New Leadership Team Announced

Columbus – Senator Cafaro announced Tuesday at a Statehouse press conference that she has asked Senator Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) to assume the role of Minority Leader. Cafaro, who has served as the Democratic Senate leader since 2009, cited unanticipated political responsibilities for a legislative leader in a presidential election year. She voiced her added concern that such political activities could possibly take her focus away from her district, where hands-on advocacy is needed on emerging issues like oil and gas.

“I have always given 110% to the people I work for in the 32nd District, and that is not about to change now,” said Senator Cafaro. “However, I wanted to make sure that the Democratic caucus would be guided by someone with the experience, temperament and relationships to lead during a presidential election cycle.”

Senator Cafaro is the longest serving Senate Minority Leader since former Senator Ben Espy, who served in the 1990s. During her tenure, Senate Democrats passed more bills than any other Democratic caucus since 2000.

“I know that I have made the right choice for our caucus by asking Senator Kearney to serve as our leader,” said Senator Cafaro. “I have given him my full support to lead the Senate Democrats going forward.”

Senator Kearney says he’s humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus.

“I extend my gratitude to Senator Capri Cafaro for her dedicated leadership to Senate Minority Caucus,” said Senator Kearney. “Going forward I hope to lead the Democratic Caucus with a business-like approach emphasizing teamwork, unity, accountability and discipline.”

Senator Kearney has represented the 9th Senate District since December of 2005, making him the senior member of the caucus. During his time in the General Assembly, Senator Kearney has championed the issues of small business development, child safety, healthy choices and crime prevention. He has served as the Ranking Minority of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Financial Institutions Committee.

The Senate Democratic Caucus also announced that Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) has been selected to serve as Assistant Minority Leader, Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) as Minority Whip and Senator Edna Brown (D-Toledo) as Assistant Minority Whip.

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Senator Turner Introduces Sexual Assault Legislation

Columbus –State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), today introduced Senate Bill 283, the Compassionate Assistance for Rape (CARE) Act. The legislation would help to ensure that sexual assault survivors are offered medical treatment following an assault.

“It is absolutely imperative that victims of sexual assault are provided with the full array of treatment information and options when they seek medical assistance,” said Senator Turner. “This legislation will make sure they receive the level of care that they deserve.”

The CARE Act would require that all hospital emergency rooms provide sexual assault survivors with treatment that can prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections if the survivor wishes to take them. The bill would not require assault survivors to submit to any treatment, but would only require hospitals to let them know what options are available and provide them if desired.

“These measures will guarantee equal access to care for victims across the state, regardless of the beliefs of the institution they seek assistance from,” said Senator Turner. “It should not come down to the luck of the draw; victims should be able to decide what treatment they receive, not hospitals.”

According to a 2007 survey of emergency rooms, almost 20 percent of the Ohio hospitals that responded do not guarantee access to emergency contraception. The CARE Act seeks to reduce that number by placing the responsibility on the hospital to have policies in place that ensure safe and equal access to all medical options.

State Representatives Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) will co-sponsor companion legislation in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Senator Skindell Calls for Creation of State Health Exchange

Columbus – Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) has introduced Senate Bill 277 to create the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Agency, which will be responsible for operating the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Program. The Federal Affordable Care Act requires all states to enact legislation that establishes a health exchange by January 1, 2013.

“The legislature can no longer sit and watch idly as the director of the Department of Insurance does nothing to establish the state’s health exchange,” said Senator Skindell. “This legislation is an opportunity for us to create a competitive marketplace for all Ohioans to purchase affordable health insurance from a variety of providers.”

The Exchange Program will allow individuals who otherwise are unable to afford or do not have access to obtain adequate health care coverage. The bill also develops the navigator program to assist and educate consumers. The qualifications of a premium tax credit will also be outlined, which alleviates the financial burden placed on individuals.

“Through this bill our state will see an expansion of coverage, a promotion of competition, affordable options, and overall improvements of consumer protection,” said Senator Skindell. “It is essential that we move forward with this legislation in a timely manner in order to comply with the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress.”

Additionally, a “SHOP Exchange” will be established as a small business health options program to provide options for small business owners and their employees. Businesses will have the option to benefit from the SHOP Exchange by selecting a qualified health insurance plan to meet the needs of their employees.

Senator Schiavoni Calls for Public Hearing to Discuss Recent Earthquakes

Columbus – State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) today called for the Ohio Senate to hold a public hearing in the Mahoning Valley regarding recent earthquakes that may have been caused by a wastewater injection well. Senator Schiavoni released the following statement:

“Because of the recent earthquakes the Mahoning Valley has experienced, I believe it would be very beneficial for the residents in my district to be provided with an explanation of hydraulic fracking/deep well injection. As the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Public Utility Committee, I am requesting a special committee hearing be held in the Mahoning Valley as soon as possible so Senators can gather more information.

“At the hearing, representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio EPA can address the recent earthquakes, the future activity of injection wells located in the Mahoning Valley, and any other concerns members of the public have regarding oil and gas exploration. I spoke with many residents over the holiday weekend who are very concerned for the safety of their family, homes, and property. These are legitimate concerns that must be addressed in a timely manner.

“Today, I will be contacting Senate President Tom Niehaus and Senator David Daniels, the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, to urge them to schedule this meeting.”

Senator Lou Gentile on Ohio in Focus

Senator Tavares Calls for More Funding for AIDS Prevention and Treatment

Columbus – On this World AIDS day, Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) calls on the state of Ohio to commit more resources to HIV treatment and prevention and to stop the Ohio Department of Health from imposing rule changes that could restrict access to life saving drugs.

“Unfortunately, the scourge of HIV/AIDS has not diminished in the last 30 years and Franklin County has the highest number of new cases of HIV/AIDS in the state,” said Senator Tavares.

This week a Franklin County judge temporarily stopped the Ohio Department of Health from reducing the number of people eligible for the Ohio HIV Drug Assistance program. The Department had planned to cut eligibility for AIDS patients based on income—from 300 percent of the poverty level to just 100 percent.

“Instead of imposing new restrictions which limit patient access to life saving drugs, the state of Ohio should provide the funding that is needed,” said Senator Tavares. “If resources are scarce it’s because the state makes them scarce through misplaced budget priorities. We have a responsibility to ensure that the public we serve is aware of and involved in the development of policies, rules and guidelines for programming and funding of services with these finite federal dollars. ”

Senator Tavares contends that additional funding is available from either a $23 million Vioxx settlement or the state’s rainy day fund which currently contains $247 million.

Earlier this year, Senator Tavares offered a budget amendment to increase funding for AIDS prevention and treatment by $5.3 million over the next two fiscal years.

Lou Gentile Picked to Fill Vacancy in 30th Senate District

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus has voted unanimously to appoint State Representative Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) to fill a vacancy in the 30th Senate District. Rep. Gentile replaces Jason Wilson who resigned to become Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia.

“Lou Gentile is hard-working and passionate about public service,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “He will be a strong voice for the residents of the 30th District and a great addition to the Ohio Senate.”

Rep. Gentile currently represents the 95th House District which includes Jefferson County and parts of Belmont County. Prior to joining the General Assembly, he served as Assistant Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia under former Governor Ted Strickland.

“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to represent Southeastern Ohio in the State Senate,” Gentile said. “I am committed to working as hard as I can to give the people of the 30th District the kind of representation they deserve.”

Rep. Gentile received a unanimous recommendation from the Democratic chairmen of Belmont, Harrison and Jefferson Counties for an appointment to the Ohio Senate. Those three counties will continue to be part of the 30th Senate District when boundaries change due to reapportionment.

Senate Democrats Select Senator Schiavoni to Serve as Assistant Minority Whip

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus today selected Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) to serve as Assistant Minority Whip. Senator Schiavoni replaces Senator Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) who resigned last week to become the Director of the Governor’s Office for Appalachia.

“Senator Schiavoni will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “He is hard working and dedicated to improving the lives of his constituents and the people of Ohio.”

Senator Schiavoni has been a member of the Ohio Senate since January, 2009. He currently serves as the Ranking Member on both the Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee and the Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

“I am honored to be selected by my colleagues for this leadership position,” said Senator Schiavoni. “I am excited to continue working with members from both caucuses to address the serious issues that people face in my district and throughout the state.”

Senator Sawyer’s “Friendship 7” Bill Passes the Ohio Senate

Columbus – The Ohio Senate voted today to approve Senate Bill 155. The bill, introduced by Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) and former Senator Gary Cates, will designate February 20th as “John Glenn Friendship 7 Day.” Senator Sawyer gave the following statement after the bill’s passage:

“On February 20, 1962, Ohioan John Glenn Jr. displayed great courage by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. John Glenn’s mission put the United States back in the “space race” despite the questions that were left unanswered following the Soviet Union’s full orbital mission. Friendship 7’s launch enabled Glenn to orbit the Earth three times and served as the standard for future NASA projects.

“John Glenn’s heroism, especially on reentry, will forever be engraved in the memory of everyone who followed the reports of that first orbital flight. It remains an indelible moment in American history.”

Senator Kearney Praises Approval of the Adoption Loan Program

CINCINNATI– State Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) praised the Ohio Controlling Board’s approval of funding for the Ohio Adoption Loan Program. Kearney was the primary sponsor of the bill creating the Ohio Adoption Loan Program, the only one of its kind in the country.

“This approval process has been a four-year effort and I am happy that it is complete,” said Senator Kearney. “As parents of an adoptive child, my wife and I understand the financial difficulties that many families face when going through the process. It is my hope that this loan will encourage more families to continue the process of giving children stable and loving homes.”

Under the Adoption Loan Program, families who are approved and matched to adopt a child may seek a loan through Fifth Third Bank to defray some of the upfront costs of the adoption process. As the financial institution selected by the state of Ohio for the management of this loan program, Fifth Third Bank will receive, review and approve adoption loan applications up to $3,000 from residents of the State of Ohio. Applicants must present proof of program eligibility, in the form of a letter from an adoption agency confirming that the loan applicant is an adoptive parent who has been matched with an identified child.

The approval of the program precedes the anniversary of the 11th Annual National Adoption Day on November 19th. Celebrated across the United States, more than 350 community events are held each year to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care and celebrate adoptive families. In addition, Senator Kearney introduced Ohio Adoption Day which is celebrated annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.

Senator Eric H. Kearney represents parts of Cincinnati, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Cleves, Cheviot, Norwood, Golf Manor, Columbia Township, Deer Park, Silverton, Springfield Township, North Bend and Addyston.

Senator Cafaro Calls Additional Primary "Fiscally Irresponsible"

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.”

Senator Smith Disturbed by Republican Refusal to Amend House Bill 318

Columbus – State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) released the following statement today after voting against the passage of House Bill 318, which creates a separate federal primary on June 12, 2012:

“I am completely disturbed by the Republican decision to unnecessarily create an additional primary election in 2012. This new primary will cost as much as $15 million, and all year we have been told that the state has to guard its resources.

“My colleagues in the Democratic Caucus offered an amendment that would have combined the state and federal primaries to create a single primary in 2012, saving the state those $15 million. Who in their right mind would pass up such an opportunity?

“I also offered an amendment that would have codified an agreement between Secretary of State John Husted and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald, which was also supported by the majority’s leaders. This amendment would have required the Secretary of State to send absentee voter applications to all registered Ohio voters for the November 2012 Presidential Election. Again, and without sufficient explanation, Senate Republicans rejected the amendment.

“This is the same party that, several months ago, blamed public employees for the state’s financial problems, instead of finding fault with the huge, unnecessary tax loopholes and excessive tax cuts that they enacted in 2005. Now, under the twin specters of Senate Bill 5’s defeat and possible referendum on the highly partisan Congressional maps, Republicans baldly waste taxpayer dollars. If they had used an open and inclusive process to draw those new Congressional boundaries, I am convinced that we would not be here today.

"Their actions show internal incoherence or unbridled hypocrisy within their party. Either way, the result is not good for Ohio.”

Senators Tavares and Turner Introduce Absentee Ballot Legislation

Columbus –State Senators Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus) and Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) have introduced legislation in the Ohio Senate to restore local control to Ohio’s elections process. If enacted, Senate Bill 227 would allow local boards of election to mail unsolicited applications for absentee ballots and require the Ohio Secretary of State to reimburse the cost of the mailings for elections in even numbered years.

“SB 227 provides a pro-democracy, pro-voter approach to our elections process,” said Senator Tavares. “This is a fundamental form of outreach to the citizen-taxpayers to remind them of the election, encourage their participation and provide a tool for them to easily, efficiently and effectively cast their ballots.”

During recent elections, Franklin and Cuyahoga counties have mailed unsolicited absentee ballot applications to encourage early voting and the result has been shorter lines on election day. However, a controversial provision of House Bill 194, recently passed by the General Assembly, would prohibit these unsolicited mailings. While HB 194 may be subject to a referendum, Senators Tavares and Turner have taken the proactive step of seeking to restore- the rights of local boards of election to better serve the needs of their counties.

“Senate Bill 227 will return local control to the elections process and make it easier and more convenient for citizens to cast their vote,” said Senator Turner. “The one-size-fits-all prescriptions coming out of Columbus ignores the fact that these medicines treat each patient differently. Our bill would allow counties to tailor their policies to the needs of their local communities to maximize voter participation.”

SB 227 would also allow voters to request and return absentee ballot applications through email.

Senator Sawyer Gives Testimony on Public Records Legislation

Columbus – Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) today gave sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 221 in the Senate’s Education Committee. Senate Bill 221 would remove the provision that prevents achievement assessments administered in Ohio schools for grades 3 – 8 from becoming public records. The provision was added to the recently enacted state biennium budget.

“At a time where a lot of focus is being put on teacher performance and performance-based evaluations, it is important to keep these kinds of useful resources in place for teachers to better themselves,” said Senator Sawyer. “This is an opportunity for teacher’s to improve their students’ performance.”

Under prior law, at least 40 percent of the assessment questions that are used to compute student scores were public record. Any questions that could be reused on future assessments were barred from public record. Senator Sawyer’s bill would revert back to those previous standards.

“Achievement assessments are used as a measurement tool to see where the strengths and weaknesses lie in subject areas for Ohio’s children,” said Senator Sawyer. “If these assessments are not made public records, we will not be able be to determine where we need to focus our improvement.”

Teachers have historically used the public questions to help prepare themselves for future assessments and to get an accurate picture on how they have prepared their students. Teachers also used the test results to create short-cycle assessments which are used for preparation as well.

The current law will be in effect for the 2011-2012 and all following school years.

Senator Brown to Introduce Legislation Abolishing Death Penalty

Columbus – State Senator Edna Brown (D-Toledo) announced today that she will soon introduce legislation to abolish the death penalty in Ohio. Senator Brown’s announcement comes on the heels of Governor Kasich’s decision to not execute convicted killer Joseph Murphy.

“Despite the Parole Board and the Governor’s decision, I plan to introduce legislation that will abolish the death penalty in Ohio,” said Senator Brown. “The timing is right to end this archaic practice, especially after watching the controversial execution of Troy Davis in Georgia.”

Last week in an 8-0 vote, the Ohio Parole Board recommended that Joseph Murphy should not be executed and instead, spend the rest of his life in jail without parole. Murphy was convicted of murdering a 72-year old woman in Marion, Ohio in 1987. The board’s decision was based on Murphy’s traumatic childhood and history of sexual abuse.

“Mr. Murphy should be punished for his heinous acts,” said Senator Brown. “But his punishment should be spending the rest of his life in jail, and not by execution.”

Governor Kasich’s concurrence with the parole board marks the fourth time since July that an execution in Ohio has been postponed or called off. The Governor’s decision is also in line with former Ohio Supreme Court Judge Thomas J. Moyer, who also agreed that Murphy’s life should be spared in 1992.

While her legislation is being considered, Senator Brown is also urging the Governor to place a moratorium on all executions until a study, commissioned by Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is completed. The study will not decide on whether or not Ohio should have the death penalty, but rather study the overall procedure. The study will be done by a task force through the Ohio Bar Association.

Senator Brown’s legislation will mirror HB 160, which is sponsored by Reps. Celeste (D-Grandview Heights) and Antonio (D-Lakewood).