From the Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Newly released numbers show that about 8 percent of the Democrats who voted in Ohio's March 4 presidential primary previously voted Republican.

Secretary of State records obtained by The Associated Press on Monday from most of Ohio's counties show that four out of five voters who switched parties in the election went from Republican to Democrat.

Republican John McCain's presumed presidential nomination was nearly secure when Ohio had its election. About 173,000 Republicans asked for a ballot in the highly competitive Democratic race between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Overall, the number of Democratic votes was more than double the number of Republican votes.

By Thomas Suddes in the Dayton Daily News

Ohioans should give House Speaker Jon Husted of Kettering and fellow Republican Rep. Christopher R. Widener of Springfield three cheers, even an ovation, for standing up to payday-loan gouging. Full Article.

From the Associated Press

Ohio led the nation with seven of the 34 counties with the biggest population declines in 2007, while the state had just two of the 100 fastest-growing counties, the Census Bureau reported Thursday. Full Article.

By Steve Hoffman in the March 20 Akron Beacon Journal

Ohio provides a very reliable path to the White House, which makes trends here worth watching. The track record is this: The winning candidate for president has carried the state 25 out of the last 27 presidential elections. Full Article.

From the March 18 Toledo Blade

Ohio's government can learn from Michigan, which, despite its economic problems, outranks Ohio in state management bragging rights go to Michigan over Ohio in a recent national study that graded the management effectiveness of state governments over the last three years. Full Article.

By Jim Siegel from the March 14 Columbus Dispatch

Concerned that proposed tougher payday-lending regulations are bogged down in the Ohio House, two senators said they will propose their own interest-rate caps in the Senate. Full Article.

By Jim Siegel from the March 14 Columbus Dispatch

A bill that would allow people in bankruptcy to keep more of their assets and one that requires doctors to offer ultrasound pictures to women preparing to have abortions passed the Ohio Senate during a rare Thursday session. Full Article.

By Stephanie Warsmith from the March 13 Akron Beacon Journal

Nearly three-fourths of Ohioans think the state's economy is on the wrong track. And most give economic issues, like jobs and prices, a higher priority than foreign policy or domestic concerns.
Full Article.

From Ohio.com on March 12

A slim majority of adult Ohioans — 52.3 percent — reported that the state was on the "wrong track" overall. Full Article.

From the Dayton Business Journal on March 11

A trio of Ohio lawmakers introduced bills Tuesday to make it illegal to discriminate against people in employment, housing or public accommodations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Full Article.