors act as judges, jury, and fine collector all at once – and the money goes into the village’s coffers.”
They’ve also been declared unconstitutional in federal court, most recently the 6th. Circuit in 1999.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Moyer called for their elimination in his annual address to the state bar association two years ago when he commented that Ohio and Louisiana “shared the dubious distinction” of being the only two states in the nation that still have them.
This morning, an Ohio Capital Connection report (subscriber) alerted that “if the size of a bill is any measure of its importance, the substitute version of HB 154 portends major changes in the delivery of justice in smaller cities around the state, many of which now face the dissolution of their busy mayors’ courts.”
One in the making is that “urban townships of 15,000 or more residents that have adopted home rule” are now included in the parameters of the new law, “allowing them to also form community courts and pass rules for criminal & traffic offenses.”
The substitute version is 705 pages, but, according to the sponsors, “the vast majority of it’s comprised of changes to make sure other criminal code sections are harmonized with the townships being authorized to pass criminal resolutions in certain areas.”
“Mayor’s courts have been viewed as problematic,” the article says, “because mayors act as judges, jury, and fine collector all at once – and the money goes into the village’s coffers.”
They’ve also been declared unconstitutional in federal court, most recently the 6th. Circuit in 1999.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Moyer called for their elimination in his annual address to the state bar association two years ago when he commented that Ohio and Louisiana “shared the dubious distinction” of being the only two states in the nation that still have them.
This morning, an Ohio Capital Connection report (subscriber) alerted that “if the size of a bill is any measure of its importance, the substitute version of HB 154 portends major changes in the delivery of justice in smaller cities around the state, many of which now face the dissolution of their busy mayors’ courts.”
One in the making is that “urban townships of 15,000 or more residents that have adopted home rule” are now included in the parameters of the new law, “allowing them to also form community courts and pass rules for criminal & traffic offenses.”
The substitute version is 705 pages, but, according to the sponsors, “the vast majority of it’s comprised of changes to make sure other criminal code sections are harmonized with the townships being authorized to pass criminal resolutions in certain areas.”
Ohio constitutional amendment for veterans' benefits
A survey just issued by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, is showing that one in every four homeless person on the street today is a veteran. (Article)
The Alliance reported that about 195,827 veterans are now homeless, a 0.8 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 194,254. Figures from the survey indicate that of that total somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,700 homeless veterans live in Ohio, the region being among states having the lowest number in the country. Indiana is estimated as having 1,200, with Pennsylvania having 2,784. West Virginia and Kentucky were among the ten states having 425.
While only part of an answer, we found out yesterday that Treasurer Richard Cordray on Monday had asked the Ohio General Assembly to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment providing compensation to Ohio veterans of major conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf. (Article)
The amendment, once passed by voters, would give veterans $100 for each month served, up to $1,000, and monthly compensation of $50 to those serving elsewhere during those conflicts up to $500. Family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000 in addition to other compensation. ( Official Link )
Pennsylvania and West Virginia have similar programs available..
The Alliance reported that about 195,827 veterans are now homeless, a 0.8 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 194,254. Figures from the survey indicate that of that total somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,700 homeless veterans live in Ohio, the region being among states having the lowest number in the country. Indiana is estimated as having 1,200, with Pennsylvania having 2,784. West Virginia and Kentucky were among the ten states having 425.
While only part of an answer, we found out yesterday that Treasurer Richard Cordray on Monday had asked the Ohio General Assembly to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment providing compensation to Ohio veterans of major conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf. (Article)
The amendment, once passed by voters, would give veterans $100 for each month served, up to $1,000, and monthly compensation of $50 to those serving elsewhere during those conflicts up to $500. Family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000 in addition to other compensation. ( Official Link )
Pennsylvania and West Virginia have similar programs available..
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