/disconnected-democracy In a time of polarization, we’re asking Ohioans what matters and searching for what connects us. en-US Copyright Tue, 10 May 2022 11:50:27 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-10/deliberative-town-halls-encourage-civil-dialogue-ohio-state-institute-says Deliberative town halls are a solution meant to help elected officials and their constituents bridge the communication gap at a time of heightened polarization. Tue, 10 May 2022 11:50:27 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-10/deliberative-town-halls-encourage-civil-dialogue-ohio-state-institute-says /politics-government/2022-05-06/gerrymandering-reduces-competition-voter-interest-in-elections Every election, dozens of races across the state at nearly every level of government lack competition. Whether there is a one-party dominated Congressional district or an entrenched incumbent in a state general assembly seat scaring off challengers, many voters heading to the polls will find at least one race where their vote is symbolic only. Fri, 06 May 2022 11:42:07 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-06/gerrymandering-reduces-competition-voter-interest-in-elections Renee Fox /politics-government/2022-05-05/in-very-conservative-lake-county-an-lgbtq-advocate-finds-her-work-critical Betty Jacobs is the executive director of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County. She hosts support groups, counsels families and advocates to elected officials. But it's hard work to do alone. Thu, 05 May 2022 11:29:45 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-05/in-very-conservative-lake-county-an-lgbtq-advocate-finds-her-work-critical Jenny Hamel /politics-government/2022-05-03/covid-19-politics-complicate-how-small-businesses-in-ohio-operate Small businesses all over Ohio have suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But they’ve also struggled with big decisions – often with political overtones – about how to keep their customers and employees safe. Tue, 03 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-03/covid-19-politics-complicate-how-small-businesses-in-ohio-operate Shay Frank /politics-government/2022-05-02/how-lauren-kelley-is-using-the-tools-of-faith-to-strengthen-democracy Lauren Kelley stepped onto the Springfield political scene after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. At a time when tensions were soaring nationally, her goal was to help establish a working relationship between the police and the Black community. Mon, 02 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT /politics-government/2022-05-02/how-lauren-kelley-is-using-the-tools-of-faith-to-strengthen-democracy Tom Stafford /politics-government/2022-04-29/ohio-voters-can-influence-the-amount-of-state-tax-dollars-flowing-into-their-local-community When voters head to the polls, they pick representatives responsible for making decisions on taxing. Those decisions can be anything from funding services in local governments to tax loopholes for corporations and tax breaks for the wealthy. Fri, 29 Apr 2022 11:45:49 GMT /politics-government/2022-04-29/ohio-voters-can-influence-the-amount-of-state-tax-dollars-flowing-into-their-local-community Renee Fox /politics-government/2022-04-26/the-sole-republican-on-her-city-council-michele-weiss-focuses-on-understanding These days it can feel like politics - and politicians - are more divided than ever, but an interesting thing is happening in University Heights. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:00:00 GMT /politics-government/2022-04-26/the-sole-republican-on-her-city-council-michele-weiss-focuses-on-understanding Ida Lieszkovszky /politics-government/2022-04-25/despite-hardships-these-democrats-in-rural-ohio-are-committed-to-their-community Over the last couple decades, rural Ohio has turned into a reliably Republican part of the country, but there are a couple blue dots in that big red sea. Take, for example, Shelly Hayes. Mon, 25 Apr 2022 11:58:11 GMT /politics-government/2022-04-25/despite-hardships-these-democrats-in-rural-ohio-are-committed-to-their-community Ida Lieszkovszky