Jim Provance

6 days ago | toledoblade.com | Jim Provance

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Republican political machine on Friday, voting behind closed doors, opted to put its thumb on the scale behind Vivek Ramaswamy to replace Gov. Mike DeWine with nearly a year still remaining before the primary election. Biotechnical and financial entrepreneur Ramaswamy succeeded in translating his backing from President Donald Trump as well as key endorsements from several statewide officials into an unprecedented early endorsement by the Ohio Republican State Central Committee.

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Jim Provance

COLUMBUS — A just introduced Ohio bill with support across the political aisle would bar wage garnishment, cap interest rates, and block reports to credit agencies when it comes to medical debt. House Bill 257 would not forgive that debt, but its backers say it would give families breathing room as they figure out a way to pay off past hospital bills while still going on with their lives. “Medical debt can happen to anyone,” said Rep.

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Jim Provance

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House of Representatives, split largely along party lines, passed a bill Wednesday that would block public nuisance claims by government against manufacturers, distributors, and marketers of drug and other products for the damage they may cause.

2 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Jim Provance |Alice Momany

The city of Toledo is preparing to enforce its lead ordinance, but the state’s two-year budget that passed solely with Republican votes in the Ohio House of Representatives earlier this month slashes millions in state funding for lead abatement programs. The state’s budget is now in the hands of the Senate, but the House’s version would eliminate the governor’s Lead Safe Home Fund Program, saving $1 million a year. The program helps in lead paint removal and hazard mitigation. Ohio Gov.

3 weeks ago | toledoblade.com | Jim Provance

DUBLIN, Ohio — A program designed to substitute mental health professionals and social workers for police in swift responses to youth crises in schools, homes, and elsewhere is about to go statewide. Lucas, Wood, and Hancock counties already have access to Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, but much of the rest of northwest Ohio does not. “[Police] departments are struggling with this,” Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday.