Morning Headlines: Latest Ohio Republican Sales Tax Law May Be Dead; GOP urges state Supreme Court dismissed for reassignment

Here are your morning headlines for Thursday October 14th:

• Ohio’s newest Republican anti-Vax law could be dead
• Ohio GOP is calling for state Supreme Court justices to be dismissed for reassignment of complaints
• Cleveland’s $ 26 million stimulus spending plan passes city council committee
• Akron Health Equity Summit focuses on racial differences in healthcare
• Tri-C President Johnson is retiring
• Ohio Community Challenges US Census and Retains City Status
• Browns miss key players in preparing for 5-0 Cardinals

Ohio’s newest Republican anti-Vax law could be dead
(AP) – Ohio House Republican spokesman Bob Cupp has once again put a brake on a GOP bill that restricts employers’ ability to require workers to receive the coronavirus vaccine. His announcement on Wednesday afternoon suggests that the bill in its current form has little chance of getting the House of Representatives passed. All the big business and health corporations oppose the law, and the Ohio Senate Republican President has also signaled his opposition. The bill allows employees to claim one of three exemptions from a mandatory workplace vaccine, including detection of antibodies from a previous diagnosis of COVID-19.

Ohio GOP is calling for state Supreme Court justices to be dismissed for reassignment of complaints
(Columbus Dispatch) – The Republican Party of Ohio is calling on Democratic Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner to step back from a trio of lawsuits challenging new state legislative plans. The GOP argues that Brunner used redistribution as a campaign theme and participated in fundraisers hosted by two of the plaintiffs in the proceedings. The Columbus Dispatch reports that Brunner says it has no intention of sitting out the rigging cases. Ohio Courts Act prohibits judges from making promises to decide a certain way on certain matters, but does not prohibit judges from expressing personal views while promising to obey the law. Brunner’s call for resignation comes a week after Judge Pat DeWine refused to sit out the redistribution cases in which his father, Governor Mike DeWine, is an accused. Ohio Code urges judges to step down on family member cases, but DeWine said he was under no obligation to partially step down as his father had limited control over the cards.

Cleveland’s $ 26 million stimulus spending plan passes city council committee
(Cleveland.com) – Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson’s plan to spend $ 26 million on stimulus funding has passed through the city council’s security committee. Cleveland.com reports that the plan will provide more than $ 10.2 million in funding for new police and SWAT vehicles, including “social unrest” transport vehicles. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said the department is calling for nearly $ 4.5 million for police cameras in 127 different areas of the city. The spending plan is also reviewed by the Development, Planning and Sustainability and Finance Committees.

Akron Health Equity Summit focuses on racial differences in healthcare
(Cleveland.com) – The City of Akron has announced that it will hold its annual Health Equity Summit virtually November 9-10. Cleveland.com reports that the fifth year the event is a gathering of local health care leaders, workers, service agencies and stakeholders to address racial differences in health care and find equitable solutions. Mayor Dan Horrigan said the summit will focus on how systemic racism intersects with violence in the community and how the city can invest in effective prevention strategies.

Tri-C President Johnson is retiring
(Crain’s Cleveland) – Cuyahoga County Community College President Alex Johnson has announced that he will be retiring next year. Crain’s report from Cleveland Johnson said the time was right for a new lead at Tri-C. Its last day will be June 30, 2022. Tri-C officials said there would be a national search for his replacement. Johnson became president of the college in 2013 and oversaw the reorganization of several Tri-C programs.

Ohio Community Challenges US Census and Retains City Status
(AP) – An Ohio community successfully challenged the 2020 US census results and managed to maintain its city status. The most recent census found that Nelsonville had lost 780 people since 2010 and the Athens municipality had a population of just over 4,600. Under Ohio law, parishes with fewer than 5,000 people are classified as villages, not cities. The city council used a 1953 state law to do a recount. Ohio’s foreign minister confirmed on Tuesday that Nelsonville has 5,373 residents and is in fact a city.

Browns miss key players in preparing for 5-0 Cardinals
(AP) – NFL leader Myles Garrett and star running back Nick Chubb are two of several key Browns players who fail to train due to injuries. Garrett, who has seven sacks and has been dominant all season, has been dealing with knee and ankle problems. The All-Pro-Defensiveende 2020 suspended two trainings last week, but played in the 47:42 loss on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Browns host the undefeated Arizona Cardinals this week. Ahead of Wednesday’s practice session, the Browns said Garrett would along with Chubb, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, right tackle Jack Conklin, running back Kareem Hunt, defensive end Takk McKinley, tight end David Njoku linebacker Malcolm Smith and the center JC Tretter will suspend.