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Editorials from around Ohio

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The Associated Press 12:06 PM Monday, February 6, 2012

Excerpts of recent editorials of statewide and national interest from Ohio newspapers:

The (Tiffin) Advertiser-Tribune, Feb. 1

A proposal to ban drivers from the left lane of Ohio highways unless passing another vehicle or using an exit may be an answer to a question no one has raised.

That provision is part of a bill to raise the speed limit on interstates in Ohio from 65 mph to 70 mph. The measure, sponsored by State Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, would make it illegal for drivers to use the left lane of a highway except when overtaking a slower vehicle, using an exit on the left, allowing other motorists to merge from right or when road conditions make using the right lane unsafe.

Maag said restricting drivers' use of the fast lane would make Ohio's highways safer. That rationale would sound better in a bill which wouldn't raise the speed limit, a move that arguably would not improve highway safety.

It's useful to note highway safety has improved, however. Ohio State Highway Patrol data states troopers investigated 6,266 crashes last year, 449 fewer than in 2010. ...

Note also the patrol has reported more seizures of illegal drugs by troopers, including a 663 percent rise in cocaine seizures, 69 percent more heroin seizures, a 46 percent boost in illegal prescription pill seizures and 7 percent increase in marijuana seizures.

Sounds like there are better uses for troopers' efforts, such as enforcing existing laws regarding illegal drugs.

Online:

http://bit.ly/yRbPIG

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The (Toledo) Blade, Feb. 4

For years, the U.S. Senate has investigated the recruiting practices of for-profit colleges. The businesses that run so-called career schools depend heavily on federal student aid, cater to low-income learners, and offer flexibility to those who must work while going to class. ...

While scrutinizing the industry, senators discovered a funding loophole that, for the sake of students and taxpayers, deserves to be closed by legislation introduced by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Federal law says that for-profit colleges and universities may not receive more than 90 percent of their revenue from student aid programs in the U.S. Department of Education. Although the rest must come from sources outside the federal government, not counted toward the 90 percent are education dollars from the post-9/11 GI Bill.

Between 2009 and 2011, eight of the top 10 recipients of GI Bill education benefits were for-profit schools, accounting for $1 billion in such aid. This gaping loophole encourages schools to target military veterans as applicants.

That has to stop. One sure way is to enact Senator Durbin's bill.

Online:

http://bit.ly/yd52RT

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The (Youngstown) Vindicator, Feb. 6

It appears that the approval rating for Congress had to drop into the single digits until a law that would ban insider trading by members of Congress, their staffs and other Washington insiders could gain momentum.

Last week the Senate, by an overwhelming and bipartisan majority, passed and sent to the House a bill that is so obviously fair in its intent that the surprise is that even three senators voted against it. The bill is also necessary if Congress is to have even a fighting chance of convincing the American people that it exists for the nation's betterment, not the enrichment of congressmen. ...

There are two overriding reasons for Congress to take the need for self-regulation seriously. One is that a nation that can no longer trust its representatives to pursue anything but their own self-interest cannot long survive as a democracy. The other is that investors large and small must have confidence that they are operating on a level playing field, or a nation cannot prosper under capitalism.

There are laws against insider trading by anyone — that is investing based on material, nonpublic information about a security. The new bill would prohibit members of Congress and federal employees from trading stocks based on nonpublic information obtained on the job. ...

Online:

http://bit.ly/xv4aN3

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Ironton Tribune, Feb. 3

It may sound like insignificant changes, but Ohio actually took a big step forward for the children in the state when the governor approved a new anti-bullying law. ...

Although it wasn't perfect, the legislation was a positive addition because it finally took electronic forms of communication such as email into consideration and better outlined the rules and guidelines in regards to the schools' responsibilities. ...

Bullying occurs everywhere and crosses all demographics and socio-economic lines.

The next step is for schools — and the legal system — to ensure appropriate penalties are in place for breaking these laws.

In a perfect world, our schools are supposed to be places where we can send our children with an assurance of safety. This law is another step toward achieving that ideal.

Online:

http://bit.ly/AEtCWR

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February 06, 2012 05:02 PM EST

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