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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > November > 03
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
GOP will control legislative, congressional redistricting - again
After months of failed efforts to reform how Ohio draws legislative and congressional districts, the process next year will be the same as it was after the 2000 census:
Completely controlled by Republicans.
The Apportionment Board next year will draw new state legislative districts - 99 in the House and 33 in the Senate -, based on the 2010 census.
Republicans will hold all three statewide seats on the five-member board - governor, secretary of state and auditor. A member of the legislature from each party will join Gov.-elect John Kasich, Auditor-elect Dave Yost and Secretary of State-elect Jon Husted on the board.
The new U.S. House districts will be draw up in legislation crafted by the new Republican-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate. It will be up to Kasich to sign into law the bill setting up the new districts.
Ohio is expected to lose two U.S. House seats, reducing the size of the state’s delegation from 18 to 16. The loss is based on national population shifts.
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TweetProcess to replace Husted in Ohio Senate “wide open”
The process to pick a replacement in the Ohio Senate for Kettering Republican Jon Husted is “wide-open” and “no deals have been cut,” Senate President Pro Tem Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, said Wednesday.
Husted was elected secretary of state Tuesday and is expected to resign from the Senate with two years left in his term, representing the 6th District.
State Reps. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, and Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights, have expressed interest in the appointment but other candidates are expected, said Niehaus, who is expected to be Senate president for the term starting next year. Current President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, is leaving the Senate due to term limits.
Niehaus said he has spoken with Lehner and Morgan.
Republicans added two members to their Senate majority Tuesday and will control the Senate 23-10 next year. The replacement for Husted will be chosen by Republicans in the new Senate term, said Niehaus.
Senate leadership is expected to meet next week to discuss the process and a screening committee will be appointed, said Niehaus. Generally, the Senate Republican caucus has accepted the screening committee’s recommendation, said Niehaus.
A press release will be issued to let others in the community know how to apply for consideration, said Niehaus.
Lehner, who was re-elected to the House on Tuesday, said: “I am certainly interested in the appointment and will seek it. …I’ve been in touch with Senate leadership.”
She said that she was weighing where she could best serve the community.
“I think the Senate may fit my style better….I’m certainly willing to consider moving over to the Senate,” she said.
Morgan appeared interested, but less certain. He will leave the House at the end of the year. He unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for state auditor and did not seek re-election to the House.
“We have talked to a lot of people about this,” said Morgan. “…I’m sure we’ll continue to have some conversations.”
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TweetVoters pass library levies
Librarians are cheering voters’ decisions to pass 30 of 38 proposed library issues on the Nov. 2 ballot.
But many of the levies will generate only enough money to replace the 31 percent state funding cut libraries saw in the last state budget cycle, according to the Ohio Library Council.
Public libraries across the state have cut their materials and personnel budgets and are open fewer hours, even though library usage is hitting record levels.
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TweetReps. Lehner, Morgan show interest in Husted Senate seat
State Reps. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, and Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights, both are considering trying to win the appointment to the 6th District state Senate seat that Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, will vacate now that Husted has been elected secretary of state.
“I am certainly interested in the appointment and will seek it,” Lehner, who was re-elected to her House seat, said Wednesday. “…I’ve been in touch with Senate leadership.”
She said that she was weighing where she could best serve the community.
“I think the Senate may fit my style better….I’m certainly willing to consider moving over to the Senate,” she said.
Morgan appeared less certain. He will leave the House at the end of the year. He unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for state auditor and did not seek re-election to the House.
“We have talked to a lot of people about this,” said Morgan. “…I’m sure we’ll continue to have some conversations.”
The appointment will be made by the Senate Republican caucus with input from local Republicans.
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TweetGOP expected to control Ohio House, 59-40
Unofficial returns from Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner now put at 59 the number of seats that Republicans will hold in the Ohio House in 2011.
At least three races - two won by Democrats and a third by a Republican - appear to be headed for recounts, so the final results could change, Republicans said Wednesday,
No Dayton-area district is expected to undergo a recount.
If the number stays at 59, it would represent a net gain of 13 seats for the Republicans, who are expected to put Rep. William Batchelder in the Speaker’s chair next year.
Democrats now control the House, 53-46.
Republicans also picked up two seats in the Senate and will control the upper chamber, 23-10 in the new legislative session
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