Free Republic

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp has squelched an attempt to revive legislative hearings on a bill that would forbid businesses from requiring employees be vaccinated against coronavirus or other diseases. On Friday, the Ohio House Health Committee Chair Scott Lipps, a Warren County Republican, announced that he has canceled a scheduled seventh hearing next Wednesday on House Bill 248, which would prohibit employers, including hospitals and daycare centers, from requiring or even inquiring about whether their employees have been immunized. n Thursday, the speaker told reporters that “it’s time to move on to other important topics” after...

Most state agencies run by independently elected officials aren’t participating in Gov. Mike DeWine’s enhanced coronavirus vaccination incentive program through which state workers can get up to $1,000 for getting the shot. Spokespeople for Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, House Speaker Bob Cupp, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor Keith Faber, Treasurer Robert Sprague and Attorney General Dave Yost all said they are not planning to opt into the program, announced by DeWine last month. All, like DeWine, are Republicans. However, the Supreme Court of Ohio is participating, as is the Ohio Court of Claims, said Melissa Vince, a spokeswoman...