COLUMBUS – The Senate Democratic Caucus is greatly disappointed the Ohio Senate voted today not to confirm Cathy Collins-Taylor as the Director of the Department of Public Safety. All 12 Senate Democrats voted to support Mrs. Collins-Taylor, a law enforcement officer with a long and distinguished career whose reputation was unfairly tarnished by a flawed confirmation process.
“It is a shame the Senate failed to confirm someone with such an impeccable record of honesty and integrity,” said Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “I hope the way Mrs. Collins-Taylor was treated doesn’t discourage young women from getting involved in law enforcement.”
Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee spoke out on the Senate Floor that Mrs. Collins-Taylor did not receive a fair hearing from the beginning. Witnesses who could have corroborated her testimony were not called to testify and the chairman did not provide Democratic members of the committee with evidence and documents he received from the Inspector General.
“Nobody is perfect. We should not allow one snapshot to ruin a remarkable and distinguished law enforcement career,” said Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland). “It appears that the fix was in from the beginning of this confirmation process.”
“I can’t believe the Senate voted this way,” said Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland), the Assistant Minority Leader. “This is about politics. This is about an election in November. This is about 30 second ads. This is about destroying someone’s career.”
Mrs. Collins-Taylor has been professionally involved in enhancing the public safety of Ohioans for the last 31 years. During her 26 year tenure as a Columbus police officer, she established the Department’s Exploited Children’s Unit to give the youngest crime victims a voice in our criminal justice system.
Mrs. Collins-Taylor also served with distinction in the Department of Public Safety under Republican and Democratic Governors, leading a branch of Ohio’s Homeland Security agency and later as Executive Director of the Ohio Investigative Unit.
“I admire Mrs. Collins-Taylor for her courage and record of achievement,” said Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati). “Unfortunately the committee process went from unfair to insulting.”
Following the vote the Senate Democratic Caucus filed a formal protest over the Senate’s handling of this confirmation process. The protest has been entered into the journal and will become a part of the Senate’s permanent record.
Senator Nina Turner's floor speech may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=125817&start_time=660&organization_id=30
Senator Eric H. Kearney's floor speech may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=125817&start_time=1569&organization_id=30
Senator Capri S. Cafaro's floor speech may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=125817&start_time=3156&organization_id=30
Senator Shirley Smith's floor speech may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=125817&start_time=4848&organization_id=30
