The state's attorney general has rejected the initial wording of a ballot proposal that would keep workers who are covered by labor contracts from having to join a union or pay union dues. Ohio could soon ban new ownership of venomous snakes, monkeys, tigers and other dangerous animals with only limited exceptions. A leading Democrat has left the state Senate, after being picked by Republican Gov. John Kasich to head up the Governor's Office of Appalachia.

Everyone seems to agree that we're in one of the most politically charged climates in many years, and also in one of the worst lingering financial crisis in years. And because of the hostile winner-take-all environment in politics, there's a lot of clutter that's been drowning out civil discussion about ideas on how to get of out them. Now, three groups with diverse memberships say they're bringing together a conference entitled "Across the Spectrum: The Future of Ohio and the Path to Prosperity" next week. It includes nationally-known speakers and panel discussions on consolidation and smart growth, reforming health care, the national debt, government pensions, taxes and the state constitution. The organizers of the conference - Matt Mayer, president of the conservative Buckeye Institute, John Begala, executive director of the progressive leaning Center for Community Solutions and Lavea Brachman with the Greater Ohio Policy Center - talk about it.