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Ohio GOP House woes could delay votes

TJX special election, fracking bill among legislation affected

Several of Trumbull County’s representatives in Columbus said the Republican-led Ohio House’s inability to select a leader is hampering their ability to do their jobs and if a solution isn’t in hand by mid-June, the gridlock could thwart an effort meant to bolster Lordstown’s chances of securing a new distribution center.

“The Republican-controlled House has halted the entire legislative process in Columbus and it isn’t fair to taxpayers. There is important legislation pending, like the amendment we have in position to concur with the Senate on the special election on rezoning parcels of land from residential to industrial in Lordstown,” said Rep. Michael J. O’Brien, D-Warren.

Cliff Rosenberger was the speaker of the House until last month when he resigned amid an investigation into his travel and ties to lobbyists for the payday lending industry. The FBI investigation has clouded efforts to elect Rosenberger’s replacement in the House, which is unable to pass any new laws until the issue is resolved.

House Finance Chairman Ryan Smith, of Gallia County, and Rep. Larry Householder, a Republican from Perry County, are competing for the position, but neither has a majority.

The deal with TJX HomeGoods for a 1.2-million-square-foot facility near the Ohio Turnpike is not dependent on the passage of House Bill 292, which deals with health care for firefighters. But a provision granting the village and the county board of elections the ability to hold a special election was added to the bill as it moved through the Ohio Senate.

The provision will come in handy if Lordstown Village Council passes as expected a resolution supporting a zoning change for the 290 acres, and then those who are against the zoning change gather enough signatures — 120 to 130 — to petition to bring the issue before Lordstown voters, said Ohio Sen. Sean O’Brien, D-Bazetta.

Rather than scaring the developer away by waiting for the November election to see if voters want the zoning change, the provision would allow for an Aug. 21 election.

“They would like to start sooner rather than later with construction. If they have to wait until November to know if the zoning change is a go, it could jeopardize them coming here. So rather than risk them not coming here, we wanted to be proactive,” Sen. O’Brien said.

The clock starts ticking for an Aug. 21 election the day after village council votes June 16 on the measure, if the provision passes into law in time.

“This only matters if those opposed get enough signatures. But it would be nice if they (House Republicans) could get their ducks in a row, so we can move forward,” said Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill.

Rep. O’Brien said it is unprecedented to go so long without a full-time speaker of the house.

“Us Democrats, there are 33 of us and 66 of them, can do nothing but sit back and wait for them to decide. They haven’t even brought a candidate to the floor yet. It is blatantly unfair to the taxpayers, who are sending their hard-earned money to Columbus,” Rep. O’Brien said.

He said he spoke Wednesday to members of the GOP in the House and learned no one is sure if an agreement will be reached this week or next, or when their next session might be.

“It is difficult to conduct state business when there is no speaker. They have a majority. And we can’t get any legislation through because they are acting like children instead of legislators. ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand,'” Sen. O’Brien said, quoting President Abraham Lincoln.

Ohio Rep. Glenn Holmes, D-Girard, said there are other important bills that are in a state of limbo and the debacle is sending the wrong message to businesses inside and outside Ohio.

“This is frustrating because we are trying to create a business-friendly climate and protect our citizens and there are things that need our attention. With the ways things are going, we might not be able to address some of these issues until November,” Holmes said.

Holmes has a fracking bill that would send some funds from the industry to local governments that he wants to see progress.

Rep. O’Brien said he is very concerned about the delay in passing payday lending reforms.

The payday lending bill would force businesses in the industry to adhere to a 2008 Ohio ballot measure capping interest rates at 28 percent. Rather than adhering to the law, the businesses were able to register under a different part of Ohio law to avoid the interest caps. Ohioans using the loans, on average, are subjected to the country’s highest interest rate, 591 percent, according to The Pew Charitable Trust.

The new bill also would cap payments at 5 percent of a borrower’s income and allow up to $20 per month in fees.

Holmes said he thinks the power struggle is going to hurt Ohio Republicans in the November election.

“Anyone that is paying attention should realize we need a more purposeful, structured environment in state government right now. The current crop of leaders are clearly not providing that structure,” Holmes said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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