Ohio Government and Politics

Paul Sracic - Youngstown State University, USA
William Binning - Youngstown State University, USA

Other Titles in:
State & Local Politics

May 2015 | 192 pages | CQ Press

Ohio Government and Politics provides a thorough, highly readable overview of the history, processes, and institutions of the state’s government and politics. In a country increasingly divided into blue and red states, Ohio is “purple” – one of the few states that is not dominated by a single political party. Covering the crucial strategies of both the republicans and democrats as they vie for power in Ohio, this new title demonstrates the “nationalizing” of Ohio politics. However, contemporary issues specific to Ohio politics are not neglected; coverage of important issues such charter reform in Cuyahoga County and the controversies over the regulation of "fracking" is included.

Chapter 1: The Politics of a Purple State

“Operation Clark County”

Purple State Politics

Conclusion

Chapter 2: A Brief History of Ohio

Ohio’s Path to Statehood

The Ohio Constitution

Conclusion

Chapter 3: The Ohio Legislature

Origins of the Ohio Legislature

Apportionment

Candidates and Political Parties

Demographics

Legislative Term

Legislative Vacancies

Powers and Structures

Legislative Leadership and Politics

Legislative Staff

Committees

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Ohio

Legislative Oversight

Current Issues

Conclusion

Chapter 4: The Ohio Executive Branch

The Path to the Ohio Governor’s Office

Ohio Governor’s Office

The Roles of the Ohio Governor

Ohio Executive Officers

The Governor’s Cabinet

Selected Cabinet Departments

Selected Boards and Commissions

Professional Licensing and Examination Boards

Influence of Professional Associations

Sunset Committee

Conclusion

Chapter 5: Courts in Ohio

Introduction

Magistrates

Mayor’s Courts

Municipal and County Courts

Courts of Common Pleas

Courts of Appeals

The Ohio Supreme Court

Court of Claims

Judicial Selection in Ohio

Conclusion

Chapter 6: Local Government in Ohio

County Government

Ohio Townships

Ohio Municipal Government

The Process of Incorporation

Organizing the Municipality

The Path to Local Government Reform

Ohio’s Major Cities

Home Rule

Special Districts

Public Records and Open Meetings

Financing of Local Governments

State Fiscal Oversight of Local Governments

Conclusion

Chapter 7: Financing the State Government of Ohio

The Ohio Budget

Property Tax

The Budget Process in Ohio

The Mid-Biennium Review (MBR)

Expenditures: Where State Funds Go in Ohio

Executive Budget Cutting

The Capital Budget

The Transportation Budget

Budget Execution

The Controlling Board

Conclusion

Chapter 8: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections in Ohio

Major and Minor Parties in Ohio

Party Organizations

Party Politics

State Parties and Elections

Campaign Finance in Ohio

Interest Groups

Elections

Conclusion

Chapter 9: Direct Democracy in Ohio

The Initiative

The Referendum

Right to Work

Same-Sex Marriage

Gambling

Redistricting

Term Limits

Voting Reforms

Defining and Controlling Illegal and Legal Substances

Conclusion

“Ohio Government and Politics provides an excellent and succinct overview of Ohio politics. This text fills the gap in texts I’ve been looking for: an explanation of, specifically, Ohio politics and their history, without overwhelming the reader with additional information.”

Robert Leonard

Sinclair Community College

“I think this book fills a hole in the textbook world. I was always surprised at the lack of texts dedicated to the politics of a state that plays such a heavy role in national elections. This text seems to fit the bill and fill the gap in availability. It provides a brief, yet comprehensive, look at politics in the Buckeye state.”

Nicole Kalaf-Hughes

Bowling Green State University

“Srarcic and Binning offer a well-designed and overdue comprehensive text in Ohio Politics. I find the availability of this text refreshing and exciting. Ohio is an excellent state for a case study comparison to broad national-level conceptions. I would argue that this text would not only be important to those teaching Ohio-specific courses but also state and local and contemporary government courses in many states.”

Nichole Fifer

Washington & Jefferson College