Jim Renacci tried to avoid paying taxes on nearly $14 million that he made.

The congressional contest between Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton and Republican Rep. Jim Renacci is among the nation's most costly and hard-fought races, and has also devolved into one of the nastiest.

After Renacci placed ads accusing Sutton of "voting to raise taxes on just about everyone," Sutton fired back with an ad that claims Renacci supports tax breaks for millionaires like himself and "tried to avoid paying taxes on nearly $14 million that he made."

"We play by the rules but Renacci thinks he's above them," says a male blue collar worker shown in Sutton's ad.

Watch It:

Reams of legal documents show that Renacci battled with the state over trust income from an S corporation, trying to avoid paying taxes on the $13.7 million at issue in the case.

On the Truth-O-Meter, Sutton's claim rates True.

Bending over backwards to attack President Obama, Ohio Senator Rob Portman attacked the White House over Ohio job numbers.

Portman claimed 20,000 jobs were lost - just one problem. In September there was an 8,000 job gain in the state. - OOPs.

"The loss of 12,800 Ohio jobs shows that the Obama economy is not performing where it needs to be. The slight drop in unemployment - entirely caused by 20,000 Ohioans leaving the workforce - shows that many jobless Ohioans have simply given up hope," Mr. Portman (R-Terrace Park) said in a statement issued after the unemployment announcement in Gongwer.

But the real numbers show that the  Ohio labor force grew by 8,000 over the month before, with CPS data showing 15,000 new jobs offset by 7,000 drop in unemployee.

Numbers are reported here:http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/unemp/201210/doc.asp

Of course the real irony is that Portman was budget Director under George W. Bush, whose policies led to the market collapse. But in silly season what's a little fact got to do with it.

For a detailed explanation of how the Romney-Ryan tax plan is able to cut taxes by $5 trillion without raising taxes on the middle class or exploding the deficit, simply click the button below.

Attention Republicans!  Here's what your party leaders have to say about your Presidential candidate.

Watch It:

In Ohio and across our nation, low-income and middle-class Americans would sacrifice for the greater benefit of the wealthiest under the Romney-Ryan plan for the economy, taxes, and health care.

The price tag includes:

• Middle-class Ohioans would pay more in taxes while millionaires pay less. Millionaires in the state would receive an additional $87,000 in tax breaks under the tax plans of Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan while middle-class families would pay $1,900 more in health care taxes and $1,066 more in taxes on their mortgages.
• Jobs would decline across Ohio. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan plan to provide extra tax incentives for corporations to outsource jobs and are pushing policy proposals to cripple the clean energy industry, jeopardizing 125,000 jobs across the state.
• Drastic cuts to federal spending would shrink Ohio's middle class. The state stands to lose more than $106 billion in federal funding from 2013 through 2022, an average of more than $10 billion a year, from cuts to schools, law enforcement, highway repairs, job-training programs and more. These cuts would fall predominantly on middle-class and low-income families, especially cuts to education programs that would result in nearly $100 million in reduced federal support for education in the state in 2013 and 2014 alone.
• Seniors in Ohio would lose health care benefits and pay more. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan would force seniors in the state to pay at least $660 more for their prescription drugs each year. At the same time, the Romney-Ryan plan to turn Medicare into a voucher would cost current seniors at least $11,000 more out of pocket.
• Women in Ohio would pay more for health care but receive less bang for their buck. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan would once again allow insurance companies to charge women more than men while taking away preventive care from at least 1.9 million women in the state.
• Young adults in Ohio would lose access to their families' health insurance. Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan promise to dismantle Obamacare, which would directly result in 97,000 young adults in Ohio losing the insurance they have today due to the Affordable Care Act.

The Romney-Ryan plan asks the vast majority of Americans to pay more, and then spends this revenue not on balancing the budget but rather on more tax breaks for the richest Americans. Gov. Romney's top direct donor would receive over $2 billion in direct tax benefits from under the Romney-Ryan plan, while a typical police officer in Columbus makes a little over $60,000 a year would see their taxes increase by $1,260. These lopsided priorities are not a coincidence or a cruel joke. They are the logical extension of a trickle-down economic policy that failed under President George W. Bush but would be revived by Gov. Romney and Rep. Ryan.

President Obama and Vice President Biden, in contrast, believe that economic growth comes from a strong middle class, rather than being passed down from the wealthiest. They have passed and seek greater investments in education, job-training, infrastructure development, and scientific research and development to boost our nation's long-term economic competiveness, coupled with targeted cuts in government spending and the end of the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to bring the federal budget deficit under control.

Mitt Romney will say anything to win, even if it's not true. After months of championing an extreme platform that drastically rolls back women's rights, Romney is now dishonestly trying to hide his actual positions that will jeopardize women's health. Here are the 10 things you need to know about where the real Romney stands on women's health and women's rights.

1. Romney has said he'd be "delighted" to sign a federal bill banning all abortions.

2. Romney backed a state-level bill to ban all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest.

3. Romney is head of the Republican Party, whose platform seeks to ban abortion and did not include exceptions for rape or incest. The platform "was written at the direction of Romney's campaign."

4. Romney has said he would have "absolutely" supported an amendment in Massachusetts, similar to extreme Personhood bills proposed in other states, that could have banned abortions and some forms of birth control.

5. Romney promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who would "hopefully reverse Roe v. Wade," viewing the ruling as "bad law and bad medicine" and "one of the darkest moments in Supreme Court history."

Vice President Biden started out smiling and never stopped . . . infuriating Republicans

Last night, Joe Biden said Mitt Romney was wrong to dismiss the 47%, said Paul Ryan was wrong to put his personal faith above women's right to control their own bodies, said the middle-class, not the wealthy, deserve a tax break, and said it's irresponsible and reckless to push for more war in the Middle East. Biden even dared to correct Paul Ryan when Paul Ryan's assertions deviated from reality--and he did it with flair.

Biden delivered the kind of performance that thrilled Democrats--and enraged Republicans, who were torn between blaming Martha Raddatz and the expressions on Joe Biden's face. But as amusing as the GOP's spin may be, it doesn't matter. Democrats needed a strong performance from Joe Biden, and they got it.

Watch It:

At The Vice Presidential Debate: Ryan Told 24 Myths In 40 Minutes

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Facing a slew of bad polls and even worse headlines, Josh Mandel has lost his cool on a member of the Ohio media for the third time in two weeks.

This morning it was the Canton-based Ron Ponder Show where Mandel accused the host of shilling for Sherrod Brown, refused to answer simple and legitimate questions about his decision to hire unqualified political cronies, and got so irritable that the host actually ended the interview.

Listen In Here

"Josh Mandel is willing to lie about any topic under the sun to avoid talking about how he doesn't show up for work, hired unqualified political cronies and opposes the auto rescue that helped protect 850,000 jobs in Ohio," said Sadie Weiner, spokeswoman for Friends of Sherrod Brown.

Jon Husted claims a member of the proposed redistricting commission could not be removed for taking a bribe

Republican opponents of Issue 2, the proposed redistricting reform plan, have started to question the rules that would govern the new citizens committee that would handle redistricting should voters approve the measure on Nov. 6.

Secretary of State Jon Husted underscored these concerns when he recently described to reporters a startling hypothetical situation involving a commission member.

"Apparently, you could accept a bribe from somebody to get the map that you want, and you couldn't be removed from this commission," Husted, a Republican and outspoken critic of Issue 2, told reporters after the Aug. 15 meeting of the Ohio Ballot Board to determine ballot language for Issue 2.

Is Husted right? Issue 2, after all, is billed as an attempt to remove political influence from the redistricting process.

PolitiFact Ohio checked into Husted's statement.

For the week ending Oct. 6, seasonally adjusted first-time claims for unemployment insurance was 339,000, the Department of Labor reported Thursday. This was a decrease of 30,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 369,000, oriiginally reported as 367,000.

First-time claims haven't been that low since the week of Feb. 16, 2008.

Husted continues fight to restrict voting opportunities just weeks before election
 
CLEVELAND - Today, State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) issued the following statement in response to Secretary of State Jon Husted's decision to appeal last week's ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals allowing for ballots to be cast on the three days leading up to Election Day.

"It would not be necessary for federal courts to intervene in our state's elections were it not for Republican leaders' continued attempts to restrict the opportunities that Ohioans have to cast a ballot. If the secretary is truly concerned about setting statewide voting hours, nothing in the Sixth Circuit's ruling prohibits him from doing so during the three days before the election.
 
"With just four weeks to go before November 6, it is absolutely imperative that Ohioans have a clear set of ground rules for a free and fair election. This continued confusion is just as powerful a tactic to suppress the vote as any other. As the state's chief elections official, it is Secretary Husted's responsibility to ensure that all citizens have optimal access to the ballot box--not to litigate away precious voting opportunities."

Columbus--Senate Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement today after Secretary of State Jon Husted announced he will appeal the U.S. 6th District Court of Appeals' decision which ordered in-person early voting to be restored for the three days proceeding the November 6th election:

"It is now clear that Secretary of State Jon Husted will stop at nothing to deny Ohioans full and equal access to the polls. 

By filing an appeal with the U. S. Supreme Court, Secretary Husted is once again searching for legal justification for Republican election laws that would deny some Ohioans the right to vote on the last three days before the election. 

Instead of standing up for the Constitution as he claims, the Secretary of State is standing in the way of equal access to the polls, which is the most fundamental right in our democracy. 

Furthermore, Secretary Husted is causing unnecessary delay and confusion just four weeks before election day."

Disappointed in Drastic Measures Taken to Cut Off Access to the Polls
 
COLUMBUS - Sec. Husted announced he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court last week's decision by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a lower federal court ruling reinstating the 3 busiest days of early voting for all Ohioans.

The Sixth Circuit held that the State did not have a good reason for taking away voting opportunities from non-military or overseas voters and that doing so was an unconstitutional violation of the guarantee of Equal Protection of the laws. 

The Court said the local Boards of Elections may allow all voters to vote during Saturday, November 3, 2012; Sunday, November 4, 2012; and Monday, November 5, 2012.  Husted seeks to have that decision overturned.

Voters First will file a new complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission tomorrow over the latest Ohio Republican Party mailer. Proponents of Issue 2 claim that four false statements are contained in the mailer, including one which the Elections Commission already ruled could be false.

The mailer includes the statement, "Some [Citizens' Independent Redistricting Commission] members can be chosen behind closed doors," which is nearly identical to a claim made in previous mailers which the Ohio Elections Commission determined had probable cause to be a violation. Despite this ruling, the Ohio Republican Party has repeated this false claim in subsequent campaign communications.

The complaint also alleges three other false statements: that the Commission could meet in secret, that Commission members cannot be removed, and Commission members could steal the public's money. Voters First has detailed specific provisions within the amendment which clearly prove all of these statements misleading.

"It's outrageous," said Sandy Theis, spokeswoman for Voters First. "The opponents of reform have continually been reprimanded for their deceptive tactics in the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Elections Commission and yet they repeat these lies again and again."

For Failure To Follow Disclaimer Law On Signage

Columbus, Ohio - ProgressOhio filed a second Federal Elections Commission complaint on Monday over Murray Energy's failure to include a disclaimer on political activity yard signs.

The signs, which say "STOP the WAR on COAL - FIRE OBAMA", contain no disclaimer.

"First Murray Energy coerced employees to appear as political props for the Romney campaign and now they have disregarded simple disclosure laws," said Brian Rothenberg, executive director of ProgressOhio. "In their zeal to play politics, Murray Energy has once again flagrantly flaunted federal law."

• Copy of the complaint:
• Pictures of the signs (1), (2)

ProgressOhio filed an FEC complaint two weeks ago over Murray Energy's published comments that they required mine workers to attend an August 14 rally in Beallsville that the Romney campaign subsequently used in television ads. A PDF copy of that complaint is online here.

"This company seems to flaunt the law on a whim," said Rothenberg. "First they coerce miners to support their political agenda. Now they ignore federal political disclaimer laws. The FEC really needs to take some action here."

An animated short about the big choice in 2012's presidential election by Simpsons/Family Guy animator Lucas Gray.

Watch It:

Sources for Facts available at http://whyobamanow.org/sources.html

ProgressOhio is currently part of a lawsuit with OCSEA against the State of Ohio over prison privatization.

State audit rips private prison on health, security

Conditions at the privately owned and operated Lake Erie Correctional Institution are " unacceptable" and "won't be allowed to continue," a state prison official said yesterday after the release of a critical audit.

An internal audit by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction found that the prison in Conneaut, Ohio, in Ashtabula County, met only two-thirds of state operating standards for prisons. It houses about 1,500 inmates.

In addition to numerous health, sanitation and security problems, staff members and inmates at the private prison told auditors they had "safety concerns" and do not feel secure.

The state sold the Conneaut prison last year to Corrections Corp. of America of Nashville, Tenn., for $72.7 million. The state pays CCA $44.25 per inmate per day to house, feed and clothe them and provide programs, plus a $3.8 million annual fee for maintenance. The company is obligated to run the prison at a savings of $3 million per year compared with state operation.

Read The Full Article

Daily Kos Petition Gathers Over 45k Signatures Supporting FEC Investigation

Columbus, Ohio - Daily Kos announced today that they have filed over 45,000 petition signatures asking the Federal Elections Commission to rule on a complaint concerning coal company Murray Energy's requirement that miners attend an August 14 rally.

Published reports showed that Murray energy had mandated employees attend the rally after closing the Belmont County Ohio coal mine across the border from Wheeling, West Virginia. ProgressOhio filed their complaint after the Romney campaign used footage of the coerced miners in television commercials.

"Our members have shown an outpouring of sympathy for the unpaid miners exploited by Romney's campaign," said Daily Kos Labor Editor Laura Clawson. "Over 45,000 of our members are petitioning the FEC to look into this matter."

ProgressOhio Executive Director Brian Rothenberg said the FEC complaint outlines two distinct election code violations. "Clearly the use of the footage of the miners is a thing of value from the company and needs to be documented and reported that way. But there are also federal codes preventing corporations from forcing employees to participate in political activity. Murray Energy and Mitt Romney have really crossed the line."

The Daily Kos petition will be formally sent to the FEC to be placed in the record. "Our members felt it is absolutely important that miners not be forced into a situation like this and they understand the chilling effect that has on their speaking out,"  said Clawson. "Hopefully this petition will speak for those miners and the FEC will respond to those concerns.

A copy of the FEC complaint is available online at http://www.progressohio.org/Murray-Romney%20complaint.pdf 

Related:

Murray's Coal Workers Mandatory, Unpaid Attendance As Props At Romney Event

ProgressOhio Files FEC complaint Against Romney, Mining Company

COLUMBUS - In a stunning affirmation by opponents of State Issue 2, The Ohio Republican Party and Protect Your Vote Ohio agreed to stop using two statements Voters First has said are false. Facing disciplinary action by the Ohio Elections Commission, the Ohio Republican Party and Protect Your Vote Ohio agreed to a settlement whereby they agreed to stop using two statements.

The terms of the settlement, signed by both groups yesterday, states that the Ohio Republican Party will no longer use two demonstrably false statements it has used in the past.

The first statement, "[The Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission] will have a blank check, was determined to be factually inaccurate by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The second statement, "Some [Independent Citizens' Commission] members will be chosen in secret," was the subject of an Ohio Elections Commission hearing today.

As a result of the acknowledgement by Issue 2 opponents and their agreement to not repeat the false statements in the future, Voters First has agreed to drop their case in front of the Elections Commission.

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10 Most Shameless Romney Debate Lies -- Debunked

Your conservative relatives should see this.

Conservative group at work in Ohio, records show

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Hundreds of emails were sent through an Ohio lawmaker's office last year to arrange free meals and other perks for legislators from lobbyists at events sponsored by the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, records show.

The Ohio House scheduler was asked to arrange session dates around council events and obliged, raising questions about the council's sway at the Statehouse.

The Associated Press reviewed emails obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy. It's part of a coalition of liberal activist groups leading a national campaign to highlight the council's operations and corporate ties, as well as controversial bills it has pushed, including voter identification and "stand your ground" gun legislation.

Activists complain the council improperly influences the legislative process by allowing corporate leaders to draft legislation alongside legislators. Under Ohio law, state lawmakers can't take gifts worth more than $75 -- but happy hours, lavish dinners, concerts and sporting events at council conferences are largely exempt.

For the period of the emails, those events included conferences in New Orleans and Phoenix and a Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

State email records show mostly Republican state lawmakers attended the group's conference in August 2011 in New Orleans, something Brian Rothenberg, executive director of the liberal policy group ProgressOhio, said shows it is not a bipartisan entity, like the National Conference of State Legislatures or the Council on State Governments.

"Clearly, this is hardly bipartisan. It's a very conservative effort to sit at the table with large corporations, provide model legislation on conservative objectives, and change the way Ohio laws work," he said. As criticism has grown nationally, corporations such as Wal-Mart and Amazon have dropped their affiliation with the group.

Read The Full Story From The AP

Mitt Romney often attacks President Obama for his lack of business experience, but his own running mate has spent his life in government as a Congressional staffer and Congressman since graduating college.

At a May event in Las Vegas, Romney enthusiastically told the story of man who proposed amending the Constitution to require all presidents have three years of business experience.

BuzzFeed notes that requirement would disqualify his own running mate, Paul Ryan, who has spent his life in government as a Congressional staffer and Congressman since graduating college.

Watch It:

Mitt Romney's latest add "Dream" seen here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf7Cxj5BZw8) uses a one second shot of downtown Oklahoma City as car dealer from Ohio narrates the ad talking about closing auto dealerships in Ohio. 

Looks like the stock footage of "Ohio" just wasn't good enough or someone maybe just miss clicked???  Ohio does come right before Oklahoma.... Oops

Link to photo:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7739082574_9c9730e0c0_o.png

This overlooks Sheridan Ave kind of near the American Banjo Museum.  You can see the sign on the building is Advanced Academics on the brick building. 

Here it is on google maps street view before the building was renovated.

http://goo.gl/maps/YxtNp

Here it is after renovation

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/3d6c610a-b4d5-47fe-b5f1-2021cedc3290.JPG

Democrat Notes the Prosecutorial Role in Protecting a Well-functioning Democracy

COLUMBUS- State Representative Dennis Murray (D- Sandusky) sent a letter to Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. today urging a continued full and thorough investigation into Superintendent Heffner's actions and whether criminal charges should be brought. 

Saturday, Mr. Heffner announced his resignation on the heels of last week's report by Inspector General Meyer finding wrongdoing by Mr. Heffner. Last year, while serving as interim-Superintendent Mr. Heffner testified before the Senate Finance Committee in favor of legislation that would and did financially benefit Education Testing Services (ETS), with whom he had accepted a job and signed an employment agreement.

A copy of Rep. Murray's letter can be seen below.

The full report by Inspector General Meyer can be seen here.

Ohio Republican congressional candidate Marisha Agana put President Barack Obama in the company of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong in a tweet on Sunday.

"History has a way of repeating itself: Stalin, Hitler, Mao Tse Tung and now Obama!!!" Agana wrote.

A Reddit user flagged the tweet, and a Facebook user demanded an apology on Agana's page, writing;

"You need to immediately apologize for comparing the President of the United States to Hitler. This is not how a person running for office behaves in this country. When you make these types of comments, you diminish the suffering of the Jewish people."

Agana is running against Tim Ryan in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Speaker Boehner's own Republicans know how extreme this House Republican Majority has become. Just today, moderate Republican Congressman Steve LaTourette announced he won't seek re-election saying that Republicans must now hand over "your wallet and your voting card" to the extreme Tea Party wing in order to get ahead.

LaTourette was one of the last of a dying breed -- a moderate, union-friendly Republican who stood up to the right flank of the House Republican Conference. In the 112th Congress, it put him at odds with a good bulk of his GOP colleagues, including, at times, his longtime friend and ally, Speaker John Boehner.

Moderates in Washington are echoing what voters already know: Republicans "no longer encourage the finding of common ground," and they're wasting time and taxpayer dollars to push an out of touch agenda ideological agenda instead of creating jobs or strengthening in the middle class. Case in point - House Republicans will again show Americans that the Tea Party wing is in control when they force another vote tonight on women's reproductive rights.
 
"The Tea Party Republican Majority now has a sign outside their meeting room - no moderates allowed" said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Even Republicans in Speaker Boehner's own delegation are jumping ship because of this extreme agenda that forces out moderates, embraces radicalism and bans common sense.

From Republicans embracing fringe conspiracy theories to pushing an extremist social agenda, there's more proof every day that the House Republican agenda is now just the Tea Party gone wild."

COLUMBUS - Citing the need to have the cloud of constitutionality decided, ProgressOhio, State Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) and State Senator Michael Skindell appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court over JobsOhio.

Governor John Kasich's controversial privatization of job development in Ohio was dismissed in both the trial court and on appeal over the issue of standing, that is, where anyone had the right to challenge the State's actions. To date no Ohio Court has actually addressed the Ohio Constitutional provisions which prevent state funds to be used in a private corporation and restrict the use of the State's credit to support the sale of private bonds.

"It is our hope that the Ohio Supreme Court will recognize that citizens should have the right to challenge their government's unconstitutional actions," said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director of ProgressOhio. "What more compelling standing can citizens have than to simply ask a court to rule on potentially unconstitutional actions. Otherwise, the Constitution of Ohio is essentially defenseless."

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Senate Nominee Shorting U.S. Treasury Bonds, Would Profit From Government Default

The Republican nominee in Ohio's Senate race stands to reap a significant financial windfall if the government defaults by not raising the debt ceiling, a move he opposed last year and has indicated he would vote against if elected to the Senate.

According to personal financial disclosure documents examined by ThinkProgress, Josh Mandel's wife owns an undisclosed amount of ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury exchange-traded fund (ETF). This ETF aggressively "shorts" U.S. Treasury bills, meaning that it bets against U.S. debt and spikes when Treasury bill values drop. If a default were to occur, the desirability of Treasury bills would plummet and Mandel's ETF would skyrocket in value.

That precise scenario could become more likely if Mandel wins his race against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). One of the top issues Mandel lists on his website is to "Stop increasing the debt ceiling."

Similarly, when Congress was embroiled in the debt ceiling fight last year, he stated that he "would have voted against the debt deal" that narrowly staved off a default.

The very optics of a politician profiting off a default could present problems for Mandel as he tries to convince Ohio voters to send him to Washington next year so he can "stop increasing the debt ceiling."

Read The Full Story At Think Progress

Renacci claims to return contributions in letter to Sutton
 
PARMA HEIGHTS, OH - After weeks of pressure from Betty Sutton has finally forced Congressman Jim Renacci to return over $100,000 in campaign contributions under FBI investigation from Suarez Corporation employees, questions remain about what Renacci knew about the questionable contributions and why he decided to wait over two months since Sutton first called on him to return the potentially illegal funds.
 
"Every day, Ohioans work hard and play by the rules, and they expect their representatives in Washington to do the same," said Sutton. "While some of Renacci's largest contributions are under FBI investigation, Jim Renacci has lied and he has hid the truth about what he knew about these suspect donations, and why he refused to return them. He owes the voters of this district an explanation, and I look forward to hearing all of the facts because voters deserve to know the truth about these shady campaign practices."
 
The questions Ohio voters deserve the answers to include:

1)      When did Jim Renacci first learn about the FBI investigation of Suarez donors?
2)      Did Jim Renacci ask Suarez company executives, including Mr. Suarez, to ask Suarez employees for campaign contributions?
3)      Why did Jim Renacci wait until now to return the donations after knowing about the FBI investigation for several months?

Word of an FBI investigation of donations by employees of the Suarez Company came in May, when information was disclosed that major donations were made by, "employees had never given to federal campaigns before, lived in modest homes, and held job titles such as "copywriter." [Toledo Blade, May 21, 2012].

A longtime leader on improving ethics and transparency in government, Sutton helped sponsor and led the floor fight to pass legislation creating an Office of Congressional Ethics within the House.

Will Mandel Be Willing To Answer For His Numerous Lies And Anti Middle Class Agenda?
 
COLUMBUS, OHIO - Today, the Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign responded to an invitation from the City Club of Cleveland, agreeing to either of two proposed dates for a debate with Josh Mandel.
 
Josh Mandel, who has cemented his reputation as politician who can't be trusted by doubling down on lies that have been thoroughly debunked as false, refusing to tell Ohioans where he stands on critical issues and even running away from reporters, now must make good on his campaign pledge to debate at The City Club and choose one of the following proposed dates: October 1, or 8.
 
Sen. Sherrod Brown immediately accepted the debate invitation from the City Club. Will Josh Mandel?
 
"The City Club provides the perfect venue for Josh Mandel to finally come clean by explaining his promise to repeat debunked lies from now through November, his refusal to tell Ohioans where he stands on critical issues like Sherrod's bill to crack down on Chinese currency manipulation and the numerous scandals that have plagued his office since his swearing in," said Sadie Weiner, spokesperson for Friends of Sherrod Brown. "Sherrod looks forwarding to debating Josh Mandel, while Ohioans eagerly anticipate the opportunity for Josh to explain his numerous anti-middle class ositions and defend his decisions to hire unqualified political cronies in the Treasurer's office, blow off more than a year of billion-dollar investment meetings and accept shady campaign cash we now know is connected to an FBI probe."

With Mitt Romney's claims about his professional record falling apart, a new poll shows that, like many of his political allies, the American public -- including a strong majority of Independents -- thinks he should release his tax returns.

WHAT ROMNEY SAYS ABOUT HIS TAX RETURNS IN 2012: Despite all the discrepancies about his years in the private sector, Romney insists that releasing just two years of tax returns -- 2010 and 2011 -- is enough and refuses to stop stonewalling on the others.

THE FACTS:

• 1968: Romney's father, George Romney, released 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president. "One year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show," he warned at the time.

• 1994: Romney demanded that Senator Ted Kennedy, his opponent in a Senate race, release his tax returns.

• 2002: Romney demanded that his opponent in the Massachusetts governor's race release her husband's tax returns. His campaign asserted "She can't claim to be disclosing anything until she discloses the returns," demanding to know "what is she hiding?"

• 2004: Contrary to Romney's claims, Sen. John Kerry put out a total of 20 years of tax returns by the time he ran for president. In fact, throughout his political career Sen. Kerry never withheld his tax returns from the public.

• 2008: Romney gave Sen. John McCain's then-presidential campaign 23 years' worth of tax returns going back to 1985. If just one of Romney's tax return is more than 500 pages, two decades is more than 10,000 pages withheld from the public.

• The Post-Watergate Era: Presidents and Vice Presidents have routinely released many years of their tax returns, including President Obama and Vice President Biden (more than 10 years' worth each).

House Dem Leader says protecting communities, local taxpayers should be priority
 
COLUMBUS - In response to Gov. John Kasich's renewed push to increase the severance tax on oil and gas companies, House Democratic Leader Armond Budish released the following statement:

"Gov. Kasich's proposal to modestly increase the severance tax on oil and gas companies is a step in the right direction.  But we should be protecting local property taxpayers and prioritizing our communities, not passing more tax cuts that disproportionately benefit wealthy Ohioans.
 
"Ohio has one of the lowest severance tax rates in the country so reviewing those rates only makes sense as large oil and gas companies attempt to capitalize on Ohio's natural resources.  On this, I agree with Gov. Kasich and frankly I can't understand why House Republicans have stood in the way.
 
"Instead of protecting the oil and gas industry with one of the lowest tax rates in the country, we should be finding ways to prioritize our communities and protect local property taxpayers. The fallout from last year's budget is just beginning.  In next month's special election alone, 35 communities will be seeking local property tax increases.
 
"Furthermore, the impact of this new industry is going to add significant costs for local communities and this proposal does very little to address this. There's also serious concern about protecting against environmental risk.  As of 2011, Ohio had only 30 field inspectors to inspect 64,481 wells. Adding a few more will help but our overall regulatory capacity is still limited.
 
"I truly believe that our state is only as strong as our local communities.  Going forward, we must prioritize Ohio communities and protect local property taxpayers.  I agree with Gov. Kasich, we should determine a fair frack tax rate, but we shouldn't shortchange our schools and local communities along the way."

A super PAC unveiled a new website called VeepMistakes.com which features more than 1,300 pages of opposition research and scores of video clips of possible running mates for Mitt Romney, ABC News reports.

"Political prognosticators can only speculate who is on Romney's short-list, but now we know who the Democrats are preparing to target. The super PAC is shining their spotlight on three of the mostly likely contenders: former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio."

Most interesting: "In addition to the written material, the super PAC, which was formed primarily as a tracking and research organization, is making public large amounts of video footage of the three vice presidential hopefuls. American Bridge trackers have been following Pawlenty since May 2011, Rubio since this February and Portman since May."

The Cleveland Palin Dealer Reports:

PARMA, Ohio -- A clash among protesters and supporters of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney broke out today during a speech by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Kentown Plaza in Parma.

"Pawlenty go home, Pawlenty go home," the protesters chanted when the governor took the stage before about 200 people at the campaign stop. He was joined by several local GOP officials and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Pawlenty maintained his composure. Some Romney supporters did not.

At one point, one of the protesters, Al Neal of Canton, 25, who said he was a union worker and a member of Fight for Fair Economy Ohio, was confronted by Richard Brysac, 77, of Parma.

Brysac attempted to quiet the protester by emptying a bottle of water in Neal's mouth.

"He seemed thirsty, so I tried to shove the bottle in his mouth," Brysac said. "I thought it was wrong to interfere with [Pawlenty's] freedom of speech.

"I acted out of character and I apologize if I offended anyone."

When the bottle didn't work, Brysac pulled out his handkerchief and gagged Neal.

Watch It:

Sends Letter to Director Mohr Looking for Answers
 
COLUMBUS--State Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus) sent a letter to Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Director Gary Mohr today questioning the abrupt removal of Cathy Collins-Taylor and Jose Torres from the Parole Board last week.

Director Mohr provided little explanation to the Dayton Daily News other than to say he continues to "seek the right people for the right positions."

More than a year after Gov. Kasich took office and Director Mohr was appointed this sudden removal appears to be politically motivated.

A copy of Rep. Heard's letter can be seen below.

IO Says Obama's Rescue Plan Created 12,500 Ohio Jobs

Columbus:  Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, released a "white paper" today asserting that at least 12,500 Ohio jobs were created by President Obama's auto rescue plan and that hundreds more now seem likely.

Read the white paper here.

In recent nationally broadcast television interviews on CNN and NBC's Meet the Press, Gov. Kasich has downplayed the importance of auto jobs to the Ohio economy, claiming that the auto rescue plan was responsible for only "1,800 direct jobs" and that only 700 of the 73.300 jobs Ohio has added since January 2011 were automotive jobs.

According to Innovation Ohio, Kasich low-balled the auto job number by disingenuously looking ONLY at 2011 (actually, just the first 9 months of that year).

House Bill 510, weakened, awaits Senate action

A proposed new tax on Ohio's banks would provide millions of dollars in tax cuts to mortgage lenders, securities brokers, payday lenders, finance companies, and other so-called "dealers in intangibles." It also would create a new way for insurance-company affiliates to cut taxes between now and 2014 by restructuring operations, and add other new exemptions.  

These are just some of the ways that the Ohio House of Representatives weakened the tax proposal, HB 510, and undercut the most positive aspect of the original bill: to bring financial institutions under a single tax and reduce tax avoidance, according to a new brief by Policy Matters Ohio.

The bill was approved by the House in May and is now under consideration in the Senate. "Besides reducing the revenue the tax will generate, a host of new provisions would chip away at the base of the new tax and continue to leave big banks with a large share of the proposed rate cuts," said Zach Schiller, report author and Policy Matters Ohio research director.  

The Kasich administration first proposed the new tax as a part of its Mid-Biennium Review. The new Financial Institutions Tax (FIT) would replace the corporate franchise tax and the tax on dealers in intangibles on what was said to be a revenue-neutral basis. However, while parsing all of the effects of the proposal is difficult, it appears likely that financial institutions will pay less overall than they do now.

"Contradictory as it might seem, this bill as it stands would funnel what should be added revenue for the state right back to Ohio's largest banks," said Schiller. "The General Assembly should stick to the plan to cut loopholes, and use the additional funds to fight the foreclosure crisis and restore needed public services." The brief includes recommendations for how to improve the tax proposal.

Samuel Wurzelbacher, more commonly known as Joe the Plumber, blamed gun control for the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust in a web video released Monday.

Watch It:

Wurzelbacher is running against Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) in a bid for the overwhelmingly Democratic seat.

Washington DC - Josh Mandel has been developing quite the reputation for dodging questions, refusing to take positions, and flat-out lying as he campaigns for the Senate. In addition to our previously released video highlighting Mandel's refusal to comment on the FBI investigation into his campaign contributions, American Bridge is releasing a video of Mandel dodging yet another question: why did he start running for the Senate just after taking office as Ohio Treasurer?

Spoiler alert: despite talking for a very long time, he never answers the question.

Watch It:

View the full length version here

Ohio's Constitutional Catch-22 . . .

While critics wonder how anybody ever would have the legal standing to mount a legal challenge if the legislature violates Ohio's Constitution the appeals court said it could not address that issue until it was brought up by someone with legal standing. A perfect Catch-22. 

Ohio courts reject citizens' concerns about Kasich administration shortcuts: Thomas Suddes

Twice in recent weeks, judges in Columbus have -- in so many words -- let the Ohio Constitution become a Slinky toy in the General Assembly's playpen.

True, the edicts include enough words such as "therefore" and "whereas" to bubble-wrap their real meanings.

But that can't cushion this fact: Last week's decision (in ProgressOhio.org vs. JobsOhio), like a May 30 ruling against the Ohio Roundtable (noted here last week), means Joe or Joan Taxpayer generally can't go to court to question many of the General Assembly's antics.

If you think that's a good thing, you're either in someone's legislative majority or you don't pay taxes.

Because both decisions -- again, however technically defensible -- fail to recognize changing times:

Regardless of party, a term-limited General Assembly, plus a job-dispensing governorship, mean lawmaking in Ohio ain't what it used to be: Checks and balances are fewer, and weaker, in the rush to make nice-nice with a governor made even more powerful by legislative term limits. In most places, that would prod judges to rebalance the Statehouse scales.

But this isn't most places. It's Ohio.

So, last week, in a challenge to Gov. John Kasich's transformation of the state Development Department into JobsOhio, the 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals ruled that a liberal outfit named ProgressOhio, plus Sen. Michael Skindell, a Lakewood Democrat, and Rep. Dennis Murray, a Sandusky Democrat, had "no standing" to challenge the General Assembly's creation of JobsOhio, despite constitutional angles which even the appellate court's ruling conceded are important: "There is no question [the plaintiffs'] challenge raises significant concerns about at least some of the provisions of the JobsOhio Act."

Then, however, the ruling cited the courthouse equivalent of this, that and the other thing -- the phrase "great public interest," a requirement for winning a case like ProgressOhio's. And, said the court, the objections that ProgressOhio, Murray and Skindell raised to JobsOhio didn't amount to "enough of a public concern to confer standing" on them -- the right to go to court.

Read the full article in The Cleveland Plian Dealer

Columbus - Senate Democratic Leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement in response to claims of bipartisanship made today by Governor Kasich, Speaker Batchelder and President Niehaus:

"Webster's dictionary defines 'bipartisanship' as cooperation, agreement and compromise between political parties. So, it strikes me as very odd that the Governor and Republican leaders would hold a press conference touting their new-found spirit of bipartisanship and not invite Democrats to the event.
 
"Where was the Republicans' so-called 'bipartisanship' when they passed Senate Bill 5 without a single Democratic vote?  Thankfully 62% of Ohioans rejected the GOP's unwarranted attack on collective bargaining rights.
 
"To set the record straight, Senate Democrats have introduced 156 bills in this General Assembly, but only 14 percent have passed the Senate.  Half of the bills that did pass were jointly sponsored with Republican members and five bills dealt with one issue--pension reform."
 
"Senate Democrats also offered more than 700 amendments to protect Ohio's schools and communities from Governor Kasich's devastating budget cuts. Not a single amendment was accepted by the Republican majority.  That is not bipartisanship by any definition."

The media loves to stir up a controversy over a sound bite, but real Americans are struggling and trying to sort out what politicians are really saying and what they stand for.

Mitt Romney's statement that we should lay off our firefighters, cops, and teachers wasn't a "gaffe" -- it's what he really thinks and where his policies all lead.

He's running on a platform to lay off more of our firefighters, cops, and teachers, and he pushed for the same when he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Do we really want leaders who think our children are too smart, our homes are too safe, and the middle class has too many good jobs?

Good teachers, firefighters, nurses, and cops don't just keep our country running. Keeping them on the job keeps customers in our stores -- and that's just what our private sector needs to thrive and hire.

Columbus, OH--Today, Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage and 25 other organizations released a letter to Insurance Commissioner Mary Taylor outlining how the Administration is failing to meet federal regulations regarding consumer input into the health insurance premium rate review process.
 
"Because Director Taylor is not giving enough easily accessible information--as required by federal law--consumers in Ohio have little or no opportunity for input when insurers come in and ask for double-digit premium increases," said Cathy Levine, co-chair of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage. "More and more organizations are concerned that consumer voices are being ignored by this Administration."
 
The regulation for Effective Rate Review programs went into effect on September 1, 2011 but Ohio has yet to come into compliance with the regulation's provisions. This does not sit well with the Ohio Federation of Teachers.

COLUMBUS - ProgressOhio today called on the Ohio General Assembly to halt an earmark tucked away in HB 487, the Mid-Biennium Review (MBR). The earmark shifts redistricting tax funds away from public oversight while covering redistricting costs for majority party legislators and shutting out minority legislators.

Buried in the omnibus budget revision bill was the transfer of $350,000 from the Legislative Task Force on redistricting to the Ohio Attorney General's office. This contradicts and overrides a previous agreement signed by both parties in the General Assembly on how task force funds should be expended by individual caucuses.

"The party in power already used redistricting to hurt their opposition at the ballot box. Now this earmark is being used to hit them in the pocketbook," said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director, ProgressOhio.

When Josh Mandel became Ohio's Treasurer barely a year ago, he was entrusted to act as a responsible steward of the state's funds. Mandel quickly violated that trust by failing to fulfill the responsibilities of his job so he could campaign for a Senate seat instead.

Mandel has also acted irresponsibly by flouting campaign finance rules. Questionable contributions made to his Senate campaign by employees of Suarez Corporation are now under investigation by the FBI. The suspicious nature of the donations was raised by the press to Mandel last year, as it was noted how unusual it was for multiple employees (and their spouses) of the same company, many whom have never before given to federal campaigns, to each make maximum donations to the same candidates. Yet Mandel refused to investigate the donations, and returned them only after the press reported on the existence of an FBI investigation.

And though he has now returned $105,000 in tainted donations, Mandel has yet to come clean. He refuses to identify when he became aware of the FBI investigation, how he learned of the investigation, and how long he waited before returning the donations. This is to say nothing of whether he knew that the contributions were illegal before they were made, and still chose to accept them anyway.

With the FBI investigating these contributions to Mandel's campaign, Ohio voters are asking the same question: what is Josh Mandel hiding?

Watch It:

Learn More:

FBI Investigating Campaign Donations Made To Mandel And Renacci

The FBI is investigating campaign payments made by employees of the Suarez Corporation Industries to Josh Mandel and Jim Renacci. The direct marketing company is owned by Benjamin Suarez, a major Republican donor.

The Toledo Blade reported last August that 17 Suarez Corporation Industries employees and some of their spouses gave a combined $100,000 to the Mandel campaign and $100,000 to the Renacci campaign.

According to The New Republic, some had never given to political campaigns before, lived in modest neighborhoods, and held job titles such as copy writer. raising questions about whose money was being contributed and whether it was an attempt to steer around the $5,000 contribution limit.

I visited the home of Michael Blubaugh, a copywriter at Suarez who had given $5,000 each to Renacci and Mandel last year--and whose wife, Donna, had done the same. They live in a modest subdivision, in a home valued by Zillow at about $142,000. When Donna came to the door, she said she had already been asked about the donations by the FBI. The inquiry had caught her by surprise, she said, "because I didn't know about the rules, so I was like, 'What?'" But she said the $20,000 had been given of her and her husband's free wills. "Our house may not look it, because we're saving for retirement, but my husband makes good money as a copywriter," she said. But why give so much to the candidates? "My husband made the decision, not me," she said.

Giving campaign money in the name of another is illegal.

When asked about the Suarez Contributions last August during an interview that aired on WKYC on September 1, 2011 Josh Mandel completely dodged the question.

Watch It:

COLUMBUS - State Reps. Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) sent a letter on Friday to the Kasich Administration asking the Governor to rethink his stance on drug testing welfare recipients.

Read The Full Letter Below:

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) released the following statement praising President Obama for the continued drop in unemployment in Ohio. April's unemployment numbers were released today showing Ohio's unemployment rate dropped from 7.5 percent to 7.4 percent in April.

"Ohio's continued drop in unemployment is proof that President Obama' policies are working.  This is particularly impressive in light of the massive job losses resulting from Governor Kasich's budget cuts and other attacks on middle class workers.

If the Governor and his Republican cohorts in the legislature would put aside their extremist and divisive social agenda, and instead focus on job creation, we could be putting a lot more Ohioans back to work."

COLUMBUS--State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) issued the following statement today regarding the approval by the House or Representatives of Senate Bill 295, legislation that will repeal HB 194:

"It is a truly sad day for the people of Ohio.  Not only have their lawmakers plainly circumvented their will and rendered the pending referendum on HB 194 moot, they have passed legislation that clearly conflicts with provisions of the Ohio Constitution.

"HB 194 was an historic step backwards in the struggle for voting rights because it made it harder for voters' voices to be heard.  Senate Bill 295 is an equally negligent blunder in that it disregards the voters altogether--300,000 of which signed petitions to vote upon HB 194 this November.  Moreover, SB 295 still bans early voting the three days immediately preceding an election, perennially the busiest time period of early voting.

"Instead of working to address the hardships faced by the long-term unemployed, putting more teachers in the classroom, or investing in the infrastructure of tomorrow, majority Republicans have made it their mission to help Jim Crow move north, keep women in the kitchen, and restrict workers' rights."

Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a field hearing today examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown joined Durbin at the hearing.

"If the goal of Ohio's new voting law is to drive down turnout by causing confusion and erecting barriers to the ballot, than the law will undoubtedly be a success," Durbin said. "Cutting back on early voting, making it difficult for voters to find their polling place and hurting the ability for voters to vote absentee could disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters. Regardless of how clever or innocuous a new voting law may seem, if it makes it harder or impossible for citizens to cast a ballot, we must speak out and work to get that law modified, repealed, or invalidated by a court of law. And that's why we're here in Ohio today."

"H.B. 194 is a solution in search of a problem. It will repeal a number of common-sense measures that assist Ohioans in voting. For instance, this law eliminates early voting on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday prior to the election, the three busiest days of early voting. This reduction was made despite the fact that in 2008, up to 19 percent of Ohio voters cast their ballots on the weekend prior to the election," Brown said. "Not only that, but under H.B. 194,  ballot workers will be prohibited from directing voters--who may be their friends, colleagues, or parishioners--to the correct polling location. Rather than protecting the right to vote, HB 194 is a brazen attempt to undermine it. This bill will disenfranchise more Ohioans of their right to vote, and that's wrong. Our citizens deserve better."

COLUMBUS - Peppered throughout his letter to his "Fellow Pro-Life Ohioans," Senate President Tom Niehaus reminds his readers of all the anti-woman bills that the current state legislature has passed, "more than any previous General Assembly in state history."

It is because of this anti-woman bravado that Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio is suspicious about reports that the "heartbeat bill" is dead.

"Notwithstanding news reports and headlines, Sen. Niehaus' letter never once declares the 'heartbeat bill' to be dead," said Gary Dougherty, State Legislative Director for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio.  "His plea that anti-choice groups come to a consensus on the bill signals his clear desire to end legal access to all safe abortion care."

Because Faith2Action and Ohio Right to Life are so heavily invested in their positions for and against the "heartbeat bill," such a consensus may be unlikely.  However, Dougherty asserts that is the reason for continued vigilance.

"We cannot, and will not, be lulled to sleep by claims that the 'heartbeat bill' is dead.  This legislature has become a willing partner in the War on Women and cannot be trusted to preserve access to women's health care options.  Whether the 'heartbeat bill' remains an abortion ban bill or becomes an informed consent bill or a mandatory ultrasound bill, Planned Parenthood will continue to stand up for those women and their families who rely on us to advocate for their access to reproductive health care."

Renacci receives $5,000 from organization whose work has led to millions in secret campaign donations

PARMA HEIGHTS, OH - This week, Tax Evader Millionaire Jim Renacci was rewarded for his loyalty to big corporations and billionaires by receiving an endorsement and a $5,000 donation by the Citizens United Political Victory Fund, a donation that Betty Sutton has called on him to return.

"Citizen United's money is just more proof that Millionaire Tax Evader Congressman Renacci is in Congress to look out for millionaires and big outsourcing corporations, and not the needs of working Ohioans," said Scott Eggleston, Sutton campaign manager. "Congressman Renacci should return this tainted cash and stand with Betty Sutton in denouncing the harmful, undemocratic Citizens United Supreme Court decision, stop secret, shady outside groups like this one from trying to buy our elections, and rightfully restore the power of our democratic process back to the hands of middle-class Ohioans."

Last week, Congresswoman Betty Sutton joined a group of lawmakers in the U.S. Capitol to support a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United ruling, which has allowed corporations and billionaires to spend unlimited amounts of money, without the need to disclose its source, in an attempt to unfairly influence elections. Betty is the sponsor of a Constitutional Amendment that would overturn this disastrous ruling so it is no surprise that those dedicated to keeping it and their lopsided power in place are trying to beat her.

More information about Millionaire Tax Evader Jim Renacci's long-lasting devotion to Citizens United and giving millionaires and corporations an upper hand in our elections can be found below:

Following more than a year of Josh Mandel's special interest friends attacking Sherrod Brown, the Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign  today released a new TV ad, "How to Succeed."

The ad highlights Josh Mandel's practice of hiring political cronies for top jobs at the Treasurer's office, including Joe Aquilino, who Mandel made the Director of Debt Management despite the fact that Aquilino was so unqualified he was dispatched to attend a beginner's course in the subject he was charged to oversee.

Cleveland's Plain Dealer Reports:

WASHINGTON -- You've seen U.S. Sherrod Brown criticized in TV ads over economic and energy policy. Now Brown is hitting back, starting tonight with a tough, 30-second commercial that accuses his opponent, Josh Mandel, of hiring inexperienced, "unqualified" buddies and giving them big raises in the Ohio treasurer's office.

The commercial shows pictures of six Mandel aides and focuses on three in particular: Mandel's former campaign manager, earning $100,00; his former college friend, earning $150,00, and his former 26-year-old campaign aide, earning $90,000.

"Mandel made him Ohio's director of debt management," the announcer says of the latter aide, "even though he had no finance experience."

"Josh Mandel," the announcer says. "He's just a politician we can't trust."

Watch It:

Lawmaker sends fiery rebuke to all House members

COLUMBUS -The Ohio House of Representatives this afternoon received correspondence that harshly criticized the House legislative process of the 129th General Assembly.

State Representative Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) issued the following e-mail directed to House Agriculture Chairman Dave Hall and Speaker Batchelder:

Columbus - Senate Democratic Leader Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati), Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), Senator Edna Brown (D-Toledo), Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) and Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) today condemned continued efforts by Republicans in the General Assembly to disenfranchise voters. 

Yesterday, Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) and House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati) filed a lawsuit (State of Ohio ex. rel. Neihaus v. Husted) asking the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn a federal consent degree which, if successful, would result in fewer provisional ballots being counted.

"The lawsuit makes it clear that Republicans in the General Assembly will stop at nothing to disenfranchise more Ohioans," said Senator Kearney.  "They are circumventing constitutionally guaranteed rights and defying the federal courts in a cynical effort to throw the next election in their favor."

"Wasting taxpayer dollars to eliminate voting rights is a lose-lose situation," added Senator Tavares.

Last night Senator Rob Portman voted against allowing a vote on the Buffett Rule, which would ensure that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes like the rest of middle-class families across the country:

By voting against the Buffett Rule, Senator Portman made his priorities clear tonight. Instead of standing up for working class families and tax fairness, Portman sided with millionaires and billionaires determined to continue paying a lower percentage of their income in taxes than many middle-class Americans.

The Buffett Rule is a common sense change to our tax code that protects the basic American belief that people should be rewarded for their hard work and diligence, and that everyone should pay their fair share. These values are cherished by most Americans and part of the reason why President Obama asked Senator Portman and the rest of Congress to support these changes to the tax code.

Apparently, Senator Portman does not share those values. He would rather preserve outrageous tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans than actually invest in programs that are critical to supporting the middle class. Hardworking Ohio families are paying attention to who is standing up for them, and unfortunately, they're starting to realize that Senator Portman is not on their side.

Portman Tax Day Protest:

View Larger Images Here

Tracks Roll Call Votes on Medicare, Social Security

Columbus, Ohio -- The Alliance for Retired Americans, a grassroots advocacy organization, recently released its 2011 Ohio Congressional Voting Record, detailing the votes of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees.

"At a time when Congress has been debating the future of Social Security and Medicare, it is more important than ever that people of all ages know the issues and how their elected officials voted," said David Friesner, President Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund.

The Alliance voting record examined 10 key Senate votes and 10 key House votes in 2011, showing the roll calls on issues such as repeal of the Affordable Care Act and several budget plans that shape future spending levels and policies for Medicare, Social Security, and other key programs that help seniors.

According to the new report, five U.S. House members from Ohio received passing grades of 60 percent or higher: Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich, Marcia Fudge, Betty Sutton and Tm Ryan. Thirteen Representatives received failing grades of below 60 percent: Steve Chabot, Jean Schmidt, Michael Turner, Jim Jordan, Bob Latta, Bill Johnson, Steve Austria, John Boehner, Patrick Tiberi, Steve LaTourette, James Renacci, and Bob Gibbs.

In the Senate, Sherrod Brown received a score of 100 for his votes in 2011. Senator Portman received a score of zero.

The Toledo Blade Reports:

Josh Mandel, Ohio treasurer of state, has given his staff appointees large raises since he took office while awarding more modest raises to the employees he inherited when he became treasurer a year ago.

The analysis, done by the U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown re-election campaign and confirmed by The Blade, adds to the Democrats' portrayal of Mr. Mandel -- the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate -- as having filled jobs in his office with well-paid political "cronies."

But the Mandel staff said appointees received additional pay because they took on new administrative and supervisory duties, or received "nondiscretionary" raises as mandated by collective bargaining agreements or civil service rules.

Six Mandel political appointees received raises ranging from $250 to $1,153 per two-week pay period since the time he took office.

In the same period, raises for the six highest-paid holdovers from former Democratic Treasurer Kevin Boyce ranged from $147 to $441 per pay period.

The biggest dollar-amount raise went to Mr. Mandel's general counsel, Seth Metcalf. His salary zoomed to $5,961 per two-week pay period from $4,808, a 24 percent increase, after he joined the staff in January, 2011. According to Seth Unger, press secretary for Mr. Mandel, Mr. Metcalf also took on the job of chief financial officer, eliminating a position and saving $45,000 a year.

Read The Full Story at The Toledo Blade

Today, Josh Mandel is hard at work doing what he loves best - ignoring his job while raising cash for his U.S. Senate campaign.

PolitiFact Ohio calls yet another Republican lie about Sherrod Brown "not accurate" and "simply ridiculous". On the Truth-O-Meter, ridiculous claims get a rating of Pants on Fire!

The National Republican Senatorial Committee says the health care law slapped Ohio small businesses with a $500 billion tax increase

With Congress out for its Easter-Passover break, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown started making the rounds with constituent and factory visits in early April. One of those stops was at the Nucor steel plant in Marion, where the Democratic freshman discussed what he calls the unfair trade practices of China.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee meantime had a list of other subjects it thought Brown, who faces reelection in November, should discuss during his local visits. Making suggestions in a pointed news release, NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox said, "One of the things we expect that Brown will not be discussing is his 60th vote for Barack Obama's job-killing health care law, which slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase."

This single statement had several elements that made us say, "Huh?" Was Brown the 60th vote for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? That's a point of dispute, because the NRSC had already said that Montana Democrat Jon Tester had that honor (though Tester's staff debunked it with a videotape showing him as the 52nd "yes" vote, Politico reported). The NRSC or its affiliates have also accused Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Claire McCaskill of Missouri of casting that crucial vote. Taking heat for being the 60th senator to actually commit that he would vote "yes," thus assuring passage regardless of the order in which the actual roll call went, was Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

But Brown certainly voted for the health care bill, so let's not get hung up on which senator had the ultimate vote. More intriguing than that was the NRSC's claim that the bill "slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase."

That would be a heck of an increase, were it true.

But it is not. Every piece of information the NRSC sent us to back up its $500 billion claim pertained to a national figure, not a figure for a single state. And it applied to all taxes and fees associated with what both parties are now calling Obamacare, not just the portion that would be paid by small businesses.

Many millionaires and billionaires -- approximately 55,000 -- are paying lower taxes than millions of middle-class Americans. In fact, in 2009, 1,500 millionaires managed to pay no federal income taxes on their millions.

At the same time, the average tax rate paid by the richest of the richest few -- the wealthiest 0.1% -- is at nearly the lowest rate in over 50 years -- even though their average income has skyrocketed over the last generation.

The "Buffett Rule" proposal that will be voted on in the Senate would require that taxpayers with annual income above $1 million pay a tax rate of at least 30 percent.

Three-fourths of Americans, including nearly 70% of Republicans, and President Obama support the "Buffett Rule" -- the simple idea that millionaires shouldn't pay lower taxes than working American families.

Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Mike Bloomberg, and hundreds of "patriotic millionaires" say the wealthiest Americans like them should do what's right and pay higher taxes.

Breaks for big businesses shortchange students and defund the American Dream

WASHINGTON--As the deadline approaches for Americans to file their taxes, a significant portion of profitable corporations may not pay a dime. The reason? Corporate tax loopholes.

Through a new campaign, the National Education Association is exposing the true cost of corporate tax loopholes...a shrinking middle class and the erosion of critical services, including public education. Part of the effort includes a one-minute animated short called The Hole and an online petition for the public to show support for closing corporate tax loopholes.

Watch It:

"Students and working families are feeling the adverse effects of a carefully crafted, perfect storm," said Dennis Van Roekel, president of NEA. "At home, families are struggling to hold on to what they have. At school, students are confronted with cuts to the critical resources they need to succeed. Big businesses are sitting on record profits, and are taxed at historically low rates.

It is time we put people ahead of profits.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Following the stunning report by the Dayton Daily News, which revealed that "Josh Mandel hired young, relatively inexperienced staffers from his 2010 campaign and gave them high-ranking jobs in the state treasurer's office," a new examination by The Huffington Post has uncovered that Mandel shockingly "dispatched a top aide to a beginner's course in the subject he was overseeing."

The Huffington Post Reports:

Days after being accused of hiring young, inexperienced staffers for key positions in the state Treasury, new evidence shows that Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, the Republican nominee for the state Senate race, dispatched a top aide to a beginner's course in the subject he was overseeing.

A roster of attendees for a seminar on the fundamentals of municipal bond law, held at the April 2011 National Association of Bond Lawyers, shows that Joe Aquilino -- Mandel's debt management director at the time -- attended the conference. The seminar is tailored for those new to the subject.

According to the brochure for the NABL seminar, its purpose was to help people "learn the building blocks of municipal finance and gain or strengthen basic knowledge of state, tax and securities law issues in municipal finance."

Aquilino, 26, had been the political director for Mandel's 2010 campaign for treasurer before being tapped to oversee Ohio's debt management, including issuing new bonds and working with the state's investment underwriters. Aquilino has since left that position to serve as political director for Mandel's Senate race against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

In 2009, 1,470 people who made more than $1 million paid $0 in federal income tax. That means that while millions of middle class families paid their fair share in taxes that year--money that went to funding things like education, our military, and health care for seniors--a  small group of high-income Americans paid nothing at all.

And, in addition to the small group of very wealthy who paid no taxes, thousands of other households with incomes of $1 million or more paid a lower percentage of their incomes in taxes than middle class families paid that year. Warren Buffett, for example, pays a lower effective tax rate than his secretary, and that's not fair.

President Obama believes in building an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. That's why he proposed the Buffett Rule.

In a blistering speech Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will continue the GOP's attack on President Obama for saying on Monday that the Supreme Court would be taking an extraordinary step by overturning his health care law.

"Respectfully, I would suggest the president back off," McConnell will say. "Let the court do its work. Let our system work the way it was intended. The stability of our system and our laws and our very government depends on it. And the duties of the presidency demand it."

There's a revealing irony to all this. Republicans have turned attacking the judiciary into a political sport over the years -- citing adverse rulings as evidence that activists judges are legislating from the bench.

So, what did the last President have to say about "Activist Judges"?

Watch It:

Washington DC - Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel has amassed a long trail of maliciously misleading and inaccurate statements - which is bad enough - but he did have one moment of brutal honesty lately. When confronted with his penchant for dishonesty, Mandel vowed to repeat his lies "again and again," seeing no downside as reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman is a heartbreaking tragedy.  But make no mistake, it is not a surprise that it happened in Florida, the NRA's closest thing to an armed utopia.   In fact, much more so than any of the shills they had promoting their agenda in their big budget propaganda campaign, George Zimmerman is the embodiment of the gun lobby and its vision for America.

George Zimmerman is the NRA.

And now the NRA has made it abundantly clear that their vision is of an America that looks just like Florida, a nation where it's easy for criminals and dangerous people to get, carry and use guns -- a nation without any gun laws, where just about anybody can get a gun and use it anywhere.  Their spokespeople use fear, bordering on paranoia to justify flooding our streets with armed and violent people, and the result is more tragedies like Trayvon Martin's.

The NRA is literally working to promote "George Zimmermans" to carry and use their guns in virtually every state across our nation.

Just days after the Trayvon Martin tragedy, the NRA was working on Capitol Hill to nationalize Florida's vigilante mentality. The gun lobby has gotten U.S. senators to introduce a bill that will force states like New York with strong gun laws to follow Florida's model of arming criminals and killers. Led by Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), they call S.B. 2188 the National Reciprocity Act.

We call it the George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Act.

For too long, too many hard working Americans paid the price for policies that handed free rein to insurance companies and put barriers between patients and their doctors. The Affordable Care Act gives families the security they deserve. The new health care law forces insurance companies to play by the rules, prohibiting them from dropping your coverage if you get sick, billing you into bankruptcy because of an annual or lifetime limit, or, soon, discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition. 

The new law also includes a number of key provisions designed to help make health care more affordable - and help address the drivers of health care costs. The new health care law is already making a difference. Many Americans are seeing lower costs, and health care spending growth in 2009 and 2010 decreased to record lows.

Here are more ways the law helps control costs for families and small businesses:

Ohio's political history may appear illustrious on the surface. The state gives native-son status to eight presidents, sometimes called "The Great Eight."

But that's a bit tongue-in-cheek, as the list includes the likes of William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding and others who rarely, if ever, make any historian's list of Top 10 presidents.

Republicans have continually decried the Obama Administration's "runaway spending" since he took office, blaming him for growing deficits and a mounting national debt. But a quick glance at the facts show that, compared to George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, Obama is actually embracing fiscal conservatism more than any other president in recent history, with the exception of fellow Democrat Bill Clinton.

The Atlantic crunches the numbers:

For all the talk you hear about Obama's historic spree, government spending actually hasn't increased so dramatically under this president. The stimulus was big, but it's over. It's been replaced by, if not austerity (which has struck our states and cities) then a hard correction to the center.

HT: Think Progress

Columbus, OH--Today, Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage (OCHC) released its analysis of the oft-cited Milliman report commissioned by the Ohio Department of Insurance on the implementation of the health insurance Exchange. The Milliman report projects how the Affordable Care Act will likely impact the individual and small group health insurance markets. It incorporates an estimate of the number and characteristics of Ohioans who will likely purchase health coverage through the Exchange. OCHC's analysis points out the limitations of the report and how Ohio's Insurance Director, Mary Taylor, isn't telling the whole story.

"Because the Milliman report has been delivered to all lawmakers and because Director Taylor is using its conclusions as independent validation of her claim that a state-based Exchange will harm Ohio's consumers, we thought it was important to let policymakers and the public know there is a bigger story to be told," said Cathy Levine, co-chair of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage. "People will be helped, premium increases may not be as high as predicted, and there are important opportunities that Ohio lawmakers have to make sure Ohio's markets remain strong while extending coverage to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans."

Report recommends central role for combined heat and power in Ohio

The use of combined heat and power technologies in Ohio could save billions of dollars currently lost in the state's inefficient electric system, according to a report released today by Policy Matters Ohio.

Combined heat and power, also known as cogeneration, produces power by capturing and recycling heat that would otherwise be wasted. Ohio's electric power industry, the biggest source of the state's energy waste, squanders nearly one-third of all energy consumed in the state.

"This is a waste of both scarce resources and money, and results in large amounts of unnecessary toxic and carbon emissions," said Amanda Woodrum, Policy Matters researcher and report co-author. "Ohio lags behind other states in the bang it gets from its energy bucks. New York state gets more than twice as much output from the energy it consumes."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has rightly made CHP one of the ten pillars in his energy policy, the full details of which are likely to be released next week.

A strong role for CHP makes sense. Ohio has the potential to generate a quarter of its electricity from CHP, but current CHP generation is less than 2 percent of capacity, according to the report, Capturing energy waste in Ohio: Using combined heat and power to upgrade electric system. A 10 percent increase in CHP's share of total electric power capacity (a boost of 3.6 gigawatts), would create $1.3 billion in annual energy savings while reducing emissions by 13 million metric tons - the equivalent of taking 2.3 million cars off the road, nearly 30 percent of passenger vehicles registered in Ohio.

A spot-on description of Limbaugh and his followers from the LA Times.

In the sad slice of America he represents, an America driven by fear of diversity, impatience with facts and an unwillingness to see things in anything but the starkest black-and-white terms, women come in two categories: dirty sluts and pushy feminazis.

A ThinkProgress compilation of the misogynist's three day rant.

Watch It:

Bill modeled after similar legislation to help women make informed decisions

(Columbus) -State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) announced legislation today that would protect men in Ohio from the risks of PDE-5 inhibitors, drugs commonly used to treat symptoms of impotence.  Turner's legislation would include provisions to document that the symptoms are not psychological in nature, and would guide men to make the right decision for their bodies. Physicians would be required to obtain a second opinion from a psychological professional to verify that a patient has a true medical malady before the medication could be prescribed.

"The men in our lives, including members of the General Assembly, generously devote time to fundamental female reproductive issues--the least we can do is return the favor," Senator Turner said. "It is crucial that we take the appropriate steps to shelter vulnerable men from the potential side effects of these drugs."

The legislation follows the FDA's recommendation that the evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a determination of potential underlying causes and the identification of appropriate treatment following a complete medical assessment. Similar bills to more closely regulate reproductive health issues have been introduced in the state legislatures of Virginia, Oklahoma, Idaho, and most recently Pennsylvania.

Today is a great day for America's and Ohio's middle class and those who aspire to get there. Cooper Tire, who locked out over 1,000 United Steelworker Local 207L members finally agreed to be civil to those who create their profits by bringing a proposal to the table that is fair to the workers and the community of Findlay.

According to USW District 1 Director Dave McCall, a tentative agreement was reached late this afternoon which could end the lockout. Members will get to vote on the proposal Monday.

"We want to thank all the unions and activists that stood with Local 207L members during this tough lockout. Just like the fight to save collective bargaining in 2011, labor showed once again when we stand together, all of the middle class and those who aspire to be there become stronger," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga.

Because of this great news, the events at local NTB stores scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 25 and the Journey for Justice tour scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27 have been cancelled.

"We are so glad this Cooper Tire lockout has an end in sight and the 1000-plus workers can get back to work and providing for their families. But we cannot forget this new strategy of the greedy 1% and their corporations," said Burga.

"Machinists in Sandusky, Ohio have suffered through this union-busting strategy and we know we will see more of these in the future. But when we stand together as one, in solidarity, we will continue to win for all of the 99%!

Thank you again for all your support in this effort and in working to win for Ohio's 99%."

Batchelder suggested President Obama should be jailed at a Republican dinner

COLUMBUS -Today, State Rep. Vernon Sykes (D- Akron) called for Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder to apologize for comments he made suggesting that President Obama should be sent to jail.

"Speaker Batchelder's recent comments are absolutely deplorable.  I call on the Speaker to apologize for such distasteful remarks immediately," said Rep. Sykes. "The unprecedented disrespect we have seen for President Obama only serves to undermine and threaten our democracy.  I would expect my longtime friend, colleague and the Speaker of the Ohio House to respect the office of the President of the United States regardless of party affiliation."

This past weekend, while introducing Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R- Medina) told an audience of more than 1,000 at the Summit County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner that he thinks President Obama should be sent to jail.  Speaker Batchelder is quoted in the Washington Post as saying, "The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a good start."

State House speaker William Batchelder (R) joked to a crowd of Republicans here Saturday night that President Obama shouldn't just be denied four more years in office -- he should be sent to jail.

"The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a good start," Batchelder told a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the Summit County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner. He made the remarks as he was introducing former senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who has been spending the past two days campaigning in the Buckeye State.

Related:

The Liar Wire: Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder

Hypocrisy Now! Republican Sponsored "Double Dipping" Bill Attacks Public Employees While Excluding Legislators

Speaker Batchelder: The Ohio Legislature's Largest 'Double Dipper'

After a little over a year on the job, Ohioans appear to be having voter's remorse over the election of Republican John Kasich as Governor. Kasich holds a 53% job disapproval rating compared to just 33% approval. Independents disapprove by a 38-47 rate, just 9% of Democrats approve compared to 80% who do not, and 25% of Republicans disapprove while only 58% approve. When asked who they would vote for if they could do last fall's election for Governor over again, Ted Strickland leads by 20 points, with 56% of voters say they would vote for him and just 36% for Kasich..

"Ohio voters sent John Kasich a strong message in November by repealing Senate Bill 5 and his numbers haven't improved any since then," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. "He remains one of the least popular Governors in the country and that could help Democratic prospects in the state this fall."

The Senate Democratic Caucus has created a grade card for Governor Kasich's first year in office.

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) released the following statement in response to Gov. Kasich's State of the State address at Wells Academy in Steubenville, Ohio today.

"Gov. Kasich has done little for public education and the struggling working and middle class families across this state over the last year.  A year into his term he has slashed hundreds of millions from education and has yet to present a long-term solution to the unconstitutional funding system, instead forcing local schools to pass new levies raising property taxes.  Rather than tear down public education and demonize teachers, as the governor has done, we must invest in our children so that they are completely prepared to compete for well-paying jobs in a global economy.  
 
"While unemployment is at its lowest rate since January 2009, Gov. Kasich's attempts to take credit for rescuing the economy are farcical.  He stood up and spoke out against policies such as protecting the auto industry, which saved over 8,000 manufacturing jobs in Ohio alone.  Almost all jobs created in 2011 were created in the first six months, before the governor's policies took effect. During the last six months, the state actually lost jobs and many people have stopped looking for work but are still unemployed. And I encourage him to remember, Ohio's unemployment rate dropped two full percentage points from 10. 6 percent to 8.6 percent before his policies even took effect.
 
"Gov. Kasich has rained lavish benefits on special interests and major Republican friends, giving huge tax cuts to the wealthiest among us, while selling off state assets and selling out the middle class.  Democrats have stood up and fought to protect working families and middle class Ohioans from the assaults on workers' rights, women's rights and voters' rights. And we will continue to fight against the Republicans' overreaching radical agenda."

New Report Documents Influence of American Legislative Exchange Council in Columbus
 
COLUMBUS, OH - A new report released today by People For the American Way Foundation, Common Cause, the Center for Media and Democracy and ProgressOhio reveals the deep ties between the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Ohio's legislature.

Through a side-by-side comparison of ALEC legislative models and actual Ohio bills, the report shows how Ohio's legislators are working in tandem with corporate leaders to deregulate key industries, privatize education and dismantle unions.
 
The report, ALEC in Ohio: The Corporate Special Interests that Help Write Ohio's Laws, is available here.

State will lose hundreds of millions in liquor profits

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) released the following statement in response to yesterday's announcement that JobsOhio is set to take control of Ohio's liquor profits for a onetime payment of $500 million.  State liquor operations bring in tens of millions a year to the general revenue fund.

"I could have supported the lease of our liquor profits if two simple conditions had been met: the deal was fair to the people of Ohio, and it would not blow a hole in the budget. Unfortunately, the deal is not fair. Gov. Kasich is turning millions of dollars over to a few of his big business buddies at JobsOhio and getting little in return.  Equally important, the deal takes approximately $150 million a year away from the general revenue fund for education, police, fire and critical social services, creating a structural budget deficit over the next 25 years,"  said Leader Budish.

Today's jobs report shows that the economy ended the year on a relative strong note, with the private sector adding 212,000 jobs last month.

The Washington Monthly's Steve Benen notes that "the U.S. private sector has now added 1.89 million jobs in 2011, well ahead of last year's private-sector total of 1.2 million, and the best year for businesses since 2005."

This chart shows monthly private sector job losses or gains under the Bush and Obama administrations:

HT: Think Progress

Bill will create agency to implement health exchanges in Ohio

COLUMBUS -State Representatives Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and John Patrick Carney

(D-Columbus) introduced legislation today to create the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Agency. This will establish the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Program and include an exchange for individual coverage and a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP Exchange).  The exchange program will provide affordable coverage options for individuals and small business employers to provide health coverage for their employees throughout Ohio.

Rep. Antonio said, "We must be pro-active in designing the health exchanges and not leave the health care option decisions for the people of Ohio up to the Federal Government.  This legislation to create the Ohio exchange is intended to increase consumer choice of health plans."

This legislation will make quality health benefit plans available to individuals and employers who qualify beginning Jan. 1, 2014.  This exchange must be established and implemented in order to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and to make Ohio eligible to receive an exchange establishment grant.

"We need clarity and certainty on these issues," Rep. Carney said, "Those who are operating small businesses in Ohio are very anxious because of the Department of Insurance's lack of a clear direction on whether Ohio will be establishing its own exchange.  After months of inaction and the forfeiture of millions of dollars in federal grant opportunities, we have decided to take matters into our own hands as a legislature."

Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate, SB 277.

Great news! Progressive Talk Radio is returning to Columbus.

Tune in to WVKO 1580 AM to listen to popular radio hosts Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartmann, Mike Malloy, and Leslie Marshall, seven days a week.

A bog post by Kathleen Gmeiner, Project Director, Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage from over the holidays that we wanted to bring to your attention:

An interesting e-mail came into my box recently from Consumers Union.  CU looked at 50 state insurance department web sites and recorded what each state is doing to alert its residents to health insurance rate increase requests, and allow consumers to have an avenue for input. This follows the finalization of a rule on September 1, 2011 requiring states to post on their websites insurance companies' requests for rate increases of greater than 10% and provide a way for consumers to submit comments on the rate requests.

Of course, I immediately scrolled down to Ohio and here's what it says:

No information about rates or rate review.

Only seven other states had the same notation:  Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.  

What is particularly disturbing about Ohio's lack of progress is that in the fall of 2010 Ohio received $1 million to expand its rate review capacity, and $4 million was added in 2011.

Oh 'tis the season for the hypocrisy of FOX and their annual hissy fit over the White House's Christmas Card, saying there is no Christmas in it.

Fox News Radio ran a report that read this way,

The official White House holiday card makes no mention of the word 'Christmas' and instead focused on Bo the First Dog based on the wishes of the First Family.

"From our family to yours, may your holidays shine with the light of the season," read the inside of the card, featuring the presidential seal.

The front of the card features Bo the First Dog lounging by a fireplace. Holiday greenery is draped over the fireplace mantle. Holiday presents are placed on a table underneath a poinsettia - instead of a Christmas tree.

Besides the presents wrapped in red and gold bows, the garland, and the traditional Christmas poinsettias, according to the stupid channel, there is no Christmas in it.

Sarah Palin even opined on the issue on Fox.

"It's odd," Palin said, wondering why the president's Christmas card highlights his dog instead of traditions like "family, faith and freedom."

If she's upset about that, wait till she sees the ones from George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan below.

Millions cut from Public Transit in budget but plane funding nearly doubles
 
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Matt Lundy (D- Elyria) sent a letter to Auditor Dave Yost today asking for an audit to be done on the Ohio Department of Transportation in regards to the use of the state plane. He also asked for answers to questions that have recently been raised about the frequent use of the state plane. Recently, the public has been made aware of Lt. Gov. Taylor being picked-up and dropped-off at Akron-Canton airport, which is only six miles from her home.
 
"At a time when middle class Ohioans are struggling, it is simply inexcusable that Lt. Gov. Taylor or any member of Gov. Kasich's administration use the state planes as their own personal chauffeur service," Rep. Lundy said. "Ohioans deserve answers to where their tax dollars are going, and I look forward to hearing how such careless use of Ohio's limited resources will be prevented in the future."
 
In the most recent transportation budget, HB 114, $2.9 million was cut from public transportation while the funding for the state planes nearly doubled. The state operating budget, HB 153, cut an additional $2.4 million from the public transportation services many Ohioans rely on daily for work.
 
"The fact that millions was cut from public transportation services that many Ohioans rely on daily to get to and from their job, while the budget for the state planes is nearly doubled demonstrates just how out of touch Gov. Kasich, Lt. Gov. Taylor and the entire administration are with middle class Ohioans," said Rep. Lundy.
 
It was determined by an unknown formula that these pick-ups and drop-offs cost the state $2,181 but Lt. Gov. Taylor has only reimbursed the state $1,039.50.  Leaving tax payers footing the bill for the remaining $1,141.50 for her travel, and yet another flight that is still unknown.
 
A copy of the letter is below:

The Washington Post Reports:

This afternoon, after House Republicans voted to "disagree" with the Senate compromise extending the payroll tax cut, the brinksmanship took a sudden and dramatic turn. Obama made a surprise appearance before reporters and called out John Boehner in the most direct terms yet to stop the games and pass the Senate proposal. He said:

House Republicans say they don't dispute the need for a payroll tax cut. What they are holding out for is to ring concessions from Democrats on issues that have nothing to do with the payroll tax cut -- issues where the parties fundamentally disagree. A one year deal is not the issue.

The clock is ticking. Time is running out. And if the House Republicans refuse to vote for the Senate bill, or even allow it to come up for a vote, taxes will go up in 11 days.I saw today that one of the House Republicans referred to what they're doing as "high stakes poker." He's right about the stakes. But this is not poker

This is not a game for the average family who doesn't have 1,000 bucks to lose. It's not a game for somebody who's out there looking for work right now, and might lose his house if unemployment insurance doesn't come through. It's not a game when the millions of Americans take a hit when the entire economy grows more slowly because these proposals aren't extended

I'm calling on the Speaker and the House Republican leadership to bring up the Senate bill for a vote. Give the American people the assurance they need in this holiday season.

Unless Congress takes action, taxes for middle class families will go up on January 1st.

As part of the American Jobs Act, President Obama has asked Congress to extend a payroll tax cut that will allow working families to bring home more money.

So far, Republicans are blocking the President's proposal.

Right now, workers contribute 4.2 percent of their wages to Social Security. The normal rate is 6.2 percent, and if the House of Representatives doesn't take action, that's what we'll pay in 2012.

That would mean that a typical American family making $50,000 a year pays $1,000 in extra taxes next year.

COLUMBUS - Today, Representative John Patrick Carney (D- Columbus) has sent a letter to Lt. Governor Mary Taylor in response to comments she made calling his attempts to seek information about the creation of a Health Insurance Exchange in the State of Ohio a "political stunt" and "not a genuine effort to engage in proactive dialogue."

"As someone who has been a healthcare attorney for more than a decade, I am excited to sit down and have a substantive conversation about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its effects on the Ohio health insurance marketplace with Lt. Governor Taylor.  In fact, this is what I have been inviting her to do for the past month.  My objective has always been to provide effective and affordable healthcare while also protecting and promoting Ohio's economy."

A copy of the letter can be seen below:

A study released today finds that recent prison privatization moves could cost Ohio more than the previous approach was costing.

In September,the state announced it would sell one prison, privatize the management of two others, and combine the operations of two more, one of which had been privately run for the last decade.

A close look at the sale of the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut to Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) suggests that that deal, rather than saving up to $3 million a year as the state projects, could easily wind up costing millions of dollars instead. In addition, the state's claim that private operation of two Marion facilities that are being combined will save another $3 million a year is based on what appear to be highly dubious accounting assumptions that one expert calls "bogus" and that seem to bear little relation to reality.

In fact, to the extent that the state's savings claim is accurate at all, it represents as much a repudiation of prison privatization as an endorsement. More than half of the purported savings of all the announced moves - $7 million a year - would come from converting the North Coast Correctional Treatment Facility (NCCTF) from private to state operation and merging it with the state-operated Grafton facility, saving by consolidating operations. Ironically, the state could have ordered such a move at any time over the last decade. The annual savings from that merger is well over twice what the state claimed that NCCTF was savingeach year by virtue of its private operation.

On November 30, leaders of the hydrulic fracturing gas industry met for the first time in Ohio at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. In response, seven activists blockaded a 'hydrofracking' wastewater injection site nearby to protest environmental destruction and danger to human health while demanding clean jobs for Ohio and an end to earthquakes caused by the underground injection of toxic fracking fluids.

Watch It:

Hundreds of millions of gallons of water are used per injection well at high pressure to fracture shale thousands of feet below ground to release gas.  The water is combined with 596 proprietary chemicals, many of which are known toxins and carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, heavy metals, surfactants, and many more.

Once the ground has been fractured or "fracked" these chemicals, along with underground gas, travel through new fissures in the shale towards the water table.  This contaminates aquifers feeding residential wells and streams leading to blowouts, air pollution, water pollution, earthquakes, flammable water and explosive levels of methane. These chemicals also create a hazard causing extreme health effects including cancer and  brain damage from endocrine disruption.  A recent well leak in Broadview Heights sickened neighbors while local emergency responders could do nothing for 24 hours.  In Chester Township 85 gallons of crude oil, gas, and toxic waste water shot 20 feet in the air.

COLUMBUS - Today, Representative John Patrick Carney (D- Columbus) moved to subpoena Lt. Governor Mary Taylor to testify before the House Health and Aging committee.  Rep. Carney has been trying for nearly a month to have the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Director of the Department of Insurance, appear before the committee to discuss the Department's efforts in setting up an Ohio specific Health Benefits Exchange.

The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in March 2010 allows citizens to purchase private Health Insurance on Insurance Exchanges beginning in January 2014.  States have an option to set up their own exchanges that meet the federal guidelines.  Insurance is one of Ohio's largest industries and the concern amongst Democrats is that Ohio's interests will be excluded from a federal exchange.

"Time is of the essence as there are federal grants available to set up an Ohio health insurance exchange yet no answers are forthcoming from Director Taylor," Rep. Carney said.  "Failure to act is an invitation to the Federal Government to run Ohio's healthcare industry."

COLUMBUS - State Representative and Ranking Member of the Judiciary and Ethics Committee Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) sent a letter to Inspector General Randall Meyer and Legislative Inspector General Tony Bledsoe requesting a joint investigation into potential waste, abuse, fraud, and violations of state sunshine and public records laws.

This comes after the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting released a transparency report yesterday highlighting some of the misconduct in the redistricting and re-apportionment processes.

"The information in yesterday's report revealed is absolutely appalling.  I ask for a joint investigation today because I fear we are just beginning to lift the veil of secrecy that surrounds the congressional redistricting and re-apportionment processes," Rep. Murray said. 

"My Democratic colleagues and I are deeply troubled at the wasteful spending of Ohioan's tax dollars, and the violation of Ohio's sunshine and public records laws."

Yesterday, ProgressOhio found out about a bill that could make Ohio the worst in the nation when it comes to consumer protection.

Today, we're asking you to call your representative and tell them to stand up for the rights of citizens against corporations.

The National Consumer Law Center says that HB275 will: [1]

• Let many corporations that are caught defrauding customers get off the hook by simply returning the money
• Give Ohioans some of the "least effective deceptive-practices statutes in the country"
• Create new laws that discourage consumers from investigating the corporations that ripped them off

Lemon laws are meant to keep big corporations from preying on consumers. HB 275 will make Ohio a haven for crooked corporations and a nightmare for honest small business owners and other Ohio consumers.

Use this tool to find your state representative and then call them at 1-800-282-0253. Tell them to vote no on House Bill 275 and keep Ohio from becoming the worst in the nation at protecting consumers.

[1] http://media.cleveland.com/consumeraffairs/other/nclcreviewhb275.pdf

Columbus - Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) issued the following statement today in response to a report from the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting:

"The revelations confirm my worst suspicions about the redistricting process.  It is now apparent that public hearings in which I participated across the state were nothing more than a charade.  Ohioans were promised a fair and open process for drawing new Congressional districts. Instead, they got a map put together behind a veil of secrecy in a Columbus hotel room.

"Despite previous denials from Republicans, it is now clear that people working for Speaker of the U.S. House John Boehner carefully orchestrated the entire process. The result is a map where the addresses of major campaign contributors took priority over maintaining communities of interest.

"I am the first to admit that redistricting has always been a political process, but this is a new extreme for the state of Ohio."

You can find a location in your area to sign the petition to overturn the gerrymandered redistricting process here.

Plan to shroud the process in secrecy originated with national Republican officials

Columbus, Ohio - This morning, the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting (OCAR) released a comprehensive transparency report on Ohio's redistricting process. The independent group graded state officials a D minus on transparency.

The report, entitled "The Elephant in the Room," documents a number of backroom activities which had not been publicly disclosed, including:

• At the last minute the corporate headquarters of a major financial contributor was moved into Congressman's Jim Renacci's district at the request of the Speaker John Boehner's political team.

• Ohio Republican officials believed that they saved millions of dollars in future state legislative campaign expenditures by making many districts more safely Republican.

• Speaker Boehner's political team controlled the congressional mapmaking process. Senate President Thomas Niehaus committed to adopting a map which Boehner fully supported.

• Republican officials determined that the new congressional map would provide a 12 - 4 Republican advantage, with only the 14th District (LaTourette) being a possible swing district.

• $210,000 was secretly paid to two Republican staffers for working three months on redistricting maps.

• A downtown hotel room was rented for three months to use as a secret redistricting office.

• The plan to shroud the process in secrecy was recommended early on by a national Republican consultant who advised state officials in a series of secret meetings.

"We are trying to shine a light on what took place in the political backrooms, since very little took place in public," stated Jim Slagle, Manager of the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting.

WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked an effort to put someone in charge at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a move that prevents the newly formed agency from supervising some of the same nonbank entities that triggered the financial crisis.

The Senate voted 53 to 45 to reject a procedural motion to begin debate on confirming Richard Cordray as the CFPB director. The motion required 60 votes to pass. Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was the lone Republican to side with Democrats in seeking to begin debate.

Fox Business blasts 'The Muppets' for 'brainwashing' America's kids with anti-corporate, liberal agenda

Here's a Muppet news flash: Apparently Kermit and co. are being used as puppets by liberals to "brainwash" America's children with a socialist message - at least according to Fox Business.

Watch It:

Update:

Fox Host Apologizes For Calling Muppets 'Anti-Capitalist'

The party of fiscal restraint and limited government is under fire in Ohio for wasting tax dollars and for legislation calling for government intrusion into private health care matters.
 
The wasteful spending comes in two forms:

• An extra $15 million to hold two primary elections in 2012 - one in March for state legislative candidates and one in June for congressional candidates. The reason: Pure politics.

• The GOP-ruled legislature is poised to pass a package of abortion restricts destined to invite a non-frivolous lawsuit. The ACLU is expected to sue and most constitutional scholars think the ACLU will win - but only after taxpayers pick up the cost of a long and expensive court fight.

The government intrusion comes in a package of legislation intended to limit abortions in one case and outlaw them in another.

But the usually noisy GOP is silent on the pricey primaries, prompting Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank to note in a press release that all of this is happening, but we've yet to hear a peep from the Tea Party.'

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland) criticized a report today that Governor Kasich and his administration are offering up to $400 million to bring ailing retail giant Sears Holding Company to Ohio from its Illinois home.  Sears Holding Company lost more than $400 million in the most recent financial quarter.

"Sears has relied on a corporate welfare from Illinois for the past 23 years," Rep. Foley said.  "Now that their subsidy is set to expire, Sears is looking to another state to foot their bill, and Governor Kasich seems more than willing to make Ohio taxpayers ante up."

Illinois changed its Tax Increment Financing (TIF's) in the initial $128 million deal to keep Sears in Illinois.  The Sears TIF deal is set to expire in 2012, leaving a company that has seen steady losses over the past several years to pursue other location options.  In the most recent financial quarter, Sears lost $421 million compared to a loss of $215 million in the year-earlier period.

Rep. Foley continued, "Governor Kasich appears more than happy to court Sears and hand out hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to the declining retail giant.  If a deal like this goes through, it would create no new net jobs in the country, but instead just push them from state to state while putting Ohio taxpayers on the hook for $400 million."

"Ohio should be trying to bring in new companies and industries that are ripe for growth, not declining retail giants who want to evade taxes and force states into a race to the bottom.  I urge the Governor to recall this offer and use the money for more productive, real job creating purposes," Rep. Foley finished.  

Dayton Daily News:

State Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, announced Thursday that he has introduced legislation to ban "double dipping" for Ohio government workers, the practice that allows them to collect retirement benefits if they return to public employment after retiring.

House Bill 388 would suspend retirement benefits of a public retirement system retiree who returns to public employment.

Of course, they are right up front about the fact that this means you public workers, but not "us" the legislators themselves:

HB 388:

Sec. 145.01.  As used in this chapter:

    (A) "Public employee" means:

    (1) Any person holding an office, not elective, . . .

It is Time to Exchange Politics for Good Policy

Columbus, OH--Consumer advocates gathered today to call on Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Taylor to act now to start building an Ohio-based health insurance Exchange, or marketplace, as permitted under the Affordable Care Act. 

Thirteen other states have already enacted legislation to establish Exchanges. Ohio has until June 30, 2012 to pass legislation to establish a state-based Exchange and be eligible for implementation money. If Ohio does not establish a state Exchange, the federal government will establish one for Ohio. 

"We cannot let the politics of health care reform keep us from establishing a health insurance marketplace that works for Ohio's consumers and small businesses," said Col Owens, co-chair of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage. "Getting it right for the needs of Ohioans will take thoughtful planning and stakeholder input, and it will take time."

 According to policy experts, if it is built right, Ohio's Exchange could be a competitive marketplace allowing individuals and small businesses to join together to negotiate for insurance premiums and discounts the way larger companies do. The marketplace could provide an easy way to shop and compare insurance costs and benefits. By developing an Exchange that encourages insurance companies to compete for consumers' business, Ohioans would have more choices, better protections, and greater control.

More choices, more information, and better prices are just what Elizabeth Niswander needs from an Exchange. Niswander, an employee in the nonprofit and the service industries, is without health insurance. 

"There are many Ohioans just like me. We are working in our communities but struggle to find affordable health insurance," said Niswander. "We could all benefit from a consumer friendly exchange, a resource that will help me find insurance coverage options, compare insurance plans and their costs, and get financial assistance to help me afford health insurance premiums."

COLUMBUS - Democratic members of the Ohio House Health and Aging committee want Lt. Governor Mary Taylor to provide an update on Ohio's progress in setting up a Health Insurance Exchange in compliance with the Affordable Care Act.  Lt. Gov. Taylor is Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, and Democrats on the committee have sent a memo to Chairman Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon) requesting that she testify at an upcoming meeting of the committee.

"This is about jobs and serving Ohioans by providing choice. There is general consensus in the healthcare community that an Ohio exchange separate from the feds is in the best interest of Ohio consumers and Ohio business," said Rep. John Patrick Carney (D-Columbus).  "We know that there is money out there for setting up these exchanges and Ohio has already received grant money for researching and planning an exchange.  We just want a status report on the process."

The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in March 2010 allows citizens to purchase private Health Insurance on Insurance Exchanges beginning in January 2014.  States have an option to set up their own exchanges that meet the federal guidelines.  Insurance is one of Ohio's largest industries and the concern amongst Democrats is that Ohio's interests will be excluded from a federal exchange.

Despite an unresolved ethics complaint against Gov. John Kasich's Jobs czar, Mark Kvamme, the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to confirm Kvamme's appointment and refer it to the full Senate for a vote.

The party-line committee vote occurred, despite a request from the panel's ranking Democrat, Sen. Mike Skindell, to bring Kvamme in for questioning. Skindell argued that Kvamme's appointment should be put on hold until he addressed issues raised in the complaint -- or until the Ohio Ethics Commission completed its inquiry.

Skindell's request quickly morphed into a heat exchange with committee chair Tim Schaffer, who refused to let Skindell complete a sentence then accepted Kvamme's appointment based on a voice vote.

Several state Democratic lawmakers have asked the Ohio Ethics Commission to investigate possible conflicts of interest they say could prevent Kvamme from serving as head of JobsOhio, Gov. Kasich's public/private development agency.

The legislators questioned whether Kvamme's interest in a Silicon Valley venture capital firm could create a temptation to subjugate the state's job-creation interests to his own financial well-being, noting that he stands to make more money as a venture capitalist than a public employee.

JobsOhio officials are required to file financial disclosure statements, which Kvamme has done, although he failed to list all of his business interests.

PolitiFact:

Boehner said, "Over half of the people who would be taxed under this plan are, in fact, small businesspeople."

Boehner is wrong on two points -- the "half" and the "small businesspeople."

Of the business income reported on tax returns, half of it would have been taxed at the top two rates, the Joint Committee on Taxation found. But that doesn't mean half of the earners are paying those rates.

And it's incorrect to call small business owners and millionaires who would see a tax increase one and the same. The Joint Committee as well as the Tax Policy Center have given credible evidence that for top earners who report business income, it is often just a fraction of their total income. They are not the folks operating small manufacturing plants or neighborhood pizza parlors. In fact, only 0.5 percent of small businesses make that kind of money.

More often, small businesses are small in every sense -- most have incomes of less than $50,000 and almost all have profits of less than $1 million -- and they wouldn't be affected by the millionaires tax.

We rate the statement False.

Columbus, OH - Today,members of ProgressOhio, veterans and community supporters went to Senator Portman's Columbus office to demand he meet in person with real people - the 99 % -including those who are unemployed, underemployed, or struggling to get by - and not just the wealthy 1%.

Several attempts in recent weeks to schedule a meeting with the Senator have been unsuccessful.  The group was told that constituents are able to meet with him if they are willing to travel to Washington, D.C.  The group protested outside of Portman's Columbus office, highlighting the senator's availability to the superrich, and to no one else.  The group today called for Portman to create jobs for all Ohioans.  Senator Portman has not offered any explanation for his votes against jobs for all Ohioans.

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio fire fighters and paramedics are launching a Get Out the Vote bus tour of the state that will run November 5-8, urging "Vote NO on Issue 2" during final days of canvassing to remind voters that SB 5 is an overreach that undermines public safety and the professionals who serve and protect.

"While the polls indicate there is strong opposition statewide to SB 5, our work isn't done yet," Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters President Mark Sanders said. "We want to encourage voters to exercise their right on November 8 and use their citizen's veto to reject this over-reaching legislation that compromises safety in our neighborhoods."

Ohio fire fighters have been heavily involved in efforts to repeal SB 5, with thousands participating in grassroots efforts, talking to their neighbors to repeal the measure and starring in television and internet ads that point out the risk to public safety if SB 5 becomes law.

Senator Glenn served our country is so many ways... a veteran, an astronaut and as a public employee.

Hear what he has to say about Issue 2...

Watch It:

HT: Anthony Caldwell

Proposed map gives GOP edge but let's voters decide outcome in 6 competitive seats

COLUMBUS - Today, Republicans rejected a compromise proposal for new congressional districts that would end a redistricting standoff and give voters the ultimate say in the makeup of Ohio's congressional delegation. The proposal was submitted in an effort to reach an acceptable agreement that would make 6 of the current districts more competitive for voters.  A comparison of the Democratic Partisan Index of the original map, HB 319, the GOP proposed map and the Democratic counter offer can be seen here.

"We've put forth a reasonable proposal that recognizes the current political makeup, but gives voters the ultimate say in who represents them in Congress," said House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood).  "Additionally, this is a fair proposal that avoids significantly breaking apart communities, strengthens the voice of Ohio voters and improves accountability through an increased number of competitive elections."

The proposal was put forth by Budish and Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President, State Rep. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland).  In addition, the proposal maintains the constitutionally required majority-minority district in Cleveland, improves the minority influence district in Franklin County, and creates minority influence districts in Cincinnati and Dayton.

Advisory thwarts Referendum and Violates the U.S. Constitution

COLUMBUS- State Reps. Kathleen Clyde (D- Kent) and Ronald V. Gerberry (D- Austintown), Ranking Member on the State Government and Elections committee, held a press conference today amid the ongoing confusion surrounding the implementation of military voting bill, HB 224.  Over the last month Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly contacted Secretary Husted informing him of their concerns, and asking him not to thwart the HB 194 referendum and to allow in-person early voting at county Boards of Elections through Monday, Nov. 7.  Secretary Husted has refused these requests and ignored the concerns.

"House Bill 224 is obviously not clear on many points, yet it is being treated as a clear statement of the legislature's intention by the Secretary of State's office.  We ask Secretary Husted to immediately rescind his Advisory 2011-7 and notify local Boards of Elections that they are to remain open for early voting through Monday, November 7," Rep. Clyde said.  "If we sit by while executive office holders make the law, we are abdicating our duty as lawmakers and setting a dangerous precedent with respect to the separation of powers between the branches of government."

"Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost."

• President Ronald Reagan

SB5 is all about values. Republicans across the state, at every level of office, oppose the values behind SB5.

Hear them explain in their own words why SB5 doesn't represent Ohio's family values :

Do the right thing. Next Tuesday, vote No on Issue 2.

COLUMBUS - State Representative and Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) this morning dismissed published reports that a deal is close on new congressional district maps.

"There has been no agreement between members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and anyone on the Republican side on new congressional district lines," said Rep. Williams.

"The GOP so far is only offering minor tweaks to district lines without fundamentally changing the huge disparity between Republican and Democratic majority seats.

This status quo is unacceptable to us, House Democrats and the Democratic Party as a whole. However, discussions are ongoing to achieve a workable map."

Columbus, Ohio - In new campaign ads being released this week military veterans who fought to protect our nation, and who also serve as fire fighters protecting their neighborhoods across Ohio, find that SB 5 has stripped away their rights in the workplace and dramatically urge Ohioans to vote no on Issue 2.

"We didn't expect this kind of homecoming when we came back," said Columbus fire fighter David Jarvis, who served in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and served in Operation Desert Storm during the first Gulf War.

More than 1,000 Ohio fire fighters and paramedics are serving in the military, and after putting their lives on the line to protect our national security, these veterans have been stunned to learn that politicians used SB 5 to take away the voices of those who preserve our domestic security.

COLUMBUS - ProgressOhio called on Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a potential U.S. Senate candidate, to donate a $1,000 contribution he accepted from a controversial Nazi re-enactor who previously ran for Congress.

Politico reported last week that Mandel accepted a $1,000 donation from Rich Iott, a former Toledo area Congressional candidate, who was found to have worn Nazi regalia as part of his participation in a re-enactment.

Politico went on to report, "Iott was criticized and dumped from the House Republicans' 'Young Guns' program in 2010 after details emerged about his involvement with a Nazi reenactment group. At the time the news broke, Speaker John Boehner and Majority Whip Eric Cantor parted ways with how to deal with Iott. Boehner went on to campaign for him, while Cantor, who is Jewish, condemned him."

A recent memo written by ProgressOhio's Brian Rothenberg was leaked by parties unknown to the Washington Post. This puts us in a bit of an awkward position, but it didn't seem right not to comment on it, now that it is out there.

The truth is we will be shocked (delighted, but still shocked) if Issue 2 and SB5 are defeated by anywhere close to the margins currently being bandied about. There are a number of obstacles that still stand in the way of victory, let alone the big double digit victory margin we'd like to see.

While the record-setting protests this spring at the Statehouse showed that this issue really resonated with middle class Ohioans, there are a lot of barriers between having support in a poll and winning big at the ballot box:

• SB5 = Issue 2? - Many people do not realize that SB5 will be repealed or upheld via Issue 2. After months of misleading ads from Building a Better Ohio and their Beltway allies, another subset of voters aren't certain which way they need to vote to get rid of SB5.
• Poll questions - The wording people are being asked in surveys does not sync up with what they'll see at the ballot box and what they're hearing on television.
• Turn-out models - As was referenced in article, polling numbers were way off in most of the recent major ballot fights, such as the same sex marriage ban, 2009 casino measure and the 2005 election reform initiatives. Frankly, it is hard to know exactly who will turn out to the polls during for an issue campaign. This is true especially during an off-year election: the last round of polling on the casinos was 16 points off the final tally.

Bottom line: this race is too critical to be confident. If one side fails to walk, knock, talk and vote during the next two weeks, things can change dramatically.

Programs provide benefits to 1 out of every 6 residents, contribute $64 billion per year to state economy

COLUMBUS, OH- A new report issued today (http://bit.ly/s4htzp) outlines the importance of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to people in Ohio and the state's economy.

The report comes out just as Ohio Senator Rob Portman finishes his work on the congressional Super Committee tasked with reducing the federal deficit. The Committee must recommend at least $1.2 trillion in spending cuts by November 23. The full Congress must approve these recommendations by the end of the year, or it will trigger automatic deficit reduction.

At an event today, the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans and the Strengthen Social Security campaign unveiled the report detailing the number of Ohio residents who rely on these programs as well as the economic impact and number of jobs in Ohio the programs support.

That only half of the money would stay in northern Ohio

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Matt Lundy (D- Elyria) released the following statement after Gov. Kasich "promised" yesterday to spend half the money from the potential sale or lease of the Turnpike north of Route 30, while speaking to a conference of transportation engineers.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the summary of the proposed "personhood" constitutional amendment aimed at cracking down on abortion by defining "person" and "men" to include every human being at every stage of biological development, including fertilization.

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) released the following statement after the Ohio House concurred with the Senate and voted to create two primaries in 2012.  The March primary will be for local and state races, as well as the U.S. Senate race, while the June primary will be for congressional and presidential candidates.

"Once again the Republicans have done what is in their best interest and not that of Ohioans.  This is fiscally irresponsible and will cost the state millions in precious funds.  Not to mention the voter confusion this will cause," Leader Budish said.  "Just a few months ago Republicans claimed we didn't have the funds to mail absentee ballots, a measure that has saved county Boards of Elections money and diminished long lines at the polls on Election Day in large counties.  Yet today they have essentially handed over a blank check to Secretary Husted to hold two primaries.  This defies common sense."
 
Leader Budish continued by saying, "This extreme partisanship must stop now.  Yesterday, Sen. Minority Leader Cafaro offered an amendment that would have created one primary in June and it was immediately rejected by her Republican colleagues.  This is absurd.  Senator Cafaro's amendment would have saved the state an estimated $15 million and simplified next spring's primary."

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine has now certified the HB 319 referendum petition on redistricting. This allows petitioning to proceed.

Certification Letter HB 319

You know it and I know it. SB5/Issue 2 is an attack on the middle class and bad for Ohio. 

There has been a lot of talk lately from Issue 2 supporters about how SB5 only affects pensions and healthcare but we know that is just not true. 

SB5/Issue 2 decimates collective bargaining in Ohio because management gets to pick the final contract. They can try and call it "bargaining" but bargaining only truly exists when both sides have something to lose and something to gain. It doesn't matter what is allowed to be collectively bargained if in the end, the government get to pick their own contract.

Kasich says this system is the best option since, "City councils and school boards ought to decide what a community can afford." But how does this work in practice?

Well we here at ProgressOhio have put together a case study on safety equipment in Xenia, OH and what we found will shock you. Not only do these council members try to put off replacing worn out equipment, these politicians say that firefighters and police should be buying their own safety equipment.

Watch It:

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Healthy Families Ohio, a broad-based coalition, has filed a legal challenge with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine asking that he reject the summary of a proposed constitutional amendment because it is not "fair and truthful" as required by state law. The coalition based its claim on the facts that the summary is incomplete, confusing, and fails to address the far-reaching consequences of how the amendment would affect countless Ohio laws.

"We deeply respect the right of ballot access," said Sandy Theis, spokeswoman for Healthy Families Ohio. "However, as written, the summary circulated by this radical group is, at best, confusing and vague and, at worst, misleading and deceptive."

The complaint is available to read online here [pdf].

"We're fairly confident they don't meet the legal threshold of 'fair and truthful' and we're absolutely certain they don't meet the common sense definition of it," said Theis.

Columbus - Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement today after the Ohio Senate voted along party lines to create two primaries in 2012--a change that will cost taxpayers an estimated $15 million:

"It is the height of hypocrisy for Republicans, who claim to be fiscal conservatives, to pass a bill that needlessly spends $15 million of taxpayers' money.  Substitute House Bill 318 is fiscally irresponsible and will only add cost and confusion to our elections.  Furthermore, the rationale behind the legislation simply defies logic

"I offered an amendment to create one primary in June for state, local and federal elections.  It would have saved money and simplified our elections by asking voters to make only one trip to the polls next spring instead of two.  But, this common sense alternative was swiftly rejected by Republicans.

"Instead of making it easier for Ohioans to vote, Republicans seem intent on causing confusion, suppressing voter turnout and needlessly spending scarce resources."

 

Cite Potential Conflicts, Failure to Disclose Ties to Offshore Software Firm

COLUMBUS- Today, a group of Democratic State Representatives asked the Ohio Ethics Commission to examine apparent conflicts of interest they say could prevent Mark Kvamme from serving as Gov. John Kasich's economic development point man.

The complaint asserts that some of his private business dealings conflict with his public duties. Among the potential conflicts raised is his role as a "special limited partner" in Sequoia Capital, a California-based venture capital firm, according to the complaint signed by State Reps. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo); Michael Ashford (D- Toledo); Mike Foley (D- Cleveland) and Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown).

Sequoia has a significant stake in VanceInfo, a leading China-based software development firm.  VanceInfo's clients include IBM and Microsoft, both of which have operations in Ohio. Kvamme has a personal stake in VanceInfo and Sequoia Capital's website lists him as a member of the "Outsourcing Team."

"Mr. Kvamme appears to have a clear conflict of interest here,'' Rep. Foley said during a Columbus news conference. "On one hand, he has an interest in seeing that VanceInfo grows by absorbing work that might otherwise be done in North America, including Ohio.  On the other hand, he has a duty to promote job creation and economic development here in Ohio. So when he is making decisions, is he helping the venture capital firm that could pay him millions or Ohio that pays him $1 a year?''

Columbus, OH - ProgressOhio delivered petitions from over 700 Ohioans outraged with Senator Rob Portman's vote against the American Jobs Act, which would have resulted in 1 billion dollars in infrastructure money and nearly 41,000 infrastructure, school rebuilding, and teacher jobs for the state.

Senator Portman was among Republicans in Washington that obstructed the American Jobs Act, and forced the bill to be carved into separate pieces. ProgressOhio is demanding Senator Portman vote in support of the first stand-alone piece of legislation, which the US Senate is slated to vote on this week and provides $35 billion to prevent teacher, firefighter and police layoffs.

The new National Journal poll spells it out as clearly as you could want.

A majority of Americans agrees with the Occupy Wall Street protestors and is paying attention to the protests -- even as an even bigger majority also backs the Dem plan for a surtax on millionaires to pay for the government to act on unemployment.

The poll finds that 59 percent of Americans completely agree or somewhat agree with the protestors, and, crucially, that almost two thirds say they've heard "a lot" or "some" about the rallies. Meanwhile, 68 percent back hiking taxes on millionaires to pay for the Dem jobs plan.

And get this: Nearly one third of Republicans agree with the protesters, and 37 percent of them back the millionaire surtax.

Has the public spoken clearly enough on these matters yet? What more will it take?

(Oct. 19, 2011) -- As local authorities respond to the escape or release of dozens of lions, bears, and wolves from a private menagerie in Muskingum County, The Humane Society of the United States is calling on Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to immediately issue emergency regulations restricting the sale and possession of dangerous wild animals. The Kasich Administration allowed emergency rules put in place by former Gov. Ted Strickland to expire in April. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has convened a working group to develop standards, which it will apparently recommend to the Legislature for action, at some undetermined time frame.

"How many incidents must we catalogue before the state takes action to crack down on private ownership of dangerous exotic animals," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "In recent years, Ohioans have died and suffered injuries because the state hasn't exhibited the foresight to stop private citizens from keeping dangerous wild animals as pets or as roadside attractions, and the situation gets more surreal with every new incident, including this mass escape or release of large animals in Muskingum County. Local authorities are now spending enormous resources on personnel, helicopters, infrared, and equipment chasing down and killing free-roaming exotic animals in order to protect public safety. It's the Wild West, and the empty promises, the delaying, and dilly dallying has to end now."

Conservative WLW 700 Cincinnati radio personality Bill Cunningham comes out against Issue 2, declaring that "those being affected by governmental decisions need to have a place at the bargaining table and a say in what's being discussed."

Watch It:

Related:

Right Wing Talker Bill Cunningham Threatens 'Intifada' Against 'Kasich The First'

The gun lobby is trying to jam a dangerous new concealed carry law through the Senate this week. The measure would bar Ohio from deciding who can legally carry a hidden, loaded gun in our communities. Since Ohio passed the guns in bars bill earlier this year that means other states would get to decide who can carry a gun into Ohio's bars and restaurants.

It's not often that we ask you to call the Senate, but this is the gravest national threat to public safety this year. The vote could happen as early as today and your voice is crucial to defeating this amendment.

Use our easy online tool to call your Senators and let them know you're fiercely opposed to Congress trampling Ohio's public safety laws. Tell them to vote NO on the concealed carry amendment.

According to CNN's latest poll (October 14-16, ±3%), Americans support each of the major policy proposals in President Obama's jobs bill by a wide margin:

IT WON'T AFFECT "OBAMACARE"  BUT PUTS OTHER STATE LAWS AT RISK

Columbus, OH: Today, health advocates, voters rights groups, policy advocates, legal experts, professors, and medical professionals stood together to ask Ohio voters to reject state Issue 3, or the so called 'Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment.'  The Vote No on Issue 3 coalition named its co-chairs and other organizations opposing Issue 3. The coalition's co-chairs are:

• Jessie Hill, Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law

• Maxwell Mehlman, Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law

• Dr. Arthur Lavin, Pediatrician in private practice, Cleveland, Ohio

• Dr. Donald Nguyen, Medical Director and Chief of Pediatric Urology at Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio

• Cathy Allen, President and Owner of Creative Option C, a small business in Marblehead, Ohio.

The Tea Party and other proponents of the amendment claim its passage would nullify the so-called "individual mandate" to purchase health insurance contained in the Affordable Care Act, or what critics call "Obamacare."

There is an old saying that goes, "It's time to get down to brass tacks."  Basically, it means that the time for side points and digressions is over and now we need to get down to the real facts of the matter.
 
John Kasich and his buddies like to say that SB5/Issue 2 is only about public workers paying 10% of their pension and 15% of their healthcare costs but this couldn't be farther from the truth.  In fact, state workers are required by law to pay 10% of their pensions. They've also had their wages frozen and increased healthcare costs increased to help the fiscal situation in their local communities.

So let's get down to brass tacks.

SB5/Issue 2 is not about pay or benefits, its about the health and safety of our communities.

SB5 would reduce the safety equipment and staffing of our police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line each and every day.   Police and Fire have been partners with cities to bring down costs through collective bargaining but as servants of the community, they must stand up when arbitrary decisions by politicians put the safety of the community at risk.

Voting NO on SB5 will allow local elected officials to force these public servants to combat ultra hazardous situations with inadequate safety equipment and staffing levels.  For the future of our communities and the protection of our public servants, we cannot allow this to happen.

SB5/Issue 2 is about hypocrisy.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Healthy Families Ohio, a broad-based coalition, is calling upon Ohioans to reject radical changes to Ohio's Constitution. Healthy Families Ohio announced that it is bringing together medical professionals, constitutional experts, faith leaders, professional organizations, and family and children advocates to protect against an extreme proposal that could threaten the health and safety of families, increase government intrusion in our lives, and cost the state millions in legal fees.

As its first act, the coalition called on Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to reject the radically flawed and misleading attempt by Personhood USA to amend the Ohio Constitution.  The summary of the amendment is not fair and truthful, and Attorney General DeWine should order proponents to craft a summary that accurately reflects the proposal.

This far-reaching amendment could give full legal rights and constitutional protections to fertilized eggs.  This amendment could endanger women's health and safety by outlawing most commonly used forms of birth control, limiting access to life-saving medical treatments, restricting in vitro fertilization, and forcing government intrusion in our lives.

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Congresswoman Betty Sutton (OH-13) called on her colleagues to vote NO on unfair trade deals with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia that will come before the House for a vote today.

Watch It:

A lifelong leader on trade and manufacturing issues, Sutton is a member of the House Trade Working Group and a co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Job Creation.

To read more about Congresswoman Sutton's record on trade, click here.

The union movement as a whole has helped ensure that workers throughout the economy - not just those in unions - share in economic growth, have decent wages and benefits, have good training, and are protected by health and safety regulations. But do public sector unions also bargain for provisions that more directly benefit the community?

This report, based on interviews, contract analyses and a review of the literature, finds that collective bargaining contracts often contain such broadly beneficial elements. Some key examples include safety officers negotiating for provisions that speed response times or keep skills up to date, teachers negotiating for more effective discipline or more enrichment classes, and nurses negotiating for better staffing ratios, which improve patient care.

This report finds that community well-being is often enhanced when public sector workers have a voice to improve their own work conditions and the quality of services they deliver.

Senate Bill 5, passed in March 2011, sharply curtails collective bargaining in ways that would reduce the ability to bargain for such provisions. A 'no' vote on Issue 2 will prevent these sweeping changes.

Executive Summary

Full Report

"Yes on Issue 2" Campaign Sinks to New Low

Columbus- Today Marlene Quinn, a great-grandmother from Cincinnati, called on Building A Better Ohio to immediately pull a television ad using her likeness without her permission.

Mrs. Quinn spoke out against Issue 2 in a television ad produced by We Are Ohio thanking Cincinnati firefighters who saved her great-granddaughter Zoey from a deadly fire. The anonymously-funded, corporate-backed pro-Issue 2 group, Building a Better Ohio, appears to have illegally used the likeness of Marlene Quinn and images from We Are Ohio's ad in their response advertisement.

On Tuesday, the "Yes on Issue 2" campaign that wants to take away collective bargaining rights from firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses and other public employees began running an ad that uses Mrs. Quinn's image without her permission.

The "Yes on Issue 2" campaign manipulates footage in an attempt to mislead viewers and represent a message that is the exact opposite from the message Mrs. Quinn expresses in the We Are Ohio television spot.

"I think it's dishonest and downright deceitful that they would use footage of me to try to play tricks and fool voters," Mrs. Quinn said.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur this morning welcomed the announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation that the Ohio Department of Transportation may not use federal funding to further a scheme to privatize the Ohio Turnpike.
 
"The Turnpike is a capital asset that should be used for economic development in Northern Ohio, not a financial derivative to be shopped around to the highest bidder," said Congresswoman Kaptur.
 
"The Turnpike belongs to the Ohio people--they paid for it.  I applaud Secretary (Ray) LaHood for making the correct decision and standing up for the people of Northern Ohio."
 
U.S. Department of Transportation officials announced the decision with revoke funding for privatization during a conference call this morning with members of the Ohio Democratic congressional delegation.  Congresswoman Kaptur praised her colleague, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) for organizing the call and a letter to USDOT earlier this week.

"Mr./Madam Speaker,

I rise today to speak about jobs. While we operate in a divided Congress, Americans are struggling.  Millions are unemployed, underemployed and without the skills to be employed. More than 1.4 million Americans have been out of work for more than 99 weeks. These Americans want jobs.  These Americans don't understand the delay - many can't afford to wait. So why haven't we passed a jobs bill?

President Obama introduced his jobs plan - with many provisions previously supported by both Republicans and Democrats. What is stopping this Congress from passing a jobs bill? I want every unemployed American to know, some of us are working to get a jobs bill passed.  We feel your pain and we know your struggle.

We must act now. 

I yield back."

Watch It:

The North Portico exterior of the White House is illuminated pink, Oct. 3, 2011, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a time to remember those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and those who are battling it now, and to celebrate with those who have survived. It is also a time to reaffirm our commitment to fighting breast cancer and to remind ourselves of the importance of prevention and early detection.

Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among American women and despite remarkable advances in treatment and prevention, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death.

John Kasich promised to make Ohio great again. But he gave over a hundred million of our tax dollars to big corporations while Ohio continues to lose jobs. Now, Kasich is using Senate Bill 5 to destroy collective bargaining rights for Ohio workers. Kasich and other politicians took over three million dollars in campaign contributions from corporate special interests who could profit from Senate Bill Five.

It doesn't have to be this way... We can stop Senate Bill 5 by voting no on Issue Two.

Watch It:

Speaker Batchelder rejected an increase in pension contributions for state employees because that meant he and his colleagues in the legislature would have to sacrifice, too!

Watch It:

Learn More:

Speaker Batchelder: The Ohio Legislature's Largest 'Double Dipper'

Gerrymandered maps will only further political extremes

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) and Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Capri Cafaro (D- Hubbard) released the following statement upon the adoption of new state legislative districts by the Apportionment Board. 

The maps passed along party lines by a vote of 4-1, Leader Budish is the only Democrat on the five member board.  Last week, House and Senate Democrats submitted maps to the board for consideration.

Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, today charged Gov. John Kasich and legislators who voted for Senate Bill 5 (Issue 2 on the November ballot) with "gross hypocrisy."  IO says that the Governor and his allies have not only exempted themselves from many of the sacrifices they are demanding of other public employees, but also enjoy salaries, perks and privileges that far exceed those available to regular working Ohioans.

Among the highlights contained in the materials released by IO are:

Is Speaker Bill Batchelder a hypocrite?

If nothing else, the Medina representative who championed the reduction of public worker's rights while having them pay more of their benefits costs is the Ohio legislature's biggest 'Double Dipper'.

What's a Double Dipper you ask?

Well, it's an employee who works for the state while also collecting retirement benefits from the state.

Turns out, Speaker Batchelder has collected over $500,000 in pension payments from Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) all while collecting hundreds of thousands in legislative salary during the last five years.

Former Schmidt aide's group stuffs Ohio mailboxes with "Yes on 2″ flyers

A conservative group headed by Barry Bennett, Rep. Jean Schmidt's former chief of staff and Mary Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, has started flooding Ohio voters' mailboxes this weekend with flyers urging a "yes" vote on Issue 2, which would keep Senatae Bill 5 in place.

The group, based in Alexandria, Va., is called the Alliance for America's Future, and plans to make several mailings into Ohio to help the campaign to preserve Senate Bill 5, which would limit the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Bennett, who left as Schmidt's chief of staff early last year to head the group, said "millions" of Ohio voters will see the mail pieces which are being sent out independently of the official "Yes on 2″ committte, Building a Better Ohio.

The "Alliance" is registered as a 501(c)(4) - enabling it and the groups to which it funnels money to operate under the cloak of secrecy. The same cloak of secrecy now being used by Building a Better Ohio in the bitter referendum campaign over Senate Bill 5.

The USPS carries an extraordinary financial burden that no other government agency or company bears.

A 2006 law, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, requires the Postal Service to pre-fund the health care benefits of future retirees. It forces the agency to pre-fund a 75-year liability in just 10 years, which costs the USPS more than $5.5 billion annually.

This mandate is the reason the Postal Service is threatening to end Saturday mail delivery service, lay off 120,000 workers, close thousands of post offices and eliminate hundreds of mail processing facilities.

In addition, the Postal Service is required to overpay billions more into its pension accounts in the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System.

"Congress created this problem, and Congress can fix it," the ad concludes. It will air until the end of November on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News.

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September 23rd marks one year since numerous patient protections went into effect following the passage of health care reform. 

Because so many of these popular provisions get over-shadowed by misunderstandings and false information about the Affordable Care Act, it seems appropriate that we use this occasion to celebrate our progress.

Here are some of the more popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are already contributing to better health care for many of us:

• Denying coverage for children because of their health status is prohibited. Denying coverage for treatment of a child's pre-existing condition is also prohibited.
• Insurers will no longer be able to drop people from coverage just because they get sick.
• Qualifying young adults may remain on their parents' policies until age 26 if those policies provide dependent coverage.
• Life-time limits are eliminated on most policies.
• Annual limits are restricted (and will be eliminated in 2014).
  
• Key preventive care, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, pre-natal and new baby care will be covered without co-pays or deductibles.
  
• Prior authorization cannot be required for emergency care; higher costs cannot be imposed for out-of-network emergency care.
  
• Women now have direct access to OB/GYNs without a referral.
• Enrollees in new plans must have a choice of primary care physicians.
• Waiting periods for employee coverage cannot exceed 90 days.
  
• Persons who have been denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions and have been uninsured for six months may be able to purchase a Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

Columbus - Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement today after Republicans unveiled a new map for Ohio's legislative districts:

"There are serious questions whether the new legislative map violates the state constitution and the Voting Rights Act.  Specifically, the number of majority-minority Senate districts has dropped from two to just one.  And the number of times counties and cities have been split across the state appears to exceed constitutional limits.

"Most Ohioans think Washington and Columbus are broken because of hyper-partisanship.  That's why we should have a map that properly reflects Ohio's history as a 50-50 battleground state.  Ohio needs more bipartisanship, not less, and the best way to accomplish that is with a map that promotes cooperation instead of partisanship.  Unfortunately, the map unveiled today falls well short of that goal."

Ohio House Minority Leader Armond Budish released the following statement in response to the Republican proposed re-apportionment maps:

"The new state legislative districts turn the Ohio Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act on their heads and take partisan gerrymandering to a new extreme. 

These new districts divide communities more than 250 times and disenfranchise voters throughout the state.  Democratic voters have been quarantined into a third of these new House districts, despite the fact that they represent 50 percent of Ohio's voters.  

Never before in Ohio's history have voters in state legislative districts been subjected to such a blatant, hyper-partisan gerrymander."

Firefighters, police, nurses, teachers and other public servants have taken pay freezes and furlough days without pay, saving taxpayers $350 million. But the Columbus politicians are pushing Issue 2 -- blaming public employees for Ohio's budget woes -- all while funneling over a hundred million dollars in tax breaks to their corporate campaign contributors.

The politicians have turned their backs on the middle class. But in Ohio, we don't turn our backs on those who watch ours. Vote NO on Issue 2.

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Chart Courtesy Of Innovation Ohio

COLUMBUS- Today, August unemployment numbers were released showing the third straight month increase, now putting Ohio's unemployment rate at the same as the national average, after experiencing 15 straight months of decreased unemployment. House Democratic Leader Armond Budish released the following statement:

"With Ohio's third straight month of increasing unemployment, it's clear that Gov. Kasich's partisan priorities are hurting middle class families. The Governor's slash and burn budget not only hurts schools and local communities, it has now undone 15 straight months of steady economic growth and declining unemployment."

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) released the following statement on the passage of House Bill 319, the Congressional Redistricting bill.

Calls anti-labor bill an attempt to put power in hands of corporations above workers

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Betty Sutton (OH-13) released the following statement after voting No on Republican legislation to strip the National Labor Relations Board of its power to enforce its own rules, allowing more jobs to be shipped overseas:

Dems Raise Concerns over speed of Process and Division of Communities

COLUMBUS- With little more than 24 hours before the proposed Redistricting map is to be placed in front of the full General Assembly for a vote, Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood), and members of the State Government and Elections Committee, Reps. Kathleen Clyde (D- Kent), Teresa Fedor (D- Toledo), Ronald V. Gerberry (D-Austintown), and Matt Lundy (D- Elyria) held a press conference today. They re-iterated the need to slow down this process, now that a map has been made public, and allow for meaningful public input amongst the more than 200 county, city and township splits that make up this map.

"The new congressional districts revealed yesterday carve up and split apart communities all across this state. That is why we need more time for public input on this map," said Leader Budish. "Politicians drawing the map and picking their voters is what has created the hyper-partisan political environment we see in Washington today."

In light of the partisan, secretive method of redistricting that Republican House leadership has chosen, and previously promised to avoid, Leader Budish decided to withdraw Democratic support for HB 318 which would change the primary date from March to May.  The agreement to move the primary was reached to allow time for public input on Redistricting maps, which the Republicans are clearly trying to bypass - a leading election law expert called the proceedings "defective" and "little more than a farce." Worrisome aspects of the proposed map, such as more than 130 splits of Communities of Interest and the breakup of counties, reek of partisan gerrymandering.

COLUMBUS- Today, Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) sent a letter to Speaker Batchelder expressing deep concern over complete a lack of transparency in the redistricting process thus far. 

In the letter, Leader Budish states, "Passing new Congressional district maps just hours after they are first revealed is wholly unacceptable and does not fulfill the letter or spirit of our agreement to jointly pass separate legislation moving the primary date. As a result, it appears that you have abrogated our agreement, and I do not now believe that my caucus will support providing 7 votes to pass the primary date legislation as an emergency."

A copy of the full letter appears below.

At the same time Columbus politicians were asking hardworking Ohioans to make 'shared sacrifices,' they were literally giving out huge pay raises and bonuses to their staff members.

Their hypocrisy is appalling. Once again these politicians are playing by one set of rules, while expecting the rest of us to play by another.

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Vote No on Issue 2!

Republicans cheered the death penalty last night at the GOP debate at the Reagan Library.

And here I thought that Republicans believed in the "Sanctity of Life".  Silly me!

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From Andrew Sullivan:

TNC sighs:

Apparently people were shocked by the applause here. The only thing that shocked me was that they didn't form a rumba line. It's a Republican debate. And it's America. Perry's right--most people support the death penalty. It's the job of those of us who oppose the death penalty to change that.

Related:

FLASHBACK: Texas Likely Executed Innocent Man

Rep. Celeste Renews Call to Abolish Death Penalty in Ohio

CLEVELAND- ProgressOhio today held a press conference in partnership with State Rep. Mike Foley (D-OH 14^th Ohio House Dist.) to discuss the unintended consequences that could result from State Issue 3.

Regarding State Issue 3's proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution (on the November ballot), Brian Rothenberg, ProgressOhio Executive Director stated, "The "Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment" is so ambiguously worded that it would threaten a wide range of already-existing Ohio health programs, practices and policies".

State Representative Foley highlighted one aspect of the unintended consequences of Issue 3 "in this tough economic climate, do we really want to inject something into the Ohio constitution that would freeze laws and policies around COBRA health insurance?".

While Issue 3 is apparently aimed at eliminating the so-called "individual mandate" to purchase health insurance under the recently enacted Affordable Care Act, few Ohioans appear to have actually read the full text of the proposed amendment. Yet the language, definitions and prohibitions contained in the amendment are so broadly worded that Issue 3 would also ban or freeze in place (and not allow for any future changes to) countless other laws, rules and reporting requirements. These laws and policies in jeopardy are designed to provide oversight of the medical and insurance professions, and to protect workers, consumers and the public health.

Among the laws, programs and policies likely to be affected are:

Columbus- Today supporters of Issue 2 launched two television ads attacking the rights of middle class workers in Ohio.

"As supporters of Issue 2 continue attacking worker rights with two politicians in television ads, We Are Ohio remains focused on what this bill will really do, hurt middle class families and put the safety of Ohio communities at risk," said Melissa Fazekas, spokeswoman for We Are Ohio. "The politicians behind Issue 2 want us to do what they say, not what they do. They blame firefighters, nurses and teachers for the budget problems they created by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax breaks to their corporate campaign contributors, while at the same time cutting funding to local communities for safety services. At the same time politicians also left a gaping loophole which exempts them from Senate Bill 5. While claiming we all need to share in the sacrifices, politicians gave their staff members and upper management big pay increases and bonuses. Their actions continue to show who is important to them, their special interest friends who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to help get them elected, not the hardworking Ohioans who serve and protect our families and communities. The hypocrisy never seems to end with these guys. Today Ohioans are left with one simple question, who do you trust more, hypocritical politicians who support this unsafe and unfair law or firefighters who risk their lives to serve and protect us?"

We Are Ohio is a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition that has come together to repeal SB 5 by voting NO on Issue 2, the unfair and unsafe law that will hurt us all. We Are Ohio includes public and private sector workers and employees, police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, pastors, small business owners, Republicans and Democrats, local elected officials and business leaders, students, Moms, Dads, family members, and your neighbors.

After a win in the Ohio Supreme Court and the subsequent re-filing of the case, ProgressOhio's lawsuit regarding the unconstitutional provisions of Kasich-Kvamme's JobsOhio takes down another plank of the plan. 

This makes the running score to date ProgressOhio 5 JobsOhio 0.

Direct investing plan scuttled by JobsOhio leaders

Mr. Kvamme said during a meeting with Crain's editors and reporters that the organization was setting aside a highly touted plan to use JobsOhio money to invest directly in growing businesses to keep them in the state; instead, he said, the group will rely chiefly on the loans and tax credits the state long has used to encourage business growth in Ohio.

"We decided we're not going to do investments," said Mr. Kvamme, who is JobsOhio's chief investment officer. "What we will be doing is loans, very similar to what (the Department of Development) has done in the past, to create a recurring revenue source" as businesses repay their debts.

He also alluded to the legal difficulties that could arise in creating an investment vehicle that would allow state money -- the liquor profits that will fund JobsOhio -- to be used for equity investing.

Mr. Kasich initially had planned to have JobsOhio provide companies with equity, which is sometimes more attractive than loans to small, growing businesses. An equity position would give the state the chance to share in the success of the businesses it helped fund, which in turn would allow it to use its investment gains to expand JobsOhio's economic development kitty.

Mr. Kvamme said he believes Jobs-Ohio can find others who will make the equity investments some young companies need. He said, for example, that he would like to take a "trade mission" to the West Coast to knock on the doors of Silicon Valley investors to "open the eyes of venture capitalists to the world-class companies being created here."

Now while the lawsuit continues, we await Gov. Kasich assurance the legislature will make this addtional change to the law to add to those already made in response to the JobsOhio lawsuit.

Cincinnati, OH - Following a meeting today between JobsOhio representatives and Cincinnati business and political leaders Brian Rothenberg, ProgressOhio Executive Director, issued the following statement:

"Considering the fact that most of the people appointed to this board have financial ties to Kasich, this is yet another example of how he panders to corporate interests and wants the state to operate under these type of allegiances and with no public transparency or accountability.

"When other states have done what Governor Kasich is trying to do here with this plan they have been plagued with misuse of taxpayer dollars, huge executive bonuses, and poor performance. Contrary to what he says, that's not what Ohio needs and that's not what is going to restore our economy."

COLUMBUS - Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) and Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Carpi Cafaro (D-Hubbard) announced today that they will be introducing companion legislation that would require the Apportionment Board to make new state legislative district maps available for public and board input in advance of the required approval deadline.

"Public input should not be ignored in the important process of drawing new state legislative districts," said Budish.  "If the process continues as it currently is, the public will have almost no opportunity to provide input about how their communities might be carved up and who their representative might be."

This week, the Apportionment Board is conducting field hearings throughout the state, but no maps are available for discussion and public participation has been limited.  Hearings in Toledo, Lima, Cleveland and Akron produced few witnesses and no one showed up to testify in yesterday's Canton hearing.

Traditional public school districts continue to provide a vastly better education for students, according to report card data released today by the Ohio Department of Education. Efforts to strengthen accountability for the state's privately operated, publicly funded charter schools in the last few years have led to slightly improved performance by charter schools. While the change does not demonstrate a dramatic trend, the even slight advances due to increased accountability indicate that greater oversight benefits students, noted the Coalition for Public Education.

State report card data shows steady general improvement in traditional public school districts' ratings with slight improvements in charter schools.

"We are encouraged by the impact that accountability provisions have had on improving the performance of charters since stronger standards were implemented over the last few years. Even given the slight improvements by some charters, traditional public school districts remain the clearly superior option for children," said Barbara Shaner, chair of the Coalition for Public Education.

The Coalition is a statewide alliance of education, parent and civic organizations interested in improving public education for Ohio's children and increasing accountability to taxpayers.

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North Avondale, Cincinnati - It is not supposed to happen in America where we value free speech and proudly revel in our history of men and women standing up and speaking to their elected representatives. But...once again, just last night, as they did in June, Congressman Steve Chabot, his staff and security team made sure that there could be no genuine human interaction or spoken question from the audience or any recorded documentation of what was said. And this occurred in a public meeting, in a public place, conducted by a public official, who while speaking to the public refused over 100 people who disagreed with him the opportunity to speak. And he had the police there to physically enforce his own private rules for public discourse.

Last night it was supposed 'security reasons" that they again not only banned citizen speech, but the photographing and filming of the Congressman speaking as well. Chabot's security team enlisted the help of the on-duty Cincinnati Police (car # 05313) to enforce this policy with the threat of arrest and the actual confiscation of two video cameras until the conclusion of the meeting.

Dismal exercises such as this must leave his constituents bewildered, thinking they had stumbled into an anti-democratic nightmare where authorities dictate appropriate speech in public places and seize personal property at the request of the elected officials. These policies simply cannot stand legal scrutiny nor the smell test of any citizen interested in an honest and open discussion of public policy issues that impact the lives of their families."

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Some Things the Ohio Governor Probably Won't Mention in His National Radio Address

Tomorrow, Ohio Governor John Kasich will give the Republican response to President Obama's weekly radio address. Kasich was selected by House Speaker and fellow Ohioan John Boehner, who said:
 
"Washington could certainly learn a thing or two from Ohio, where leaders are working together to balance the budget by cutting spending instead of raising taxes and....creating a better environment for job creation....the American people deserve... to learn how he did it."
 
Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, agrees that the nation can learn a lot from what John Kasich has done in Ohio. 

So let's review:

Columbus - State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) issued the following statement today in regards to Republican efforts to avoid a referendum on Senate Bill 5:

"Today Governor Kasich and Republican leaders said it would be reasonable to sit down at the table and talk about a compromise on Senate Bill 5.  Since the bill's introduction, the actions of the Governor and the majority have been everything but reasonable.  Was it reasonable for the Governor to say he was going to 'break the backs of organized labor in schools' or 'that he would only work with unions that make things'?  So now they want to meet with the same people that they refused to have discussions with before it was introduced.

"As the ranking member in the Insurance, Labor, and Commerce Committee, I asked for more time and discussion from all interested parties when senate bill 5 hearings were being held.  That would have been reasonable.  Today's press conference was nothing more than a political stunt and was disingenuous to say the least. "

Columbus - Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement today in regards to Republican efforts to negotiate a watered down version of Senate Bill 5:

"With each passing hour it becomes more obvious that Governor Kasich's offer to finally have meaningful negotiations on Senate Bill 5 is nothing more than a desperate publicity stunt.  When did the Governor and Republican leaders in the General Assembly offer to sit down as a group to meet with public employees during the debate over Senate Bill 5?  The answer is never.

"My friend and colleague Republican Senator Tim Grendell was correct when he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer today that 'we had union people willing to have discussions, but nobody who was leading the charge from the legislature wanted to have those meetings.'  The time to negotiate over Senate Bill 5 was during the legislative process, but instead they locked the doors of the Statehouse.

"Senate Democrats continue to support the repeal of Senate Bill 5 either through legislation or the ballot box."

In this episode of Kasich's Cons, we examine the disconnect between Kasich and his Friends saying they gave SB5 opponents access to the deliberations on the bill, when the truth is there were literally thousands of Ohioans physically locked out of the Statehouse while hearings were going on.

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In this episode of Kasich's Cons, we examine the disconnect between Kasich and his Friends calling for "Compromise" on SB5 in public and his much different comments in the past.

Just recently, Gov. Kasich and his Friends in the Statehouse have proposed a "compromise" with We Are Ohio to try and avoid a bitter defeat of SB5 in November. Yet while publicly calling for talks, Gov. Kasich has been telling others that there is no reason to sit down since he already knows what We Are Ohio thinks and all they would do is "talk, talk, talk".

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Horse Track Owners and State Disinvest in Ohio's Workers, Small and Minority Businesses

Columbus - State Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) today blasted the Kasich administration and the Ohio Lottery Commission for revising Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) rules which would eliminate requirements for Ohio Racetracks to contract with Ohio-based and minority businesses, hire local Ohio residents and protect young people.

"The administration not only did not include language to be inclusive in our contracts with Ohio Racetracks but disinvests in our businesses and our people and with purpose eliminates language which insures that Ohio-based businesses, employees and minority businesses are included in these operations," said Senator Tavares.  "Their message to the unemployed and businesses in Ohio - you need not apply. This goes counter to their jobs message and growing Ohio business mantra.  The talk of this administration does not mirror their actions."

The amended rules also eliminate language that would have prohibited individuals under the age of 21 years from being in slot machine areas.  "Once again we hear talk of protecting young people and reducing addictions however these actions do the opposite," stated Senator Tavares.

Tavares serves as the Ranking Member of the Ohio Senate's State, Local Government and Economic Development and the Ways and Means and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Martin pleads not guilty to charges

State Rep. Jarrod Martin, R-Beavercreek, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a child endangerment charge in Jackson County Municipal Court and began mounting a defense to prove his innocence, his attorney said.

Martin, 32, also is pleading not guilty to a drunken driving charge.

 . . . After the July 22 incident, it became public that in March 2010 Martin was found passed out drunk on now House Speaker William Batchelder's Chevy Suburban in a downtown Columbus parking garage.

Two months after that, he was kicked out of a Beavercreek hotel with five other men attending a bachelor party. The hotel manager complained that the men had been fighting and yelling and police said they were all "highly intoxicated."

Portman's Appointment Praised, Criticized; Toomey Says He's Open to Tax Reform

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The senior U.S. senator from Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown is praising the appointment of the state's freshman Republican senator, Rob Portman, to the 12-member "supercommittee" charged with cutting the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion.

But the liberal pressure group ProgressOhio, closely aligned with Brown's political philosophy, this time is not in step with Brown -- and instead issued a statement that blames Portman for helping to create the nation's fiscal nightmare.

Portman was the director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush and served as the U.S. trade representative as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a blistering statement, ProgressOhio points out that Portman "voted for both of Bush's tax cuts and for Bush's invasion of Iraq. When Rob Portman talks about fiscal nightmares, he knows exactly what he's talking about because he helped more than most to create the one we're in."

Read More at The Business Journal Daily

Related:

Rob Portman Named To Deficit 'Supercommittee'!?!

Actual full quote was, "The great thing (for Republicans) about Rob Portman is that he was Bush's budget director from 2006 to 2007. Plus, he voted for both of Bush's tax cuts and for Bush's invasion of Iraq which was paid for on Uncle Sam's credit card.

When Rob Portman talks about fiscal nightmares, he knows exactly what he's talking about because he helped more than most to create the one we're in.

Members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus discuss the first six month of the 129th General Assembly.

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Veil of secrecy continues as public safety is at risk

COLUMBUS- Sate Reps. Matt Lundy (D- Elyria) and W. Carlton Weddington (D- Columbus) again raised concerns and questions over the privatization of five state prisons. Today they sent a public records request to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the Governor's office asking that the bids to privatize five Ohio prisons be made public. This comes amid continued public safety concerns and questions surrounding Gov. Kasich's ties to lobbyist at interested firms.

"I continue to raise concerns over the secretive process in which Ohio's prisons are being privatized. Previous questions over safety, cost and accountability have gone unanswered and ignored. Unfortunately, it has become clear this is just another example of Gov. Kasich rewarding his friends. It is time the veil of secrecy under which the Kasich administration operates is lifted," said Rep. Lundy.  "Today we call for the Governor to release the bids that CCA, GEO and MTC have submitted. The public deserves to know what price tag has been put on their safety."

Corrections Corporation of America, GEO Group and Management and Training Corp. are the three companies that have submitted bids to purchase Ohio's prisons. Gov. Kasich received contributions for his transition fund of $10,000 each from two of the companies seeking to buy Ohio's prisons. All three companies hired close Gov. Kasich ties to lobby for their firms' interest, including Gov. Kasich's former congressional chief of staff and two political advisors to his gubernatorial campaign.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's administration on Monday began the formal process to potentially sell the Ohio Turnpike by seeking consultants to work for the state, the Toledo Blade reports.

John Kasich often talks about privatizing the Ohio Turnpike because it "worked out so well for Indiana".

Except that Indiana has had a less than successful privatization effort. Since the turnpike was leased in 2006 for $3.8 billion for 75 years, tolls have almost doubled.

Indiana Turnpike Toll in 2007: $4.65
Indiana Turnpike Toll in 2011: $9.00

An increase of 93% in 4 years.

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Don't let Kasich and his corporate allies Con Ohio.

Stand up against his bus!

COLUMBUS - Today We Are Ohio declined to compromise on its obligation to the more than 1.3 million Ohioans who want to exercise their right to repeal SB 5 by voting no on Issue 2 in November. SB 5, the unfair attack on employee rights and worker safety, is viewed by Ohioans as extreme and out of touch with what they want for their communities.

"We Are Ohio takes our obligation to our more than 1.3 million supporters very seriously, and thus will not back down from this attack on teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses and other hardworking Ohioans," said Melissa Fazekas, spokeswoman for We Are Ohio. "We Are Ohio recognizes our huge responsibility in representing the majority of Ohioans who want to defeat Issue 2 in November. The time for compromise has passed. Not to mention, that following the lack of 'compromise' witnessed during the legislative process, why would any Ohio worker believe those same leaders would now be willing to come to the table and reach a reasonable 'compromise'? The question still remains, when did your child's school bus driver or a city sanitation worker become the enemy? Ohioans' right to vote no on Issue 2 in November should not be trampled by a last ditch effort to save face for an extreme policy that is out of touch with Ohioans."

Newsweek's latest issue features a Michele Bachmann cover that's sure to stir up controversy.

Is it appropriate for a national publication to feature an "unflattering" image of a Presidential candidate on their cover? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this Episode of Kasich's Cons, we discuss the disconnect between Ohio Gov. John Kasich's request for input, while at the same time moving forward on an extreme ideological agenda that is not supported by the majority of Ohioans.

The real truth actually comes from Senator David Burke. A constituent asks if its worth it to contact your elected representatives since she has not ever received a response back. What did the Senator do with all the SB5 emails and voice messages?

His response? He deleted them and didn't listen.

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Gov. Kasich and his Friends only care about the opinion of lobbyists who help write the bills. Show them that our views are the only ones that should matter. Vote to Repeal SB5!

Vote No on Issue 2!

In this episode of Kasich's Cons, we discuss the disconnect between the public statements about Kasich's Budget and the more honest statements made to local officials behind closed doors.

At the Columbus Metro Club lunch on July 29, 2011, Governor John Kasich called his budget the "most comprehensive" piece of legislation "in the history of the State."

Meanwhile, Speaker Batchelder and State Representatives are talking to their local elected officials and admitting the "huge" and "devastating" cuts that Kasich's budget will bring to their local communities.

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Stand up against Kasich's Bus!

Stand up for Ohio!

www.weareohio.com
www.standupforohio.org
www.progressohio.org

The new state budget calls for a massive sell-off of Ohio public assets worth billions of dollars. Among the properties that may be privatized are the Ohio Turnpike, six prisons and the liquor distribution business.

The budget also authorizes local and exempted village school districts to contract out their bus transportation, universities to enter into agreements transferring buildings and parking facilities to outside entities for up to 99 years, and cities to lease their parking meters for up to 30 years.

Little evidence has been put forward that the public will benefit from these privatization moves, which raise numerous questions.

Here's how the selling of the Indiana Turnpike is working out for that state.

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I guess those wall street banker perks are hard to give up even when it clearly shows you to be a complete hypocrite given what you campaigned on.

Investigator: Frequent flyer Gov. Kasich called hypocrite

Gov. John Kasich is fast becoming a frequent flyer and it's happening on the taxpayers' dime.

The governor has come under attack for using state planes to excess, especially when he's asking taxpayers to tighten their belts in these tough economic times.

A Channel 3 News review of Kasich's travels by state plane shows that he is on pace to quadruple the amount of money that his predecessor, former Gov. Ted Strickland, spent on state planes in his last year in office.

"Gov. Kasich is using the state plane as a taxi cab and saying taxpayers and costs be damned," said Dale Butland of Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank in Columbus. 

In the first six months of this year, Channel 3 News found that Kasich took 38 trips on state planes at a cost of more than $53,000.  If you add 12 trips by staff, that $53,000 jumps to more than $64,000.

By comparison, Strickland flew 17 times in state planes in all of 2010 at a cost to taxpayers of about $27,000.

"We are asking sacrifices to be made by school districts, to be made by local governments, and we need to be making those sacrifices too, and we can't be overusing state property," State Representative Matt Lundy said.

During his 2010 campaign against Ted Strickland, Kasich, through spokesperson Rob Nichols, criticized the incumbent's use of the state plane and questioned whether funding the plane was justifiable at all:

"But because [Strickland] likes hitting the snooze button, he makes a small army of people fire up his plane, get it ready and then fly it from one airport to another so he won't have to drive an extra 15 minutes to the airport. ... Putting aside the wasted money and extra wear and tear, could the guy do something more arrogant? ... Frankly, there needs to be a closer review of whether the plane's cost can even still be justified at all."

In this episode of Kasich's Cons, we get into the wide disconnect between the 'come together' language that Ohio Governor John Kasich uses in public vs. the disrespectful and insulting language that he uses in more private settings.

Governor Kasich calls public employees pigs with their "snouts in the trough", "knuckleheads", "idiots" and more.

SB5 is a slap in the face to hard working Ohioans across this great State. Help stop Kasich's bus and bring respect back to the Statehouse. Respect for our communities, our neighbors, our public employees we rely on each and every day, and our small businesses.

Watch It:

Visit www.weareohio.com for more information on how to help Repeal SB5.

In today's episode of Kasich's Cons, Ohio Governor John Kasich talk about privatizing the Ohio Turnpike because it worked out so well for Indiana.

Except that Indiana has had a less than successful privatization effort.  Since the turnpike was leased in 2006 for $3.8 billion for 75 years, tolls have almost doubled and the company that paid to lease the turnpike is preparing to default on it's debt.

Indiana Turnpike Toll in 2007: $4.65
Indiana Turnpike Toll in 2011: $9.00

An increase of 93% in 4 years!

Watch It:

In an interview with Bill Hemmer of FOX News yesterday, Senate President Tom Niehaus agreed that even if the Tea Party's "Ohio Health Care Freedom Act" does pass, state law will not trump federal law meaning the vote for the Ohio Consitutional Amendment will have no legal force or effect whatsoever.

HEMMER: What I read is that there might be a court challenge even before you get to November. I don't know if that's the case or not. But critics contend even if it does pass, state law will not trunk (sic) federal law here. Are they right?

NIEHAUS: Well, that's true, but again I think it's important that voters have an opportunity to tell their elected officials in Washington, and in particular the president of the United States, how they feel about some of his initiatives.

Interview with State Senator Tom Niehaus

A constitutional amendment that is known to be legally null and void before it is even voted upon? Why would  the leader of Republicans in the Ohio Senate be for that?  Could it be that he recognizes the need to try to stir up the referendum's tea party supporters to get them to the polls this fall hoping they will vote for maintaining SB5?

HT: @plunderbund

A day after the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops criticized the House GOP's debt plan, more than 70 Catholic priests, sisters, theologians and social justice leaders from Speaker John Boehner's home state of Ohio urged him to listen to his Church, not the Tea Party.

Read the full statement below:

Image from StaffingTalk

Great story in The Other Paper about Kasich today . . .

If this is how Kasich handles victory, just wait until he suffers defeat

A few weeks ago John Kasich called a press conference at the governor's mansion in Bexley to bask in his own awesomeness. He'd just signed his budget and he brought a couple boys from the Statehouse to preen in front of the press corps, yuck it up and revel in Republican glory.

Turns out being governor is just as much fun as he thought.

Then, being John Kasich, he couldn't resist: "What's happening in Ohio now is, if you lose, you sue or you make a public-records request. Slow down the process. It's all in the pursuit of selfish power."

Kasich was talking about ProgressOhio, the pesky liberals who took Kasich to court to force him to follow the Ohio Constitution. It still rankled, the one time in his tenure as governor he didn't get his way, and he wasn't going to let it go, even during his victory party.

See, the thing about John Kasich is, he's a dick. Concepts like grace or humility-class, you might say-are no part of his makeup. And there's no mistaking it. Jon Stewart asked, after showing the clip of Kasich calling that cop an idiot, "Do I detect a hint of dickishness?"

So we've seen how magnanimous Kasich is in victory. How will he handle defeat?

Read More at The Other Paper

In this episode of Kasich's Cons, Ohio Governor John Kasich tries to dodge a question on MSNBC's Morning Joe about his growing unpopularity.

Governor Kasich can't con his way into the hearts and minds of Ohio. 1.3 Million Ohioans from across our great State signed the SB5 Repeal Referendum and stood up to Kasich's bus.

There is a lot of work spreading the message about SB5 between now and November, but by joining together, we will fight and win on Election Day.

Join the Movement. Repeal SB5!

Watch It:

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released Ohio's unemployment numbers for June today. These numbers show the earliest impacts of Governor Kasich's policy agenda, including his recently passed budget.

The unemployment rate was 8.8 percent in June, an increase from 8.6 percent in May. This is the first time that the unemployment rate has increased since August of 2009, breaking a 22-month streak of unemployment holding steady or decreasing.

The industry with the most significant job losses from the previous month was government, with local governments seeing the biggest losses of 8900 jobs. This likely reflects the first impact of Governor Kasich's "Jobs Budget," which contained severe cuts to local governments. Unfortunately as IO warned earlier this year, we are now well on our way to an anticipated loss of 51,000 jobs as a result of Kasich's budget.

Read More at Innovation Ohio

WASHINGTON--Members of the U.S. Congress reported Wednesday they were continuing to carefully debate the issue of whether or not they should allow the country to descend into a roiling economic meltdown of historically dire proportions.

"It is a question that, I think, is worthy of serious consideration: Should we take steps to avoid a crippling, decades-long depression that would lead to disastrous consequences on a worldwide scale? Or should we not do that?" asked House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), adding that arguments could be made for both sides, and that the debate over ensuring America's financial solvency versus allowing the nation to default on its debt--which would torpedo stock markets, cause mortgage and interests rates to skyrocket, and decimate the value of the U.S. dollar--is "certainly a conversation worth having."

It shouldn't be hard to understand why we should clean up toxic pollution - including mercury - from power plants. Especially when you consider that half of the toxic air pollution from industrial plants is coming from power plants, as a new analysis from NRDC shows.

The analysis, based on the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) also names the Toxic 20 states which have the highest levels of toxic air pollution from power plants.

Coal pollution is killing Americans. It is America's biggest source of toxic air pollution. Air toxics from coal-fired power plants cause cancer, birth defects, and respiratory illness. Just one of those air toxics, mercury, damages the developing brains of fetuses, infants, and small children. It robs our children of healthy neurological development and native intelligence.

Maurice Thompson, Executive Director of the 1851 Constitutional Law Center, explains how the 1851 Center's Health Care Constitutional Amendment effort is motivated by their hope to get a big payday as Special Counsel to the Attorney General's Office.

Watch It:

Don't let them get a payday off the backs of the poor and sick!

Sign up to help keep the amendment off the ballot today!

Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 7:30 pm
Sat/Sun 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
(2 Hour Shifts requested)
Denise@progressohio.org
614-441-9145

Concerned for Ohio womens' access to reproductive health care under new law

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) today released the following statement in response to Gov. Kasich's signing of HB 78, which would ban abortions after 20 weeks. Rep. Antonio's statement is below:

"Putting HB 78 into law will have a chilling effect on women's reproductive health care in Ohio.  This law is a legislative overreach which could possibly put women's lives in danger" said Rep. Antonio.  "I once again urge the General Assembly to join me and Sen. Minority Leader Cafaro in supporting the Ohio Prevention First Act we recently introduced.  This bill supports women as fully responsible and capable citizens who are entitled to full access to contraceptives, comprehensive reproductive health information and compassionate assistance for rape victims."

COLUMBUS - Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern sent a letter to Governor John Kasich asking him to contribute to charity the contributions and earnings he received from News Corporation. A News Corporation publication reportedly hacked into the phone records of families of September 11 victims and paid law enforcement for information, among other egregious actions.

"Perhaps no public official in America has benefited more, both personally and politically, from News Corporation than you," Redfern writes to Governor Kasich in the letter. The Ohio Democratic Party Chairman then goes on to describe the close relationship between Governor Kasich and News Corporation, including Kasich's earnings while working for Fox News, his "friendship" with Rupert Murdoch, News Corporation's contributions to the Republican Governors Association and Kasich's appearances on Fox News to promote his candidacy.

"The tactics of your former employer and major campaign donor were despicable, unacceptable and even inhumane," Redfern continues. "For that reason, we are calling on you to donate all of your earnings from News Corporation, as well as all of your campaign contributions from News Corporation, to charities of your choosing."

The full letter follows:

Rooting for Kasich, Murdoch donates $1 million

While John Kasich's old boss at Fox News couldn't legally give him $1 million directly, Rupert Murdoch now acknowledges his "friendship" with Kasich sparked a million-dollar contribution to a group running ads bashing Gov. Ted Strickland.

The donation went to the Republican Governors Association, which has bought more than $1 million worth of anti-Strickland ads - more than 3,000 spots - in central Ohio alone. The commercials all have slammed Strickland with the line "he didn't get the jobs done."

The Democratic Governors Association plans to file a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission over the ad. The Democratic group says Murdoch's new comments indicate that he was earmarking the $1 million for Kasich, which would be illegal.

"News Corp., parent company of Fox, gave $1 million to defeat Ohio's Democratic governor and put one of its own hosts in control of one of the most important states for 2012," the association said.

Murdoch is head of News Corp., which includes Fox News, where Kasich worked as a commentator and host for several years.

State Rep. Debbie Phillips says conflict of interest questions must be answered

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Debbie Phillips (D- Athens) sent a letter today to Inspector General Randy Meyer requesting an investigation of new State Superintendent of Education, Stan Heffner.  The requests comes as questions arise over a possible conflict of interest between a company that he had been hired to work for and his continued advocacy of a policy that would have benefited that company while still a public official.  A copy of the letter sent to Inspector General Randy Meyer is seen below:

July 18, 2011

Randy Meyer
Office of the Ohio Inspector General
30 East Broad Street
Suite 2940
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414

Dear Mr. Meyer:

I am writing regarding the allegations that are surfacing concerning Superintendent Stan Heffner and a possible conflict of interest with one of the nation's largest testing companies.

As you may be aware, Mr. Heffner has been serving as interim superintendent for public instruction. Prior to becoming interim superintendent, he had accepted a position with Education Testing Service (ETS), the company that provides certification tests for all Ohio teachers.  After he accepted the position and while still in his official position, Mr. Heffner gave testimony before the Senate Finance Committee in support of legislation that likely meant significant revenues for his new employer.  This official action on his part seems to violate the spirit, if not the letter, of Ohio's ethics law.

I am aware that this matter has also been referred to the Ohio Ethics Commission, but the fact that your office has concurrent jurisdiction, as well as the power to investigate waste and wrongdoing and recommend agency improvements, more than justifies action on your part.

The education of Ohio's children is our most important responsibility, and we must have a Superintendent and Department of Education that are above reproach. I am deeply concerned about the matters raised by Mr. Heffner. Due to the troubling nature of these allegations and because it is essential that the head of the Ohio Department of Education is beyond reproach, I request that you investigate this matter to determine if any illegal or wrongful acts were committed.

In particular, such an investigation should seek to answer the following questions:

• Did Stan Heffner know at the time of his testimony before the General Assembly whether the passage of House Bill 153 in the form specifically recommended by him would benefit his future employer, Educational Testing Services (ETS)?

• Does Mr. Heffner's recent appointment violate the Ohio Revised Code, which prohibits superintendents of public instruction from having financial or employee connections with education publishing companies?

• What reasons justified the change in Department of Education policy underlying Mr. Heffner's testimony in support of expansion of teacher testing?

• Does the Department of Education have in place proper policies to check for, monitor, and control potential and actual conflicts of interests for employees who are coming into the Department from the private sector and/or who have announced that they are leaving for the private sector?

• What other Department employees in policy-making positions currently have job offers from state contractors?

• When did Stan Heffner begin discussions with ETS about future employment?

• Did Heffner immediately notify superiors of his discussions about employment with ETS? If so, whom and when?

• Did Heffner recuse himself of any decision-making about or oversight of the use testing products supplied by ETS?

• What policies does the Department have to firewall employees with potential or actual conflicts of interest?

• When asked to testify on behalf of HB153 and specifically provisions related to teacher testing, did Heffner notify anyone at the Department, the Board or the Governor's office of his future employment with ETS? Was a decision then made that no conflict existed?

• What other decisions affecting ETS did Stan Heffner make during his tenure at the Department, particularly during that period extending from the date he first sought a job with ETS, through interviews and negotiations, and all the way until he was announced as the new Superintendent?

• Who wrote the testimony Heffner gave in front of the Senate Finance Committee?

• Did ETS condition (either actual or implied) Stan Heffner's future employment (or salary or bonus) with ETS upon the spending of additional public monies for teacher testing or other programs that would benefit ETS?

• Did Stan Heffner promise or imply that he could influence either the Department of Education or the General Assembly in the spending of additional public monies for teacher testing or other programs that would benefit ETS?

• Was the compensation package offered to Stan Heffner consistent with industry standards, or did it contain any unusual "bonus" or other front-loaded compensation?

• Did Stan Heffner have any actual (not future) financial interest in ETS at the time of his General Assembly testimony?

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in this matter. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,



Representative Debbie Phillips

Republicans in Congress were not functioning independently of one another on their first workday after the Independence Day holiday.

Shortly after noon on July 5, House Speaker John Boehner's "tweeted" a July 3 blog posting from the conservative Weekly Standard's website, labeling it "POTUS' economists: 'Stimulus' Has Cost $278,000 per job."

Around 4 p.m., the National Republican Congressional Committee followed suit with multiple press releases that used the same Weekly Standard blog item to target dozens of Democrats in Congress, including Ohio's Betty Sutton. Its headline: "New Report Shows Dems' Failed Stimulus Cost $278,000 Per Job As Economy Got Worse." It went onto claim that Sutton's "government spending spree" "delivered little except skyrocketing debt owed to foreign countries like China."

By 4:55 p.m., the National Republican Senatorial Committee had recycled the Weekly Standard blog posting to attack Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. This time the claim was: "President Obama's own top economists estimate that the Obama-Brown stimulus debacle cost taxpayers an average $278,000 per job."

Remember when Speaker Batchelder and a bunch his best buddy in the House, the now disgraced Rep Mecklenborg,  wanted to pass the most restrictive and unconstitutional ID bill in the nation that would cost Ohio millions of dollars, disenfranchise huge numbers of eligible voters, and do nothing to combat voter fraud?

Well when they finally put down the beer and dropped off the strippers, they succeeded in pushing the bill, HB159, through the house but it stalled in the Senate.  How come?  Did they finally listen to their residents and constituents who are overwhelming against this bill?  Or to the numerous newspaper editorials and letters to the editors against this misguided bill?   

Nope.  In the end, Republican Secretary of State and Former Speaker of the House Jon Husted broke ranks with his own party and stepped in front of the bus for the residents of Ohio.   

Husted said this:

"I want to be perfectly clear, when I began working with the General Assembly to improve Ohio's elections system it was never my intent to reject valid votes. I would rather have no bill than one with a rigid photo identification provision that does little to protect against fraud and excludes legally registered voters' ballots from counting.

"It is in the hands of the General Assembly."

Now we have not always seen eye-to-eye with Jon Husted, especially in many of the misguided reforms in HB194 (more info on the petition to repeal it here), but on the restrictive ID issue Jon Husted stood up and made a difference.

Turns out Speaker Batchelder never forgot.

Everyone knows what's at stake in 2012: SB 5--a bill that eliminates the collective bargaining rights of more than 350,000 public employees--will be on the ballot. Some politicians are willing to go to extreme measures to influence the outcome of the citizens' veto.

Last week the legislature passed HB 194--a voter suppression bill that cuts down on early voting and makes it harder for Ohio voters to cast their ballots. Not satisfied with making it more difficult to vote, some senators are saying they will take up HB 159--a voter ID bill that would disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Ohioans--as soon as this week. Previously, they'd said it would not be voted on until the fall.

Call your senator at 1-888-218-5931 and tell him or her you oppose HB 159 because it will disenfranchise nearly 900,000 Ohioans.

"What is Your Number?" Day of Action

Date: Thursday July 14th
Time: 10am - 11am
Where: AEP Headquarters, 1 Riverside Plaza (Marconi and Long)
Meet: North Bank Park (Neil Ave and Spring St)

What: After a short walk from North Bank Park, we will have a press conference/ demonstration to ask AEP "How many is too many?"

Join us on Thursday to support clean air in Ohio and nationwide!

Banners and signs will be provided.

Sign up today!

Footage of Maurice Thompson, Executive Director of the 1851 Constitutional Law Center, speaking at a press conference about submitting signatures to put the repeal of Healthcare Reform in the Ohio Constitution.

Maurice claims that The Ohio Project, the entity collecting the signatures to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot, has a 90% validation rate on signatures..

Historically, the highest validation rate has been 62% on the smoking ban in 2006. Why would the Ohio Project have such a high rate, despite collecting over two years?

Watch as the Tea Party's Thompson claims that their "valid signature rate" is so high because they didn't pay their volunteers with "cigarettes and crack cocaine". 

We'll see of the Ohio Boards of Elections agree with his count . . .

Watch It:

Sign up now to help us fight against Health Care Repeal!

Proposed constitutional amendment would hurt Ohioans and benefit insurance companies
 
Columbus - State Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) issued the following statement today to comment on a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to allow the state of Ohio to opt out of portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

"This effort to protect Ohioans from themselves is bizarre.  We the people elect those who supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

This initiative is an attempt to protect the insurance companies and health care industry at the expense of the people.  This is an unnecessary and flawed solution in search of a problem. 

We do not need to add protections for the insurance industry to our Ohio Constitution."

Remember this?

Gov. Strickland Announces Transformative Solar Array to be Developed in Ohio, Create 600 Jobs

Columbus, OH - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced agreements to create Turning Point Solar, a 49.9 MW solar array to be built on strip-mined land adjacent to The Wilds nature conservancy.  At signing ceremonies in the governor's cabinet room, American Electric Power (AEP) CEO Michael G. Morris signed a memorandum of understanding with project developers New Harvest Ventures and Agile Energy to enter into a 20-year purchase agreement for the facility's power.

Pending approval of incentives to be provided by state and local governments, two prominent Spanish solar power component manufacturers, Prius Energy S.L. and Isofoton, have agreed to open new manufacturing facilities in Ohio to help construct the 239,400 panel solar array.  If operating today, Turning Point would be the largest photovoltaic solar array in the United States.

Approximately 300 jobs will be needed to build the project at peak construction.  In addition, Prius and Isofoton have agreed to locate their North American operations in Ohio, creating more than 300 permanent manufacturing jobs.

Last week, Strickland signed an executive order eliminating Ohio's tangible personal property tax and real property tax for advanced and renewable energy project facilities, making it easier for energy companies to do business and create jobs in Ohio.  In 2008, Strickland signed a landmark energy reform bill, SB 221, that calls for 25 percent of all energy consumed by Ohioans to come from advanced energy sources by 2025.  Of that, .5 percent must be solar energy.

"Voting in the wrong precinct led to over 14,000 registered voters statewide to lose their vote in 2008."

An elections reform bill approved in June by the Ohio Senate had plenty of troubling new provisions for critics of the proposal, namely Democrats.

The bill contained a number of changes to Ohio's voting and election procedures, some of which may lead to voter suppression, opponents of House Bill 194 argued before the Republican-controlled Senate passed the bill along party lines.

For example, one provision added by the Ohio House barred poll workers from helping voters find their correct precinct for voting if they end up in the wrong place.

Current law mandates that poll workers direct voters to their correct voting location. That's important because casting a ballot in the wrong place means your vote doesn't count.

"Voting in the wrong precinct led to over 14,000 registered voters statewide to lose their vote in 2008,"  state Sen Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat, said during a floor speech on June 22.

"But I guess the loss of votes for some doesn't matter," she sarcastically concluded, suggesting that Republicans were deliberately trying to suppress valid ballots in urban and impoverished areas of the state where mixing up precincts most often occurs.

Watch It:

Ohio gov decries partisanship, lashes out at Dems

Kasich had particularly harsh words for ProgressOhio, a liberal policy group that has filed suits against his administration alleging violations of the state constitution with one of his Cabinet appointments and his effort to privatize the state's economic development office. The group also filed suit after a lockdown of the Statehouse during collective bargaining rallies.

"Driving Mark Kvamme out of the Department of Development was one of the most irresponsible things I've ever seen in my political career," he said. "Why'd they do that? Constitutional issues? I know the press can tend to be a little cynical. Maybe you ought to think about that, why they did it. It's disrupting, and we're not going to let them disrupt the agenda of helping Ohio recover."

The group's challenge to Kvamme's appointment noted opinions by the state attorney general and an opinion of the bipartisan Legislative Service Commission that Cabinet appointees need to be residents and registered voters of the state. Kvamme was a resident of California when he was appointed.

"What's happening in Ohio now is if you lose you sue or you make a public records request, slow down the process," Kasich said. "It's all in the pursuit of selfish power."

ProgressOhio executive director Brian Rothenberg said Kasich needs to be reminded how democracy works.

"I guess we're all getting used to these political tantrums," Rothenberg said. "The fact of the matter is he swore to uphold the whole constitution, not just the parts he likes."

After the group's lawsuit, Kasich appointed Kvamme to a non-Cabinet advisory position within his administration and named a new development director.

Watch Kasich's Full Rant:

Related:

ProgressOhio In The News: Thorn in Gov. Kasich's Side

In Response To ProgressOhio Led Lawsuit Kasich Submits Budget Amendments To Remove Unconstitutional Powers He Had Over JobsOhio

ProgressOhio Lawsuit Succeeds in Forcing Kasich to Abide by Ohio Constitution

ProgressOhio Files Lawsuit to Force Kvamme Removal

Medicare and Medicaid went into effect 45 years ago today on July 1,1966.

Every Republican in the Ohio Caucus has voted this year to End Medicare As We Know It and to increase Ohio seniors Health Care costs by $6,698.00 per year.

Yes, they want to replace Medicare with The Republican Medicare Plan: Get Older Pay More With No Guaranteed Health Care Coverage.

We'll stick with our current Medicare on its' 45th Birthday and wish it many, many more years!

The Bill's signing on July 30,1965.

Watch It:

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel at the Sixth U.S Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati in a 2-1 decision upheld a lower court ruling that the federal health reform law's individual mandate is constitutional, the New York Times reports (Sack, New York Times, 6/29).

Glenn Beck's last show aired today.

If you were never fortunate enough to catch an episode, Mediamatters has kindly put together this super clip of his witty comedy stylings that will be sorely missed by television viewers nowhere.

Watch It:

Defending HB 159, which requires a state issued photo ID to vote, sponsor Rep. Robert Mecklenborg stated that under his bill, "there is no reason there shouldn't be 100 percent (voter) participation."

Well, I can think of at least one reason.

Primary Day in Ohio this year was May 3rd, a little over a week after Rep. Robert Mecklenborg was arrested in Indiana for driving while intoxicated. If House Bill 194 was law, it's quite possible Bob Mecklenborg could have disenfranchised himself.

Under Indiana law:

When you are arrested on a first offense OWI charge in Indiana the arresting officer will take possession of your driver's license and issue you a receipt that will work as your temporary license for the next 10 days.

Assuming the officers followed protocol, Mecklenborg most likely did not have a copy of his Ohio driver's license during the May 3rd election, unless he misled the Ohio BMV by stating it was lost or stolen.

Had Mecklenborg's bill passed, he most likely would have to use his concealed carry permit to vote. Sidenote, Mecklenborg voted in favor of HB 45 which would have allowed him to bring a gun into a strip club and leave it on his lap while driving if he had been sober and in Ohio.

You've probably heard a lot of claims about Senate Bill 5, but it's time to set the record straight.

• Senate Bill 5 will help KEEP our hard-working Governor, his cabinet members, Mark Kvamme, Republican campaign donors, David Brennan, state employees in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and Ohio home foreclosure websites on the job.


• Senate Bill 5 will PROTECT middle class taxpayers from the burden of having money to spend.


• Senate Bill 5 will give schools and governments the FLEXIBILITY to manage our tax dollars by eliminating experienced employees who have sucked the national economy dry and caused the global financial crisis through the accumulation of sick leave.


• Senate Bill 5 will SAVE taxpayers in neighboring states millions of dollars a year as Ohioans relocate.


• Senate Bill 5 will help our communities BALANCE their budgets and fund essential services. When we say balance, we mean zero; and when we say essential, we mean privatized.


• Senate Bill 5 will restore FAIRNESS between public and private sector jobs. This is easy for us to say because we already have you convinced that there is an imbalance in favor of public sector workers. And this doesn't mean all private sector jobs, of course, just the lowest paid. We don't mean orthodontists ($236,330), chief executives ($173,720), anesthesiologists ($230,240), podiatrists ($119,700), or lawyers ($110,800), to name a few.


• Senate Bill 5 will IMPROVE the accountability and transparency of government labor negotiations. We will work to retain the ability to decrease transparency surrounding the Governor's office.


• Senate Bill 5 will help REWARD and RETAIN the best teachers and employees through head-to-head competitive measures that require the dog-eat-dog mentality found in the most successful private firms such as Lehman Brothers AIG, Bear Stearns, Countrywide Financial, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Wachovia, and Washington Mutual. We will hire experts from these firms (who happen to be available) to work in the Education Division of JobsOhio to guide schools through this transformation.

COLUMBUS - The Ohio House today approved Gov. John Kasich's two-year state budget on a straight party line vote.  The spending plan passed the Senate yesterday with bipartisan opposition and will likely be signed into law tomorrow.

The following is a statement from House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) on passage of the state budget: 
 
"Instead of responsibly addressing the state budget, Gov. Kasich has exploited a crisis to impose a radical political agenda on Ohioans.  He has exaggerated the budget deficit to make deep cuts to schools and local governments that will result in layoffs of cops, teachers and firefighters. 

Today's General Revenue Fund budget is the biggest in budget in Ohio's history. But the priorities are all wrong. Cuts to kids in schools, cuts to local safety forces, cuts to our elderly in need of care, yet massive giveaways to big Republican contributors and the most wealthy Ohioans.

The Governor's 'new way' is the wrong way.The impact of these cuts on local economies will be so dramatic it will undermine Ohio's steady economic progress and could reverse Ohio's 14 month trend of declining unemployment."

View Larger Images Here

The campaign to repeal SB5, the worst attack on Ohio's middle class in a generation,reached a critical milestone today.

To celebrate having gathered 1,298,301 signatures to get the repeal of SB5 on the ballot, thousands of people marched through the streets of downtown Columbus to deliver the petitions to the Ohio Secretary of State.

View Slideshow:

Ohio GOP Lawmaker Compares Opponents Of Nation's Most Radical Anti-Abortion Bill To Slave Owners

Yesterday, the Ohio House approved three anti-abortion efforts, including the nation's most radical anti-abortion bill. Known as the "heartbeat bill," the legislation prohibits a woman from seeking an abortion if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as "six to seven weeks into pregnancy." As NARAL Ohio pointed out, the bill targets "a point when many women don't even know they're pregnant." Nonetheless, the GOP-led state House offered a myriad of reasons to drastically roll back a woman's constitutional right to choose.

However, one state Republican lawmaker in particular found the most extreme reason to vote for the "heartbeat" bill. On the state house floor today, state Rep. Matt Huffman decided that the "heartbeat bill" is a "significant step" in the history of civil rights in all of western civilization. Declaring a fetus to be "a person," Huffman likened lawmakers who oppose the bill to slave owners who would eventually see the errors of their ways:

After a secret video which Gov. Kasich recorded using state resources of the Governor thanking the Koch Brother's astroturf group Americans For Prosperity was pulled down today upon being exposed for the public to see, did John Kasich fly off to Vail to tell the Koch Brothers thank you in person?

The march to repeal SB5, the worst attack on Ohio's middle class in a generation, is reaching a critical milestone this Wednesday.

To celebrate having gathered enough signatures to get the repeal of SB5 on the ballot, hundreds of people like you will be marching through the streets of downtown Columbus.

This historic event will kick-off outside COSI at 10 AM. We will march to the Secretary of State's office to turn in hundreds of thousands of signatures to repeal SB 5 that have been collected by volunteers all across the state. After the march, we will have food and refreshments at a people powered party at the new Columbus Commons to celebrate this milestone in the campaign.

WHAT: The People's Parade to the Secretary of State's Office

WHERE: Line up at COSI, 333 West Broad Street [map]

WHEN: June 29th at 10 am

AFTER-PARTY: Columbus Commons, 4th and Rich St, Columbus from 1 pm to 4 pm

JOIN US! Click here to sign up today!

Josh Mandel's Claim That He's "Focused On Being Treasurer" Is Laughable, Insulting 

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Ask Josh Mandel about his abuse of taxpayer dollars, failure to file a personal financial disclosure report, or refusal to stand up to GOP efforts to end Medicare as we know it, and he's likely to repeat his favorite stock response: "I'm focused on being Treasurer."

Really? Josh Mandel's lack of "focus on being Treasurer" has been so blatant that even right-wing Republican bloggers are calling him out for traveling across the country and ignoring the job that he promised Ohioans he would do for a full four-year term.

That's why the Ohio Democratic Party released a video today to help everyone "focus" on exactly what Josh Mandel's been spending his time on.

Watch It:

Update: Apparently embarrassed after having this video of Governor John Kasich Thanking the Union Busting Koch Brother's front group Americans For Prosperity that they tried to keep secret exposed to the public the AFP has removed the video.  We'll be posting the back-up we made later today!

Update II: Thanks to Rachel Maddow for picking up this story

-------

In an "unlisted video" which Gov. Kasich recorded using state resources, he tells the Koch Industries astroturf group Americans For Prosperity "... in the four months that I've been Governor, we've accomplished a lot in Ohio... in all of these efforts the strong support of Americans for Prosperity has made a really big difference. ...it's so important that Ohio's fighters for freedom, the grassroots leaders of Americans for Prosperity, continue to lend their support to the effort to get Ohio back on track."

Americans for Prosperity is Part of the Koch Industries Right-Wing Machine:

Koch's founder, Fred Koch, also helped found the John Birch Society, an ultraconservative organization that believed the U.S. government was controlled by a traitorous cabal of communist sympathizers. Koch Industries' charitable arm, the Koch Family Foundations, has provided over $120 million in the past 20 years to the Cato Institute (founded by Charles Koch), Citizens for a Sound Economy (founded by David Koch, now known as Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks), the Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society, the Mercatus Center, North Carolina's John Locke Foundation, and dozens of other right-wing, anti-regulatory, and global warming-denial organizations. [Media Transparency]

Koch-Run Americans For Prosperity Has Bircher, Racist Roots:

From Jane Mayer's New Yorker story on the Kochs, billionaire bankrollers of Americans For Prosperity, elements of the Tea Party, and the CATO Institute:

In 1958, Fred Koch became one of the original members of the John Birch Society, the arch-conservative group known, in part, for a highly skeptical view of governance and for spreading fears of a Communist takeover. Members considered President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be a Communist agent. In a self-published broadside, Koch claimed that "the Communists have infiltrated both the Democrat and Republican Parties." He wrote admiringly of Benito Mussolini's suppression of Communists in Italy, and disparagingly of the American civil-rights movement. "The colored man looms large in the Communist plan to take over America," he warned. Welfare was a secret plot to attract rural blacks to cities, where they would foment "a vicious race war." In a 1963 speech that prefigures the Tea Party's talk of a secret socialist plot, Koch predicted that Communists would "infiltrate the highest offices of government in the U.S. until the President is a Communist, unknown to the rest of us."

COLUMBUS - The following may be attributed in whole or in part to Secretary of State Jon Husted regarding the photo identification legislation pending in the General Assembly.

"I want to be perfectly clear, when I began working with the General Assembly to improve Ohio's elections system it was never my intent to reject valid votes. I would rather have no bill than one with a rigid photo identification provision that does little to protect against fraud and excludes legally registered voters' ballots from counting.

"It is in the hands of the General Assembly."

He'd demonstrate a profile in courage and stand up for the right to vote in Ohio by vetoing the Republican legislators voter disenfranchisement legislation like North Carolina's Gov. Purdue did just this week.

Via WRAL:

Gov. Beverly Perdue on Thursday vetoed a controversial proposal to require voters to present photo identification before casting their ballots.

"The right to choose our leaders is among the most precious freedoms we have - both as Americans and North Carolinians," Perdue said in a statement. "North Carolinians who are eligible to vote have a constitutionally guaranteed right to cast their ballots, and no one should put up obstacles to citizens exercising that right."

House Bill 351 would require a person arriving at a voting precinct to show one of eight forms of photo ID, including a new voter card available for free from county election boards. Without the ID, people could still cast provisional ballots but would have to prove their identity later.

Where are the Republican legislators in Ohio who, like their Tea Party supporters who elected them, are so sanctimonious about the Constitution that will actually stand up for it?

Can't find one because they're more about supposed "Right to Life" than they are Right to Vote. Total hypocrites and cowards!

National Republican Senatorial Committee says that Sherrod Brown "voted to cut Medicare by over $500 billion in order to fund government-run health care."

When Sen. Sherrod Brown spoke at a Youngstown senior center against a Republican proposal to convert Medicare to a voucher system, the National Republican Senatorial Committee had a ready response.

The NRSC revised and reissued a three-day-old news release that targeted virtually identical statements at Brown, of Ohio, and four other senators who all are Democrats up for re-election next year: Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Bill Nelson of Florida.

"Despite Sherrod Brown's transparent political strategy to mislead Ohio seniors and demagogue Medicare, this serves as another reminder he is the only candidate in Ohio who has voted to cut Medicare by over $500 billion in order to fund government-run health care," said NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox.

Wilcox cited the New York Times, Washington Post and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office as supporting sources.

PolitiFact has examined at least four previous claims that the health care reform bill -- formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and informally tagged as Obamacare -- would cut Medicare by $500 billion.

The important point in each examination is that $500 billion -- the figure confirmed by the NRSC's citations -- are not taken out of the current Medicare budget and are not actual cuts. Nowhere in the bill are benefits actually eliminated, experts said.

The $500 billion are reductions to future spending. The health care law attempts to slow the projected growth in Medicare spending by that amount over 10 years.

.... On the Truth-Meter, the NRSC's claim rates as False.

Read More at PolitiFact Ohio

See all PolitiFact Ohio items

COLUMBUS - State Representatives Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) have made a public records request for all correspondence between Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio Ballot Board.  The request was in response to concerns over the Governor's now-discredited desire to split SB 5, a controversial measure to limit public employees' right to collectively bargain, into separate ballot initiatives this November.

The text of a letter to the Governor's Chief Legal Counsel requesting the records is below:

The Ohio Senate passed an election reform package today that includes several provisions that will severely limit voting in Ohio.  "What we need is a fair, efficient, and accessible voting system in Ohio.  Senate Republicans have decided to move in the opposite direction, a direction that impedes one of our most sacred and coveted rights as Americans, and that is the right to vote," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga.    

HB 194 would cripple in-person and mail absentee voting in Ohio and take away power from counties to decide to mail absentee ballot request forms to registered voters.  The bill also flies in the face of Ohio's proud statutory commitment to validate votes unless it impossible to determine a voter's choice, which would allow voters ballots to be rejected even where voter intent is crystal clear, such as those where a voter properly marks the ballot for a candidate but also writes in or circles the same candidate's name.  

HB 194 would also severely constrain voters' ability to receive assistance from poll workers by removing the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the correct precinct and by prohibiting them from assisting voters with the provisional ballot affirmation. At the same time, it would expand the amount of information required for the provisional ballot affirmation, thereby increasing the likelihood that legitimate ballots will be voided because of simple mistakes.

COLUMBUS - The Ohio House of Representatives today voted to streamline the process of transferring horse racing licenses. It allows track permit holders, who are eligible to have video lottery terminals, to apply to the State Racing Commission to move its track to another location. The legislation, HB277, implicitly recognizes the Governor's authority to authorize VLTs for racetracks.

Following the vote, Ohio House Democratic Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) issued the following statement:

"I am pleased that the Republicans in the Legislature now recognize that the Governor has the authority to move forward with permitting video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks. It concerns me that just two years ago these same Republicans threatened the fiscal stability of the state with their contention that the Governor did not have that exact same authority they acknowledged today."

Let's celebrate!

Due to your hard work, We Are Ohio has already collected at least 714,137 signatures with thousands more coming in every day. We Are Ohio will deliver the signatures to the Secretary of State on Wednesday, June 29th, one day prior to the deadline.

To mark this historic movement, We Are Ohio is inviting our unprecedented number of volunteers and supporters to participate in the People's Parade on June 29th. The People's Parade is a celebration of your hard work and your role toward overturning SB 5, the unfair attack on employee rights and worker safety.

Please join us on June 29th to deliver petitions to the Secretary of State.

The People's Parade - We Are Ohio
Wednesday, June 29 · 10:00am - 1:00pm
Starling St. off West Broad near COSI in Columbus, Ohio

The parade will begin at COSI in Columbus and end at the Ohio Secretary of State's Building, where We Are Ohio will be holding a press conference to announce the FINAL SIGNATURE NUMBER. 

State Rep. Williams Concerned about GOP Secrecy

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) today expressed her concern about the refusal of the Chair of the House Economic and Small Business Development Committee to allow state agency directors to testify. Rep. Williams is Ranking Member of that committee.

The panel is hearing House Bill 220, which provides a refundable commercial activity tax credit to EB-5 Investors that experience a capital loss on their investment.  Chair Nan Baker (R-Westlake) has on three separate occasions refused to permit the directors of the departments of Development and Taxation to testify on the impact of this legislation.

Rep. Williams has sent a letter (click here) to Tax Commissioner Joseph W. Testa and Development Director James A. Leftwich asking that they testify.

"This bill commits up to 200 million taxpayer's dollars, and it is only right and appropriate we take an in-depth look at all aspects of the proposal," said Rep. Williams. "It makes no sense that the committee Chair would refuse to allow all members to ask relevant questions, and I am concerned that her decision prevents the kind of transparency and openness that should exist in our state government."

Rep. Sykes Requests Cost-Impact Analysis of Kasich's New Tax Give-Away

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) requested today an analysis of a new proposal by Ohio Gov. John Kasich to give tax breaks to financial investors.  The proposal was reportedly provided to some members of the Ohio House and Senate Conference Committee to be included in the state budget at the request of Gov. Kasich.

"This tax breaks for big shots proposal could result in another devastating blow to middle class families facing massive budget cuts to their schools and communities," said Rep. Sykes. "Of course we want to encourage investment in Ohio companies but we shouldn't do it on the backs of hard working, middle class Ohioans."

Lawmaker concerned about Governor's response to records requests

COLUMBUS - State Representative Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) has requested Attorney General Mike DeWine to rule on whether the Governor must comply with a number of recent Public Records Requests.  Despite including specific time frames, subject of correspondence and individuals involved in open records requests, Governor Kasich and his staff have refused to provide the material claiming, "The request is overly broad." 

"The Governor has repeatedly used the defense of 'too broad' to refuse to comply with public records requests from both lawmakers and the media, and I do not believe that is a valid argument," said Rep. Lundy. "The public's right to know is being violated by this administration. We need transparency and openness in government, not secrecy."

The Governor's office cites the ruling in State ex. rel. Glasgow v. Jones (2008), 119 Ohio St. 3d 391 as the basis of the "overly broad" response to Rep. Lundy's request for crucial information regarding education and the state budget.  The same argument was used in a request for public records by State Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Athens). "Overly broad" was also cited by the Administration for refusing several requests by the Columbus Dispatch and other newspapers recently. 

"I believe the ruling is being misinterpreted, misused and abused," said Rep. Lundy.  "I believe my interpretation is consistent with the direction given to government officials in the Attorney General's  '2011 Ohio Sunshine Manual'  and that the Governor should be required to turn over the documents.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman today urged Gov. John R. Kasich to veto legislation that would allow patrons to carry concealed weapons inside bars, taverns and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages.

Mayor Coleman noted that Kasich supported many common-sense gun laws as a member of Congress in the 1990s including waiting periods for gun purchases, background checks at gun shows and a ban on military-style assault weapons.
 
"As a member of Congress, Gov. Kasich compiled a strong record of standing up to the powerful gun lobby," Mayor Coleman said. "We ask him to do so again today. Gov. Kasich has an opportunity to stand with the overwhelming majority of Ohioans, including police officers, prosecutors, restaurant owners and even gun owners, by vetoing this legislation."

HAMILTON, Ohio - Governor Kasich will be in Hamilton today at a job announcement at Thyssenkrupp Bilstein. But just as before when Governor Kasich rolled through other parts of Ohio, should he be there? Governor Kasich did not support the Obama administration bailout plan that gave General Motors time to restructure itself and made these jobs possible.

"Governor Kasich opposed the auto bailout that have allowed for companies like ThyssenKrupp Bilstein to grow. This company is expanding because we have a vibrant auto industry and if Governor Kasich had his way these jobs may not exist today," stated Chuck Morton, Dayton Miami Valley AFL-CIO.

Updated: After this post appeared, the original story has been updated to remove the quote from Gov. Kasich's spokeperson Rob Nichols where he said, "the office is working with YouTube now to correct the problem", which has now been updated to "It was our responsibility and we fixed it," said Rob Nichols, Kasich's spokesman.

-----

Joe Vardon of The Columbus Dispatch points out today that the video of Gov. John Kasich referring to a Columbus police office as an idiot appears on Gov. Kasich's own official, governor's office web-site.

And sure enough there it is was.

Vardon's story goes on to publish the Governor's office official response:

Rob Nichols, Kasich's spokesman, said "this obviously not our intent to have these things on our site."

Nichols said the videos are uploaded from YouTube and the governor's office doesn't have control over which videos appear. He said the office is working with YouTube now to correct the problem.

The office is "working with YouTube to correct the problem?"

How about just unchecking the box to "show suggested videos in your YouTube embed code"?

From YouTube:

Now it's for the reader to judge whether the Kasich Administration somehow trying to call YouTube to fix their own simple technical error rises to level of Speaker Batchelder when he told legislators to check that "little TV screen on your desk", referring to the computers they use or even his more infamous computer doofus comment when he recently said regarding Twitter, "Why do I have a device like that? I can't play it?"

More Images Here

Columbus, OH - Angry seniors and constituents held a press conference and walk outside the Franklin County Job Center in Congressman Tiberi's district today to challenge his support for the Republican budget - a plan that would cost more than $13,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs for Ohio seniors and leave many seniors and people with disabilities without the Medicaid services they depend on for long term care. The Republicans want to make dramatic and unfair cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other middle-class programs to pay for new tax breaks for millionaires, Big Oil, huge corporations and their rich CEOs.

Recently, Congressmen Tiberi and Stivers voted for the House Republican plan that does away with traditional Medicare and instead provides seniors with vouchers for a fixed-dollar amount to buy their insurance coverage on their own. The average Ohio senior would pay additional out-of-pocket costs of $5,940, twice as much as they pay now.

"Who can afford an individual private plan now with pre-existing conditions? Our children and grandchildren certainly will not have the savings to cover the ever-rising premiums the House budget proposes," said David Friesner, President of the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans.

Congressmen Tiberi and Stivers also joined with other Republicans to slash Medicaid spending by one-third and kick seniors and people with disabilities out of nursing homes, putting a huge burden on their middle-class families and on state programs that depend on federal dollars. In Ohio, Medicaid pays for the care of 63% of nursing home patients. The Republican budget cuts $29.5 billion over 10 years for Ohioans on Medicaid, including seniors and people with disabilities receiving long term care.

COLUMBUS - Yesterday, House Speaker Bill Batchelder said he had no idea that his Republican colleagues in the Senate added anti-choice provisions to the state budget in the 11th hour.

Batchelder said, "That's in the budget? Oh my! We never talked about that. They must have a special room where they go to cook these things up, and keep them from their House colleagues. I gotta go read. I don't ever remember abortion in a budget bill [in my years in the House]."

"Oh my!" exclaimed Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Seth Bringman. "Clearly, the right hand doesn't know what the far-right hand is doing.

Senate Republicans are writing their extremist agenda onto the back of a napkin and sneaking it into the budget at the 11th hour in a way that bewilders even the Statehouse's top-ranking Republican. This is irresponsible governing and the people of Ohio deserve better."

If Republican Speaker of the House Bill Batchelder learned how to use a computer perhaps he could fact check himself before he makes ridiculous and untruthful claims like this one.

Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder says the consumers' council office has 74 lawyers on staff

Absent a dramatic reversal, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel will be classified a budget loser once lawmakers finalize the state's two-year spending plan in the coming weeks.

Republican Gov. John Kasich and Republican lawmakers have taken direct aim at the office, which is charged with protecting Ohio consumers in utility cases.

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives supported Kasich's proposal to cut 51 percent of the agency's funding and added provisions to muzzle the office on issues related to natural gas markets and to eliminate the counsel's call center, a repository for consumer complaints.

National consumer groups sharply criticized the proposals, claiming they would prevent the office from fulfilling its mission.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, a Republican from Medina, was asked recently about the proposed cuts.

Batchelder, echoing similar reasoning from Kasich, said the cuts are justified because the agency is overstaffed and because it plays a role similar to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Supporters of the consumers' counsel say the office plays a watchdog role separate from the PUCO, which decides whether to approve rate increases the utilities propose.

"There are 74, I believe, attorneys in that office," Batchelder said on the Ohio News Network's "Capitol Square" on May 29. "Is that duplicative? Is it wasteful? And I think since the legislature was busy with an axe on everything else, it makes it pretty hard to sell having the duplication or having 74 lawyers. I don't know how many the attorney general has."

 . . . "We currently have 12 attorneys on staff assigned to case work and two vacancies. In addition to the 12 staff attorneys, the Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander and the Deputy Consumers' Counsel Bruce Weston are also attorneys," OCC spokeswoman Beth Gianforcaro wrote in an e-mail.

 . . . PolitiFact Ohio has noted before that as speaker, Batchelder is one of the most influential politicians in the state and Ohioans listen to what he says. In this case, he made the claim on a television broadcast on a statewide news network.

And in this case his statement is not just inaccurate, but also makes a ridiculous claim.

When that happens, the Truth-O-Meter points to one rating: Pants on Fire.

Read more fact checking of Ohio Politicians at PolitiFact Ohio

Politicians in Washington are hatching a plan to tear apart retirement security for American workers. The budget and debt ceiling plans being discussed aim to hand over Medicare to private insurance companies, and cuts health care for women, children, and people with disabilities.

Join Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Ohio Coalition organizations, retirees, and activists on June 9th in Columbus to send a message to Rep. Stivers and Tiberi that we are against these proposals.

We are saying NO to "Work 'Till We Die" and Yes to supporting Medicare, and Medicaid! We want our members of Congress Pat Tiberi and Steve Stivers to know the health of real citizens is at stake.

Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, released an analysis today which finds that Ohio's "budget hole" for FY 2012-13 is $5.1 billion, not $8 billion as Gov. Kasich and his allies routinely assert.

IO President Janetta King said:

"The games that Gov. Kasich, Budget Director Keen and their legislative allies are playing with the Ohio budget are both deceitful and shameful. They deliberately talk about an $8 billion hole they know does not exist --and they continue to use it as a scare tactic to frighten Ohioans and justify their extremist policy agenda. It is time for the people of Ohio to know the truth."

"Where's the money going? should be the real question going forward on this budget. It was balanced on the presumption of an $8 billion hole that isn't there.

The head scratcher is why public schools and first responders are being forced to continue laying off teachers, police and firefighters when question marks remain over this $3 billion dollar discrepancy," said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director of Progressohio.org.
 
"If Governor Kasich and Tim Keen filled a $5 billion hole with $8 billion, then why all the cuts? This budget is balanced on dishonest accounting."

Related:

Youngstown Vindicator: ProgressOhio Is Right, Ohio Budget Deficit Needs Independent Investigation

Senate Democrats Offer Proposal to Increase Fairness in Education Funding

Senate Democrats Submit Over 300 Amendments to Restore Fairness and Accountability to State Budget

Kasich's Proposed Tax Cuts For Banks A Slap In The Face To Working Ohioans

Our Own Private Mumbai

Honestly, the new video of Al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn encouraging radical adherents to use U.S. gun shows to arm themselves for attacks on American citizens is not new. Terrorists have written about doing this before, and yes, they've bought guns at our gun shows to kill innocents before.

But there is still nothing as stark as seeing a video where a leader of a murderous group of thugs who killed 3,000 of our people in one day, is able to announce the intention to use our own lack of common sense laws against us, and know the NRA will do all they can to protect Al Qaeda & Friends' ability to pull this off, Mumbai-style. After all, terrorists pay cash for their guns too.

Watch It:

Related:

Closing the Gun Show Loophole: A Primer

The Liar Wire: Jim Irvine Chairman of Buckeye Firearms

ProgressOhio, Dayton Faith Leaders Discuss Fixing Ohio's 'Gun Show Loophole' At Dayton Gun Event

Mayors Against Illegal Guns National Drive to Fix Gun Checks

A Statement from Mayor Michael B. Coleman on Westland Gun Show

Drone strike kills al Qaeda leader, giving Obama another battlefield victory

Reports surfaced Saturday that U.S. forces killed a senior al Qaeda commander, handing President Obama another battlefield victory ahead of a major strategy review. 

Ilyas Kashmiri -- considered as on the short list to replace Osama bin Laden -- was taken out by a U.S. missile launched from an unmanned aircraft, the Associated Press reported, citing al Qaeda and Pakistani officials.

U.S. officials have yet to confirm whether the drone strike did indeed kill Kashmiri. But, if true, it would hand the extremist group yet another blow after bin Laden was slain by a U.S. special forces team last month.

It would also allow President Obama to place another al Qaeda scalp on his belt.

The right wing talking point that Obama curries favor with our enemies has to go in light of the facts. The Preisdent's war on al Qaeda has been relentless, brutal and skillful.

Right wing talk radio host, Bill Cunningham, is a well known name in Cincinnati and nationally. His show on 700 WLW is heard by an estimated 200,000 listeners daily. He also hosts a weekly, syndicated show, "Live on Sunday Night, it's Bill Cunningham", which is carried by 300 stations nationally and is a regular guest on Hannity.

Cunningham is having a serious case of Kasich buyers remorse and on his show Friday, he said he would lead a "peasant uprising" against the Governor if he doesn't start changing his politics.

"He might become the Grand Potentate, he might become Kasich the First and he might go down in flames, but he's gonna take Ohio with him. And he's unimpeachable right, Ohio doesn't have an impeachment statute. He's non-recallable, we don't have a recall-ability thing

....

But this guy believes he is the Grand Potentate and we are the serfs.  And I've said before Todd Portune, I will give him till Father's Day and if it doesn't happen by Father's Day, I will call for an intifada. A peasant uprising against the Governor."

Listen:

Later in the show, Cunningham went on to apologize to his listeners for ever supporting John Kasich.

You can listen to the entire hour here.

HT: Crooks and Liars

Reps. Gerberry and Clyde call for open process to protect voter rights

COLUMBUS - Two Ohio House members today objected to the partisan way a pair of elections bills are being handled in the legislature, including a statement from the House Speaker that Democrats would be intentionally shut out of the process.  The Representatives both serve on the State Government and Elections committee. 

Ranking Member Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry (D-Austintown) and Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Jon Husted and sponsors of two elections bills pending in the legislature requesting open deliberations and outlining their concerns with the bills' provisions, including recommendations for improvement.

Speaker Batchelder said this week (Speaker's post-session gaggle 6/1/11) that sponsors of the House and Senate bills would probably "work out the bills' differences next week in a quiet room" to avoid a conference committee.

"We are trying to work our way into the 'quiet room' because we need the input of both parties on this elections bill so that all Ohio voters feel confident in their elections.  A bill that's written by one party will earn the suspicions of half of Ohioans.  This one-sided process must stop," said Rep. Gerberry.

News report raises questions that demand closer scrutiny

Columbus - Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) today called for removing a provision from the state budget that would privatize the Ohio Lottery by June 1, 2012.  Senator Skindell will submit an amendment this week to strip the Lottery privatization proposal from the Senate's version of the budget.

"I have concerns about the timing and the manner by which this proposal was inserted in the budget," said Senator Skindell, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.  "Members of the General Assembly have not had sufficient time to determine if this is a good idea or simply a sweetheart deal for private companies that want to take over management of the Lottery."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported today that language included in the Senate's version of the budget is nearly identical to legislation drafted by a company that hopes to take over day-to-day management of the Lottery.  In addition, the Chairman of the Ohio Lottery Commission told the Plain Dealer he was not consulted about the proposed legislation.

"Any discussion about privatizing the Lottery should have full transparency and much greater scrutiny than this proposal has received so far," said Senator Skindell.

Senator Skindell also pointed out that the most recent state audit praised the Lottery's operations.  Last year Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, in her previous role as State Auditor, determined the Ohio Lottery "performed well" and its management practices were consistent with other U.S. Lotteries.

The proposed state budget passed recently in the Ohio House includes an obscure provision that will allow student groups at taxpayer-funded state universities to discriminate and exclude students from membership and leadership positions based on religious beliefs or standards of conduct (Ohio Rev. Code §3345.023).  This means that our state universities will not be able to withhold funding from student groups who exclude LGBT people; Jewish, Christian or Muslim people; women; people who have had premarital sex; and, anyone else that a particular religious student group deems unworthy of membership.  Fair-minded Ohioans do not want taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez upholding the constitutionality of a state law school's "all-comers" policy because it is reasonable and viewpoint neutral.  Justice Ginsburg wrote that "by bringing together students with diverse views, [the policy] encourages tolerance, cooperation, learning, and the development of conflict-resolution skills."  After Ohio State University changed its policy recently to require student groups to accept all-comers as members, the Christian Legal Society Chapter at OSU stated it was "yet one more opportunity to welcome all students to attend CLS's meetings and activities."

COLUMBUS - An amendment to the Senate's version of the budget bill released yesterday would take millions from a fund that provides housing for poor, elderly and disabled Ohioans, and funnel it to county recorders offices for "general purposes."

Bill Faith, Executive Director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) called the amendment "unacceptable" and "contrary to Governor Kasich's budget, which was framed around doing no harm to the most vulnerable in these times of economic uncertainty."

"It makes no sense to take money from a program that helps grow our stagnant housing industry, stimulates our struggling economy, and serves increasing numbers of poor people and give it to county recorders to beef up their local bureaucracies," Faith said. "This move does not square with Governor Kasich's framing of the budget to do no harm to the most vulnerable and it does not pass the smell test among advocates for the poor."

Is $1.2 billion too low for the state's liquor operation? GOP lawmaker and public policy group both think so

We think any price is to high for violating Ohio's Constitution!

Governor Kasich has pointed to House Bill 1, the bill to privatize the Ohio Department of Development, as a crowning achievement of his first 100 days, but the bill blatantly violates the constitution in multiple ways.

• HB1 gives the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in violation of Article IV of the Ohio Constitution

• HB1 limits redress in the courts to 60 days in violation of Article 1, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution

• HB1 is a special act conferring corporate powers in violation of Article XIII, Section 1 of the Ohio Constitution

• HB1 creates an illegal second position under the authority of the state for the Governor

• HB1 creates debt liabilities for the state in violation of Article VIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution

• HB1 creates a joint venture between the State of Ohio and a private corporation in violation of Article VIII, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution

• HB1 creates an appropriation for longer than two years in violation of Article II, Section 22 of the Ohio Constitution 

ProgressOhio, Democrats File Lawsuit Over Constitutionality Of JobsOhio

Watch It:

Earlier this week, Speaker John Boehner said Rep. Ryan's plan to privatize Medicare "transforms Medicare into a plan that's very similar to the President's own health care bill." This comparison is deeply flawed. Here's why: 

No Guaranteed Coverage

The Congressional Republican plan privatizes Medicare, ending the program as we know it. Insurance companies would be under no obligation to offer insurance to seniors, so many older Americans could be left with no insurance at all.

The Affordable Care Act preserves Medicare and improves it by making prevention and prescription drugs more affordable, lowering its costs, and improving the quality of care. And health reform extends the life of the Medicare Trust Fund and helps ensure Medicare will continue to provide coverage to seniors in the decades to come.

Get Older, Pay More

The Republican plan repeals Medicare's current policy where seniors are not charged more because of their age. Under the Republican plan, seniors could be forced to pay more for their health care every year, simply because they've grown older.

No Affordable Choices

The Republican Medicare plan makes health coverage less affordable for seniors.  In the first year it goes into effect, a typical 65-year-old who becomes eligible for Medicare would pay an extra $6,400 for health care, more than doubling what he or she would pay if the plan were not adopted. And the Republican plan would replace extra coverage for low-income enrollees with a capped, insufficient medical savings account. 

In sharp contrast, the Affordable Care Act lowers costs for people in Medicare by improving its performance and squeezing out waste, fraud and abuse. The law also provides free preventive care and cheaper prescription drugs for people in Medicare. As a result, we estimate that a typical senior could save $3,500 over the next decade as a result of the Affordable Care Act. 

Less Transparency

The Affordable Care Act will help make the health care system more open, more transparent and easier to understand. 

The Republican plan takes us in the opposite direction. Today, people in Medicare can quickly learn about their benefits. Under the Republican plan, they'd be left in the dark. The Republican plan would force seniors to purchase insurance on their own and critical consumer protections that would make the insurance marketplace easier to understand would be repealed. 

Silver Lining

The facts are clear: the Affordable Care Act and the Republican plan to end Medicare as we know it are very different. It's heartening to see Republicans aspire to produce a plan that resembles the historic reforms President Obama signed into law.  But if they want a proposal that is similar to the Affordable Care Act, they'll have to head back to the drawing board.

Representatives Dennis Murray and Bob Hagan both made impassioned speeches on the floor denouncing the effect of money and influence in policy.   The vast majority of Ohioans from all side of the political spectrum are against drilling in State Parks and public lands, but the House and Senate are plowing ahead.

Why?  Could it have something to do with the over $500,000 in traceable campaign contributions that the Oil and Gas Industry gave out in 2010 to conservatives running for office?  Of course not.

Rep Murray said, "If money is the mother's milk of politics, then this legislation suggests that we must be drunk on milk and indeed depend on the real gold that will be showered on some members of this General Assembly as thanks for the black gold."

Watch It:

Hagan had the best zinger of the day about halfway through the floor debate when he said, "I appreciate Rep Blair's Mother giving us these pot holders, [but] for a minute I thought there must have been pot in it, because apparently, someone over there is on drugs!  I cant believe what you are doing again ... If we could capture the gas, bluster, and bravado coming from the other side, we could heat the whole state!"

Watch It:

Orszag: Ryan Budget Would Increase Total Health Care Spending

In a new Bloomberg column, former OMB Director Peter Orszag explains how House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's plan to privatize Medicare would increase total health care spending.

To some extent, the Ryan plan would shift health care costs from Medicare to the program's beneficiaries.  But as Orszag's column emphasizes, that's only part of the story.  The much bigger news is that Ryan's plan would increase total health spending for the elderly -- the beneficiaries' share plus the government's share -- by upwards of 40 percent, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

There are two reasons why.  First, private insurance plans have much higher administrative costs than Medicare.  Second, private plans have less bargaining power with health care providers and are unable to negotiate payment rates that are as low as Medicare's.

"We have a plan, frankly, that we believe in," Boehner said. "Democrats have no plan... [and] it's about time that they're honest with the American people."

Hey Mr. Speaker, is telling them they're going to have to pay twice as much for their health care to support your tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires honest enough for you?

Checking in on John Kasich

John Kasich, already unpopular in Ohio when PPP polled the state in March, has seen his numbers continue to head even further in the wrong direction and is now tied with Florida Governor Rick Scott as the least popular Governor in the country out of 38 that we have polled on.

Just 33% of voters in the state now approve of Kasich to 56% who disapprove. In March it was a 35/54 spread. Kasich's numbers are basically identical to where they were then with independents, and he's actually ticked up a little bit with Democrats.

What's really plunging him is that Republicans aren't even all that enthused about him anymore- he's gone from a +53 (71/18) spread with them in March to now +30 (58/28) with them in May. That 23 point decline within his own party is largely responsible for his overall drop.

Ohio voters are having some serious, serious buyer's remorse about voting for Kasich.

They now say if they could do it over again they'd vote for Ted Strickland by a 25 point margin over Kasich, 59/34.

Our final poll before the election last fall, which hit the results on the head, found Kasich winning independents by 18 points. Now they say they would vote for Strickland by 16. And while only 9% of Republicans crossed party lines to support Strickland last year, now 26% say they would if they had the chance to do it over again.

By way of reminder, George W. Bush inherited a federal budget surplus from Bill Clinton in 2000, when the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had forecast that, at that rate, the debt would be entirely wiped out by 2012.

Columbus - All the members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus today voted against SB 148--a deeply flawed election reform bill that will suppress voter turnout.   The partisan legislation slashes early voting from 35 days to just 11, puts Ohioan's personal information at risk and imposes new restrictions that will lead to voter confusion.
 
"There are provisions in this bill that turn back the hands of time by suppressing voting opportunities while at the same time eliminating the protection of voter's privacy," said Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland), the Assistant Minority Leader.
 
SB 148 requires voters who use their Social Security numbers as identification on ballots and registration forms to use all nine digits rather than the last four digits, as required by current law.  During committee testimony, the League of Women Voters called this provision unnecessary, while the ACLU and other voter advocates criticized it for being an invasion of privacy that could lead to identity theft.

This week in the war on workers

Fresh off a cheating scandal and an appearance at a DeVos-funded event with Scott Walker and Tom Corbett, former DC schools chancellor Michelle Rhee was John Kasich's special guest for a screening of charter school propaganda piece Waiting for Superman.

Note the governors she's making appearances with: Wisconsin's Scott Walker, Pennsylvania's Tom Corbett, Ohio's John Kasich. And to round out her partnerships with the worst of the worst, she's working with Florida's Rick Scott, Nevada's Brian Sandoval, and...well, consult your list of worst governors. They're probably big Rhee supporters.

This isn't incidental. It's about privatizing public education, reducing transparency and accountability in education, and driving down working conditions for teachers and support staff. That has an enormous impact right now on our middle class and an exponentially bigger one in the future as the kids trying to learn under this system grow up.

Hat Tip: Daily Kos

Ohio schools are facing a $3.1 billion funding shortfall, yet Gov. John Kasich is inviting all of Ohio to the movies tonight.

Kasich is encouraging people to watch a pro-charter school movie tonight in an attempt to provide cover for his plan to divert $800 million out of our public schools. Kasich's plan is dangerous because Ohio's charter school system is poorly implemented. Many of our state's charter schools have poor performance and are managed by for-profit operators that don't always put students first.

Even more outrageous is his special guest, Michelle Rhee. She's currently at the center of a storm over a cheating controversy, in the school system she oversaw.

We've put together our own very, very short movie for you to watch this evening.

We hope you find it educational...

Watch It:

Tell Gov. Kasich No To Charter Universities!

Law will restrict voter participation, needlessly disqualify eligible votes
 
COLUMBUS - House Republicans pulled a rare parliamentarian maneuver today to abruptly end the floor debate on legislation that significantly limits voting opportunities for Ohioans.  The move came on the heels of a contentious floor debate on House Bill 194, which restricts voting opportunities, limits voting rights and disqualifies votes that would count under today's laws.
 
"It is stunningly ironic that House Republicans would abruptly end floor debate over a bill that will severely limit voter participation," said House Minority Leader Armond Budish.  "This bill is a shameful attempt to suppress Ohio voters by reducing the early voting period and throwing out votes that would count under today's laws."
 
The changes in House Bill 194 that make it more difficult to participate in Ohio elections include reducing in-person early voting from 35 days to 6 and cutting mail voting from 35 days to 21.  The bill also prohibits in-person voting on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday before an election, which are the three busiest early voting days.
 
"Instead of working across the aisle to making common-sense improvements to Ohio's elections laws, House Republicans rammed through a partisan bill that will only encourage costly pre-election litigation," said Budish. "The House Republicans know that this bill will make harder for Ohioans to exercise their Constitutional right, which is probably why they moved to end the floor debate."
 
The legislation will also throw out votes that are counted under today's laws by requiring that every single field on a provisional ballot be completed for it to count, as opposed to just name and signature. The bill also throws out ballots where voter intent is clear, such as when a voter fills in the oval by a candidate's name and also writes in the same name in the write in section. These votes are counted today and if this bill passes, these votes will not count.  In 2008, there were 12,207 of these votes.
 
The primary concerns with House Bill 194 are listed below: