Welcome to this week's Weekly Political Roundup. We know life gets busy, and it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest political developments. That's why we've compiled the most significant stories from Ohio and across the nation, providing you with a concise summary of the events that could impact your life. From crucial voter registration updates in Ohio to significant national decisions, here's everything you need to stay informed this week.
Ohio Roundup:
Ohio is removing voters from the voter registration system -- Check to see if you (or a friend, or family member) will be removed from the voter rolls, and keep your registration active using the Registration Readiness tool on the Ohio Secretary of State Website. Don't be caught unable to vote this November!
A citizen-lead effort to get an increase to Ohio's minimum wage has failed to get on the ballot this November. The amendment would have been a modest boost to the minimum wage with most workers making $12.75 per hour by 2025 and $15 per hour by 2026. Read more from WYSO
In the "land of the free," Ohio incarceration rates ranks higher than most states, and the new budget increases jail funding. A group has previously urged Ohio to focus on reforms to its criminal justice and prison systems to reduce the need for incarceration -- this included support for last year’s Issue 2, to legalize recreational marijuana, and the elimination of driver’s license suspensions and prohibitive license reinstatement and probation fees. Read more from Ohio Capital Journal
A new law could allow law enforcement to utilize rapid drug tests at traffic stops. These tests are problematic according to PennCareyLaw at the University of Pennsylvania. Democratic State Rep. Juanita Brent, from Cleveland, is not in favor of HB-230. In a statement about the bills passing, she said:
“You cannot arrest your way out of the War on Drugs,” said Rep. Brent. “Since the inception of Senate Bill 1 in 2018-one of Ohio’s many attempts at the War on Drugs- Ohio has focused more on criminalizing drug possession instead of focusing on the root causes. Ohio needs low barrier treatment, physical and mental healthcare when unemployed, culturally competent community-based messaging, job training and education. If these are not priorities, then we are in a place of insanity by doing the same things and expecting different results.”
Read more from News 5 Cleveland
National Roundup
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) announces a Supreme Court impeachment plan after their decision earlier this month to grant any "official act" as president legal immunity when they were asked to evaluate Trump's actions on January 6th, 2021. AOC wrote on Twitter/X, "The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. Today's ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture. I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return." Read more on Newsweek
In June, 206,000 jobs were added in the U.S. economy. The labor market remains resilient as the Federal Reserve maintains two-decade high interest rates as part of its effort to bring inflation back down to target. Read more from The Hill
Michigan set to become 20th state outlawing ‘gay panic’ defense. If signed into law, a person in Michigan charged with a violent crime couldn’t seek to reduce or evade criminal liability on claims that they lost control and reacted violently because of the victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Read more from MLive