Senator Smith - October E-Newsletter Available

Senator Shirley Smith's October E-Newsletter is now available to download online.

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Senator Nina Turner - 2009 Race for the Cure in Cleveland

This summer, Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Cleveland.

Senator Cafaro Applauds Effort to Revitalize Ohio's Auto Industry

Columbus — Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro is pleased with the recommendations contained in a report issued by the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. Senator Cafaro was a member of the bipartisan legislative committee that held five hearings throughout the state to meet with auto workers, manufacturers, dealers, suppliers, labor leaders and elected officials.

“The Committee took a close look at all aspects of the auto industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “After hearing compelling and sometimes emotional testimony, we came up with recommendations which I hope will help revitalize an important part of Ohio’s economy.”

The Committee’s final report incorporates Senator Cafaro’s recommendation that the General Assembly adopt a concurrent resolution to urge Congress to take up the issue of bankruptcy reform as it pertains to protecting pensions and health benefits.

“The situation facing Delphi retirees shows the urgent need for reform to ensure retirees receive the pensions they deserve after many years of hard work,” said Senator Cafaro. “This issue requires changes on the federal level and I hope Congress will take swift action to protect workers when companies restructure their pension funds.”

The Committee’s report also makes the following recommendations:

*Designate an Auto Development Director within the Ohio Department of Development to streamline regulations and serve as a central point of contact for the auto industry.

*Restructure Ohio’s Job Retention Tax Credit and Job Creation Tax Credit so they are refundable and available to smaller suppliers.

*Retool worker training programs to allow more flexibility and better partnerships with development programs.

*Update Ohio’s motor vehicle dealership laws.

The automotive industry touches every corner of the state accounting for 20% of all manufacturing activity in Ohio. Automotive related manufacturing businesses can be found in 76 of 88 counties.

Statement from Senator Cafaro on SB 318

Columbus– Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) today released the following statement regarding passage of HB 318 in the Ohio House of Representatives.

“Now that Speaker Budish and the Ohio House of Representatives have passed Governor Strickland’s plan to ensure stable funding for Ohio schools, we look forward to the bill coming to the Senate. The Senate Democratic Caucus is united in support for HB 318. We hope the current version of the bill will have speedy passage in the Senate.”

Senator Turner Testifies for Legislation to Improve Our Schools

COLUMBUS – State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) gave sponsor testimony for two bills she introduced in the 128th General Assembly to lower dropout rates and improve school security.

Senator Turner’s Senate Bill 102 would require the State Board of Education to recommend performance standards for dropout prevention and recovery programs operated by school districts. The goal is to identify the most successful dropout programs so they can be duplicated across the state. A recent report showed that non-graduates in Columbus and Cleveland earn less than half the annual income when compared to their peers with diplomas.

“We must be relentless in our efforts to develop an education system where earning a diploma that prepares one for college and a career is the expectation, and where dropping out becomes a rare exception,” said Senator Turner.

Senator Turner also testified in front of the Senate Education Committee on behalf of SB 122. The bill authorizes school districts and educational service centers to employ public high school law enforcement officers and grant them arrest powers.

“Besides protecting our schools, this bill could also foster healthy relationships between youth in the community and law enforcement officers,” said Senator Turner. “Hopefully through these positive interactions, students will begin to see law enforcement officers as a resource and an ally.”

This legislation allows high schools to hire their own law enforcement officers, reducing the burden on local law enforcement agencies to provide security. Every high school law enforcement officer must successfully complete an approved peace officer basic training program, provide a surety bond and not have a felony conviction.

Senator Smith Featured on Cleveland's Fox8 - No Texting While Driving

Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) was recently featured on Fox8 Cleveland, discussing her No Texting While Driving legislation.

To view the article and video, click here.

Senator Joe Schiavoni - October E-Newsletter II

Senator Joe Schiavoni's second October newsletter is now available online.

To download, click here.

(Adobe Acrobat required. To get it, click here.)

2009 Senate Democratic Staff Reunion Lunch - The North Market

Photos from the 2009 Senate Democratic reunion lunch are available online!

To view them, click here.

Senator Smith Delivers Sponsor Testimony on Bill to Ban Texting While Driving

COLUMBUS – Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) delivered sponsor testimony today on Senate Bill 164 to ban text messaging while driving in the State of Ohio. Currently, 18 states have passed similar legislation.

“Multitasking behind the wheel is dangerous,” said Senator Smith to the Senate Committee on Highways and Transportation. “Because this practice is becoming more commonplace and is a growing danger on the roads, I believe that the Ohio Senate should move swiftly to join the growing number of city councils, legislatures, and federal officials who want to address the spread of this serious driving distraction.”



Senate Bill 164 does the following:

1. Bans persons from text messaging on any “mobile communication device” while driving a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, street car in any street, highway property that is for public vehicular use.
2. The original version of SB 164 calls for text messaging while driving to be a secondary offense. After discussions with safety experts, the bill will be amended to make it a primary offense.
3. First-time offenders will be fined $200, second-time offenders $500. Each additional offense will warrant 100 hours of supervised community service work. Senator Smith welcomes discussion on adjusting these penalties.
4. This legislation guarantees that an offender who is involved in an accident at the time of text messaging while driving will stand trial.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, approximately 6,000 deaths and more than a half a million injuries were attributed to distracted driving in 2008.

“I hope Ohio acts promptly to join the other 18 states and the District of Columbia that have banned text messaging while driving, to make it clear that texting while driving is not welcomed in Ohio,” concluded Senator Smith.

To view Senate Bill 164 as introduced, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_164

Senator Joe Schiavoni - October E-Newsletter

Senator Joe Schiavoni's October E-Newsletter is now available to download online.

Click here.

Adobe Acrobat required (to get it, click here)

Senator Jason Wilson Talks About Small Businesses on Ohio in Focus

State Senator Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) discusses small businesses and economic development on Ohio in Focus. Senator Wilson is one of only a few small business owners in Ohio's General Assembly.

Senator Ray Miller Holds Family Stability Conference

Senator Ray Miller (D-Columbus) held a Family Stability Conference in Columbus to help come up with solutions to the problems of poverty, divorce, domestic violence and other family issues.

Senator Cafaro Speaks at United Nations on International Day of Older Persons

COLUMBUS – Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) delivered a speech today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on the International Day of Older Persons. Senator Cafaro addressed UN ambassadors and their colleagues about advocacy and activism on behalf of older persons.

“As a member of the Ohio General Assembly, I am working hard to promote public policy that will protect Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens while providing them with the means to maintain their current standards of living,” Senator Cafaro said to an audience at the UN.

The event, Aging Activism: A Global Tool to Create a Society for All Ages, featured talks by aging activists from around the world and a cross section of the world’s policy makers. The mission of the occasion was to develop strategies to move closer to a global society that “embraces all ages.”

Having participated in United Nations programs as a student, Senator Cafaro said of her visit to the UN Headquarters, “It was an honor to have taken part in this once in a lifetime experience. At the UN, I was privileged to speak about the issues that I am most passionate about as a State legislator, to an audience of global scale.”

Demographics show that 700 million of the world’s population of 6.7 billion people is over the age of 60, and that number is expected to triple within the next few decades. The goal of the International Day of Older Persons is to make certain that attention is paid to ensuring the rights of older persons within the context of global change – economically, technologically, and environmentally.

For more information on Aging Activism, visit:
http://ngocoa-ny.org/events/program_outline.html

Senator Teresa Fedor Discusses Senate Bill 176, the Prevention First Act.

Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) discusses Senate Bill 176, the Prevention First Act.

Senator Schiavoni’s Property Transfer Bill Gains Approval of Civil Justice Committee

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice Committee passed Senate Bill 124 this week. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Schiavoni, will make it easier for Ohioans to transfer property upon death.

Senate Bill 124, co-sponsored by Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina), changes the transfer of death designation instrument from a deed to an affidavit. The bill also allows an individual who owns real property or any interest in real property as a survivorship tenant to execute a transfer on death designation affidavit.

“This bill simplifies a current, complex law,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Plain and simple: it makes it easier for the average person to transfer property upon death.”

This marks the first bill Senator Schiavoni has introduced to pass committee less than 10 months into his tenure as a State Senator. Senator Schiavoni was appointed to the Senate in January, 2009.