Senator Cafaro Announces Clean Ohio Funds for Ashtabula

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) announced today that the State Controlling Board approved the release of $263,131 in Clean Ohio Assistance to the city of Ashtabula. The funds will be used for a Phase II Environmental Assessment and clean up on the Tannery Hill Property.

“I am excited to see this area of land being revitalized and put to new use,” said Senator Cafaro.

After the assessment, the city would like to transform the property into a large city-owned outdoor recreational area. The site would include a seasonal farmer’s market, pavilion and parking area. The project will create more areas for fishing and maintain a bait and tackle shop.

“This project is an excellent opportunity to enhance green space in Ashtabula,” said Senator Cafaro. “Not only will we increase local tourism, but we’ll also be able to provide more families with locally grown produce.

The Tannery Hill property totals 10.53 acres northeast of downtown Ashtabula and is adjacent to the Ashtabula River. The Phase II Assessment would include the installation on 95 soil borings, 16 shallow monitoring wells and one deep monitoring well.

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 Kearney Comments on President Obama’s Visit to Cincinnati

Columbus - State Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) issued the following statement today after President Obama visited Cincinnati’s Brent Spence Bridge to urge support for the American Jobs Act:

“I’m pleased that President Obama came to Cincinnati to call for an end to the partisan gridlock in Washington so that we can focus on what should be our top priority, which is putting Americans back to work.

Passing the American Jobs Act is the first step to ensuring that projects like the Brent Spence Bridge get the repairs they need while creating vital jobs for our economy. The American Jobs Act is based on bipartisan ideas that will create jobs now and put more money in the pockets of working and middle class Americans. It will also cut taxes for small businesses that are so vital to the economic growth of Cincinnati and the entire nation.

The Brent Spence Bridge is one of the most frequently used trucking routes in America, yet it needs several significant repairs to remain reliable and safe. Thousands of people use the bridge to travel through Ohio everyday. Having sound transportation infrastructure will ensure that Cincinnati remains a great place to do business.”

Senator Kearney represents Cincinnati, Norwood, Deer Park, Silverton, Springfield Township, Golf Manor, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Cheviot, Addyston, North Bend, Columbia Township and Cleves.

Senator Sawyer Introduces Bill for Alternative Redistricting Plan

Columbus – State Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) today introduced legislation (SB 225) calling for a more balanced approach to congressional redistricting that better maintains communities of interest and increases the number of competitive districts in Ohio. The map was one of the top entries in a non-partisan competition sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and other citizen groups.

“The map drawn by Republicans (HB 319) represents a new extreme in gerrymandering for the state of Ohio,” said Senator Sawyer. “My legislation illustrates how it is possible to draw a fairer map that uses the same data and follows the law.”

The map contained in Senator Sawyer’s legislation was drawn by Republican State Representative Mike Fortner of Illinois. The map maintains communities of interest, promotes competitiveness and complies with the Voting Rights Act. It also does the following:

• Keeps 79 of Ohio’s 88 counties in single congressional districts.
• Creates competitive races in 11 of 16 congressional districts, compared to just two in the Republican plan.
• Gives Cuyahoga, Franklin and Hamilton counties entire districts within their boundaries.

Senator Sawyer is not endorsing Mr. Fortner’s plan specifically, but rather the more balanced approach it represents. This approach, based on public input, promotes fairness and inclusion instead of the narrow self interest of one political party.

“Mr. Fortner’s map may not be perfect, but its light years head of House Bill 319,” said Senator Sawyer. “I hope my legislation will lead to a thorough conversation about the supercharged partisanship that has over taken our current redistricting process.”

Senator Turner on the "Ed Show" on MSNBC

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Senator Sawyer Introduces Legislation to Close Under-performing Schools

Columbus – State Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) recently introduced Senate Bill 219, which would repeal the provision of current law exempting a community school from the requirement to permanently close for poor academic performance.

“I am open to the idea of effective drop out prevention programs; and I recognize the challenges that many students face, especially those that may have once dropped out of school,” said Senator Sawyer. “Although I understand that these students may need special treatment, ignoring chronic failure of charter school programs does not serve these kids well and only turns a blind eye to the program’s underperformance.”

Senator Sawyer’s legislation is an effort to close remaining loopholes that charter schools have from the closure provisions. More than 25 percent of charter schools in Ohio are exempt from closure under the dropout recovery waiver regardless of performance.

Currently, 45 percent of Ohio’s charter schools are in academic emergency or academic watch. But charter schools are able to opt out of closure if a majority of its students are enrolled in a drop out prevention and recovery program and if they are granted a waiver by the Department of Education.

Senator Sawyer serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Education Committee.

Senator Skindell's News Conference calling for Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing

State Senator Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) has introduced two bills in an effort to protect Ohioans from the hazards associated with the use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing, a method used in the oil and gas drilling process.

Senator Skindell Comments on Prison Sale

Columbus – State Senator Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement today after the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced the State of Ohio will be selling one prison instead of five:

“Fortunately the taxpayers of Ohio received a temporary reprieve from the sale of more valuable state assets. The fact that the Kasich administration found a buyer for only one state prison shows they greatly overestimated the potential cost savings from privatization.

“Today’s announcement is further proof that Ohio’s state-run prisons are already being operated efficiently and effectively, thanks in no small part to the hard work of the employees of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. If that wasn’t the case, DRC would have been able to find more private companies willing to purchase Ohio prisons with the stipulation they cut operating costs by at least 5%.”

Senator Turner to Introduce Bill Requiring General Assembly Members to Take Drug Tests

Columbus –State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) will soon introduce legislation that will require members of the Ohio General Assembly to be randomly drug tested once a year in order to receive their pay.

“If we are going to be sincere in preventing individuals from obtaining public funds while also using illegal drugs, then we should start with the people who have the greatest impact on state dollars, politicians,” said Senator Turner.

The legislation would require drug testing of all General Assembly members once a year, but the drug tests will be administered on a random basis. Legislators would pay for the drug testing first and then they would be reimbursed for the cost of the test once a negative test result is received. A refusal to submit to drug testing would result in the forfeiture of the politicians pay.

“As members of the General Assembly we have a great deal of responsibility. Millions of tax payer dollars are spent based on legislation that we pass. Elected officials should be held to same level of accountability as a single mother receiving food stamps,” said Senator Turner. “If we want to ‘protect’ the tax payers investments, then what we ask of our citizens shouldn’t be different from what we ask from our politicians.”

If the elected official tests positive for illegal drug use, then they would be automatically enrolled into the Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) through the state of Ohio. The elected official will forfeit their pay check and will not be compensated for future service until they have undergone drug treatment through EAP and have tested negative for illegal drugs 30 days after the original positive test.

Lawsuit Filed Against JobsOhio

Senator Michael Skindell speaks at a news conference to announce a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of JobsOhio.

Senator Smith August 2011 E-Newsletter

Smith August 2011 E-newsletter

Senator Tavares Attends 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit

Columbus – State Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D–Columbus) recently attended the National Conference of State Legislators’ (NCSL) 2011 Legislative Summit. Senator Tavares attended the conference as a member of the Health Committee. She was appointed to the committee by Senate President Tom Niehaus earlier this year.

“Serving on a national committee is critical to broadening my perspective on issues that Ohio and other states around the country are experiencing,” said Senator Tavares. “This is an opportunity to develop solutions along with my colleagues from across the nation.”

During the Summit, members of the Health Committee held discussions focusing on Medicaid reform and funding, healthcare workforce development and streamlining financing for Medicare and Medicaid. As a result, Senator Tavares will be working on legislation to address healthcare workforce shortages with our federally qualified heath centers.

Senator Tavares also participated in the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network. Senator Tavares will be working on to address women’s health issues and women serving in the military.

“Women comprise 20 percent of our U.S. Military and they have unique issues and problems,” said Senator Tavares. “Colonel Kimberly Olson of Grace After Fire indicated that targeted resources are needed to ensure that female soldiers and veterans’ needs are addressed. Unfortunately, many times resources are not used to address challenges that these women face.”

The Legislative Summit was held from August 8 through August 10, 2011. The Summit’s primary goal was to provide solutions to pertinent state-level legislative issues. The NCSL Summit included 12 committees, more than 150 sessions, and 36 nationally renowned speakers. The summit has been described as “the largest and most important meeting of the year for legislators and legislative staff”.

News Update on Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus

Senator Sawyer Announces Funds for University of Akron and Wingfoot Lake

Columbus – Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) is pleased to announce the State Controlling Board today approved the release of $175,000 to the Department of Natural Resources from the Trust for Public Land. The Funds will be used to purchase the final 20 acres at the Goodyear Wingfoot Lake property.

“Goodyear Wingfoot Lake has played an historic role in the lives of many Goodyear employees over the years. Goodyear’s efforts to make the land publicly available to people of northeast Ohio started in 2009,” said Senator Sawyer. “This is the final step in a series of steps that the company began and the state is finishing in making this land a recreational asset for thousands of people in northeast Ohio.”

The property includes shoreline, wood lots and open areas. It also hosts various waterfowl, fish populations and bald eagles. The Department of Natural Resources hopes to protect critical habitats and increase fishing opportunities with the land acquisition. Currently, Summit, Cuyahoga and Stark counties all rank in the top ten counties in Ohio for hunting and fishing license sales.

The State Controlling Board today also approved the release of $1.4 million to the University of Akron. The funds will be used to purchase 2.4 acres from Interstate Brands Corporation for campus development.

“This new land acquisition is essential to the educational development of the University of Akron,” said Senator Sawyer. “Located in the central area of campus, the land will help the university in its long-term development plans.”

The property will house grounds maintenance, vehicle and equipment storage. The land was most recently used for production, distribution and retail of Wonder Bread and Hostess products. The purchase of the land will not increase tuition or scholarship funding for students.

The State 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 Sawyer serves as the only Democratic Senator on the board.

Senator Cafaro to Introduce Caylee's Law in Ohio Senate

Columbus – Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) announced today that she is drafting legislation to make it a felony crime if parents, guardians or caregivers fail to report to law enforcement the death or disappearance of a child in a timely manner.

The legislation is named after Caylee Anthony, the two year old Florida girl whose death gained national attention. Caylee’s grandparents used to live in Trumbull County which is part of Senator Cafaro’s Senate District.

“Like many Americans I followed the investigation into Caylee’s death very closely,” said Senator Cafaro. “Her family’s connection to the Mahoning Valley made it feel even more personal to me and many of my constituents. It is my hope that this terrible tragedy will lead to changes in our laws that will prevent a similar situation from happening in Ohio.”

Senator Cafaro’s legislation will include the following provisions when it is drafted by the Legislative Service Commission:

• Must report the death of a child (up to the age of 17) within one hour upon learning of the death.
• Must report the disappearance of child age 12 and under within 24 hours and within 48 hours for a child age 13-17.
• Define caregiver as any adult responsible for the welfare of a child including a babysitter, friend or relative.
• Increase the penalty for giving false information to a police officer from a first degree misdemeanor to a low level felony.

Senator Cafaro has submitted a co-sponsor request to her colleagues in the Ohio Senate with the goal of building wide bipartisan support for this child protection legislation.

Senator Cafaro's Column for Ashtabula Star Beacon

There is nothing more fundamental in a democracy than the right to vote. Of all governmental functions, the ability to carry out fair and open elections should be paramount. Unfortunately, the Republican controlled Senate just passed legislation that will make it more difficult for Ohioans to vote.

The legislation, known as House Bill 194, drastically cuts early voting from 35 to just ten days. HB 194 also prohibits early voting on Sundays and limits weekend voting to just one Saturday. This will hurt hard working Ohioans who need the flexibility to vote around their work schedules.

Just as troubling is a provision in the legislation that drops the requirement for poll workers to assist voters in finding the correct precinct and another that throws out ballots even where the voter’s choice is abundantly clear.

The timeframe for mail-in absentee voting has also been shortened. All these changes will lead to unnecessary confusion when Ohioans next go to the polls, especially when you consider we overhauled our voting procedures just five years ago.

The General Assembly should focus its efforts on encouraging more Ohioans to participate in our democracy by making it easier to vote. HB 194 is a giant step backward.