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Costly Ballot Issue Launches, And A New Set Of Rules Proposed For Traffic Cameras

A proposal before voters this fall could be the most expensive ballot issue this state has ever seen, and well-known interest groups and veteran operatives are lining up for and against it. Following the issue is Statehouse correspondent Andy Chow.

As many as 47,000 of this year’s juniors are on track to fail to meet tough new graduation standards, and Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) says she’s proposing the Senate budget include a provision that seniors who can’t meet those standards complete other requirements. The state’s Third Frontier commission has taken the first steps to spending $20 million toward high-tech solutions to the deadly opioid crisis. Seven former Speakers of the Ohio House going back 50 years are now honored at the Statehouse with official portraits.

Once again, state lawmakers are trying to green light new rules for how communities can use speed and red light cameras – or even completely stop the use of those cameras in some communities. And once again, the issue crosses party lines. There are at least four new bills dealing with cameras in the House now. Three are from Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), which would ban any municipality from getting more than 30% of its revenue from traffic camera tickets and would limit tickets to no more than two per resident, and would outlaw camera use by towns with 200 people or fewer, or without a fire department or emergency medical services. Another bill from Rep. Hearcel Craig (R-Columbus) would cap fines that can be levied in communities without mayors’ courts.

We close this week with images from the annual Governor’s Wreath Laying Ceremony, this year featuring Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.