Dave Harding's Blog

Dann "Whistle-Blowers" Reject $200K Setllement Offer

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:27:02 EST

Their lawyer says two women at the center of a sexual harassment scandal in the Ohio attorney general's office have rejected a settlement offer worth about $200,000.

Attorney Rex Elliott tells The Columbus Dispatch that the office made a "completely unacceptable" offer to his clients, Vanessa Stout and Cindy Stankoski. Elliott has proposed a nearly $900,000 settlement.

The women filed sexual harassment complaints against Anthony Gutierrez , who served as general services chief to former Attorney General Marc Dann. The complaints unraveled the Dann administration, as Gutierrez and several others were fired and
Dann himself stepped down.

Stout resigned from the AG's office Dec. 19 while Stankoski is on medical leave.

"Joe The Plumber" Bill Signed Into Law

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:39:40 EST

Gov. Ted Strickland signed the “Joe the Plumber” bill into law today.

Substitute House Bill 648 is aimed at cracking down on the kind of government snooping that happened after Samuel Joseph “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher of suburban Toledo questioned Barack Obama’s tax policies and was thereafter featured by John McCain in a debate and in his Presidential campaign.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, creates civil and criminal penalties for violating rules regarding access to personal information on state databases.

Mayor Mallory Recognizes January National Mentoring Month in Cincinnati

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:12:50 EST

Cincinnati – Mayor Mark Mallory today issues a proclamation recognizing January as National Mentoring Month in the City of Cincinnati. National Mentoring Month (NMM) highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young people's lives. Mayor Mallory continues to promote the need for mentors and the effort to recruit new mentors. Mentors provide advice, guidance, and support to young people that allows them to reach their full potential.

"Mentoring is an incredibly rewarding experience that can have dramatic impact that on a young person's future," Mayor Mallory said. "There are many young people in need of mentors and I am encouraging as many people as possible to take up the challenge."

According to the National Mentoring Partnership, only 17% of young Americans, who need or want mentoring, are in formal, high-quality mentoring relationships. Statistics show that teens with mentors are 46% less likely to use drugs, 59% more likely to get better grades, and 73% more likely to set higher goals.

Mayor Mallory has been leading an effort to improve mentoring in the Greater Cincinnati region by coordinating all of the various mentoring programs to eliminate duplication and address gaps in service.

There are mentoring opportunities to match each mentors available level of commitment. To become a mentor, call the United Way's 211 phone-line for information about local mentoring programs.

Pelosi Announces Freshmen and Other Committee Memberships

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:34:30 EST

Speaker Pelosi announced today that the House Democratic Steering Committee has nominated appointments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Financial Services Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Armed Services Committee, Agriculture Committee, Education and Labor Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and Natural Resources Committee saying, “with the talent and intellect of this distinguished group of Members, the 111th Congress will take America in a New Direction that restores our economic security, creates jobs, and invests in America’s future.

See Ohioans' Committee Assignments below:

The full Democratic Caucus must still approve the assignments and is expected to do so soon.

Change.gov: Keeping College Affordable

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:14:02 EST

Claiborne Pell, a Rhode Island senator whose achievements brought about lasting change both at home and abroad, died on January 1st, 2009, at the age of 90.

In a statement, Vice President-elect Joe Biden honored Sen. Pell's many accomplishments, noting that, "few Senators have done more to expand opportunity in America."

Pell's domestic efforts led to the establishment of the Pell Grant, a federal higher education subsidy that has defrayed the cost of college tuition for thousands of American students since their establishment in 1973.

In 2000, nearly 30% of public university students were Pell Grant recipients.

Still, many students and their families worry that the worsening economy will increase the burden of tuition and other college costs.

Carolyn from California shared some of her concerns:

"With the state of our current economy my parents are worried with how they are going to be able to support me and my younger brother as he goes off to college. We are considered upper-middle class (I think) and if we are having a hard time, I can only imagine what other families are facing. Please continue to support federal funding for higher education including the Pell Grant Program. Your proposed changes to the Financial Aid application would be very helpful, but at the same time increased funding of federal programs is necessary."

Making higher education more affordable is a priority for the Obama-Biden administration.

Use the discussion forum at Change.gov to tell the Transition Team some of your concerns about education costs.

Senator Capri S. Cafaro Elected Ohio Senate Minority Leader: Senate Democratic Leadership Team Also Elected

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:24:19 EST

Columbus – On Monday, January 5, the Ohio Senate Democrats unanimously elected Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) to serve as Minority Leader.

Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) stood in Monday’s session to nominate Senator Cafaro. “Senator Cafaro has a longstanding interest in public policy pertaining to healthcare and the needs of older adults,” said Morano. “Senator Cafaro’s high energy, her unending devotion to projects, and her steadfast loyalty make her best suited to become Minority Leader. Senator Cafaro’s persistent determination as evidenced by her past and her past accomplishments will help make each and every one of us a better legislator.”

Family members and loved ones gathered together to witness Senator Cafaro take the oath of office to become Ohio’s Senate Minority Leader.

“I am honored to serve as Senate Minority Leader,” said Senator Cafaro. “I look forward to this opportunity to encourage our Caucus to take a new and creative approach toward policy making and working in a bipartisan manner to serve the best interest of all Ohioans.”

Senator Capri S. Cafaro, 31, has served in the Ohio Senate since January, 2007.

Also elected to the leadership team were Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) as Assistant Minority Leader, Senator Ray Miller (D-Columbus) as Minority Whip and Senator Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) as Assistant Minority Whip.

Senate Democrats Unanimously Appoint Joe Schiavoni to Fill Boccieri Vacancy

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:12:33 EST

Columbus – On Monday, January 5, Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) introduced a resolution in session to appoint attorney Joe Schiavoni to the 33rd Senate District seat previously occupied by Senator John Boccieri (D-New Middletown).

“This is a truly remarkable young man with his heart in the right place for service and a tremendous work ethic,” said Senator Cafaro.

Family members and loved ones gathered together to witness Joe take the oath of office to become Ohio State Senator.

“I am looking forward to working with every single one of you,” said Senator Schiavoni. “I will work hard not only for the good of the Senate, but for the good of the 33rd District that I am now going to represent. We need a lot of help in that district and that is what I am here to do; to give it my all, put in 100 percent and do the best that I can. That is what I have been doing my whole life and that is what I am going to continue to do.”

Joe Schiavoni grew up in Boardman, Ohio. As an undergraduate, he attended Ohio University and graduated from Capital University Law School. Currently, he is a partner in his family’s law firm, Schiavoni, Schiavoni, Bush and Muldowney LLP. In the firm, Joe specializes in a wide variety of workers’ compensation claims, helping hundreds of workers and their families secure benefits, receive treatment, and even return to work after rehabilitation.

Throughout his early years boxing in local Golden Glove tournaments, Joe Schiavoni became close friends with Kelly Pavlik, now a boxing middleweight champion. Joe currently serves as Pavlik’s legal representative for all his apparel and endorsement contracts.

Joe Schiavoni has been recognized for his community involvement by winning the 2007 Big Brother of the Year award from Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Mahoning Valley. He is a member of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, Alpha Omega Chapter. He is also the Co-Chairman of the Public Relations Committee for the Mahoning County Bar Association.

Joe Schiavoni has been appointed to serve the remainder of Senator John Boccieri’s term, which ends December 31, 2010.

Spare The Rod (Parsley) and Win The Lawsuit?

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:49:58 EST

Gongwer News Service Ohio Reports (sub. req.)

An Ohio appeals court has ruled that a Franklin County megachurch must pay $2.8 million in damages and fees as a result of a 2006 incident in which an employee physically abused a child enrolled in a daycare program.
The 10th District Court of Appeals said that sufficient evidence supports jury verdicts against World Harvest Church (WHC), and that the trial judge did not make a mistake in imposing punitive damages.
Appellate Judge Peggy Bryant, writing the court's 3-0 opinion, declined to address the church's claim that the verdicts were against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Michael and Lacey Faieta filed suit against World Harvest Church and Richard Vaughan, an employee of its preparatory school.
The complaint alleged Mr. Vaughan struck and severely beat the couple's two and one-half year old son with an object that left plainly visible marks, cuts, and contusions on the child's back, buttocks, and thighs.
The parents claimed battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Mr. Vaughan, and claims of negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional distress against WHC.
After a seven-day trial in 2007, a common pleas jury returned an award against the church of $764,235 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, as well as attorney fees.
In May 2008, the trial judge applied statutory caps on damages that reduced the amount of the awards. The final judgment was $2.87 million, a total that included $693,861 in attorney fees.
The appellate court opinion, which was released on New Year's Eve, pointed out that Mr. Vaughan admitted he did not know the church's policy on corporal punishment.
"Although Vaughan was not a licensed teacher and never had a job that required him to work with young children, WHC assigned Vaughan the task of supervising young children, usually placing him in the 'Extended Care' program for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade," Judge Bryant said.
Concurring in the opinion were Appellate Judge Lisa Sadler, and retired Appellate Judge Donna Bowman, sitting by assignment.

Columbus Rally: Support Obama's Economic Recovery Plan

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:29:49 EST

Activists will rally this Tuesday at the State House in Columbus in support of Barack Obama's economic plan, urging Ohio's congressional delegation to support it as well.

An "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" was the focus of President-elect Obama's weekly address Saturday:

"We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down."

Tuesday's rally is organized by ACORN and MoveOn.org. Details:

What: Rally to support Obama's economic recovery plan
Where: State House (Broad and High Sts. in Columbus)
When: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at 12:00 PM

RSVP here

Video: Democrats Take Control Of The Ohio House For The First Time In 14 Years

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:40:57 EST

Democrats took control of the Ohio House for the first time in 14 years today.

Democrats control the House 53-46 while Republicans maintain control of the Senate, 21-12. Members of both chambers were sworn in today.

Rep. Armond Budish, a Democrat from Beechwood, a Cleveland suburb, was elected Speaker.

“While we may face a budget deficit, there is no deficit in the spirit and creativity of Ohioans. It is that indomitable spirit I hope to engage,” Budish told the House and visitors in the gallery.

In a bipartisan move, Republicans joined Democrats in voting for Budish for Speaker.

Watch It:

Obama Names First Woman Solicitor General

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:55:30 EST

Today, the Obama transition team sent out a release announcing several key Justice Department positions, including Harvard Law School dean Elena Kagan as Solicitor General.

Kagan will be the first woman to serve permanently in this important post, which is tasked with conducting “all litigation on behalf of the United States in the Supreme Court, and to supervise the handling of litigation in the federal appellate courts.

Kagan previously served in the White House during the Clinton administration, as Associate Counsel to the President, Deputy Assistant the the President for Domestic Policy, and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Full Story at Think Progress

The Obama Family Gets Ready For The First Day Of School In DC

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:05:15 EST

Earlier this morning, President-elect Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama helped their two daughters, Malia (10) and Sasha (7), get ready for their first day of school.

They follow in the footsteps of another First Daughter -- Chelsea Clinton -- who attended the private Quaker school.

View It:

Former Gov. Celeste Aide Heads To Senate From Colorado

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:01:11 EST

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced Saturday that he is appointing Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael F. Bennet to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate, praising Bennet as a proven 21st century leader and problem-solver in both the public and private sectors.

"Michael is an accomplished and highly competent leader," Gov. Ritter said. "What impresses me most are his energy, strength of character, temperament and innovative thinking. Michael is the right choice for Colorado's kids, Colorado's families and Colorado's future."

"In Colorado we have been blessed, and we can show the nation how to lead on issues like a New Energy Economy and education reform," Bennet said. "But, we are not isolated and we face our own set of challenges with the economy and protecting our land and water. Through the work of leaders like Gov. Ritter, Sen. Salazar and Mayor Hickenlooper I have seen their efforts to keep Colorado a special place, and that will be my mission every day in the U.S. Senate."

Bennet's first job in politics was as Personal Assistant to Ohio Gov. Dick Celeste from 1988 to 1990.

Swindler Souvenirs: Former Madoff Employees Selling Memorabilia on eBay

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:24:58 EST

Duped employees and clients of alleged scammer Bernard Madoff are bitterly selling off the swag they received from his company on eBay.

It's a whole new category of collectibles, with more than 100 promotional trinkets bearing the name or symbol of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. They were given to clients and employees over the years as tokens of appreciation, even as Madoff was allegedly stealing billions from investors.

"Emom1013" is selling a pair of $20 T-shirts given out at the 2006 company picnic at the Madoff family's Long Island, N.Y., estate.

The seller writes: "The proceeds from this auction go directly to a family whose husband/father is facing being out of a job and health insurance thanks to good old Bernie."

Other items include humidors, binoculars, beach towels, coolers, mousepads, shirts and jackets. The most expensive doodads so far include a Madoff flashlight that sold for $387 and a fleece sweater that went for $455.

George H.W. Bush On "W's" Failures: Just Google It

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:52:42 EST

"No! You can go back to your, what do you call it, your Google, and you figure out all that."

-- Former President George H.W. Bush, in a Fox News interview, when asked if he would elaborate on some of his son's failures as president.

Minnesota Senate Recount: Franken By 225 Votes

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:48:28 EST

He's good enough, he's smart enough, and, gosh darn it, he's a U.S. senator?

Franken Prevails in Recount

Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-MN) "term as a U.S. Senator ended at noon Washington time today, and by evening his hopes of winning a second term had been dealt an expected but serious setback as state officials counted previously rejected absentee ballots in St. Paul," the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

With the recount complete, Al Franken (D) has an unofficial lead of 225 votes over Coleman. Franken had led unofficially by 49 votes going into the day and gained a net 176 votes from the new absentee ballots counted today.

Coleman's hopes now focus on the Minnesota Supreme Court, "which continued to consider a request from the Coleman campaign to alter the process and add more absentee ballots to be reconsidered. But by early evening there there was no word from the state's highest court as to when it would rule or hear arguments."

President-Elect Obama: Weekly Radio Address: American Recovery and Reinvestment

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:20:09 EST

In this week’s weekly address, President-elect Barack Obama lays out the challenges that face us in the new year, and his plan for taking them on.

“We need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term,” he says. “And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem. We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.”

Watch It:

Full Text below:

Ohio Judges Can Now Advertise Their Political Party Affiliation

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:37:34 EST

Now that the 2008 elections are over . . .

Judicial candidates in Ohio now will be permitted to advertise their political party during general election campaigns.
The Ohio Supreme Court made the change Tuesday in adopting a new code of conduct for Ohio judges, which takes effect March 1.
Since 1995, judicial candidates have been prohibited from directly promoting their party affiliation in general elections. But the court hasn't enforced the rule since 2004 because of a challenge from a Supreme Court candidate.
Ohio Supreme Court assistant administrator Rick Dove says the rule is being changed because candidates were finding ways around it. Plus, he says the court wanted to make the relationship between judicial candidates and political parties more transparent.

Price For Baby Tripp Pics Soar On News Of Grandmother's Drug Bust

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:19:40 EST

According to one source, bidding for the baby photos began at $100,000. People won out in the end, but In Touch was the only other weekly to make serious bids, according to several sources involved in the process.

The price didn't soar immediately, according to the sources, because Sarah Palin stories just didn’t sell all that well for the weeklies on newsstands.

“Sarah was on the cover of People, Us Weekly, and OK! the same week, and really only People saw a bump in sales," says a source.

“The bidding started well before the baby was born, but once Levi’s mom was arrested — well, then you had a story,” says one editor.

As for how much teen parents Bristol and Levi made from the deal — most estimates hover around the $300,000 range.

Ohio Equal Employment Opportunity Contracts Coordinator Sent Racist, Sexist E-mails

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:09:56 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio - An Ohio state employee whose job is to prevent discrimination repeatedly sent racist and sexist e-mails from his government account, an investigation found, but kept his job.

The same man was reprimanded a year ago for sending an e-mail joking about giving jobs to women with large breasts.

Jokes about men kissing and a woman's genitalia, as well as a racial joke and a caricature of President-elect Barack Obama, were in the latest e-mails sent by the Transportation Department worker, according to an agency report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Robert Habern, 55, is the department's equal employment opportunity contracts coordinator in the Lima office. His job is to ensure that vendors with agency contracts comply with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.