COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's budget office estimates setting up a 12-member citizen commission to draw Ohio's political maps would cost between $11 million and $15 million over eight years.
A proposed constitutional amendment would give map-drawing powers to such a commission.
In a letter Wednesday to Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO'-sted), budget director Tim Keen said the cost estimate doesn't cover the 2020 redistricting cycle.
It would cover personnel, consulting services, litigation and office expenses. That includes printing and mailing application forms and hiring an independent auditor to help appellate judges select 42 finalists to be entered into a lottery.
Amendment backers call the estimate "comically high." Voters First Chair Catherine Turcer said running a citizen redistricting contest in 2011 cost $115,000.
Opponents said the price is "exorbitant" and not surprising.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:04:44 GMT
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities in southeastern Michigan ay a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot. The Oakland County
Authorities in southeastern Michigan say a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot.
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:11:36 GMT
Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.Police say Josh Baldridge hit a Knox County, Ohio deputy early this morning.Baldridge is driving
Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:50:15 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly. The
The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:41:11 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Police made regular crime runs to the Cleveland street where three women were held captive in a house over a decade before escaping.Since the 2002 abduction of the first victim, Michelle
Police made regular crime runs to the Cleveland street where three women were held captive in a house over a decade before escaping.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:08:35 GMT
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert. There
A powerful storm system rumbled through the Plains and upper Midwest on Sunday, spawning tornadoes that damaged homes and buildings near Oklahoma City and put the Tulsa area on high-alert.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 03:25:15 GMT
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for "Red." She told
Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:36:19 GMT
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:31:31 GMT
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.Part of the road was shut down as the crash scene was cleared. Several cars were involved in the accident, and there were
Northbound Route 23 was shut down on Sunday evening after a semi truck overturned.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:56:32 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally,
Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:52:38 GMT
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - Police in a northeast Ohio community report a number of black bear sightings. Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in
Police in Liberty Township near Youngstown say they have received several calls regarding bears in the area in recent days.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:42:35 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
The Historic Church of Saint Patrick honored law enforcement officers Sunday morning at the 4th annual Blue Mass. It included bag pies and a candle display.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:18:27 GMT
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday.13abc was honored with five AP awards.1st Place - Best Producer: Shelly Gorringe1st Place - Outstanding Sports Operation1st
The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters released its 2013 award winners on Sunday. 13abc was honored with five AP awards.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:53:46 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news" while Republicans
A top White House adviser insisted Sunday that President Barack Obama learned the Internal Revenue Service had targeted tea party groups only "when it came out in the news."
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