Gov. DeWine urges lawmakers to abolish death penalty | Reporters Roundtable

Gov. Mike DeWine is urging Ohio lawmakers to permanently end the death penalty, saying the issue should go before voters if the legislature declines to act. DeWine has postponed every scheduled execution since taking office in 2019 and has said the moratorium stems partly from pharmaceutical companies' opposition to the use of their drugs in lethal injections. However, some prosecutors and lawmakers who support the death penalty dispute that justification. The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voter engagement group for left-leaning and progressive causes, was raided by the FBI. Board member Prentiss Haney said agents searched the organization’s Northeast Ohio offices, questioned staff and associates and in some cases seized laptops and other electronic devices. Several Democratic members of Congress, including Ohio U.S. Reps. Emilia Sykes and Joyce Beatty, have criticized the raid and expressed support for the organization. Cleveland City Council members voiced strong skepticism about Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposal to extend the city’s contract with surveillance camera company Flock Safety, questioning whether the system justifies its cost. A council committee voted against the extension, though the measure could still advance. Cleveland has about 100 Flock cameras and has paid $250,000 annually for the program since 2023. Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before non-school days with parental and school approval. Current law bars 14- and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year. The measure follows Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a broader proposal last year. Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster said he negotiated the change between him, DeWine and the Ohio Restaurant Association. We will discuss these topics and other news of the week on the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.” Guests: - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau - Anna Huntsman, Akron/Canton Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Zaria Johnson, Environment Reporter, Ideastream Public Media