Politics

Striking A Balance: Privacy Rights Verses Security

Emily McCord — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:29:23 +0000

Since it was revealed that the government has been collecting phone and internet records of Americans, lawmakers have been debating whether or this is a necessary tool for fighting terrorism or a breach of privacy law. University of Dayton law professor Thaddeus Hoffmeister joins Emily McCord for PoliticsOhio. He says the government is within its right to perform this type of surveillance, but the scope of the data in this case is unprecedented. Hoffmeister says he hopes it will spur the public to consider the fine line between what should be private and national security.

Congressman Introduces Bill to Prohibit Misuse of IRS Funds

Jerry Kenney — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Republican Congressman Mike turner has introduced a bill that would prohibit the IRS from misusing funds. the legislation comes after it was discovered that the IRS spent $50 million on over 200 conferences during the past two years.

At a hearing last week, Turner says he uncovered the practice of misusing funds when IRS officials were questioned about an expensive conference that recently made headlines when videos surfaced of IRS employees lines dancing and engaging in video parodies.

Ohio Lawmakers Propose Bipartisan Medicaid Reforms

Associated Press — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:04:00 +0000

Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan proposal aimed at curbing Medicaid costs as they try to find common ground on the issue.

The measure introduced Thursday in the House and Senate offers broad ideas with few details, while neither expanding the health program nor cutting beneficiaries.

Sponsors say it's a starting point for discussions in both chambers.

The proposal instructs the state's Medicaid director to limit the growth of the program's costs in way that would improve the physical and mental health of recipients.

Senate Passes Budget Bill Along Party Lines, Now Heads to Conference Committee

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:35:00 +0000

As expected, the Republican dominated Senate passed its budget in a marathon seven hour session. But as Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports, minority Democrats did all they could to get their concerns heard before Republicans passed the bill.

Cases of Ohio Voter Suppression in 2012 Debated

Associated Press — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:04:00 +0000

Democratic state lawmakers are questioning a review by local county election boards into instances of voter suppression in Ohio during the 2012 presidential election.

Sen. Nina Turner and Rep. Kathleen Clyde said Wednesday that votes were suppressed when thousands of absentee and provisional ballots were rejected. They contend reports of long lines also discouraged voters.