Senator Skindell Earns Key Committee Assignments

Columbus – This week State Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) was appointed to several key committees by Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, including being named as Ranking Member on the important Senate Finance Committee.

"I am truly honored by this appointment and grateful for the confidence Senator Cafaro and my Democratic colleagues have placed in me," Senator Skindell said.

In addition, Senator Skindell will serve on the Financial Institutions, Judiciary-Civil, and Ways and Means Committees.

Senator Skindell previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2003 to 2010. In the House, he spent six years on the House Finance Committee and three of those years as the Ranking Member.

“Senator Skindell brings a tremendous amount of expertise to these committees. Considering the budgetary challenges the State of Ohio faces, we are fortunate to have his experience serving us on the Finance Committee,” stated Leader Cafaro.

The Senate Finance Committee will play a major role in determining the State of Ohio’s biennial budget, including filling a projected $8 billion deficit.

Senator Sawyer Named Ranking Member of Education Committee

Columbus- State Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) is pleased to announce that he has received his committee assignments for the 129th General Assembly, including his appointment as the Ranking Member of the Education Committee.

A former educator, Ohio State Board of Education member, and member of the Education Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Sawyer brings over 40 years of experience to the Senate Education Committee.

In addition, Senator Sawyer will return to the Energy and Public Utilities Committee and Finance Committee. He is newly appointed to the Insurance, Labor and Commerce Committee, and also was named to the State of Ohio Controlling Board and the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission.

Upon hearing of his appointments, Senator Sawyer said, “I am looking forward to continuing my work on the Education Committee, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and the Finance Committee; and I am very excited to begin work on the Insurance, Labor and Commerce Committee.”

Senator Brown Announces Committee Assignments

Columbus – Committee assignments were released today for the Ohio Senate. State Senator Edna Brown (D-Toledo) received six total assignments, including being selected for the position of Ranking Minority Member of the Health, Human Services & Aging Committee.

“It is an honor to continue the work that I’ve previously done in the area of human services, and I’m happy to serve as the Ranking Member for the committee.” Senator Brown said. “Serving on six committees is a heavy workload, and I look forward to the challenges it may present.”

Senator Brown’s full committee list is as follows:

· Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources

· Financial Institutions

· Health, Human Services & Aging (Ranking Member)

· Insurance, Commerce & Labor

· Rules & Reference

· State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs


In the 128th General Assembly, when Senator Brown was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, she served as the Chair for the Health & Human Services Subcommittee of the Finance & Appropriations Committee.

Committees are expected to begin meeting next week.

Rejection of Strickland Appointments is Unconstitutional

Columbus – The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus filed a formal protest today after the Senate’s unconstitutional rejection of Governor Ted Strickland’s appointments to various boards and commissions. The appointments included highly qualified Ohioans of both political parties who were appointed to serve on the State Board of Education and the Ohio Lottery Commission.

“This is another disappointing example of partisan politics in the Ohio Senate,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard). “Many of the appointees have already proven themselves to be outstanding public servants. It’s a shame they will not be able to continue their service to this state.”

Former Governor Strickland made the 14 appointments after the Senate majority took the unprecedented action of rejecting 78 appointees in December without regard to qualifications or experience. Three of the latest appointees—Robert Boggs, Rhine McLin and Kimberly Zurz—have previously served with distinction in the Ohio Senate as well as other positions in state and local government.

“It is time for the Senate to re-examine the confirmation process so all appointees are treated fairly,” said Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland). “What the Senate did today was tell Ohioans they need not apply for public service if they are appointed by a governor affiliated with the wrong political party.”

Governor Strickland submitted the 14 appointments on December 21, 2010, which is one day before the final ten days of the 128th General Assembly (which is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate, not just the Senate.) Because the Senate failed to act on the appointments in a timely manner, today’s vote to reject the appointments is unconstitutional. The protest by the Senate Democratic Caucus makes the following point:

“We believe that pursuant to Article III, Section 21 of the Ohio Constitution, that the Senate has already consented to the confirmations of the 14 appointees to various boards and commissions by failing to act before the 128th General Assembly adjourned sine die.”

“Today’s vote by the Senate majority raises serious constitutional questions,” said Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati). “I am also concerned that outstanding people were rejected without the opportunity to properly evaluate their qualifications.”

The Senate Democratic Caucus’ protest will become part of the official Senate Journal.

Senator Cafaro Comments on Opening of 129th General Assembly

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro issued the following statement after the opening day of the 129th General Assembly, during which she was re-elected Minority Leader:

“I look forward to working with President Tom Niehaus and my colleagues in the Ohio Senate as we tackle the challenges facing our great state over the next two years. I am also honored to continue serving as Minority Leader in the 129th General Assembly.

“This General Assembly faces many challenges, not the least of which is balancing our next budget. But, I believe adversity leads to opportunity. Because of the size of the challenge before us, we must as Abraham Lincoln said “think anew and act anew.” Working together we have the opportunity to address long-standing issues that have been left unresolved by previous General Assemblies.

“Three and a half million Ohioans live in districts represented by Senate Democrats. My Caucus is honored to have the privilege and the responsibility to make sure their voices are heard in this chamber. While we are not the majority party, we are equally committed to representing our constituents. We will not hesitate in standing up for our principles and doing what is best for the people of Ohio.”

Teresa Fedor Presents the 2nd Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse

Awareness Day

Senator Joe Schiavoni - E-Newsletter Available

State Senator Joe Schiavoni's December 2010 E-Newsletter is available online to view and download.

To download, a free copy of Adobe Reader is required. Click here to get Adobe Reader.

Schiavoni - Dec 2010 ENews

Ohio Senate Should Confirm Appointments Based on Qualifications Not Partisan Politics

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) issued the following statement today urging the Ohio Senate to confirm Governor Ted Strickland’s appointments when the Senate convenes on Tuesday, December 21st:

“Many of Governor Ted Strickland’s pending appointments to boards and commissions have been languishing for months in the Ohio Senate. Now, in the waning days of the 128th General Assembly, it appears likely that some of these highly qualified appointees will be rejected because the Governor-elect wants the power to make appointments even before taking the oath of office.

“The Senate confirmed nearly 200 appointments made by outgoing Governor Bob Taft during lame duck session in 2006 without regard to the wishes of then Governor-elect Ted Strickland. The last minute confirmations included key appointments to the State Board of Education and the Third Frontier Commission.

“I am deeply troubled that the Ohio Senate is prepared to reject Ohioans who have served this state with honor and distinction. We must do all we can to maintain public trust through an appointment process that is based on qualifications and experience, not partisan politics and chicanery.”

Senator Turner Concerned by Apparent Politicizing of Confirmation Process

Columbus –State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) expressed great disappointment today that a Republican Senator has acknowledged campaign politics were involved in the Senate’s rejection of Cathy Collins-Taylor as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Last May the Senate voted not to confirm Collins-Taylor after an unfavorable recommendation from the Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee. All the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus supported her confirmation.

The chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee, Senator Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland), said in a letter this week that he “…worked hard to facilitate John Kasich’s election,” and “…[the investigation] had a detrimental impact on Governor Strickland’s re-election effort.” The hearings were supposed to gather information about a drug sting operation at the Governor’s mansion but turned into an attack on the administration and on Collins-Taylor’s honesty and integrity.

“It’s scary to think someone’s outstanding law enforcement career would be destroyed for purely political reasons,” said Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), the ranking member of the Criminal Justice Committee. “We said all along that Cathy Collins-Taylor did not get a fair hearing and this confirms it. This entire episode was shameful and not in the best interest of the people of Ohio. ”

Witnesses who would have supported Collins-Taylor were never called to testify and very little time was spent discussing her qualifications for the job. The following statement is part of an official journal protest filed by Senate Democrats on May 25, 2010 (page 2739):

“…we want to protest what we perceive as the politicizing of the confirmation process. We believe that the public perception will be that the Ohio Senate has wasted time and taxpayer dollars at the tail end of this Great Recession to focus on what resembles to be a political smear campaign…”

“As the Senate prepares to hold more confirmation votes on Governor Strickland’s latest appointments, it is my hope that no more highly qualified candidates are rejected for political reasons,” said Senator Turner. “Ohioans are tired of political maneuvering. It is time for us to cease and desist and focus on dealing with the challenges our state faces.”

Ohio Senate Passes Senator Fedor’s Human Trafficking Legislation

Senate Bill 235 goes to House of Representatives

Columbus – State Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) is pleased to announce that the Ohio Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 235 today. The bill, jointly sponsored by Senators Fedor and Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland), makes Human Trafficking a stand-alone felony in Ohio.

“Today’s victory is the result of five years of work,” Senator Fedor said. “In 2005, we were first awakened to the width and breadth of human trafficking in Ohio when more than 30 minors from Toledo were caught in a prostitution ring.

“For years, we as legislators have worked with key people from across the State to gather data, identify sources of the problem and to draft legislation to combat it.”

Milestones in Senator Fedor’s fight against Human Trafficking:

• During the 127th General Assembly, Senator Fedor introduced Senate Bill 205, increasing the penalty for crimes that include trafficking in persons. Senate Bill 205 was amended into House Bill 280, which was signed into law by Governor Ted Strickland in January, 2009
  
  
• The Trafficking in Persons Study Commission was created through the 2009 legislation described above.
  
  
• In November, 2010, over one hundred supporters of Senate Bill 235 gathered at the Ohio Statehouse for Senator Fedor’s Human Trafficking Advocacy Day. Advocates visited the offices of Ohio Legislators urging their support for the bill.
  

In Senate session today, advocates of Senate Bill 235 wore buttons designed by Senator Fedor’s staff to show their support for the legislation.

“Freedom from slavery is a fundamental human right, recognized worldwide,” Alex Kreidenweis, Chairman of the Ohio Abolitionist Coalition, said today after session. “Unfortunately, it is a human right that is violated across the world, and Ohio is no exception. Attaining a slave-free world requires intelligent policy action like Senate Bill 235. Forty-four other states have enacted strong laws concerning human trafficking, and now Ohio has done the same.”

On January 11, 2011, Senator Teresa Fedor will hold a Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse. Details of the event will be released by her office at a later date.

“The struggle is not yet over,” Senator Fedor said. “There is much left to do in the fight against Human Trafficking.”

*Watch video of Senator Fedor speaking to SB 235 here:

http://www.ohiochannel.org/MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=128202&startTime=529

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.

Senator Morano Announces State Grant to Help Create Jobs

Columbus – State Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) is pleased to announce the Ohio Controlling Board has approved an $11,000 Rapid Outreach Grant for U.S. Refractory Products of North Ridgeville. The grant will help U.S. Refractory Products finance the acquisition of new machinery and equipment which the company says will lead to the creation of 40 new full-time jobs.

“This is an example of how we can continue to create jobs with just a small investment of public resources,” said Senator Morano. “I am pleased that one of our local companies has made a commitment to grow in our community. This is another positive step for Lorain County as we continue to rebound from this global recession.”

U.S. Refractory Products designs and manufactures heat resistant products used in the steel making and metals industries.

The Ohio 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 Nina Turner's October E-Newsletter

e News Oct2010

Senator Turner Encourages More Review of Foreclosure Procedures

Columbus – State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) today called for closer scrutiny of the foreclosure actions of JP Morgan Chase, GMAC Mortgage and other large loan servicers. Senator Turner outlined her concerns in a letter to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.

“I applaud Attorney General Corday for encouraging state courts to carefully review all foreclosure filings made by GMAC Mortgage after recent reports of questionable affidavit procedures,” said Senator Turner. “I have asked the Attorney General to expand his request to include JP Morgan Chase because of similar questionable procedures.”

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that employees of GMAC and JP Morgan Chase may have signed foreclosure affidavits without personally verifying the files as required by law. As a result, the lenders have temporarily suspended many foreclosure proceedings.

“We must do all we can to ensure that Ohio’s homeowners are treated fairly and that our state’s laws are being respected,” said Senator Turner.

Senator Turner also called on state legislators to pass foreclosure legislation when they return to Columbus this fall. “Keeping families in their homes is not only in the best interest of homeowners, but also government, mortgage providers and society at large,” said Senator Turner.

So far, the Ohio Senate has failed to pass a foreclosure bill in the 128th General Assembly. Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Senator Dale Miller (D-Cleveland), and two foreclosure bills (HB 3 and HB 9) passed by the House of Representatives have yet to be voted on by the Senate.