Politics

The state’s highest court says ProgressOhio, the liberal policy group that sued over JobsOhio, needs to take the case to a lower court before it can be heard in the Ohio Supreme Court.  ProgressOhio’s Brian Rothenberg says his group is considering that option.  Rothenberg says one of the reasons he started his case at the Ohio Supreme Court is that the recently enacted JobsOhio law mandated that action.  The court’s ruling does not address the constitutionality of JobsOhio. 

Emily McCord: Let’s begin with the news this week regarding Issue 2 on the ballot-that’s the attempt to repeal the law limiting collective bargaining. So, bring us to speed on what happened with this.

Opponents of Ohio's elections overhaul have been cleared to move forward with their effort to ask voters to repeal the law.

Among other changes, the law shortens the state's early voting period and bans in-person early voting on Sundays.

The state's top elections official said Thursday that the Fair Elections Ohio group has the 1,000 valid signatures needed to continue with its effort. Attorney General Mike DeWine has also approved the group's summary language of the legislation, which will be used on future petitions.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Business loans and certain grants once handled by the state Department of Development will soon be taken over by a nonprofit organization.

State officials outlined some job-creation functions that will move from the state-run department to the semiprivate JobsOhio during a meeting Tuesday with business leaders and elected officials in Dayton.

The west-central area is one of six economic development regions that the state will be divided into under JobsOhio.