Senator Skindell's Letter to the Columbus Dispatch

Dear Editor,

To borrow words used by the Dispatch and State Budget Director Tim Keen, I am not sure if “inexplicable” or “inexcusable” is the best way to describe the failure to provide start-up funding for the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Despite a Dispatch editorial’s assertion to the contrary, someone in the General Assembly did consider the necessity of paying for the commission’s start-up costs. Legislation passed last May by the Democratic controlled Ohio House of Representatives provided $7.6 million in operating funds. However, the Republican controlled Senate stripped the funding from the bill.

Furthermore, the work of the Casino Control Commission has been needlessly delayed by partisan politics. The commission started meeting in October to establish guidelines for opening and operating Ohio’s casinos. However, the commission’s work ground to a halt when Governor Kasich insisted on removing the board’s original members to stack the commission with his own appointees.

We should not allow partisan politics to delay economic development in our cities. Unfortunately, that is a consequence of the political games that are being played with the Casino Control Commission.

Respectfully yours,
State Senator Michael J. Skindell
(D) Lakewood

Senator Turner and Mayor Jackson Call for Legislation to Share Services

Columbus –State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) introduced Senate Bill 125 this week which would give cities and municipalities more authority to share services. The legislation, proposed by Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, would allow municipalities to enter into contracts that would let them perform services for one another while sharing cost and resources.

“The current fiscal environment forces us to think how we can work collaboratively to address the needs of our citizens while saving taxpayer dollars,” Senator Turner said. “I am pleased to work with Mayor Jackson and Senator Seitz to empower our communities to work together to provide vital services more efficiently.”

The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), would help cities share services including snow removal, road repair and waste management.

“I would like to thank Senator Turner and her co-sponsor Senator Seitz for getting Senate Bill 125 introduced,” Mayor Jackson said. “We are living in an environment where rapid change is the reality of the moment. Just one year ago I engaged Senator Turner on the idea of expanding the scope of authority for municipalities to be able to provide service outside their boundaries. Fast forward to a short time later, what was a good and prudent business solution then is a matter of necessity today.”

The bill has also received support from Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association.

“This legislation carries even more importance given the difficult economic climate along with proposed cuts in funding to local governments from the State. Communities in Northeast Ohio are committed to collaboration and sharing services,” said John Licastro, President of the CCMCMA. The General Assembly must give us the legal tools to allow that to happen. We thank Senator Turner for her continued efforts to have this legislation become state law and applaud both her and the bill's co-sponsor Senator Bill Seitz.”

Senator Kearney Honors Cincinnati High School Champions

Senator Eric Kearney presents a proclamation to the Saint Ursula Academy Field Hockey team for winning the Division – 1 Championship.

Senator Turner Talks About the Governor's Budget on MSNBC

State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) appeared on the Ed Show on MSNBC to talk about the harmful effects of the Governor's budget and Senate Bill 5. Her interview begins at 3:45 on this clip.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Senator Cafaro Comments on Governor's Budget Plan

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement in regards to Governor Kasich’s budget plan:

“I am deeply concerned that the Governor’s decision to slash funding to local governments will put a tremendous strain on communities across the state. Even with additional flexibility to share resources, the state is creating a fiscal crisis for local governments that will likely lead to tax increases, reduced services and additional layoffs.

“I am also apprehensive about the sale of five prisons and the closing of other correctional facilities including two in my Senate district and the impact that it will have on jobs and public safety. We should not forget that convicted murderers escaped from a private prison in Youngstown while we search for ways to balance our budget. What assurances do we have that more privately owned and operated prisons won’t pose the same risk to our communities? Furthermore, selling five prisons is an example of one-time money that Republicans have blamed for our current budget deficit.

“Finally, the education portion of the budget is voodoo budgeting. The administration claims its budget increases funding for K-12 education, when in reality it makes significant cuts.”

Democratic Response to State of the State

Senator Schiavoni Debunks Collective Bargaining Memo

Columbus – As the ranking Democrat on the Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee, State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) is urging Ohioans to take a closer look at the so-called Senate Bill 5 savings memo released by the Office of Collective Bargaining and the Department of Administrative Services.

“The memo fails to calculate the real-life impact that SB 5 will have on Ohio families,” said Senator Schiavoni. “The memo does not take into account the money that this bill takes away from our public employees. The less money they have to take home, the less they have to spend in our local economies.”

The memo claims that the state would have saved more than $75 million in 2010 by eliminating Step Increases for state workers. The memo neglects to point out that in the biennial budget (HB1) there was a step freeze that already saved the state this money. Through the existing collective bargaining process, public employees have already made this concession.

The memo also suggests that state employees increase health insurance premiums to 20% potentially saving the state more than $25 million. The amended bill reduces employee premiums to 15% and eliminates these potential savings.

A Legislative Service Commission fiscal analysis on SB 5 concluded that there was not enough information available to provide accurate savings amounts. This critical piece of information was omitted from the original DAS Memo. Instead, DAS tried to calculate local government cost savings.

“I was especially disappointed that DAS never came before our committee to defend their questionable conclusions,” said Schiavoni. “DAS speculates local government savings even though local government employees do not always receive step movements or longevity pay. It is nearly impossible to calculate any local savings under SB5.”

Polls Show Strong Support for Collective Bargaining Rights

Columbus – Yet another national poll today shows that Americans do not support partisan legislation such as Senate Bill 5 that would take collective bargaining rights away from police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public employees. According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, 62% oppose efforts to strip government workers of their rights to collectively bargain.

“The public sees Senate Bill 5 for what it really is—a highly political assault on the rights of middle class workers,” said Senator Cafaro. “I am grateful that six republicans in the Ohio Senate joined with Senate Democrats in opposing this deeply flawed legislation. If it wasn’t for last minute chicanery, the bill would not have even reached the floor of the Senate for a vote.”

The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll also points out that 77% percent of Americans believe public employees should have the same rights to negotiate over health care, pensions and other benefits as workers in the private sector.

“Senate Bill 5 would turn our public employees into second class citizens,” said Senator Cafaro. “The sad truth is this legislation would leave public employees with fewer rights to negotiate on issues such as safety equipment than their counterparts in the private sector.”

The findings of the Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey are backed up by other recent public opinion polls. A USA Today/Gallup poll puts support for public employee collective bargaining rights at 61% and a New York Times/CBS News poll has the number at 60%.

Video of Senate Bill 5 Protest 3/1/2011

Approximately 15,000 people took part in a worker's rally at the Ohio Statehouse to protest Senate Bill 5. The legislation would take away collective bargaining rights for public employees and is a direct assault on Ohio's middle class.

Photos of Senate Bill 5 Protest

Senate Democrats Still Oppose Amended Senate Bill 5

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) said today that a new version of Senate Bill 5 is a bad idea that has only gotten worse. The Senate majority presented a substitute bill in the Insurance, Commerce and Labor committee that would still take away the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

“The amended bill still strips public employees of any means to effectively bargain and would put them in jail if they strike,” said Senator Cafaro. “Senate Bill 5 turns collective bargaining into a one-sided conversation where management always gets the last word.”

Even though the committee hearing was delayed until the afternoon, Senate Republicans did not provide Democrats with a summary of the amended bill until the hearing began.

“Senate Republicans gave us a 99 page document one minute before the hearing and expected us to ask questions about it,” said Senator Schiavoni, the ranking member on the committee. “That’s ridiculous. But, that’s what they did with the original bill. Polls show the public doesn’t want to strip public employees of their right to collectively bargain. We are wasting time on this bill when we should be working to create jobs.”

Today’s committee hearing took place against the backdrop of a “Rally to Save Ohio’s Middle Class.” An estimated 15,000 Ohioans showed up at the Ohio Statehouse to protest against ending public employees’ right to collective bargaining.

Senate Democrats have requested the opportunity for more witnesses to testify on the amended bill. However, the chairman has not announced if additional testimony will be allowed when hearings resume Wednesday morning.

Statehouse protest against Senate Bill 5 on 2/22/2011

Senate Democrats Offer Amendments to Correct Flaws in JobsOhio

Columbus – Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) announced today that Senate Democrats have proposed nearly 40 amendments to fix flaws in Governor Kasich’s JobsOhio plan. The amendments focus on protecting tax dollars, improving transparency and accountability and raising ethical standards for JobsOhio.

“Through hearings in the House and the Senate, it has become clear that the current JobsOhio plan lacks the necessary transparency and accountability measures to protect taxpayers’ money,” said Senator Skindell, the Ranking Minority member on the Senate Finance Committee. “Senate Democrats listened to the concerns of the Ohio Ethics Commission and that’s why we’re calling for higher ethical standards for board members and other employees of JobsOhio.”

Senate Democrats have proposed that Ohio’s Ethics laws apply to JobsOhio, just as they do for other state agencies and departments. Other amendments submitted to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee today include the following:

• More legislative oversight: Appointments to JobsOhio’s Board of Directors would need “advice and consent” from the Senate.
• More public input and scrutiny: JobsOhio would be required to establish a records retention policy and provide time for public comment during board meetings.
• Greater transparency: Businesses would be required to disclose money they contribute to JobsOhio.

“Senate Democrats strongly support efforts to create jobs in Ohio, but it must be done correctly,” said Senator Skindell. “As state legislators it is our responsibility to make sure JobsOhio has adequate safeguards in place at the beginning, not six months from now and not sometime in the future after tax money has been misspent because of insufficient oversight.”

Senate Bill 5 Attacks Working Families

Columbus – State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) called today’s introduction of Senate Bill 5 an attack on working families. The legislation eliminates collective bargaining for state employees and binding arbitration for local police and firefighters. Senator Schiavoni, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee, issued the following statement:

“Senate Bill 5 is an attack on hard working Ohioans from every corner of the state. This bill will likely lead to lower wages and benefits for police officers, firefighters and other public employees who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

“State employees have already accepted unpaid furloughs, wage freezes and pay cuts to balance the current state budget. The most recent concessions saved the state $250 million, plus an additional $100 million will be cut from health care benefits.

“The Republican sponsor of the bill claims eliminating collective bargaining rights and binding arbitration would bring more “transparency” to public employee contracts. But, what the legislation really does is give employers the power to impose whatever settlements they wish without regard to fairness and the impact on working families.”

Senate Democrats Announce Legislative Priorities for 129th General Assembly

Columbus – Members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus introduced their first legislation of the 129th General Assembly that covers a broad range of issues important to Ohioans. The bills address economic and workforce development, support for working families, government efficiency and accountability, as well as consumer protections.

“Our top priority is doing all we can to create jobs and promote economic development,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “At the same time we want to support and protect Ohio’s families and maintain government accountability that ensures taxpayer’s money is well spent. We will introduce additional legislation in the coming weeks that further illustrate our commitment to building a stronger Ohio.

The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus introduced six bills today that address the following priorities for the 129th General Assembly:

Economic & Workforce Development

The top priority for the members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus is to help jumpstart Ohio’s economy. As a result, the Caucus will push for legislation that will help small businesses flourish and get more people back to work.
• Sen. Eric Kearney (SB 12) Small Business Set Asides: Requires the Department of Administrative Services and other state agencies to set aside approximately 20% of their purchases for which only small business enterprises may compete.
• Sen. Jason Wilson (SB 16) Agriculture Estate Tax: Eliminates the estate tax for Farm Preservation Lands. Under current law family farms often have to sell land to pay estate taxes which makes it difficult to continue operation.

Supporting Working Families

Hardworking families around the State of Ohio continue to struggle through this lingering recession. The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus will be introducing measures that aim to ease the burden on these working families.
• Sen. Joe Schiavoni (SB 13) Unemployment Modernization Act: Would prevent denial of unemployment benefits to Individuals with compelling family circumstances and extend benefits for unemployed workers in qualified job training programs. Implementing these changes will qualify Ohio for part of $7 billion made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Government Efficiency & Accountability

Citizens expect their government to run as efficiently as possible and be accountable to the people it serves. The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus continually seeks ways to make government work better and will pursue legislation to enact practical improvements.
• Sen. Capri Cafaro (SB 11) Regulatory Reform: This legislation builds on Governor Strickland’s Executive Order (2008-04S) by requiring state agencies to craft better methods for appropriately regulating entities that conduct business in the State. The bill also creates an e-notification system and an Ohio Small Business Panel to ensure that businesses are treated as partners in identifying and achieving regulatory goals.
• Sen. Nina Turner (SB 15) Dropout Prevention: To require the State Board of Education to recommend standards for dropout programs operated by school districts.

Consumer Protections

As Ohio continues down the road to economic recovery, we must not forget the unscrupulous and short-sighted business practices that contributed to severe financial hardship for many families. The Senate Democratic Caucus is committed to legislation that will protect consumers from such practices in the future.
• Sen. Michael Skindell (SB 14) Foreclosure-Mortgage Servicers: The bill takes a common sense approach to the mortgage crisis in Ohio by modifying court procedures and requirements for residential mortgage foreclosure actions. It also requires mortgage servicers to register with the Superintendent of Financial Institutions of the Department of Commerce, undergo civil and criminal background checks, to maintain standards of operation, and to provide notice and information to property owners.