Capitol riot, school voucher lawsuit and COVID
It’s been one year since rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, 100 public school districts sued the state and the Democrats running to be Ohio’s next governor announced their running mates.
We break down those stories and more 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 political reporter Haley BeMiller.
1) One year since Jan. 6 attack
Rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol a year ago. Five people were killed, including one member of the Capitol Police. Thirty-eight Ohioans were criminally charged and six have pleaded guilty.
But the fallout for Ohio’s Republican lawmakers (both current and aspiring) have been more mixed.
2) A legal lesson
A coalition of 100 public schools in Ohio sued the state this week saying, the voucher system known as EdChoice is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit claims the scholarships for private school tuition create multiple systems of education instead of one “system of common schools” as required by Ohio’s Consitution.
School choice advocates were quick to call the schools “heartless” and ask what would happen to the 50,000 Ohio kids who rely on the scholarships.
3) Running mates
The two Democrats who hope to be Ohio’s next governor announced their picks for lieutenant governor this week.
Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley chose Cuyahoga County Council Vice President Cheryl Stephens.
And former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley picked state Sen. Teresa Fedor from Toledo.
4) COVID-19 cases continue to rise
Ohio continues to set records for both positive cases and hospitalizations. Gov. Mike DeWine has deployed more than 2,300 members of Ohio’s National Guard to hospitals across the state. And even fully vaccinated politicians like U.S. Sen. Rob Portman have tested positive.
Listen to “Ohio Politics Explained” on Spotify, 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.