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Bill Would Ban Free International Travel For Ohio Lawmakers

Niraj Antani
Niraj Antani
/
Ohio House
Niraj Antani

A Republican state representative plans to introduce a bill later this week that would change the rules under which lawmakers accept gifts and would ban subsidized international travel. This comes in the wake of the resignation of former House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, who has hired an attorney to deal with inquiries from the FBI.

Republican Rep. Niraj Antani declined an interview request about his new bill but told the Dayton Daily News it would require lawmakers to list descriptions of the gifts they receive, the travel they accept and the free meals they’ve eaten.

Right now, lawmakers file financial disclosure statements when they receive gifts worth more than $75.

While Antani’s legislation bans international travel paid for by third parties, it would still allow them to pick up domestic travel costs for lawmakers.

This is the second bill Antani has sponsored in the last week. The first would require schools to include information about fetal development and abortion in health curriculums. Antani is running against two challengers in next week’s Republican primary.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.