Legislators about to return to Columbus: Will they finish the job?

FLASHBACK: April 29, 2003, Gongwer News Service

Senate President Doug White (R-Manchester) said his chamber will not be
looking for guidance from Governor Bob Taft as it begins consideration of a measure (HB 12) authorizing, in most respects, carrying concealed weapons.
Rather, he said it will approve the version it deems most appropriate and let Mr. Taft determine whether it should be vetoed.

On the concealed weapons issue, Senator White said he expects the Senate to
deal with the bill - scheduled for sponsor testimony on Wednesday - expeditiously. "We'll do what we have to do" to get it out of the Senate, he
said. "Our focus is not now with the governor." Without identifying the
provisions, Senator White noted that his caucus doesn't need all the language it sought on last session's version of the bill, which died in the Senate.

TODAY: Senator White's words have proven to be far different from his deeds, when it comes to amending HB12. In a secretive, 11th hour rush-job, the bill was packed with restrictive language no anti-self-defense Senator was even requesting. Who was requesting these amendments? Gov. Taft.

The Ohio General Assembly is scheduled to return to session in September, but the schedule for the remainder of 2003 will be somewhat limited.

Sen. White can still act as a leader, appoint conferees to a committee that would modify the bill into an acceptable form and send it to Gov. Taft's desk. This is what the Sen. White who spoke in April would do. Exactly who are we dealing with in September remains to be seen.

There is still time to log your vote: Would the Gen. Assembly's failure to pass CCW in '03 effect your vote in '04??

Click on the "Read More..." link below for the fall session schedule.

Ohio General Assembly
Session Dates
September - December 2003

Wednesday, September 17
(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)
Thursday, September 18
(Senate 11:00 a.m. / House 1:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, October 7
(House 11:00 a.m. / Senate 1:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 8
(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, October 14
(House 11:00 a.m. / Senate 1:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 15(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, November 12
(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)
Thursday, November 13
(Senate 11:00 a.m. / House 1:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, December 2 (if needed)(House 11:00 a.m. / Senate 1:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, December 3 (if needed)(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, December 9 (if needed)(House 11:00 a.m. / Senate 1:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, December 10 (if needed)(Senate 1:30 p.m. / House 1:30 p.m.)