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Ohio Government and Politics
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Ohio Government and Politics



April 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
Key features

KEY FEATURES:

  • The book uses contemporary, relevant examples and links them to the discussion of well-known academic studies of Ohio politics, giving students a better understanding of essential topics. 
  • A discussion of the Electoral College explains Ohio's critical role in presidential elections and highlights the connection of Ohio politics to national elections and politics.
  • The book introduces students to important figures in Ohio political history, including influential governors and party leaders.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 8


For instructors

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