Senator Cafaro Re-elected Senate Democratic Leader

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus unanimously re-elected Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) to serve as Minority Leader for the upcoming 129th General Assembly.

“I am honored that my colleagues have chosen me to serve another term as the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus,” said Senator Cafaro. “Our state faces many challenges and I want to make sure all Ohioans have their voices heard in the next General Assembly.”

The Caucus elected Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) to serve a second term as Assistant Minority Leader. “I believe we have assembled a strong and diverse leadership team,” said Senator Smith. “We are committed to being tireless advocates for our constituents.”

Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus also chose Senator-elect Edna Brown (D-Toledo) to be Minority Whip. Senator-elect Brown has served the past nine years as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. “As the first African American Senator from Northwest Ohio I am honored to serve as Minority Whip,” said Senator-elect Brown.

Senator Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) was also re-elected to the position of Assistant Minority Whip. “I look forward to working with our leadership team in the 129th General Assembly,” said Senator Wilson. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Senator Fedor to Host Advocacy Day to Support Human Trafficking Legislation

Columbus – State Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) announced that citizens and non-profit organizations will convene at the Statehouse on November 10, 2010 to rally for Senate Bill 235, a bipartisan bill that will make human trafficking a stand-alone felony. S.B. 235 was introduced during this General Assembly by Senator Fedor and Senator Grendell (R-Chesterland). The bill is currently still in committee and it must be voted on this year or it will die at the end of December.

“Ohioans cannot allow political wrangling to stop this bill from being heard and voted on during this General Assembly,” said Senator Fedor. “Now is the time for legislators to take action to protect Ohioans from becoming victims of human trafficking.”

Advocates of human trafficking legislation are meeting on November 10 in an effort to remind their legislators of the importance of S.B. 235. Human trafficking is a rapidly growing and under-reported problem affecting both inner cities and affluent suburbs. Trafficking occurs where laws are the weakest, and Ohio’s laws will remain weak unless something is done.

November 10 also marks the first anniversary of the Dayton Human Trafficking Accords and Mark Ensalaco, a professor at the University of Dayton, will mark the anniversary by announcing the launch of the Miami Valley Rescue & Restore Coalition, a non-profit group organized to aid victims of human trafficking.