Ohio

Ohio higher education overhaul won’t pass this year. What could happen next?

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2023

Ohio higher education overhaul won’t pass this year. What could happen next?

A controversial Ohio higher education overhaul that would ban mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs and weaken tenure won’t become law this year.

Senate Bill 83 is at the center of a power struggle between Republican leaders in the Ohio House and Senate and their visions for what’s best for the state’s colleges and universities. That political tug-of-war has delayed the bill, which won’t get a key vote this week.

Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, backs the changes. “I think we’re starting to, unfortunately, see some of the effects of some of those bad policies in higher education. You can read about that nationally. It’s not just here in the state of Ohio,” he said Wednesday.

But Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, told reporters Tuesday that he prefers not to rush transformative legislation. He’s keeping an eye on congressional hearings where university presidents faced widespread backlash for refusing to say whether calls for the genocide of Jews would violate school anti-bullying policies.

Stephens said it’s important to strike a balance between addressing that issue and protecting free speech. “We also want to make sure we’re not over-addressing things,” Stephens said. “The First Amendment is important.”

Why are Ohio GOP lawmakers worried about higher education?

The proposed legislation is a reaction to the conservative belief that colleges and universities are imposing liberal philosophies on students to the detriment of true intellectual diversity. The bill’s sponsor Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, says the changes are needed to attract faculty and students to Ohio.

However, Florida passed similar legislation, leading to an exodus of faculty at several universities, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported. One Florida A&M professor described the changes there as “an intellectual reign of terror” in an American Association of University Professors report.

In Ohio, opponents of the bill worry Senate Bill 83 will hamstring professors’ ability to teach controversial subjects. And they question the underlying premise that professors are forcing liberal ideas on students.

One survey found that 10% of students felt pressure to align with their professors’ political ideology. Conservative students were more likely to feel that pressure. Of those students who felt pressure, about half did change their political leanings − 29% said they became more liberal and 21% said they became more conservative.

“The reality is, however, that most student complaints with free speech undertones are unsubstantiated, and institutions are capable of distinguishing between perceived and actual bias,” Stephen Mockabee, a University of Cincinnati associate professor of political science, told lawmakers.

What is in the bill?

Senate Bill 83 would:

prohibit mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campus.
ban universities from endorsing or opposing “any controversial beliefs or policies.” Students would not be required to endorse any ideology, political stance or view to obtain a degree.
require student evaluations and faculty reviews, including questions about whether professors provided a classroom atmosphere free of bias.
require each class to post its syllabus online for students and the public to see.
limits collective bargaining on faculty reviews and retrenchment, which happens when courses are eliminated or reduced based on dwindling enrollment.
require an American history or government course that reviews the Constitution, Bill of Rights and other documents to graduate. Students could receive an exemption.

Will these changes become law?

Last week, Senate Bill 83 narrowly passed out of committee in an 8-7 vote. Democrats and two Republicans on the committee voted against the bill. Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, voted for the bill despite initially opposing it. Manning said she changed her mind after anti-union language prohibiting strikes was removed.

Rep. Joe Miller, D-Lorain, said the bill was bad for Ohioans and condemned the process of passing as autocratic.

“Just because we took crap and put it in a chicken sandwich, it’s still crap,” Miller said. “I’m not eating it and neither should the people of Ohio. This bill is still bad. It needs a lot of work.”

Wednesday marked the first opportunity for the bill to get a full House vote, but it wasn’t on the agenda. “It still has some conversations that need to be had around it,” Stephens said of the bill.

Stephens told reporters last month that the bill didn’t have enough support to pass, but fellow Republicans dispute that. “I feel confident they’re there,” Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Township, said last week. “We’ll see. You never know. It’s very fluid.”

The bill’s opponents are glad for the reprieve, even if they know the fight isn’t over.

“In its current form, the bill would cause irreversible damage to Ohio higher education, and we are grateful that House leadership is taking the legislation seriously,” said Sara Kilpatrick, executive director of the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors. “Ohioans across the political spectrum have sent a clear message that this bill is bad for students, bad for workers, bad for higher education and bad for Ohio.”

Reporter Haley BeMiller and USA TODAY contributed to this article.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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Ohio

Ohio minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 – Washington Examiner

Published

5 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Ohio minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 – Washington Examiner

(The Center Square) – Ohioans working for minimum wage will get another Christmas present in a week.

The state’s minimum wage rises by 25 cents on Jan. 1, going to $10.70 an hour to account for inflation. The current Ohio minimum wage for tipped employees is $5.25 per hour and $10.45 for nontipped workers. The minimum wage for youth workers is $7.25 per hour.

“Ohio voters are to thank for next month’s increase in the minimum wage,” Policy Matters Ohio Economist Heather Smith said. “Voters enshrined adjustments for inflation to the minimum wage law in 2006, when they voted overwhelmingly to raise the state minimum wage. Over 28% of Ohio families with incomes below the federal poverty level will get some relief from rising prices as a result.”

The Economic Policy Institute estimates about 112,700 Ohioans paid less than $10.70 will see a direct wage increase Jan. 1, and another 206,000 making just above the minimum will also see an increase when employers adjust pay scales.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour plus tips by 2026 failed to reach the required number of signatures to reach the ballot earlier this year.

As previously reported by The Center Square, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce opposed the proposed amendment, saying it would hurt small businesses that continue to struggle.

“The proposed minimum wage amendment to the Ohio Constitution is not only ill-advised and economically detrimental, it would be next to impossible to correct once the unintended consequences transpire,” Chamber CEO Steve Stivers said, including the potential for layoffs and reduced jours for workers.

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Ohio

Ohio Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 2-9-6

Evening: 3-2-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 1-6-3-5

Evening: 9-5-7-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-9-1-4-9

Evening: 4-7-1-3-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

09-24-26-32-34

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Classic Lotto

Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

03-05-06-15-33-39, Kicker: 6-8-4-2-1-9

Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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One Ohio State Star Who Desperately Needs Revenge vs Oregon

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

One Ohio State Star Who Desperately Needs Revenge vs Oregon

The Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing to face the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl in what they hope will serve as some desirable revenge.

Remember: Oregon defeated Ohio State back in Week 7, handing the Buckeyes their first loss of the season. The Ducks would go on to go undefeated. Ohio State went 10-2 (now 11-2 thanks to its win over the Tennessee Volunteers).

The first meeting between the two teams was close, with Oregon emerging with a 32-21 victory. For on of the only times this season, the Buckeyes’ defense looked vulnerable.

But there was one player in particular who looked particularly exposed: cornerback Denzel Burke.

Burke entered the season widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country and was also viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, his performance against the Ducks altered his fate.

Burke surrendered eight catches for 179 yards and was burned for a couple of touchdowns in Ohio State’s loss, and since then, the 22-year-old has not quite looked the same.

His draft stock has plummeted, and his confidence also appears to have been adversely affected.

And it all started in Eugene, Or. back in October.

Can Burke right the ship and come through with a bounceback showing against the top-ranked eam in the country?

The Buckeyes will need Burke. That’s for sure. After all, Oregon boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and that’s due much in part to the Ducks’ high-octane aerial attack led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Not only that, but Burke needs it for himself. A strong outing versus the Ducks would go a long way in gaining the attention of NFL scouts once again, and it could serve as a springboard for Burke the remainder of the College Football Playoff.

Burke has lost a bit of his shine since that disastrous performance at Oregon. If there is any Ohio State player who desperately needs revenge on New Year’s Day, it’s Burke.

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