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The iOpener: Portman Breaks With Trump; DeWine's First Budget; Judge Orders Police Promotions

The Death of Julius Caesar [Vincenzo Camuccini / Wikimedia Commons]
The classic painting of the The Death of Julius Caesar by Vincenzo Camuccini.

Good morning, iOpeners. It's Friday, March 15, 2019, the Ides of March. Julius Caesar was assassinated on this day in 44 B.C.  Shakespeare helped the date acquire its aura of doom-and-gloom.  

Sen. Rob Portman was one of 12 Senate Republicans to break with President Trump and vote in favor of a resolution blocking the president’s border emergency declaration. “Although there is a crisis at our southern border, we are not in wartime and there are funds available to address board security,” Portman said in a speech from the Senate floor. The 59-41 vote will not be enough to override President Trump’s promised veto.

Gov. Mike DeWine releases his first state budget today The Republican governor has suggested it will boost spending in key areas of his agenda, including services for children and drug addiction treatment.  The additional spending he’s outlined so far could reach nearly $445 million over the next biennium.

A judge has ordered Cleveland to make two police officers lieutenants, siding with the officers in their lawsuit that they were unfairly passed over for promotion. Sergeants Zina Martinez and Sean Smith argued their promotions ceremony was cancelled because it fell on the same day as the funeral for officer Vu Nguyen, who died last summer after collapsing during a training exercise.  The ceremony was never rescheduled.

Cleveland Browns General Manager John Dorsey said the opportunity to acquire a player of Odell Beckham's talent was too much to pass up. He dismissed talk that Beckham was considered difficult during his time with the New York Giants.  Dorsey, in a conference call with reporters, said his objective is to surround quarterback Baker Mayfield “with as many good players as you can.”

The Orlando Magic trounced the Cavs, 120-91, at the Amway Center. The Magic jumped out to a double-digit lead late in the first quarter and never let it go.  The Cavs’ Collin Sexton continued to shine, leading both teams with 23 points.  It’s the fourth straight game he’s scored 20 points or more.

Weather forecast: Breezy conditions follow Thursday’s cold front.  Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph will be, as the National Weather Service puts it, “common.”  Cloudy, with more showers after 2 pm.  High 45.  Tonight, that rain turning to snow showers before midnight.  Cloudy, windy, low 30.  Your weekend outlook is partly sunny and cool.  Saturday, high 38.  Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, high 38.

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