There’s what a person says, and then there’s what a person does.

Gov. Ted Strickland has talked a good game about education in Ohio serving students better, but the measurements don’t substantiate the rhetoric.

Before the spring of 2008, the Strickland administration had laid out a game plan to improve the dropout rate of Ohio’s high schools.  Some high schools needed more attention because they were “dropout factories.”  In my own blog article on the topic mentioned that Strickland’s game plan was too geared toward the older students when interventions needed to take place much earlier in a student’s life.  I wrote:

The attempt to intervene with these actions is taking place at the boundaries between 8th and 9th and 10th grades.  Naturally, I pointed out that the challenges could be addressed in much earlier years in a child’s education.  There is a desire by the Governor’s administration to address these challenges in earlier years, but so far, they are working to at least get the ball rolling, and this is their starting point.

So, with the older years being the starting point, this is the 4th year of the Strickland Administration, so those 10th graders who received interventions at the get-go should be graduating in greater numbers.  Not so.  For the third year in a row, the graduation rate has fallen.

But Ohio, under the Strickland Administration should pat itself on the back, because, on the latest “report card,” more school districts moved into the “effective” or higher ratings.  I was reading a Youngstown Vindicator article about the most recent report card, when I saw this quote from State Superintendent Deborah S. Delisle:

“It is important to recognize the significant academic gains made by students, even if they have not yet met the proficiency target.  By demonstrating progress over time, educators can show these students that their efforts are paying off and identify ways to continue making progress in the classroom. More importantly, parents can be kept informed of their children’s progress throughout the year.”

Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Umm . . . excuse me for asking, but if more school districts are becoming effective than ever before, where are those dropouts coming from?  Could they be coming from the same “dropout factories” that the Strickland Administration was going to put the most focus on?

I guess that strategy to work on the older grades and the dropout factories isn’t panning out.

Why is that?  If you read through that dropout post I’d written more than two years ago, doesn’t the Strickland plan sound good on paper?

Maybe the outlined approach is OK, but maybe helping the schoolkids isn’t the ultimate goal of proposing these plans.

When reading Right Ohio, which I frequently do, I saw this eyebrow-raising blog post with video showing State Superintendent Deborah S. Delisle (yeah, that same person patting school districts on the back, including the districts who hadn’t met the proficiency target) walking out of a hearing regarding Ohio’s “Race to the Top” application for more federal funding.  This meeting in Washington DC was so important that even Ted Strickland, himself, was in attendance.  Oh . . . well . . . she just walked out of it.  Maybe it wasn’t so important after all.  Gosh, she seems so motivated to help our schoolkids, doesn’t she?  I bet she was leaving early so that she could get to an appointment in Youngstown to tutor an at-risk sophomore.  Or not.

A clue about what’s really afoot comes to us from the Ohio Inspector General’s report on the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) that spotlighted Director Richard Murray as manipulating the system to benefit union cronies more than schoolkids or communities.  The Plain Dealer has this August 5th article on the topic.  The Columbus Dispatch has this August 14th article in which Richard Murray says that his agenda is totally permissible within the workings of the OSFC, and the Dispatch adds this article from today, the 27th, wherein the OSFC adopts a rule urged by the Inspector General’s office, but Murray says it will be business as usual because he feels that he’s never abused his power in the first place.

Whether or not you agree with Murray’s defense that he has not abused his power, is there any indication at all that Murray deems the ultimate beneficiaries of the work of the OSFC are the schoolchildren or the communities?  No.  Murray says that he will not resign his position unless Gov. Ted Strickland asks him to step aside, but Gov. Strickland is standing by Richard Murray.

Do we have any reason to assume that the workings of the OSFC are any aberration from the way that Ted Strickland runs the rest of the education agenda?  That Strickland stands by Murray, that Delisle walks out of an important meeting, that the dropout rate worsens for the 3rd year in a row, these are all indicators that the motives are personal, or about cronyism, or about patronage, or about expansion of the bureaucracy, or about increasing the size and cost of government, or about the centralization of power over the education system.  Richard Murray is not an aberration.  Richard Murray is a window through which we can see Strickland’s education regime for what it really is.

Strickland may be keeping up appearances by attending the meeting in Washington and saying what he’s expected to say regarding better outcomes for Ohio students, but these are just posturing and lip service.  The actions of those who occupy chief education positions should carry more weight in assessing Strickland’s education regime than Strickland’s words and appearances do.

If you value Ohio’s schoolchildren, you ought not vote for Strickland in this year’s elections because you cannot trust him to support the right people to handle all the various components of Ohio’s education bureaucracy.

Editor’s note:  Afraid to acknowledge good ideas put forward by Ohio House Republicans, Ohio House Democrats not only take no action on Republican-sponsored bills, but, months down the road, VOILA! those same good ideas are unveiled in Democrat-sponsored bills.  This inane posturing by the Dems just to take credit for legislation popular with the public isn’t an inconsequential game.  As state reps Maag and Boose point out, the delays between introduction of a Republican-sponsored bill and the introduction of the Democrats’ duplicate legislation inconvenience the public, especially when, in the case of relief from state-imposed fees, the inconvenient delay amounts to $$.  State Rep. Terry Boose represents the 58th Ohio House district, covering the eastern third of Seneca County, all of Huron County, and many of the rural areas in Lorain County in the southern half and along the western county boundary.  State Rep. Ron Maag represents the 35th Ohio House district, which includes much of eastern and southern Warren County along with a suburban sliver of the northeast corner of  Hamilton County.  This press release was issued on 7/30/2010.

Dems Bequeath Ohio with Duplicative Legislation

Majority Attempts to Conceal Mistakes

 COLUMBUS –The Ohio House of Representatives has received several pieces of legislation from the majority caucus that are strikingly similar to other bills introduced earlier this General Assembly from the other side of the aisle. 

 Earlier this week, House Bill 562 was introduced that would eliminate the $20 late fee endorsed and signed into law by House Democrats and Governor Strickland with the passage of the biennial budget. State Representative Deborah Newcomb (D-Conneaut) and 15 of her Democratic colleagues cosponsored this measure that reverses a measure they previously endorsed by supporting House Bill 2.  However, State Reps. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) and Terry Boose (R- Norwalk), introduced House Bill 428 in January 2010, nearly seven months earlier and encouraged all members of the Ohio House of Representatives to join them on this necessary repeal.

 “Every dime, every dollar counts in today’s economy. I am elated to see that my colleagues have introduced this legislation and look forward to swift action,” said Rep. Terry Boose. “Nonetheless, the majority Democratic Caucus cannot play both sides of the field. While Ohioans are suffering and partisan politics have been placed aside in the struggling business owners’ mind, the majority party does one thing, and then attempts to cover their malicious, expensive intent with political gimmicks.”

 The combined list of cosponsors to eliminate the late fee represents more than enough support to repeal it.  Earlier this year the Daily Record reported that more than $16 million has been collected from 818,429 individuals. However, the burden of duplicative legislation has been forced on the hard-working families of Ohio more than once.

 State Rep. Ron Maag questioned the duration of time that had elapsed, asking, “Why won’t the Speaker call us into session and pass legislation today?  Why did the House Democrats wait nearly eight months to do this? I look forward to swift attention being paid to this necessary repeal, just like the swift action with House Bill 473.”

 Rep. Maag introduced House Bill 132, legislation to address “sexting,” in April 2009. More than a year later, House Bill 473, a legislative measure to prohibit sexting, was introduced in March 2010 and the House voted on the bill two short months later.

Editor’s note:  State Rep. Ross McGregor, who introduced HB 561, represents the 72nd Ohio House district, a rectangular-shaped district consisting of the southwest corner of Clark County, with Springfield at the eastern end of the district and some of Dayton’s suburbs and exurbs at the western end of the district.

Capital projects have their own fund separate from the general fund.  In my opinion, the capital fund isn’t subjected to the same scrutiny that the general fund is, and is therefore more likely to be used for political purposes.  HB 561 addresses that.  You’ve heard of Congressional pork at the federal level.  If you want to sniff out pork at the state level in Ohio, you might want to peek into the capital fund. You might as well peek into the funds supported by voter-approved bond issues, too.

As for transparency, I wouldn’t mind if  the Ohio Lottery Commission ledger were more transparent.  I have a hunch that state bonds and the lottery might serve political patronage purposes.  Just my opinion.

McGregor: Cut Wasteful Spending, Keep Ohioans Informed

State Representative Ross McGregor (R-Springfield) today introduced House Bill 561,  legislation to require the Office of Budget and Management to maintain a database showing capital project appropriations and re-appropriations, to make the database available online and to submit a biennial report to the General Assembly.

“This legislation will reduce unnecessary spending and increase our government’s accountability to the public,” said Rep. McGregor. “Ohio is in the midst of the 15^th straight month of double-digit unemployment; we cannot afford to needlessly spend taxpayer dollars.”

Rep. McGregor drafted the legislation after a project budgeted more than five years ago in his district sought re-appropriation. When enacted, the proposed legislation would allow the public and the legislature to better monitor projects that have been appropriated state funds. With a biennial report, legislators will be equipped with information to choose whether or not to continue funding a specific project.

Editor’s note: State Rep. Terry Boose, (R-Norwalk) represents the 58th Ohio House district, comprised of the mostly rural south and west swaths of Lorain County, all of Huron County, and the eastern third of Seneca County. This editorial was released to media outlets on 7/28/2010.

OHIO MILITARY FAMILY MONTH

There are only a handful of days throughout the year that we honor the sacrifices of our servicemen and women, with barely any time devoted to their families. As these brave heroes give their lives to maintain our freedom, we should take more time to also honor the commitment that their families make back home. Ohio has the sixth largest veteran population in the entire nation, and for this reason, the legislature designated August as Ohio Military Family Month to thank the husbands, wives and children in our state with family members who are serving overseas.

Ohio Military Family Month calls us to not only remember the sacrifices members of our Armed Forces make, but to also remember the sacrifices their families make as well. When our servicemen and women are sent overseas to protect our liberties, their spouses, parents, children, and close friends back home must navigate their daily lives without the ones they love most. Imagine the extra burdens on these families and their constant worry for the safety of their loved ones.

This upcoming August, take time to remember the sacrifices of our Armed Forces and their families. Consider reaching out to neighbors who have a family member serving overseas. This is a struggle we are all in together; we cannot forget our bond as a community.

While Ohio Military Family Month is one way to honor these noble sacrifices, Ohio and our nation still need a way to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Many of my colleagues and I support the adoption of the Honor and Remember Flag to pay homage to men and women who have lost their lives in service of the U.S. The Honor and Remember Flag honors fallen troops from every war and ensures that they will not be forgotten.

We are fortunate to live in a country that values freedom, democracy and human rights. Our future depends on those willing to risk everything to protect our country and the families that support them. I hope you will keep our service members and their families in your hearts this August and take time to honor them throughout the year. Every day, members of our military persevere against immeasurable odds; we should not delegate a mere few days a year to think of them.

Editor’s Note:  State Rep. Terry Boose represents Ohio’s 58th house district, comprising the eastern third of Seneca County, all of Huron County, and western and southern portions of Lorain County.  This editorial was released to media outlets on 7/23/2010.

Strickland’s Agricultural “Deal” Detrimental to the Industry

Here in Ohio, farming represents a vital component of our economy and ensures the livelihood of a number of Ohioans. Agriculture ranks as Ohio’s largest industry, which is an indicator of its importance to the well-being of our communities as well as to Ohio’s economic success.

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of negative feedback from constituents about the “deal” Governor Ted Strickland has brokered between agriculture leaders and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Farmers in the 58th Ohio House District seem especially concerned with this troubling development. I am devoted to looking out for the best interests of my constituency, and Governor Strickland’s deal simply doesn’t reflect this objective.

This “deal” that the governor was instrumental in organizing was struck between the HSUS and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation on June 30th. It halted Ohioans for Humane Farms from submitting signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State, collected to put an HSUS-backed animal care initiative on the fall ballot. Strickland painted this agreement between Jack Fisher, CEO of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS, as a welcome compromise that reflects the best interests of both parties. In actuality, this deal negatively impacts farmers by placing on them a host of constraining regulations.

Ohio’s farmers and the agriculture industry as a whole did not need to enter into negotiations or make any of the compromises contained within this debilitating agreement. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office has noted that it was unlikely that the Ohioans for Humane Farms would have amassed the requisite 402,275 signatures to get their animal care initiative on the November ballot. Therefore, it was unnecessary for Ohio’s farmers to give in to any demands that would impede the success of their industry. It worries me that Governor Strickland would broker a deal that will have such a negative impact on our communities and economy.

I am listening to the feedback from the farmers in the 58th Ohio House District and will continue to address the concerns of my constituency. Many of the items that were negotiated in Governor Strickland’s “deal” have to be enacted with legislation for them to take effect. As your state representative, I will not support anything that is not also backed by the farmers of our community. My concerns lie with the well-being of Ohioans, and I will work to ensure that their livelihoods are not compromised by the governor’s ill-advised agreement.

Editor’s note:  The Republican Caucus of the Ohio House of Representatives issued this press release on 7/23/2010.  Standing in the center of the photograph above is Brynn Allio, director of government relations at the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE).  Flanking Mr. Allio on the left side of the photo are Rep. Todd Snitchler of the 50th Ohio House district and Rep. Nan Baker of the 16th Ohio House district.  Next to Mr. Allio on the right side of the photo are Rep. Ron Amstutz of the 3rd Ohio House district, and Rep. William Batchelder of the 69th Ohio House district.  Rep. Batchelder also serves as the Minority Leader in the Ohio House.

ECONOMIC STRAIGHT TALK DRIVES DISCUSSION JOBS CREATION PACKAGE

Lawmakers: It’s All About Jobs!

WESTLAKE, OH- A crowded room conversed for more than two hours yesterday on how lawmakers and members of the business community need to proceed, with the “Future of Ohio” jobs package, legislation aimed to get Ohioans back to work.

 “The state loses $1,422 for each Ohioan who loses their job, plus the increased cost in social services needed to assist an unemployed Ohioan. It is vital that we focus on job retention and growth while fostering our small business community,” said Rep. Nan Baker (R-Westlake), who championed this legislative effort. “The recession’s toll on Ohio demands a swift answer from policy makers, and I firmly believe that this package is a necessary step to make Ohio a more business-friendly state.  As I continue to say, ‘It’s all about jobs!’”

 This 10-bill package of legislation consists of a broad span of initiatives that will create jobs, retain college graduates and foster economic growth. The tax reforms contained within the package will make Ohio a more financially attractive place for its workforce and the businesses that employ them. Ohio lost 200,000 jobs in 2009 alone due to the exodus of businesses to other states.

 “Ohio’s economic climate is not appealing to businesses across the country looking to expand or relocate to our state,” said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “For more than 18 months, Ohio has reported substantially higher unemployment numbers than the nation as a whole. We cannot hope to remedy this situation without concrete efforts to create a positive business perception.”

Currently, Forbes Magazine ranks Ohio 47^th in the nation for prospective job creation, income growth, venture capital investments and business openings.

 “A healthy economy means increased job opportunity and business growth,” said Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster). “By attracting out-of-state companies to move and expand here, we are ensuring a more prosperous Ohio for generations to come.”

 The jobs package includes tax incentives, increases in flexibility in business options, and efforts to provide relevant information to companies. With this legislation, House Republicans have made a concerted effort to improve the business climate.

 “The goal of this legislation is to formulate both short and long-term solutions to economic problems specific to Ohio,” said Rep. Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown).   “Without a thorough examination of how we (the state of Ohio) do business soon, the Buckeye state will continue to suffer.” 

When enacted, these legislative measures will address the departure of businesses, work to retain our college graduates, make the state more conducive to small businesses, and encourage businesses to expand their payroll. As the presentation came to an end, the representatives expressed their continued hope that the “Future of Ohio” jobs package will gain bipartisan support in the immediate future.

Amstutz to Administration: We’re Ready To Hear Your Budget Story

Columbus—State Representative Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) today issued a letter to his colleagues on the Budget Planning Commission in hopes of helping to resolve recent contention as to who may contribute to the commission’s hearings.

“If the administration and our two members don’t want to have more executive participation, there are others who have substantial expertise in Medicaid and other major topics. I am hopeful that we will look to them for their insight,” wrote Amstutz.

The letter comes after some concerns of his colleagues were voiced to the media, instead of amongst the group, as to whether executive agencies including and beyond the Office of Budget and Management should participate in the process or whether this would lead to a political game.

The commission’s purpose is to identify challenges and potential solutions for addressing expected problems in the next state budget.

Rep. Amstutz has worked diligently and voiced his concern time and again on the looming $8 billion budget deficit that will become a reality in less than a year.

Governor’s School Funding Council Gives Failing Grade

Columbus—State Representative Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster), ranking member on the House Education Committee, today issued the following concerns with the projected $1 billion shortfall that Governor Strickland’s School Funding Advisory council voiced earlier this week.

“It is unfortunate that as recently as this week, the governor’s “evidence-based model” education plan has fallen short yet again by underfunding an estimated $1 billion annually.  For the first time since the DeRolph decision, Ohio’s schools saw a direct slash to their funding and multimillion dollar mandates, such as all-day kindergarten, on already-overwhelmed district–which believe they don’t need it and they don’t have the necessary classroom space.

Moreover, this Democratic majority imposed a cut to school funding for public and parochial schools by approximately $90 million. This education model has placed our entire education system at risk by preventing our children from receiving the high-quality, competitive education they deserve. It is my sincerest hope that the governor updates the school funding formula to more-accurately reflect the needs of our schools, teachers and children.”

Editor’s note:  State Rep. Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) represents the 58th district, comprising Huron County and portions of eastern Seneca County and southern and western Lorain County.  This editorial was released to media outlets today, July 7, 2010.

Guest Column From Representative Terry Boose

“Honor and Remember Flag” pays respect to Ohio’s fallen

With the passing of our nation’s Independence Day, it is hard to forget those who have fought to maintain that independence through the years. Americans are proud to live in a nation where we are not limited by religion, race or gender—a nation where the only colors that matter are red, white, and blue. We know that many have sacrificed their lives on both native and foreign soil to preserve the liberties we enjoy today.

Throughout the year, we pay special tribute to those men and women in the United States Armed Forces who paid the ultimate price to protect those back home. These brave individuals put their lives on the line so we could sleep soundly at night, knowing that we are protected by our men and women in uniform. Until now, throughout our nation’s long military history, there has never been an officially recognized symbol that honors the service members who lost their lives in service to our country. This past Independence Day, legislation was unveiled that designates the Honor and Remember Flag as Ohio’s emblem of service and sacrifice by those who have lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The distinct design of the Honor and Remember Flag is hard to forget. The red field represents the blood spilled by the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our nation’s freedom. The white field at the bottom of the flag recognizes the purity of sacrifice. The gold star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a warrior in active service who will not return home, while the blue star that frames it represents active service in military conflict. Within the gold star is the flame which serves as a reminder of the spirit that has departed this life yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and love the fallen hero. And finally, the folded flag beneath the stars signifies the final tribute to an individual life presented to the family for their significant loss.

As a vigilant supporter of Ohio’s more than 900,000 military veterans, I am proud to have supported this legislation in remembrance of our most heroic individuals. Serving in the United States military is one of the noblest endeavors a person can make, and I will continue to work to ensure that these individuals receive the respect and gratitude they deserve.

Editor’s note:  The Republican Caucus of the Ohio House of Representatives issued the following press release today.

House GOP Proposes Safeguard of Veterans’ Funding Loss

Those Who Serve Should be a Priority, Not an Afterthought

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives Republican Caucus today unveiled a legislative measure that will transfer the Ohio Disabled Veterans Outreach Program from the Department of Job and Family Services to the Department of Veterans Services.

“When enacted, this legislation will be a more effective way to deliver the services that disabled veterans need,” said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “Our caucus stands united in any effort to streamline government inadequacies or deficiencies, especially when it may negatively affect something so valued like Ohio’s veterans.”

Currently, the legislation is being drafted by the Legislative Service Commission and was created in response to the recently exposed costly oversight by the administration. The oversight cost the department more than half a million dollars in federal funding, which was lost due to the inaction and not hiring enough career counselors for the department. Furthermore, additional communications with former District Coordinator Terry Janke indicate that without action, the department is in danger of losing another $300,000.

“I am astounded at how little respect this administration has demonstrated for the welfare of Ohio’s disabled veterans,” said co-author of the legislation and U.S. Marine Corps veteran State Representative Danny Bubp (R-West Union). “Disabled veterans who have served our country deserve to be a priority, not an afterthought. I encourage my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and chambers to support this legislation.”

“Frankly, it only makes sense to have a veterans’ program under the watch of an agency created specifically for veterans,” finished House Republican Whip and U.S. Navy Seal veteran John Adams (R-Sidney).

In the Republican primary, Buckeye RINO endorses Sandy O’Brien for Ohio Secretary of State.

Sandy O’Brien won a statewide Republican primary in 2006 in the Ohio Treasurer race.  She lost in the general election.  She was not endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party in 2006, and thus the party barely lifted a finger to help her, even though she was the nominee.

She is not endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party this year, either.  If she wins the primary, she can win this November, anyway, even if the ORP doesn’t back its own nominee

For independent voters, they want a less partisan Secretary of State overseeing Ohio elections.  Independent voters are really flexing their political clout this year, as evidenced in Massachusetts when Scott Brown was elected.  Scott Brown doesn’t pass purity litmus tests that Southern conservatives would measure Republicans by, but independent voters wanted a more independent candidate, and they didn’t see Martha Coakley as that individual. Anointed candidates aren’t guaranteed victories this year.

Sandy O’Brien won’t be hyperpartisan, like ACORN ally Jennifer Brunner.  The Democrats had an opportunity to field a more centrist candidate, Jen Garrison, that would likely have been appealing to independent voters, but the left wing of that party torpedoed Garrison in favor of an SoS candidate that would be as hyperpartisan as Brunner has been.  Finally, Sandy O’Brien won’t owe the Ohio Republican Party any favors because they haven’t done her any favors, so she is not beholden to cater to their every whim.

She can be independent.  Those who attend 9-12 group meetings and Tea Party rallies throughout the state, who tend to be less partisan, can certainly embrace O’Brien.

Cleveland’s Plain Dealer printed an article with a video clip of a Husted primary campaign advertisement, quoted an individual who pointed out the lies contained therein, referenced the ORP’s attempt to co-opt the Tea Party movement for their own gain, and Kevin DeWine’s (they don’t name DeWine, but we know what’s going on, don’t we?) heavy-handed endorsement tactics in contested primary races.

The Husted advertisement attempts to make these points:  1) the image of the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag associates Jon Husted with the Tea Party movement; 2) Jon Husted is a conservative; 3) Jon Husted stood up to liberal ACORN to stop electoral fraud; and 4) Husted wants to stop immoral government debt to protect our children’s liberty.  These four points are lies.

Point number one:  Jon Husted has resisted a number of invitations to appear before 9-12 groups to be vetted.  He is not active in, takes no leadership role in, and does not want to be held to the standards set by the Tea Party movement.  Tea Party activists are among the most outspoken against Husted’s candidacy.

Point number two: Jon Husted is not fiscally conservative.  The biennial budgets he passed as Speaker of the House would not be sustainable in Ohio’s current economy.  Expenditures still increased over what had been spent by his predecessors.  He played a shell game on taxes, decreasing some, but implementing others, like the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).  Wouldn’t we like to see more commercial activity in Ohio?  In essence, he’s been criticized by rank-and-file Republicans for governing like a Democrat.  He’s been criticized by the Tea Party movement for making government bigger, less sustainable, less accountable to the people, and less accessible during the decision-making process.

Point number three:  Ill-conceived changes to election laws enabled ACORN to game the system in the first place.  “No-fault” absentee voting that changed Election Day into Election Month Plus was enacted by Husted while he was Speaker of the House.  A window that still hasn’t been closed is the one between the start of the early voting period and the end of voter registration, allowing persons to vote at the same time as they registered at the Board of Elections.  That window gave rise to a number of suspicions that ACORN was attempting to game the system.  There is still no action to allow election observers to monitor early voting polling places even though we now have Election Month Plus instead of Election Day.  The only mandate in that regard is to allow election observers at polling places on Election Day.  To think that, of all things, he’s running for Secretary of State this year.  This, in and of itself, is enough to disqualify Husted for the position.

Point number four:  Husted supports Ohio’s debts.  Ohio is required to balance its budget, which means budget deficits are not permitted.  But Ohio does incur debts.  The debts are called bonds.  In the past, Husted has supported Ohio’s bond issues, like this one as recently as last November.  Not only that, but he currently favors a bond issue that’s on the Ohio ballot right now: Issue 1.  Repaying the bonds with interest absorbs a chunk of the general fund, the same fund that must be tapped for qualified children’s Medicaid, the same fund that must be tapped to sustain Ohio’s public universities that lead to better employment opportunities for our children, and, most obviously, the same fund that must be tapped for our children’s voucher-subsidized education, charter school education, and public school education.

Husted is lying about the 4 points he raised in that advertisement.  Period.

Husted is not principled, though his propaganda is designed to advance the facade that he is principled.  He was one of the most prolific fundraisers in the Ohio House when Larry Householder was Speaker of the House, and that had something to do with why Husted was tapped to be Householder’s successor.  In order to raise funds like that, Husted engages in pay-to-play politics, so he’s squishy on issues (even squishy on his residency–Kettering, or Upper Arlington?) according to what can elicit donations.  Legislation can be fast-tracked or sitting on a back burner based on campaign donations, regardless of the merits of any particular piece of legislation.  Picking winners and losers in the marketplace can be driven by donations.  Want an example?  Payday lenders had a field day for a while without a lot of regulations while they were ponying up donations.  Republicans in the Ohio House resisted, for several years, making any changes, though Democrats were making a stink over the issue.  The Republicans, when they finally did make changes, even went beyond the changes proposed by Democrats.  Banks, who wanted to curtail competition from payday lenders, ponied up more donations to Republicans to pave the way for those changes.  In the end, Ohio voters were asked to decide Issue 5 back in the fall of 2008.  There really wasn’t neutral ground.  Neither side was for a free marketplace.  Your vote on Issue 5 was either awarding an advantage to payday lenders, or awarding an advantage to banks.  Such are the marketplace distortions driven by politicians and their need for campaign donations.

What other Husted agenda could be lurking in the shadows?

What if a pact was made between close buddies, Kevin DeWine and Jon Husted, while they both served in the Ohio House of Representatives, that if  they played their cards right, DeWine would chair the ORP and Husted would be governor by 2014?  When Strickland was first elected in 2006, it appeared he was quite popular, and envisioning a gubernatorial challenge to Strickland’s re-election bid might have seemed a tall hill to climb.  Getting elected to some other statewide office might be an effective springboard to gun for an open governor’s race in 2014.

OK, let’s test the hypothesis that there was such a pact made that would get Husted elected to governor in 2014, shall we?  Let’s make a checklist and see if all the ducks line up in a row for a Husted gubernatorial run in 2014, and if Kevin DeWine is the tool for that agenda.

First, it’s assumed that Strickland would run for re-election in 2010.  He is.  Check.

If Strickland wins in 2010, then term limits mean that the seat is open in 2014.  Check.

Get Kevin DeWine in as GOP Chair. Check.

In case of competition in the primaries, change GOP state central committee bylaws to allow endorsements in contested primaries.  Check.

Be very selective in who sits on the state central committee all the way up to 2014.  Blackball anyone who might make even the slightest attempt to derail the Husted express.  The ORP chair himself, if necessary, will put up his own slate of state central committee candidates and issue his own endorsements to make that happen.  Check.

Get Husted a springboard for governor in 2014 by electing him to a statewide race.  He’s chosen the Secretary of State race.  As an Apportionment Board seat in a census year, the SoS race is one that should receive heavy donations (donations!  extremely important!) because in the other Apportionment Board races, the only other race aside from Gov. is the Auditor’s race, and Mary Taylor appeared to lock that down back in 2006.  The Secretary of State race would allow Husted to build a statewide campaign that can be used again in 2014, drive up name recognition, and milk donors for everything you can get because of the Apportionment Board seat.  Check.

He can’t control what happens on the Democrat side (but he’s probably glad Garrison isn’t in it, nor is Brunner seeking re-election), but on the Republican side, there is a wrinkle with the previous item on the checklist: Sandy O’Brien is running, too.  How to deal with O’Brien?  Smother her so she can’t make a peep.  Get all the mainstream media to shut up about O’Brien.  Get the county party chairs to shut up about O’Brien.  Don’t let O’Brien raise money to get the word out on her own.  Silence bloggers from writing about O’Brien. Use the endorsement authority of the state central committee to nip O’Brien’s challenge in the bud and settle the matter in Husted’s favor ASAP.  If not everyone will keep silent then put out the word that O’Brien couldn’t win in the general elections of 2006, and therefore she is not viable in 2010.  Ordain Husted as the only electable Republican in the 2010 Secretary of State general election.  Check.

Or maybe not quite.  It looks like the Tea Party has taken up the cause of O’Brien.  Then co-opt the Tea Party.  Create an image of Husted as being one with the Tea-Party.  Put Tea Party symbols in ads as much as possible.  In ads and venues where Tea Party symbols are not authorized for use by the Husted campaign, mimic Tea Party rhetoric and counterfeit the Tea Party logo. Check.

If Strickland wins,or loses, then who would be the Democrat nominee in 2014?  Richard Cordray?  If it’s Cordray, and he’s got a sizable campaign fund this year against a less-funded Republican, then it would be hard to neutralize Cordray’s funding advantage in 2014.  Initially, a strategy might have envisioned a challenge to Cordray in the Treasurer’s race for 2010, since that’s the office he was elected to in 2006.  The Republicans weren’t ready for the special election for Attorney General when Marc Dann vacated the office under immense pressure, so no one with high name recognition was fielded by the Republicans for that special election, and Republicans still had to get someone in the pipeline for 2010, which turned out to be Yost.  Cordray won that special election, so now the Cordray funding advantage that has to be neutralized is in the AG race.  Cordray has two choices to make in 2010 against a less-funded Republican:  either he can donate from his largesse to other Democrat candidates, currying favors that are owed to him in 2014; or he can bank his excess funds for the race in 2014.  If Yost couldn’t match funds with Cordray and couldn’t make Cordray spend the lion’s share of his funds in 2010, then someone with bigger funds than Cordray had to be recruited for the AG race.  Enter Mike DeWine.  At Kyle Sisk’s blog, Sisk has asserted, multiple times, while Yost was still in the picture, that Republicans should support Mike DeWine for AG simply to draw down Cordray’s war chest and weaken a Cordray bid for governor in 2014.  Sisk said DeWine could win the election and Yost wouldn’t.  The big thing is, if DeWine is in the race, and he loses, he still forced Cordray to spend money in 2010 that won’t be banked and won’t be used to owe favors in 2014.  DeWine for AG in 2010 to neutralize Cordray funding advantage in 2014. Check.

The only problem for that prior checklist item was that Mike DeWine couldn’t gain traction against Yost.  Yost was garnering support and endorsements left and right in the AG race.  Yost winning a primary would probably not cause Cordray to spend down as much.  Yost was so formidable to DeWine in the primary that Yost had to be cleared from the AG race.  Clearing DeWine from the AG race was never an option if the whole intent of fielding a candidate for the AG race is to weaken Cordray’s pocketbook for a 2014 gubernatorial race.  Yost was cleared from the AG race.  Check.

In 2014, Husted might have had to face Portman for gov.  Voinovich helped Husted out of that jam, whether he intended to or not, because Portman is running for Senate in 2010, and, if elected, won’t be interested in gov. race in 2014. Check.

The wrinkle with that is that Mary Taylor might also jump into the Senate race.  NOoooooo!  Need. To. Get. Portman. In. Senate. So, make calls to potential donors, warn them that Taylor might go rogue if they donate to her in order to sour her fundraising, and keep her put.  She’s not in the Senate race.  Check.

The other wrinkle with that is that Tom Ganley jumped into the Senate race.  He can self-fund, so cutting off donations won’t work.  Need.To.Get.Portman.In.Senate.  Redirect Ganley to 13th District Congressional race against Betty Sutton.  Ganley not in Senate race.  All clear for Portman.  Check.

In 2014, John Kasich might want to run for Governor.  If Strickland wins this year, no problem, Kasich is toast in 2014. Path cleared for Husted in 2014. Check.

But if Kasich wins in 2010, stoke his ego into running for U.S. President in 2012 to get him out of office before his term is up so that he won’t be running for re-election in 2014.  Path still clear for Husted in 2014. Check.

If Kasich stays for full term and intends to run for another . . . well, if it comes right down to it,  . . . there’s the option of last resort . . . manufacture a scandal and take him down.

In 2014, Mary Taylor might want to run for Governor.  She’d be very popular after serving two terms as Auditor.  Hmm . . . Maybe she’ll still be thinking about the Senate, and this time, we’ll loosen up the donors, butter them up so they get behind a Taylor bid for Senate in 2012 against Sherrod Brown.  If she’s in the Senate, she won’t be seeking the gov. office. Path clear for Husted.  Check.

If she loses the Senate race, she might be too damaged or not have enough campaign money for a credible 2014 bid for gov.  Rely on Kevin DeWine, use ORP endorsement early on to do to Taylor what was done against O’Brien.  Path clear or mostly clear for Husted.  Check.

Uh-oh.  Problem with the previous item on the checklist.  Taylor was added to Kasich ticket as Lt. Gov. candidate, so won’t be two-term auditor.  Actually, a blessing and a curse.  If Taylor stays as Lt. Gov. for a full term under Kasich, she won’t be the candidate in 2014.  Either Kasich runs again (manufacture scandal to take him down), or Taylor has too weak of a springboard from the Lt. Gov. position . . . much weaker than if she were the two-term auditor, so that’s the blessing.  Path clear for Husted.  Check.

One more blessing . . . Yost doesn’t have to be forced to withdraw from statewide races entirely, so getting him out of the AG race doesn’t have to be so acrimonious for Mike DeWine’s bid to drain Cordray of cash.  Check.

Yet one more blessing:  If Kasich loses, so does Taylor.  Path clear for Husted.  Check.

The potential curse from Taylor’s move:  Ordinarily, Lt. Gov. is invisible, and no threat for run for gov.  Even if Kasich stepped down as gov. to run for Prez, and a no-name Lt. Gov. filled the remainder of term, short-term no-name gov. would be unlikely to gain any traction.  Taylor as Lt. Gov. becoming Gov. to serve out Kasich term is more problematic.  OK, just as it was important to get Portman into the Senate this year, it’ll be important to get Taylor into Senate in 2012, so make sure the primary field is clear for her, maybe manufacture a scandal against Sherrod, make sure she’s well funded for that race, whatever it takes.  If it works, path clear for Husted. Check.

Umm . . . Problem for switching Yost is that Seth Morgan absolutely refuses to drop out “for the good of the party.”  Yes, that’s the way it will be phrased.  Morgan is not a team player, will not drop out for the good of the party, the ORP will endorse Yost, and arms will be twisted to make sure county chairs follow suit.  Yost was promised this in exchange for Mike DeWine’s clear shot at Cordray’s war chest.  Not good.  But if Morgan wins the primary, ORP can leave Morgan on his own, with funds depleted by the primary, much like the ORP left O’Brien on her own in 2006.  Apportionment Board takes a hit, but that’s not as important as Husted for Governor in 2014.  The important thing about the Apportionment Board is that Husted can get donations for running for it, and winning the Apportionment Board would be nice, but as clearly shown, better to forfeit the Apportionment Board and the Auditor seat than to let anyone get away with not doing what’s best for the party (i.e. Husted).  If Yost wins primary, full ORP support.  If Morgan wins . . . you get the idea.  Send a message loud and clear to other Republicans:  Helpful to Husted means the ORP is at your disposal.  Try to cross Husted, life will be made miserable for you.  Check.

If Taylor fills the remainder of the term as Governor if Kasich steps down, and won’t do what’s good for her and the party (i.e. Husted) by running for the Senate, and she announces that she’s seeking a full term as governor in 2014, her life will be made miserable.  Rely on Kevin DeWine to railroad the state central committee. Treat her like O’Brien and Morgan.  She’ll be forced to withdraw for “family reasons,” or, if it comes right down to it,  . . . it didn’t have to come to this if Taylor did the “right” thing, but . . . manufacture a scandal and take her down.

Husted will be made of Teflon.  No allegations against him will stick.  Kevin DeWine’s got his back in order to insure that.  Check.

I think what’s telling is that the ORP isn’t treating the 2010 Auditor and Governor races as though they were priority races, when, as Apportionment Board seats, they ought to be priorities.  If Morgan wins the primary and the ORP doesn’t support him in the fall, then it’s not about the Apportionment Board.  It’s all about Husted, and all other Republicans are secondary, because we might end up with districts drawn by Democrats for the next 10 years.  If the Kasich-Taylor ticket gets in serious trouble, and Kevin DeWine doesn’t pitch in to help, then we really, really know this is all about Husted.  Husted has already been talking about a redistricting plan that would replace the current Apportionment Board (even though Husted is using it for a fundraising cash cow right now) if elected SoS.  That’s telling, too, because it’s paving the way toward making the Auditor and Governor races expendable, so there’s leeway for the Auditor nominee to lose and for Kasich to lose.  Instead, what appear to be the priority races are Husted for SoS, Mike DeWine for AG (even though it’s not an Apportionment Board seat), Rob Portman for U.S. Senate, and ORP-endorsed candidates for Republican state central committee.  If these are, indeed, the priorities, then, for certain, it is all about Husted for Governor in 2014, and Kasich or Taylor better watch their backs if either one plans to run as the incumbent for gov. that year.

Whether any of this supposed Husted for Governor agenda is real or not, if Republican primary voters nominate Sandy O’Brien for SoS, then Husted is out of our hair, and rank-and-file Republicans are on their way to taking back their party.

Buckeye RINO endorses Seth Morgan for Ohio Auditor.  The winning credentials that Mary Taylor brought to the table to win the prior Ohio Auditor’s race are the credentials that Seth Morgan brings to the table.

Mary Taylor, perhaps, has set the bar, a new standard, for how we size up Ohio Auditor candidates.  In the workforce in general, auditors are accountants with a specialization.  Before Mary Taylor, the Ohio Auditor wasn’t an accountant with a CPA, let alone an accountant who made a career as an auditor.  There’s been a revolution in how the Ohio Auditor’s office works since the inauguration of Mary Taylor, and it’s a good one.  The office is more professional and less political.  She’ll investigate any use of public funds, any bureaucracy, and she’s let the chips fall where they may, regardless of political leanings.  She’s made the office more independent, letting accountants and auditors do honest work unfettered by political expediencies.

David Yost, Morgan’s opponent, would seek to erode that independence.  Check out this article, from the Columbus Dispatch, about a Yost proposal that would, in Mary Taylor’s view, create conflicts of interest and allow an Ohio Auditor to engage in self-dealing.

Pay no attention to the endorsement for Yost that was issued by the Ohio Republican Party.  The shenanigans used to switch Yost from AG candidate to ORP-endorsed Auditor candidate don’t pass the smell test, as noted here, here, and here.