Ohio’s Supreme Court announced plans to haul state leaders down to their chambers, Republicans moved to limit how cities can restrict short-term rentals and Jim Renacci touted an endorsement from 2018.
We break down what it all means on this week’s episode of Ohio Politics Explained.
It’s a podcast from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau where we catch you up on the state’s political news in 15 minutes or less. This week, host Anna Staver was joined by bureau chief Anthony Shoemaker.
1) Redistricting four ways
A lot happened in the world of redistricting this week. The Ohio Supreme Court told the seven members of the redistricting commission to come explain why they missed a deadline and shouldn’t be held in contempt.
Justice Pat DeWine recused himself from that discussion because his father, Gov. Mike DeWine, is on the commission.
And the commission also released another set of maps for the state House and Senate districts ahead of their date with the court.
2) The latest fight over local control
A pair of Republican lawmakers want to limit how cities and other local governments can restrict short-term rentals like AirBnb or VRBO.
State Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Rock Creek, said it’s simply a property rights issue.
“Ohioans should always have the right to use what is often their most valuable asset, their homes, as an investment to make money through short-term rental,” said Fowler Arthur in a written statement.
But cities and counties remain uncertain on whether their current rules like requiring background checks and remitting certain taxes.
3) Ohio reacts to Russia’s invasion
As Russia sent troops over the border into Ukraine, Ohio’s federal lawmakers (and those who hope to be) weighed in on America’s response.
Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman called Russia’s actions a crisis for “all freedom-loving countries around the globe.”
While one of them who hopes to replace him, J.D. Vance, said, “”I gotta be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
4) An old Trump endorsement makes news
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci recently sent mailers touting his endorsement by former President Donald Trump.
But the flyer didn’t mention that the endorsement was for Renacci’s 2018 Senate race and not his current 2022 campaign for governor.
Trump hasn’t endorsed any candidate in that race.
Listen to “Ohio Politics Explained” on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts and TuneIn Radio. The episode is also available by clicking the link at the top of the article.
The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
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