Backlash, pressure led to Acton’s exit

June 19, 2020

Shortly after COVID-19 hit Ohio, part of my work routine was to cover then-daily news conferences of Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton on the number of cases and related deaths. It’s been difficult at times as the pandemic has killed thousands of people and greatly impacted daily routines of everyone I know. This is historic, and despite our short attention spans, I hope it won’t be forgotten. The news conferences are now about two days a week with Acton serving as a calming presence — someone who shows compassion and helps us better understand what’s happening. She ...

Campaign reports give insight

June 12, 2020

There were several interesting developments from the post-primary campaign finance reports of state Legislature incumbents and candidates from the Mahoning Valley. State Rep. Gil Blair, D-Weathersfield, in the Ohio House’s 63rd District was the only incumbent in the area to face challengers in the April 28 primary. Blair was appointed to the seat in June 2019, filing a vacancy left by the resignation of Democrat Glenn Holmes. Blair, like most incumbent legislators, largely relies on political action committee money to fund his campaign. Nearly all of the $14,038 he raised Jan. 1 ...

Independents draw controversy

June 5, 2020

For most independent candidates, getting on the ballot largely consists of two things: getting enough valid signatures and not voting in the partisan primary held after they file. But in the Mahoning Valley things are rarely simple, and there’s a case in each of Trumbull and Mahoning counties to show that. Signatures play a large factor in the eligibility of Dennis Malloy of Bazetta, who is seeking to run for a Trumbull County commissioner seat. Malloy turned in petitions with 952 signatures with the Trumbull County Board of Elections initially deeming 704 were valid. He needs ...

Study highlights bipartisanship

May 29, 2020

Bipartisanship is such a rarity in national politics that when it occurs, it’s news. We live in an era when many people see things as black and white, even though most things are shades of gray. It’s common to criticize the mainstream media, yet plenty of people believe the most ridiculous and fake things they read online. Here’s a helpful hint: just because someone posts a wild conspiracy theory on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s true. If you don’t support the president, you’re labeled a socialist or your patriotism is questioned. On the other end, if you agree with the ...

Ohio capital budget in jeopardy

May 22, 2020

The state’s capital budget, which provides money for numerous projects, is in jeopardy of not being approved this year. The $2.6 billion biennial capital budget was expected to be introduced in March, with about $150 million in it for community projects, and passed well before now. But the COVID-19 pandemic occurred bringing the spending package discussions to a halt and putting its future in danger. “There’s a small possibility of it occurring later this year,” said state Rep. Michael J. O’Brien, D-Warren, a member of the House Finance Committee. “If one happens, I’m ...

Plan now for November election

May 8, 2020

We hope life gets back to normal by the November general election, but plans need to be in place now in case it doesn’t. Regardless of what happens, the reality is a lot of people will be hesitant to stand in line to vote. That means there’s going to be a greater dependence on mail votes for the election headlined by the presidential race. As we saw during the primary, long-term planning is desperately needed. The state was fortunate that there wasn’t much on the primary ballot, which caused a low turnout and didn’t put a great strain on county boards of elections though ...