COLUMBUS – Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) and Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) today called on the Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee to comply with a request of the Office of the Inspector General and delay hearing testimony from witnesses. The Inspector General said he needed until April 9th to complete interviews and review records regarding the Highway Patrol.
Unfortunately, the committee’s chairman rejected the request. As a result, the three Democratic members of the committee declined to participate in a hearing that could interfere with the Inspector General’s investigation.
“The Democratic members of the committee feel very strongly that we should respect the office of the Inspector General,” said Senator Turner, the ranking member on the committee. “The committee should have complied with the request to delay taking further testimony.”
“There is precedent in the Senate to delay hearings at the request of the Inspector General,” said Senator Smith, the Assistant Minority Leader. “The committee should have followed the same policy in this case to avoid anything that could hinder the Inspector General’s investigation.”
In September 2009, the Senate Government Oversight Committee scheduled a hearing to collect testimony regarding procedures at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The hearing was postponed at the request of the Inspector General while he conducted a similar investigation.
“We have time to take testimony from witnesses after the Inspector General has completed his work,” said Senator Schiavoni. “What’s the rush?”
During today’s hearing, the committee chairman also violated Senate procedure in refusing to recognize a point of order made by Senator Turner.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Senator Shirley Smith - March 2010 E-Newsletter Available
Senator Shirley Smith's March 2010 E-Newsletter is now available online.
To download, click here.
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required. To download, click here.)
Senator Joe Schiavoni - March 2010 E-Newsletter
Senator Joe Schiavoni's March 2010 E- Newsletter is now available online.
To download, click here.
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required. To download, click here.)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Senator Sawyer - March 2010 E-Newsletter Available
Senator Tom Sawyer's March 2010 E-Newsletter is now available online.
To download, click here.
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader require. To download, click here.)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Senator Smith Introduces Legislation to Close Loopholes in Tier III Sex Offender Notification
Columbus - State Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) introduced legislation that closes two loopholes in Ohio’s Tier III sex offender notification laws today. The bill has bipartisan cosponsorship, and it is supported by Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.
“The discovery of bodies in Anthony Sowell’s home in Cleveland prompted me to seriously study Ohio’s laws about sex offender notification,” Senator Smith explained. “I discovered two problems. The first problem let Sowell continue living in his home without the community being notified about his Tier III sex offender status. The second discrepancy would have given Sowell some impunity if he had decided to move.”
Senator Smith’s legislation requires sheriffs to check each Tier III sex offender’s files to verify that notification has been sent. If notification has not been sent, the bill mandates that sheriffs do so. The legislation also eliminates a section of the Revised Code that potentially excludes reclassified Tier III sex offenders from current notification law.
In 2007, Ohio became the first and only state to comply with the federal Adam Walsh Act, which requires states to implement a three-tier classification system for sex offenders. All registered sex offenders were re-classified according to this new system on January 1, 2008. Ohio law requires county sheriffs to issue notification to communities, victims, and certain other entities when a Tier III sex offender relocates to their neighborhood.
Sowell, who was originally classified as a low-level sex offender, was reclassified as the most serious type in the new system, a Tier III sex offender, for his 1989 conviction of attempted rape. He did not change residence after reclassification, so no notification was required to be sent to the community about his new Tier III status. Additionally, other language in the Ohio Revised Code could have prevented sheriffs from sending community notice if the sex offender was not subject to the state’s old notification laws.
“Like all sexually oriented offenders, Tier III offenders are currently required to register their home addresses with their sheriff’s office every 90 days, but sheriffs are only required to notify the community the first time a Tier III sex offender registers. So, after 90 days of enactment of this bill, communities that were not initially notified about resident Tier III sex offenders in their neighborhood will learn about the offenders’ presence,” Senator Smith explained. “Bipartisan support for this bill shows the seriousness of closing these loopholes. Other states need to consider our experience when they change their own sex offender notification laws.”
“The discovery of bodies in Anthony Sowell’s home in Cleveland prompted me to seriously study Ohio’s laws about sex offender notification,” Senator Smith explained. “I discovered two problems. The first problem let Sowell continue living in his home without the community being notified about his Tier III sex offender status. The second discrepancy would have given Sowell some impunity if he had decided to move.”
Senator Smith’s legislation requires sheriffs to check each Tier III sex offender’s files to verify that notification has been sent. If notification has not been sent, the bill mandates that sheriffs do so. The legislation also eliminates a section of the Revised Code that potentially excludes reclassified Tier III sex offenders from current notification law.
In 2007, Ohio became the first and only state to comply with the federal Adam Walsh Act, which requires states to implement a three-tier classification system for sex offenders. All registered sex offenders were re-classified according to this new system on January 1, 2008. Ohio law requires county sheriffs to issue notification to communities, victims, and certain other entities when a Tier III sex offender relocates to their neighborhood.
Sowell, who was originally classified as a low-level sex offender, was reclassified as the most serious type in the new system, a Tier III sex offender, for his 1989 conviction of attempted rape. He did not change residence after reclassification, so no notification was required to be sent to the community about his new Tier III status. Additionally, other language in the Ohio Revised Code could have prevented sheriffs from sending community notice if the sex offender was not subject to the state’s old notification laws.
“Like all sexually oriented offenders, Tier III offenders are currently required to register their home addresses with their sheriff’s office every 90 days, but sheriffs are only required to notify the community the first time a Tier III sex offender registers. So, after 90 days of enactment of this bill, communities that were not initially notified about resident Tier III sex offenders in their neighborhood will learn about the offenders’ presence,” Senator Smith explained. “Bipartisan support for this bill shows the seriousness of closing these loopholes. Other states need to consider our experience when they change their own sex offender notification laws.”
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Senator Eric Kearney Honors Big East Football Champs: The UC Bearcats
Senator Eric Kearney honored the UC Bearcats Football Team in the Ohio Senate for their record-breaking season today. The Bearcats' finished the season 12-0, taking them to the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Watch here:
Watch here:
Monday, March 1, 2010
Governor Signs Senator Cafaro's Biobased Products Bill
Columbus – Governor Ted Strickland today signed into law Senate Bill 131, a bill jointly sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin). The legislation encourages the use of biobased products by state agencies, colleges and universities.
“I am proud that we were able to work together on a bipartisan basis to promote Ohio’s growing biobased products industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “Ohio is uniquely positioned to be a leader in this field thanks to the research and development programs at our state universities and our strong agricultural and industrial base.”
SB 131 requires the Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products. In order to qualify for this program, the biobased products must be comparable in cost and quality to traditional petroleum-based products.
Bio-technology converts corn, soybeans and other plants into products that range from lip balm to paint and textiles. Goodyear, Proctor & Gamble and Sherwin Williams are just a few of the Ohio companies involved in developing and producing biobased products.
“I believe biobased products represent a tremendous opportunity for job growth in Ohio,” said Senator Cafaro. “Plus, it gives our farmers a new market for the crops they produce.”
SB 131 is similar to the national BioPreferred program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products at federal agencies.
“I am proud that we were able to work together on a bipartisan basis to promote Ohio’s growing biobased products industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “Ohio is uniquely positioned to be a leader in this field thanks to the research and development programs at our state universities and our strong agricultural and industrial base.”
SB 131 requires the Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products. In order to qualify for this program, the biobased products must be comparable in cost and quality to traditional petroleum-based products.
Bio-technology converts corn, soybeans and other plants into products that range from lip balm to paint and textiles. Goodyear, Proctor & Gamble and Sherwin Williams are just a few of the Ohio companies involved in developing and producing biobased products.
“I believe biobased products represent a tremendous opportunity for job growth in Ohio,” said Senator Cafaro. “Plus, it gives our farmers a new market for the crops they produce.”
SB 131 is similar to the national BioPreferred program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products at federal agencies.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Senator Schiavoni February E-Newsletter II Available
Senator Joe Schiavoni's 2nd February E-Newsletter is now available.
Click here to download
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required. Click here to download.)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Ohio Senate Votes to Support Delphi Retirees
Cafaro and Schiavoni Resolution Calls for Fairness in Protecting Pension Benefits
COLUMBUS – State Senators Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) are pleased the Ohio Senate voted unanimously today to pass SCR 23, a resolution they jointly sponsored to help Delphi retirees who have lost retirement benefits. The resolution calls on the Federal Government to treat all General Motors-Delphi retirees fairly and equitably.
“I am proud this resolution received unanimous bipartisan support in the Ohio Senate,” said Senator Cafaro. “All Delphi retirees deserve to be treated fairly regardless of whether they were salary or hourly employees.”
As a result of bankruptcy proceedings, all Delphi Corporation pension funds were transferred to the Federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. General Motors has agreed to fulfill pension obligations for Delphi hourly retirees represented by the United Auto Workers, IUE-CWA and the United Steel Workers. However, a similar agreement has not been reached for all Delphi retirees. In addition, many Delphi retirees have seen their health care benefits reduced or eliminated.
“Currently thousands of my constituents are without the benefits they were guaranteed and worked hard to secure,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Hopefully this resolution will be helpful in establishing fairness and giving the Delphi retirees what they have rightfully earned.”
SCR 23 now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for further debate.
COLUMBUS – State Senators Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) are pleased the Ohio Senate voted unanimously today to pass SCR 23, a resolution they jointly sponsored to help Delphi retirees who have lost retirement benefits. The resolution calls on the Federal Government to treat all General Motors-Delphi retirees fairly and equitably.
“I am proud this resolution received unanimous bipartisan support in the Ohio Senate,” said Senator Cafaro. “All Delphi retirees deserve to be treated fairly regardless of whether they were salary or hourly employees.”
As a result of bankruptcy proceedings, all Delphi Corporation pension funds were transferred to the Federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. General Motors has agreed to fulfill pension obligations for Delphi hourly retirees represented by the United Auto Workers, IUE-CWA and the United Steel Workers. However, a similar agreement has not been reached for all Delphi retirees. In addition, many Delphi retirees have seen their health care benefits reduced or eliminated.
“Currently thousands of my constituents are without the benefits they were guaranteed and worked hard to secure,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Hopefully this resolution will be helpful in establishing fairness and giving the Delphi retirees what they have rightfully earned.”
SCR 23 now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for further debate.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
House Passes Senator Cafaro’s Biobased Products Bill
Legislation Will Help Columbus – The Ohio House of Representatives voted 92-1 today to approve Senate Bill 131, a bill jointly sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) that encourages the use of biobased products. The legislation had already passed the Senate by a unanimous vote.
“The goal of this legislation is to promote Ohio agriculture and industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “By increasing our use of biobased products we can help Ohio’s farmers and manufacturers expand and create job opportunities.”
SB 131 requires the Director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products as long as the costs are comparable to non-biobased products. The program would apply to supplies purchased by DAS, state agencies and state colleges and universities.
“This legislation also gives a boost to Ohio’s colleges and universities that conduct research into developing biobased products,” said Senator Cafaro.
Biobased alternatives utilize renewable resources like corn and soybeans for products that range from lip balm to copy machine toner. SB 131 is similar to a national program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products at federal agencies.
The purchasing provisions contained in SB 131 take affect 90 days after Governor Strickland signs the legislation.
To watch floor testimony on SB 131, visit:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=124370&start_time=2811&organization_id=30
(The Ohio Channel)
Kearney Tax Savings Bill Passes the Senate
Bill will help Ohioans save for the futureColumbus – Senate Bill 194, legislation to boost savings rates among Ohioans was passed out of the Senate today in a unanimous vote. The bill enables anyone filing an Ohio income tax return to have their refund deposited directly into a retirement savings account.
“Senate Bill 194 provides Ohioans with the option of having their tax refund directly deposited into their retirement savings account. This makes saving for retirement easier then ever before by speeding the refund process and making retirement savings part of one’s normal saving routine,” said Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati).
The State of Ohio processes about 4 million tax returns each year with an average refund amount of $310. If just one in four of those filing takes advantage of this option Ohio taxpayers will save $310 million.
In addition to making it easier for Ohioans to save, the plan would also save money for the State. Compared with traditional paper checks, the State of Ohio saves approximately $1.50 for every refund filed electronically. Again, if only on in four tax filers use this option the state will save $1.5 million each year.
“The millions in individual savings and the money saved in state expenses more than justify this legislation,” Kearney said. “In times like these we need to take advantage of every opportunity to conserve state resources and promote individual savings. By making these small administrative changes we can do just that.”
The new option would apply to all income tax returns, regardless of whether they are filed on paper, electronically, or telephonically. The Department of Taxation currently offers the option of direct deposit for a checking or savings account, but Senator Kearney’s plan marks the first time that a refund could be deposited directly into a retirement account. Those interested in taking advantage of the retirement savings option would simply provide their account information on their tax return.
Senator Eric H. Kearney represents parts of Cincinnati, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Cleves, Cheviot, Norwood, Golf Manor, Columbia Township, Deer Park, Silverton, Springfield Township, North Bend and Addyston.
Listen to Senator Kearney at the following link:
http://www.box.net/shared/4ph6sho874
To watch floor testimony on SB 194, visit:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=124370&start_time=2396&organization_id=30
(The Ohio Channel)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Senator Capri S. Cafaro - February E-Newsletter Available
Senator Capri S. Cafaro's February E-Newsletter is now available online.
To download, click here.
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required - to get it, click here.)
Senator Joe Schiavoni - February E-Newsletter Available
Senator Joe Schiavoni's February E-Newsletter is now available online.
To download, click here.
(Free Adobe Acrobat Reader required - to get it, click here)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Senator Cafaro Pleased With Award That Creates Jobs in Ashtabula County
Columbus--Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) applauded Governor Ted Strickland’s announcement today that WEK Industries in Jefferson, Ohio will receive a $250,000 award to increase energy efficiency. The grant from the Ohio State Energy Program will help WEK Industries create 31 new full-time jobs while saving the company nearly 5,000 million BTUs from more efficient motors, pumps and lighting.
“I am happy to see that funds the State of Ohio received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being put to good use to jump start our local economy,” said Senator Cafaro. “By creating jobs and saving energy, this award is a win-win situation for Ashtabula County.”
Governor Strickland announced that 18 Ohio companies will receive more than $11.8 million in efficiency awards. The goal of the awards is to sustain Ohio’s industry by saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating jobs.
WEK Industries, a division of Myers Industries based in Akron, produces parts for the automotive industry including Honda.
“I am happy to see that funds the State of Ohio received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being put to good use to jump start our local economy,” said Senator Cafaro. “By creating jobs and saving energy, this award is a win-win situation for Ashtabula County.”
Governor Strickland announced that 18 Ohio companies will receive more than $11.8 million in efficiency awards. The goal of the awards is to sustain Ohio’s industry by saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating jobs.
WEK Industries, a division of Myers Industries based in Akron, produces parts for the automotive industry including Honda.
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