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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > August > 04
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Lottery Director Dolan quits
With Ohio preparing to put video slot machines at the state’s seven racetracks, the man who was supposed to oversee this operation has resigned.
Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday, Aug. 4, said he had accepted lottery director Michael Dolan’s resignation. Dolan will continue to serve as director until Strickland appoints a successor, a press release said.
“Mike’s work at the Ohio Lottery Commission over the past two years has truly benefited the state of Ohio,” Strickland said in the press release.
“Recently, Mike effectively completed the Lottery’s transition to a new vendor that will save the state $20 million per year. There is no doubt that this transition was the most significant project the Lottery has undertaken in 10 years and Mike’s leadership drove the project to a successful completion.”
Strickland said he accepted the resignation “with deep appreciation for his service to me and the state of Ohio.”
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Senate President: Ban text messaging while driving
Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, said on Tuesday, Aug. 4, that he would support legislation banning text messaging while driving.
“I think it just creates a terrible opportunity for disastrous accidents,” Harris said. He said he expects Senate legislation calling for a ban to be introduced in September.
His comments came on the same day that state Rep. Michael DeBose, D-Cleveland, introduced House Bill 261 which would prohibit driving while text messaging or typing on a mobile communication device.
DeBose also introduced broader legislation, House Bill 262, that would prohibit driving while talking, text messaging or typing on a mobile communication device.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 16 states and the District of Columbia now ban text messaging while driving.
Here’s a chance to get in the text messaging debate.
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Brunner, Dems unveil voting overhaul plan
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and two fellow Democrats in the Ohio House on Tuesday, Aug. 4, unveiled a voting overhaul plan that they want to put in effect before the 2010 elections.
Highlights of the plan, which would require approval from the House and Senate and Gov. Ted Strickland’s signature, include:
*Expanding the number of early voting locations to four.
*Starting in-person early voting 21 days before Election Day, ending at 5 p.m. on the Saturday before the election - providing Ohioans with 19 days to vote early.
*Moving special elections to primary and general election days, saving an estimated $2.7 million to $5.4 million annually.
*Using vote-by-mail to fill vacancies such as those caused by the death of a U.S. House member.
*Requiring the voter to produce a current, valid photo ID or two current, valid items with a voter’s name issued by a nonprofit, business, or government entity with the voter’s name in order to vote.
*Limit the reasons why voters are required to cast provisional ballots.
Reps. Dan Stewart and Tracy Heard, both of Columbus, joined Brunner at a press conference to discuss the plan.
