The Republican state senator from Green Township, Bill Seitz, often puts common sense before blind loyalty to ideology. For example, he wants to reform Ohio’s prison sentencing laws so low-level, nonviolent offenders are diverted to other punishments, to save on skyrocketing jail costs.  

Rejoining society once you have a felony conviction on your record can be a smothering burden. From diminished job opportunities to housing problems and other legal entanglements, it can be a disheartening struggle, one that can lead to disenfranchisement and apathy. With one group of ex-felons taking the lead, though, that's changing locally.  

A recent ACLU report evaluates two decades of studies that expose ineffective policies, inefficient use of funds and racial unfairness associated with Ohio's criminal justice system. Among a gauntlet of alarming statistics, the report shows that Ohio's prisons have reached 133 percent capacity and cost taxpayers almost $2 billion a year.  

Depending on how you read the tea leaves, support for some sort of marijuana legalization might be at an all-time high among Americans. As a result, Ohio State Rep. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) recently introduced House Bill 478, which would legalize the use, growth and dispensing of medical marijuana for persons suffering from debilitating conditions including cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. State Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Green Township) supports medical marijuana but thinks it should be legalized at the federal, not state, level.  

Simon Leis Jr.: We knew he couldn't help himself. Just two weeks after CityBeat dubbed him a "winner," Hamilton County's crusty sheriff returned to form by letting his fourth-highest paid employee retire to collect his state pension, then rehired the man for the same job.