COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new Ohio bill would increase penalties for politically motivated crimes, including giving prosecutors the ability to seek the death penalty in homicide cases.

The political assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman hit home for Ohio state Rep. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin).

"I did put some cameras up around my house because, like I said, it was a little scary," Daniels said.

It impacted the entire Statehouse, too. After that attack in June, an increased number of state troopers were guarding the Capitol building, and law enforcement surveilled politicians’ homes.

Now, with the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month, Daniels and Gov. Mike DeWine say more needs to be done to protect free speech.

"We have to kind of tone

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