70 Citizens Attend Progress Ohio's Budget Forum

Thanks to Mark for the field report! Bumped from the forums. -Jerid

I'd fully intended to post this last night. However, those plans were quickly derailed when I ran into a friend at the forum and ended up staying out way past my bedtime.

Anyways, Progress Ohio counted 70 heads at last night's forum on the state budget in North Olmsted. America Votes co-sponsored the event with Progress Ohio.

Democratic Reps Michael Skindell (13th), Jennifer Brady (16th) and Mike Foley (14th) joined The Center For Community Solution's Director of Public Policy and Advocacy John Corlett to take citizen's questions about the budget.

Progress Ohio has write-up: http://www.progressohio.org/page/community/post/brianroyer/CLnz

While I think it's great that the Representatives (and Corlett) devoted the time to discuss these important fiscal issues with Ohioans, I'm personally not the biggest fan of these sorts of events where politicians "preach to the choir."

I would've liked to have seen some opposing view points in order to promote a real understanding of these often times complex issues, rather than the familiar chants of the party line.

Another regret I have is that I wasn't able to introduce myself to Yellow Dog Sammy. He strolled in about two minutes into the meeting, sat right friggin' next to me, and then disappeared before it was over. I must say, the man's got great taste in digital recorders though. Olympus, baby!

We're all counting the days until YDS's blog re-emerges.

Note the two studious and attentive fellows in the front row all the way to the right. Oh, and those folks on the stage: Corlett, Skindell, Brady and Foley.