As we recently reported, citizens who remain in Ohio have become increasingly unhappy with Bob Taft and the Republican Party, in direct contrast to national trends. But what about those who choose to leave Ohio for greener pastures?

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio loses young, educated in droves

Ohio lost more young, single, college-educated people during the 1990s than any other state except Pennsylvania.

Between 1995 and 2000, Naples, Fla.; Las Vegas; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta; and Portland, Ore., were the major cities that saw the greatest growth among single people 25 to 39 who had college diplomas, according to the report. The rankings were based only on people who moved into the metro area from another U.S. address.

Knoxville News: Census: Blacks migrating to South in record numbers

A strong economy and vastly improved race relations are luring record numbers of black Americans to the South, a region that many deserted early in the 20th century.

In Tennessee, 68,995 blacks reportedly migrated to the state, while 49,652 moved away. Blacks who move to the South tend to be more educated than those who never left the region.

The states to which Ohio's best and brightest are fleeing have two things in common:
1) Citizens there are increasingly identifying themselves as Republicans
2) Citizens there are enjoying crime reductions associated with passage of concealed carry reform laws.

BUT NOT IN OHIO.

By JIM SIEGEL
Gannett News Service
November 8, 2003

COLUMBUS -- A joint House-Senate committee formed to work out a compromise on the concealed handgun bill will meet for the first time Tuesday, and the chairman says he's preparing new ideas.

"All parties agree there are holes in this bill that need to be fixed. That's a good thing," said Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton, who as bill sponsor is heading the committee.

The bill requires county sheriffs to issue concealed handgun permits to anyone age 21 or over who passes a criminal background check and a 12-hour training course.

Debate remains not so much between the House and Senate, but rather between the House and Gov. Bob Taft, who refuses to sign a bill that's opposed by law enforcement.

House members, including Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, refuse to go along with the Senate bill Taft said he will sign. Senate leaders have refused to override a Taft veto. (emphasis added)

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

Wisconsin Assembly OKs End To Concealed Weapons Ban
November 6, 2003

The Wisconsin Assembly passed early today a bill under which the state's 130-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons would end.

The Assembly voted 64-to-35 to approve the legislation which the Senate approved last month. But the Assembly made some changes to the bill, which means it must go back to the Senate before it can go to the governor.

Governor Jim Doyle has already threatened to veto the bill.

Missouri: Concealed-weapon law struck down
November 8, 2003

A Missouri law allowing concealed weapons and approved over the objection of Gov. Bob Holden was struck down by a judge who called it unconstitutional. Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer said the law violates a clause in the state constitution that says the right to bear arms "shall not justify the wearing of concealed weapons." Attorney General Jay Nixon, whose office argued in favor of the law, immediately appealed the ruling.

Commentary:
Many Americans never thought they'd see the day when one individual could thwart the will of the people, a state or national congress, or even the President of the United States. But headlines in recent days present a stunning reality: that day has arrived. God help us.