Nearly 1.3 Million Siganatures Collected to Repeal Senate Bill 5

Democratic State Senators and Representatives particiapted in a parade that delivered nearly 1.3 million signatures to the Secretary of State's Office for a referendum to repeal Senate Bill 5. The anti-worker legislation takes away collective bargaining rights for police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public employees in Ohio.

Senator Tavares Passes Nurses Bill

Columbus – Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D–Columbus) and joint sponsor Senator Scott Oelslager (R–North Canton) successfully passed Senate Bill 83, the Advanced Practice Nurse Bill, out of the Senate today with a 23 to one vote. Senate Bill 83 will modify the authority of an Advanced Practice Nurse to prescribe schedule II drugs in specified medical facilities.

“Senate Bill 83 provides another option to expand comprehensive health care to Ohio’s residents,” said Senator Tavares. “Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) will become a part of the medical team with collaborating physicians to prescribe schedule II-V drugs in Ohio; joining 33 other states.”

Senate Bill 83 is Senator Tavares’ first bill to pass out of the Senate. The bill will allow APN’s to prescribe schedule II drugs under a Standard Care Agreement with their collaborating physician. The physician would decide whether or not their APN could prescribe these drugs under the agreement.

Other safeguards include requiring APN’s with a certificate to prescribe to complete an additional six hours of continuing education related to schedule II medications and prescribing prior to the renewal of their license.

“We are protecting the patient while expanding health care services,” said Senator Tavares.

Ohio Senate Passes State Budget That Imposes Devastating Cuts on Schools and Local Governments

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus today voted “no” on the final version of the biennial state budget (HB 153). The budget imposes massive and devastating cuts on Ohio’s public schools and local governments and gives the Governor broad powers to privatize valuable state assets.

“The state of Ohio has effectively balanced its budget by unbalancing the budgets for school districts and local governments across the state,” said Senator Cafaro. “It’s pass the buck budgeting that sticks local tax payers with the bill. I fear the result will be more layoffs, reduced public services and higher local taxes.”

The budget plan slashes the local government fund by 50% in fiscal year 2013 and cuts funding for local schools by an estimated $2.8 billion over the next two years according to a coalition of school officials.

Senate Democrats offered an amendment in the budget conference committee that would allocate school funding on a fairer and broader basis. However, majority Republicans rejected the amendment and chose to give additional money to wealthy school districts at the expense of urban and poor districts.

The budget (HB 153) also permits the sale of six prisons, sets the stage for leasing the Ohio Turnpike and gives cities the authority to sell or lease their parking meters to private companies.

“I am deeply concerned this rush to privatize valuable public assets will end up being a bad deal for taxpayers,” said Senator Cafaro. “These assets belong to the citizens of Ohio and they should not be sold off at rock bottom prices.”

Senator Cafaro also expressed concern about the continued assault on workers’ rights that began with Senate Bill 5. A provision of HB 153 specifically prohibits collective bargaining for employees of charter schools.

Senator Turner Talks About Budget Cuts on NBC4

State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) talked to NBC4 in Columbus about the devastating impact that Republican budget cuts will have on local governments across Ohio.

Senate Democrats Discuss Budget Vote

Members of the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus talk about why they voted against Governor Kasich's budget plan for the State of Ohio--a plan that will cost jobs and inflict devastating cuts on schools and local governments.

Senate Democrats Offer Proposal to Increase Fairness in Education Funding

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus today unveiled an education funding proposal that ensures urban and rural school districts are not shortchanged. The Student Success Index is one of the 242 budget amendments that Senate Democrats submitted to the Senate Finance Committee.

“Unlike a plan put forth by Senate Republicans, our proposal doesn’t leave anybody out,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “We are ensuring that all students, regardless of their circumstances, are receiving more resources for their education.”

Senate Republicans inserted an additional $115 million into the state budget which overwhelmingly benefits wealthy school districts. This “Robin Hood in reverse” proposal ignores Ohio’s most challenged districts.

The Student Success Index distributes the same $115 million funding increase on a fairer and broader basis by utilizing three widely recognized measurement tools: District Report Cards, the Education Challenge Factor and State Performance Index scores. The measurements reward success while also acknowledging the challenges that all districts face.

Like the House passed version of the budget, the Student Success Index ensures that no school district will see more than a 20 percent decrease in state funding from FY 2011 spending levels. In fact, every school district in Ohio will see additional funding beyond the House plan.

The Senate Democratic Caucus also submitted the following amendments to promote fairness and accountability in the state budget:


· Eliminate a requirement to privatize management of the Ohio Lottery.

· Restore funding for public transportation, alcohol and drug addiction services, mental health services, County Boards of Development Disabilities, the Ohio Fatherhood Commission, Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs.

· Prohibit oil and gas drilling in state parks.

· Restore collective bargaining rights for home health care workers and Statehouse maintenance staff.

· Require government entities to follow the same layoff notice requirements as the private sector.

Senator Skindell Calls for Timeout in Privatizing Lottery

Columbus – Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) today called for removing a provision from the state budget that would privatize the Ohio Lottery by June 1, 2012. Senator Skindell will submit an amendment this week to strip the Lottery privatization proposal from the Senate’s version of the budget.

“I have concerns about the timing and the manner by which this proposal was inserted in the budget,” said Senator Skindell, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. “Members of the General Assembly have not had sufficient time to determine if this is a good idea or simply a sweetheart deal for private companies that want to take over management of the Lottery.”

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported today that language included in the Senate’s version of the budget is nearly identical to legislation drafted by a company that hopes to take over day-to-day management of the Lottery. In addition, the Chairman of the Ohio Lottery Commission told the Plain Dealer he was not consulted about the proposed legislation.

“Any discussion about privatizing the Lottery should have full transparency and much greater scrutiny than this proposal has received so far,” said Senator Skindell.

Senator Skindell also pointed out that the most recent state audit praised the Lottery’s operations. Last year Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, in her previous role as State Auditor, determined the Ohio Lottery “performed well” and its management practices were consistent with other U.S. Lotteries.

Senator Kearney Walks from Cincinnati to Ohio Statehouse

State Senator Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) walked from Cincinnati to the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus for the 5th consecutive year. This year he walked to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes and the Sickle Cell Anemia Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Senate Democrats Submit Amendments to Restore Fairness and Accountability to State Budget

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus is submitting more than 300 amendments today to add much-needed fairness and accountability to House Bill 153, the proposed biennial state budget for fiscal years 2012-2013. The amendments reflect the Caucus’ commitment to protecting good-paying jobs, strengthening families and empowering communities.

“Our priority is to protect taxpayers and address some of the devastating cuts proposed by the Governor and House Republicans,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “We should not balance the budget on the backs of the vulnerable or local governments. Unfortunately, that’s what will happen if we don’t make considerable changes to the current budget plan.”

The budget amendments protect taxpayers by strengthening oversight and accountability for charter schools and by ensuring there are no “sweetheart deals” to sell state prisons or lease the Ohio Turnpike at less than fair market value.

The Senate Democratic Caucus has proposed restoring funding for PASSPORT and Help Me Grow—programs that provide vital healthcare and nutrition services for older and younger Ohioans. The list of amendments also includes the restoration of funding for public transportation, mental health/developmental disability programs and the Ohio Consumer’s Counsel.

“The Republican budget cuts are going to hurt too many Ohioans who desperately need our assistance,” said Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood), the Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee. “Our amendments will help Ohioans at a time when many of them have no where else to turn.”

The amendments utilize resources from a projected budget surplus for fiscal year 2011.

Senator Smith's Letter to the Cleveland Plain Dealer

I agree with the Plain Dealer that Ohioans should hold on to their wallets if Republicans succeed in carrying out an unwarranted attack on the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. The watchdog agency should be commended for protecting consumers, not muzzled and defunded.

Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander leads an agency that is a fierce advocate for Ohio’s utility customers. Since 1976, the agency has saved Ohioans more than $10 billion on their gas, electric, telephone and water bills

It doesn’t make sense to slash the Consumers’ Counsel’s budget by 51 percent when the agency is funded by fees on the utility companies, not tax dollars. And I don’t understand why Republicans want to impose a gag order to bar the Consumers’ Counsel from speaking out if natural-gas deregulation leads to higher prices. These issues must be addressed by the Ohio Senate.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I will be fighting to restore funding to the Consumers’ Counsel. I urge every Ohioan who supports lower utility bills to do the same.

Elections Legislation Press Conference

At a Statehouse news conference, Senate and House Democrats said if proposed changes to Ohio's election laws pass the General Assembly, voting in Ohio will become harder and more restrictive.

Senator Smith Introduces Legislation to Ban Texting While Driving Statewide

Cleveland – State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)announced that she has re-introduced legislation that creates a statewide ban on the dangerous habit of texting while driving.

“It is imperative that we move to prohibit this extremely dangerous behavior,” said Senator Smith. “Senate Bill 154 ensures that Ohio has a consistent, statewide law that addresses texting while driving. Drivers need to know that Ohio will not tolerate texting from behind the wheel. Ohio needs to take a strong stance on this issue, and I hope that Ohio policymakers understand the need for this legislation. I have long been an advocate on this issue, and I will continue to fight for the bill’s passage.”

Senator Smith noted that her last texting legislation, Senate Bill 164, had the full support of the Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and the public. A Quinnipiac University poll at that time revealed that 89 percent of Ohioans wanted a statewide bad on texting while driving.

“Cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo have already taken the lead in curbing this dangerous driving behavior. Thirty states and the District of Columbia have also instituted bans on texting while driving,” Senator Smith said. “There is no reason to delay passing a statewide law. Continued inaction on this issue will only result in an increasing number of accidents and deaths.”

We are Ohio Rally at Statehouse

Senator Cafaro Announces Loan to Create Jobs at Niles Business

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) announced today that the State Controlling Board approved a $750,000 Department of Development Research & Development Loan to NMC Metals in Niles, Ohio. The loan will be used to purchase new machinery and equipment.

“Awarding NMC Metals these funds is critical to the company’s growth as a successful Ohio business,” said Senator Cafaro. “This loan will create more high-tech and higher paying jobs for in the community.”

The R&D loan will help NMC create a technology center for research and product development. As a result of the technology center, 15 new, full-time technology jobs will be created. The loan will also help save 15 at-risk jobs in Niles. The company plans to offer internships at the new center to local engineering students.

“NMC has been a leader in its field for more than 50 years. The Research and Development loan program ensures that companies like NMC can continue to compete,” said Senator Cafaro.

NMC Metals was founded in 1960 to develop and manufacture expanded materials. Their products include expanded metal mesh, gratings, walkways, security fences and precision foil mesh. NMC also has engineering, research and product development departments.

The Controlling Board provides legislative oversight over certain capital and operating expenditures by state agencies and has approval authority over various other state fiscal activities.

Senator Turner Announces Loan to Create and Retain Jobs in Garfield Heights

Columbus –State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) announced today that the State Controlling Board approved a $500,000 Department of Development Innovation Ohio Loan to AxioMed Spine Corporation (ACS) in Garfield Heights, an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland. The loan will lead to the creation of six new jobs while retaining 25 existing jobs.

“I am pleased to learn of the state’s continuing commitment to promoting Northeast Ohio’s emerging medical technology field,” said Senator Turner. “This is yet another great example of the public and private sectors working together to produce a positive outcome for our communities.”

The loan will allow ACS to purchase production tooling, equipment and surgical instruments. The equipment will be used in the development of their new Freedom Lumbar Disc products, a total disc replacement for the lowest vertebrae.

“This is truly a win-win for everyone,” said Turner. “The investments will help create and retain jobs and assist ACS in developing and manufacturing products that will help improve the quality of life for chronic back pain sufferers.”

Founded in 2001, ACS’ mission is to develop products for patients who suffer from Degenerative Disc Disease. The Garfield Heights-based company is an emerging medical device company designing spine products to restore natural spine function through total disc replacement. The Department of Development’s funding represents 74 percent of the total investment.

The Controlling Board provides legislative oversight over certain capital and operating expenditures by state agencies and has approval authority over various other state fiscal activities.