Community Blogs at ProgressOhio

20th Anniversary of World AIDS Day

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:56:47 EST

This year marks 20 years since the first World AIDS Day was commemorated to raise awareness and move the nations of the world to act.

Although it took far too long, the world is finally rising to the challenge. Since 2002, international HIV/AIDS assistance has increased nearly five-fold. As a result, the number of people in developing countries receiving antiretroviral medications has increased ten times to more than 3 million. Increased access to treatment is already saving lives, with the number of AIDS deaths beginning to decline in 2005 after decades of increases.

Despite this progress, the scope of the challenges ahead is enormous. More than 33 million people are still living with HIV and AIDS, and more than 7,000 new infections occur every day. Among African American women, the disease has become so rampant that it is this group’s leading cause of death between the ages of 25 and 34.

President-elect Obama recorded a video message to mark the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Watch It:

PD, AP, Dispatch write-ups of Strickland Budget Speech

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:02:43 EST

AP:

$640M budget gap forecast for Ohio

PD:

Ohio faces major budget cuts and more deficits

CD:

Ohio facing $7 billion shortfall in next two-year budget

Epic Belt Tightening for Ohio's Budget

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:03:18 EST

Ted Strickland and J. Pari Sabety, the Director of the Office of Budget and Management, are currently wrapping up a press conference on the budget.

The key stat is that if all Departments (including Education) took a 10% budget cut, Ohio would still be facing budget shortfalls between $2 and 3 billion dollars. By one measure, Ohio will have as much non-inflation adjusted money to spend in 2010 as it did in 2004. Given the dramatic increases in medical and fuel costs the country has seen since then, this translates into a substantial cut.

The economy is now contracting 8x faster than it was just this summer. Director Sabety referred to the current economic crisis as the "most serious erosion of revenue" in 40 to 50 years. Ohio is by no means alone- nearly every state is either currently in or on the brink of a recession.

Gov. Strickland ruled out tax increases for the time being, saying it would only compound the economic problems. He will be flying out to Philadelphia later today to meet with President-Elect Obama, to get a better idea of what aid to expect from the federal government next year (larger block grants, extended unemployment benefits, auto bailout, etc).

The governor was mum as to what specific cuts are in store.

LIVE VIDEO: Press Briefing with Gov. Strickland and Budget Director

Lorraine Bieber — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:57:45 EST

Press Briefing: National Economy's Impact on Ohio Budget

New Compact Turbine Could Triple Wind Power Output

User from Struthers, OH — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:37:54 EST

New Compact Turbine Could Triple Wind Power Output

Written by Alex Felsinger

Published on December 1st, 2008Posted in wind energy
Normally wind turbines lose up to 39.7 percent of potential energy because wind not only flows through the blades, but is also directed away from the turbine. The new FloDesign Wind Turbine takes cues from jet engine designs in order to minimize this wasted energy.

The company has enshrouded the moving blades with a set of stationary blades that propel the wind towards the rotor. The idea is not new, but previous designs have needed to constantly be aligned with the direction of the wind. The FloDesign turbine can automatically align to the wind direction and has been tested to be effective from up to 20 degrees away.

Conventional turbine design requires gigantic, slow-moving blades in order to compensate for the energy lost as the wind is directed around the device. FloDesign claims their new turbine can generate as much energy as a typical turbine twice its size.

Using these smaller turbines, wind farms could double or triple their efficiency simply by adding more turbines. The new technology could also finally silence critics of wind farms who say they are a cosmetic blight on landscapes and ocean views.

Thinking Green,

Dennis Spisak
Ohio Green Party

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/
www.ohiogreens.org

Check Out The Send Bush Packing Game

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:10:33 EST

Bush is moving out of the White House soon.

But before he goes, W. is making some last minute changes that could affect our world forever.

Don't let Bush undermine our health care, public protections, and workplace safety.

Send Bush packing now.

Obama To Announce National Security Team

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:35:53 EST

President-elect Barack Obama on Monday unveils a team of national security advisers that includes his chief Democratic former rival, a sometime-adviser to his Republican opponent and a member of President Bush's administration.

At a Chicago news conference today, Obama likely will announce plans to nominate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent, as secretary of State and Eric Holder as the nation's first black attorney general, as well as retain Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, according to two Democratic sources with knowledge of the selection process.

The appointments will reportedly mark “a sweeping shift of priorities and resources” by greatly expanding a “corps of diplomats and aid workers that, in the vision of the incoming Obama administration, would be engaged in projects around the world aimed at preventing conflicts and rebuilding failed states.”

Obama also will name retired Marine general Jim Jones as his national security adviser, and nominate Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano for secretary of Homeland Security and Susan Rice to become ambassador to the United Nations.

In naming Susan Rice his ambassador to the United Nations today, President-elect Obama will pick “a prominent and forceful advocate of stronger action, including military force if necessary, to stop mass killings like those in the Darfur region of Sudan in recent years.” Obama will also restore the U.N. ambassadorship to a Cabinet-level position, as it was under President Clinton.

Gov. Tree Lighting Tonight in Columbus at 5:30

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:02:43 EST

The 93th annual lighting of Ohio's Christmas tree will take place at the Statehouse tonight between 5:30 - 6:30. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

According to the flyer, "historical characters" will be on hand to greet those that show up. Write your own punch line.

The New Yorker Vets the President-Elect

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:43:11 EST

Barry Blitt, the cartoonist responsible for the New Yorker's controversial terrorist fist-jabbing cover, among others, returns this week to "vet" Barack Obama.

Of course this time around "Vetting" refers to the all important decision of picking a "first" puppy — thus far we know they want a mutt, but that it needs to be hypoallergenic and won't be a girly dog.

The cover may not be all that far off the mark, actually, turns out the original meaning of the word "vetting" was to to "submit an animal to examination by a veterinarian."

Bush's 20 Item To Do List

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:26:56 EST

Here are the laws the NY Times cites specifically as being on President Bush's lame-duck agenda:

Make it harder to regulate toxic chemicals workers are exposed to on the job.
Make it easier to build power plants by parks.
Reduce the role of scientists in determining whether public works will harm endangered species.
Allow mining debris to be dumped in rivers and valleys.
Allow states to jack-up Medicaid co-pay.
Protect doctors who do not perform abortions on moral grounds.

And to top it all off, the Times notes that these rush jobs run counter to the standards set by Bush's chief of staff earlier in his term.

Charity Check

OHliz — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:01:20 EST

Now is a good time to get your tax records in order. This task sure got easier once you could print cancelled checks online. Part of this exercise is adding up charitable donations.

No matter what the amount or your philanthropist inclination -- church, political causes, international relief agencies, whatever -- it's good to know where you stand. That way, you can reassess your charitable tithing for next year.

You probably gave up a good amount of cash to non-IRS-approved charities, such as door-to-door solicitors from who-knows-what. I've given small donations to political and environmental organizations that I thought were tax deductible, but later found out were not.

For tax purposes, you're not counting those crumpled bills in collection plates and kettles, cash tips to those in need, and duplicate Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn purchases you made just because you wanted to be fair to the neighbors' kids. I propose that these small acts of monetary kindness are a legitimate piece of your personal philanthropist pie.

So, too, are donations in kind to Goodwill and other organizations, and often these are tax-deductible as well. Here in Columbus, MAP Furniture Bank and Habitat for Humanity will pick up large items for free.

Certainly, volunteering time is a way to give back, though it's difficult to quantify. In my estimation, coaching Little League qualifies as charitable giving. So does watching out for old folks in your neighborhood.

For some of us, it's better to just give money. Years ago, I volunteered at a Habitat home building site in the Hilltop area. I was trying to move a wheelbarrow filled with gravel and I accidentally dumped it all over the sidewalk and spent the rest of my time there picking it up. Now I give them a small cash donation and they seem very appreciative.

My favorite local charities are Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio and Mid Ohio Foodbank. For Christmas, MOFB will mail paper Christmas ornaments to friends and family for $15 each.

Because I like cops, I've been donating $20 to the central Ohio Lodge #9 FOP every time they ask me. However, they ask me for a donation twice a year, as does the similar-sounding FOP Foundation of Ohio. Now Cops for Kids is starting to call me and it's getting a little unnerving. I'm the mother of two young men -- I hate it when cops call me.

This year I bought Christmas gifts from the World Vision catalog instead of junk my relatives don't want. I'm not crazy about faith-based international charities, but the catalog is such a thought-provoking piece about world poverty. Not only can you buy a goat for a needy African family, but also a share of a deep well that can serve a rural village for years or "hope" for sexually exploited girls.

I maintain my pledge to my long-time church even though I consider myself to be an atheist now and never attend services. I like what the church does for my community and its members, and I'm so glad they didn't get involved in politics this year.

I don't claim to know what's best for you. I'm just saying, it's a good time to evaluate your charitable giving now that the economy is so uncertain. Are you really giving of yourself the way you want to?

Lame Duck Mischief

User from Hudson, OH — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:21:27 EST

The Ohio BWC Group Rating system is fundementally flawed, according to every expert who has examined the system on behalf of the BWC. Ohio employers suffer inequitable workers' compensation rates and operate under a threat of massive rate increases from year to year the often destroy long-standing businesses. The group rating system is susceptible to rate manipulation by group sponsors, who have been empowered to control rates in violation of the Ohio Constitution. The group rating discounts are wildly excessive, representing undeserved discounts for some employers that are subsidized by excessive rates paid by others. By the Ohio BWC's own admission, the current group rating plan inflates Ohio's workers' compensation base rates, making Ohio less attractive to business and hurting Ohio's economy. The only one's who truly benefit from the current unlawful system are the group sponsors and their allies, who generate large fees and increase their membership under the current bflawed system.

A courageous group of employers have filed a class action in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas seeking to fix the system and obtain restitution for years of BWC unlawfully inflated premium bills. After an intensive evidentiary hearing Judge Richard McMonigle issued an injunction barring the BWC from continuing its unjust rating system. Unforetunately, the powerful group sponsors, who routinely make large contributions to Ohio politicians that are funded by the booty they receive from the group rating program, have apparently convinced their allies in the General Assembly to amended the workers' compensation statute to authorize the BWC to continue the broken group rating system. The fact that some in the General Assembly are even considering such a blatantly inappropriate legislative change highlights the evil influence of political contributions on the Ohio General Assembly. The fact is that eleven separate reports, costing millions of dollars, unanimously concluded that the group rating system as it is currently structured generates inaccurate and inequitable rates, hurting Ohio's economic competitiveness. The General Assembly is shamelessly pandering to monied interests, at the expenses of good public policy. It is a sad day for Ohio employers and the citizens of this State.

Lame Duck Voting Laws

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:24:41 EST

GOP rush to change voting rules is ruse

By Dayton Daily News
Saturday, November 29, 2008

Before the election, there was lots of fretting that things could go really badly in Ohio and that the state could end up looking like Florida in 2000.

People said that in 2004, too, and what do you want to bet that they'll say it in 2012?

But Election Day went fine, thank you very much, and, for that, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and the 88 county boards of elections deserve kudos. Even though turnout wasn't as heavy as the predictions suggested, there were lawsuits and directives to respond to and conspiracy theorists to counter. Meanwhile, implementing the change that allowed people to vote early — without having to offer an explanation — put huge new demands on elections officials as they were trying to gear up for Election Day itself.

Notwithstanding the success, some lawmakers want Ohioans to believe that something needs to be fixed — right now. They're proposing to make changes in the early voting law in a lame-duck session of the legislature, rather than follow Secretary Brunner's request that everyone sit tight until after a December conference designed to be a bipartisan post-game wrap-up.

She wants to put together one piece of legislation and make any fixes all at once, when the new legislature takes over next year.

Republicans are not prepared to wait. They're adamant about changing a law that they themselves wrote in 2005 that — inadvertently — allows people to register and vote in the same visit for a one-week window about a month before the actual election. They say this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone opens the door to fraud because there's no time for boards of elections to check out a new registrant's information.

The rush to pass the legislation stems from two things. Democrats are taking over the Ohio House of Representatives in January. They're more supportive of so-called "instant voting" rules. So, even though Secretary Brunner, a Democrat, says she'll support eliminating the short time when people can register and vote, Republicans know she can't control Democratic lawmakers.

Moreover, Republicans have been eager to make Secretary Brunner out to be inept and/or corrupt in anticipation of trying to take her down in two years. She's up for re-election then, and if she and Gov. Strickland are both re-elected, Democrats would have the upper hand in a group that draws state legislative district boundaries. The dominant party in that process tries to draw districts that will give it a better chance of winning seats in the Ohio Legislature.

The Republicans' leading candidate to run against Secretary Brunner is Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, of Kettering. He's already starting to compile his list of criticisms of Secretary Brunner. If he helps pass a law that remedies the potential "fraud" that Republican partisans have been hyping, that would be good for his political resume.

(But, again, remember it was the Republicans who didn't check the calendar to determine what they were doing three years ago when they created the overlap allowing registration and voting simultaneously.)

Another issue at hand is whether to allow county boards of elections to set up more than one polling place for early voters to cast their ballots.

Having just one spot — which is all the law allows now — makes for long lines. And one thing is for sure: Many people who voted early this year will want to do so again. No sense making the process a cattle call.

Elections are supposed to be political. The administration of them, however, should be resolutely nonpartisan. Rushing piecemeal bills through just so Republicans can say they fixed something is overstating the problem and overreacting.

Correction re: Vic Wulsin

Jane Schiff — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:26:06 EST

I had posted earlier today that Vic Wulsin (D) won the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd District. That post was an error. At least, she won Hamilton County.

Camping in the Snow

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:58:37 EST

Birdwatchers report encountering larger than normal homeless encampments in the wooded nooks that populate the odd corners of our cities.

Taking advantage of the Thanksgiving Day newscycle, on Wednesday DHL announced more layoffs, as did the Preble County sheriff and the city of Brunswick.

Hunting season starts on Monday. Five homeless people were shot, on purpose, earlier this month in California.

Watch yourself.

Recession accomplished

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:55:22 EST

What's Your Big Idea For Change In America?

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:13:04 EST

What is Ideas for Change in America?

Ideas for Change in America is a citizen-driven project that aims to identify and create momentum around the best ideas for how the Obama Administration and 111th Congress can turn the broad call for "change" across the country into specific policies.

The project is nonpartisan, and invites all political points of view. It is not connected to the Obama campaign or the Obama Administration.

Who's behind it?

Ideas for Change in America is a project of Change.org, an online community and media network for social issues, in partnership with more than three dozen leading organizations, including MySpace, techPresident, the Sunlight Foundation, Netroots Nation, Declare Yourself, Student PIRGs, Voto Latino, HeadCount, and Change Congress.

How does it work?

Anyone can submit an idea and comment and vote on others. The top 10 rated ideas will be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009 as the "Top 10 Ideas for America." We will then launch a national campaign behind each idea and mobilize the collective energy of the millions of members of Change.org, MySpace, and partner organizations to ensure that each winning idea gets the full consideration of the Obama Administration and Members of Congress.

How are the top ideas determined?

The "Top 10 Ideas for America" will be determined through two rounds of voting. In the first round, ideas will compete against other ideas in the same issue category. The first round will end on December 31, 2008, and the top 3 rated ideas from each category will make it into the second round. The second round of voting will begin on Monday, January 5, and each qualifying idea will compete against the qualifying ideas from all other categories. Second round voting will end on Thursday, January 15.

What happens after voting?

Our work does not end with the voting process or the delivery of the top 10 ideas to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day. That is rather the end of the beginning. Instead of passively hoping the administration accepts each top idea, we will select a formal nonprofit sponsor for each idea to help create a nationwide movement to lobby the administration and Congress to turn the idea into real policy.

What should my idea be about?

Ideas can be about anything that you would like to see the Obama Administration or Congress change in America. We have established more than 30 causes, but you can include in the "other" category for something that doesn't quite fit any of these.

Does my idea have to be original?

No. While we encourage you to take an original approach, you may submit an idea originally conceived by someone else. However, we encourage you to cite original source of the idea if known, and you may not directly copy text from an idea posted by another user.

Visit Change.org

Will The Ohio Supreme Court Show Political Bias In Provisional Ballot Case?

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:40:40 EST

Edward B Foley provides an interesting analysis of where the provisional ballots case in Franklin County could go should the all Republican Ohio Supreme Court appear to rule in a politically motivated manner.

Eyes Now Turn to Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on questions of state law. But it does not have the final word on questions of federal law. Thus, if there is any reason to think that the Ohio Supreme Court has acted politically, rather than judicially, with respect to the federal-law issues presented to it in this case, that reason would be a basis for seeking U.S. Supreme Court review. Although the U.S. Supreme Court understandably would be reluctant to get involved in another election dispute, that reluctance has another implication.
This case does not necessarily end with the Ohio Supreme Court, even if the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to get involved. At least with respect to the congressional election (involving Ohio’s 15th congressional district), the U.S. House of Representatives potentially sits in judgment over the Ohio Supreme Court’s treatment of federal-law issues with respect to the disputed provisional ballots. If the House perceives that the Ohio Supreme Court treats those federal issues improperly, and if those provisional ballots would indeed determine the outcome of a congressional election, that perception of state-court impropriety might motivate the House to nullify the state-court ruling and seat the opposing candidate.
Read The Full Article at Election Law @ Moritz

The President-Elect's Thanksgiving Address

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:24:45 EST

Today, American families are gathered to give thanks for the many blessings in their lives.

In a preview of his weekly address, President-elect Barack Obama urges Americans to acknowledge the blessings we all share over this Thanksgiving holiday.

While our nation is faced with tough economic times, President-elect Obama recognizes the value of service in rebuilding struggling communities across the country.

This Thanksgiving, President-elect Obama has asked the nation to celebrate this distinctly American tradition while looking forward to the future we share with hope and promise.

Watch the President-elect's Address now -- then send us your stories about the ways you or others you know serve your community:

Watch It:

President-Elect Obama And Family Volunteer At Chicago Food Pantry

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:13:05 EST

Saying he wanted his two daughters "to learn the importance of how fortunate they are and make sure they are giving back," President-elect Obama and his family volunteered at a food pantry near their home on the South Side of Chicago this afternoon.

St. Columbanus Church, where President-elect Obama has volunteered before, feeds nearly 500 people a week. But he pointed out that times are particularly tough.

"The number of people who are getting food this year is up 33 percent," he said. "It gives a sense times are tough -- and I think that on Thanksgiving it's important for us to remember there's a need for support."

When a group of children appeared in the window of the church's school, President-elect Obama decided to visit the school's auditorium, where hundreds of the school's students quickly assembled.

See pictures from the event here.

Watch The Video Below: