Tagged: State of the State

A Youngstown-area state lawmaker is protesting Ohio Gov. John Kasich's plans to deliver his State of the State speech outside Columbus again this year.

In a letter sent Tuesday, state Rep. Ronald Gerberry asked House Speaker William Batchelder to reject any request by Kasich to change the speech's venue. Gerberry said moving the address "significantly destroys" the historic tradition of holding the joint session in House chambers.

Barred from using tax dollars, some Ohio lawmakers expect to use campaign cash for travel expenses related to this year's new site for the governor's State of the State address.

State law allows elected officials to pay for meals and mileage related to public duties with campaign funds.

The provision keeps taxpayers from picking up certain tab, but it raises concerns from at least one state government watchdog who says it could extend donors' influence beyond elections.