Republican News

COLUMBUS—State Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) has introduced the “Fuel Tax Transparency Act” that would require a sticker to be placed on all retail fuel pumps displaying federal and state fuel tax rates.  Ohio currently imposes a 28-cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel. The federal tax rate is 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and a 24.4 cents for diesel fuel.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) this week presented a resolution honoring Brooke Mangas on winning the 2016 Division III state title in women’s high jump.

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 19, sponsored by State Representative Gary Scherer (R-Circleville). This bill seeks to incorporate into Ohio tax law the changes that have been made to federal tax law since February 2016.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) today presented a resolution honoring Richard Palmer on being named the 2016 Ohio Certified Public Manager of the Year.

COLUMBUS—A bill sponsored by State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Allen County) today passed the Ohio House by a vote of 97-0. The bill makes changes to drug trafficking and possession laws regarding cocaine. House Bill 4 restores the statutory penalties for possession of cocaine and clarifies the penalties for the trafficking of cocaine.

COLUMBUS—Today, State Representative Wes Goodman (R-Cardington) presented a resolution honoring Justice Paul E. Pfeifer on his retirement from the Ohio Supreme Court.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington) today introduced legislation that was inspired by a Gahanna woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire in August 2015 by her ex-boyfriend.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington) today introduced legislation that was inspired by a Gahanna woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire in August 2015 by her ex-boyfriend.

Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has appointed State Representative Jonathan Dever (R-Madeira) to co-chair the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission. Today, Rep. Dever was elected by his peers on the commission to serve as co-chair.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Lima) gave sponsor testimony Wednesday in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee on a bill he introduced to restore the statutory penalties for possession of cocaine. The penalties were undone by the Ohio Supreme Court’s December decision in State v. Gonzales, (Slip Opinion 2016-Ohio-8319). It will also clarify the penalties for trafficking of cocaine.