Buckeye State Blog - Pamphleteers of the Revolution

Strickland, Fisher come out against "Sick Day" Initiative

modernesquire — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:02:03 -0700

From the e-bag:

While important members of the business community and SEIU participated in good faith discussions, it was, unfortunately, not possible to achieve a compromise acceptable to a sufficient portion of the business community and the proponents to cause its removal from the ballot. We regret that a reasonable compromise was not possible. This reality means that there will be a hard fought campaign centering on this initiative in the coming months. During that campaign, we call upon both sides to avoid portraying Ohio as unfriendly to business and economic development.

“We also recognize it is important to make clear our thoughts on important public policy issues and today are announcing that we cannot support the paid sick-day ballot initiative. While we would hope that all Ohio businesses would make paid sick days available to their employees whenever possible, we believe that this initiative is unworkable, unwieldy and would be detrimental to Ohio's economy, and we will be opposing it and asking Ohioans to oppose it as a result.”

I'm betting that SEIU is going to regret not reaching a settlement. To have the Democratic Governor and Ohio's chief State economic development official to be against this initiative is going to be, shall we say, problematic.

I'm conflicted. It's the ol' heart v. wallet debate. I want employees to be able to have time off work care for themselves and their loved ones without bankrupting them in the process. However, I do have to wonder why no middle ground couldn't be reached to keep small employers .... well, employers. Ohio's unemployment rate is at a 15-year high. This simply isn't the right time for this proposal.

Flame away.

Hey John, Here's All Your Houses!

dpotts — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:00:57 -0700

Conveniently enough for John McCain, there's already a Google Earth tour of his houses on YouTube!

John McCain Doesn’t Know How Many Houses He Owns

dpotts — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:31:32 -0700

This is pretty damning stuff. John McCain was unable to answer when he was recently asked how many houses he owned.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview Wednesday that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own.

"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."

The correct answer is at least four, located in Arizona, California and Virginia, according to his staff. Newsweek estimated this summer that the couple owns at least seven properties.

It really begs the question, how can a man that can’t even remember all the houses he has deal with the national debt?

Statements On The Death Of Stephanie Tubbs Jones

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:17:14 -0700

Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty:

"Stephanie Tubbs Jones was one of the most compassionate, most dedicated and most talented individuals I have had the pleasure to work with and call a friend. She fought for the vulnerable and stood up for the rights of every citizen. Her optimism and her heart were displayed everyday in her service to her constituents, her communities and the nation. She opened doors for African-Americans everywhere, and her legacy will endure.

Otto and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Congresswoman's family and friends. This is a very sad day for us and a very sad day for the people of Cleveland and all Ohioans."

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern:

"Today, I join the people of Cleveland in mourning the passing of a great and wonderful public servant. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a gifted trailblazer with a spirit as big as the city she loved. Her incredible legacy will never fade from our memories."

Presidential Candidate Barack Obama:

“Michelle and I are saddened to hear today’s news about Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She is a passionate and tireless advocate for the people of Cleveland and a devoted public servant for all Americans. We send our heartfelt prayers to Stephanie and her family at this very difficult time.”

Later on, after Tubbs Jones’ death was announced, Obama released a second statement:

"Michelle and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was an extraordinary American and an outstanding public servant. It wasn't enough for her just to break barriers in her own life. She was also determined to bring opportunity to all those who had been overlooked and left behind - and in Stephanie, they had a fearless friend and unyielding advocate. It was an honor to serve with Stephanie in Congress, and I know her legacy will live on in all those who walk the trails she blazed and walk through the doors she opened. Our hearts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her."

Victoria Wulsin, Congressional Candidate in the 2nd District:

“Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was a trail blazer, a dedicated public servant and I was proud to call her a friend. I will keep Stephanie and her family in my heart and in my prayers.”

“God has called Stephanie home, but her good work lives on and her memory will inspire generations to come.”

Governor Ted Strickland

“Frances and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congresswomen Stephanie Tubbs Jones. We served together in the Congress, where I witnessed her passionate and selfless commitment to her constituents. I am grateful for the opportunity to have called Stephanie my colleague, and I am proud to have called her my friend. Our friendship deepened during the long primary season as we worked together for Senator Clinton. Stephanie was a strong, courageous and compassionate advocate for the poor and vulnerable. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the people of Ohio’s 11^th Congressional District during this difficult time.”

Richard Cordray:

"This is a tragic blow for the people of Cleveland and for all of Ohio. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was a first-rate judge and prosecutor and as a Congresswoman, she was a lioness for her district. She had a glow about her that made everyone around her light up. She was loved and will be sorely missed. "

Congressman Charlie Wilson (D-6th district):

“I’m deeply saddened by today’s news. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a champion for the residents of the greater Cleveland area and a tireless voice for Ohio. My deepest sympathy goes out to her son and to her extended family. She will be sorely missed by the Ohio Congressional Delegation, by all of Congress, and I will miss working with her.”

And probably the most fitting one I received today came from Joyce Beatty when the reports that Tubbs Jones was in critical condition came out this afternoon:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie, her family and her friends. She has given so many miracles, she deserves one of her own.”

Sadly, it was not to be.

Update:

DNC Chairman Howard Dean:

"We are greatly saddened about the passing of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a true American hero and inspiring leader, having spent a lifetime breaking barriers and standing up for her values. Just last week I was honored to have Stephanie join me on the campaign trail in Ohio where, as always, her infectious energy, enthusiasm and passion uplifted the crowd. Her voice will be greatly missed.

"This is a great loss for our Party and our nation. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' friends and family during this difficult time."

Update #2:

Nancy Garland, candidate for the Ohio House 20th district:

"Ohio lost today one of its greatest champions and trailblazers. Stephanie was a role model for women across our great state, an advocate for Ohioans, and a dedicated public servant. The times I had the pleasure of listening to her speak, her ability to inspire was apparent. People across the state will dearly miss her and treasure the impact she made on all of us."

Update #3:

Congressional Candidate Bill O'Neill

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and colleague Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. This is a tragic loss for the people of Northeast Ohio. I will forever remember her smile, her laugh, and the passion she brought to the halls of Congress. She will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family this evening."

Update #4:

Bill and Hillary Clinton:

There are few words to express the shock we feel at this time. Our deepest condolences are with Stephanie's son, Mervyn, her family, and her many loved ones, friends, and supporters.

Stephanie's friendship meant the world to us, a friendship that deepened through every trial and challenge. We could always count on her to be a shoulder on which to lean, an ear to bend, a voice to reassure. Over the course of many years, with many ups and many downs, Stephanie was right by our side-unwavering, indefatigable.

It was that fighting spirit-safely stowed behind her disarming smile, backed by so much integrity and fiery intelligence-that allowed Stephanie to rise from modest beginnings, to succeed in public service, to become a one-woman force for progress in our country.

All of us who were lucky to know her and love her can only hope now to live like her-to be as passionate, loyal, hard charging, and joyful in life's pursuits.

Stephanie was one of a kind. We will miss our friend always.

Rep. Betty Sutton (D-13th district):

"I am shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. This is truly a tragic loss for the people of Ohio's 11^th District, who she loved so very much and for Americans she stood up for across this country.

Her amazing spirit and selfless dedication touched and brightened so many lives. I am honored to have known and have served alongside her. Stephanie was more than my colleague; she was my friend and sister. I will miss her greatly.

My thoughts and prayers are with her son Mervyn and her family at this very sad time."

Update #5:

President and Mrs. Bush:

Laura and I are saddened by the death of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

As a proud lifelong resident of Ohio's 11th District, she devoted her career to serving her community at both the State and national levels. She was an effective legislator who was dedicated to helping small businesses, improving local schools, expanding job opportunities for Ohioans, and ensuring that more of them have access to healthcare. After making history as the first African American woman elected to Congress from Ohio, the Congresswoman worked to expand the rights of all Americans. Our Nation is grateful for her service.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Mervyn Leroy Jones, II and the rest of her family.

The Statement from Stephanie Tubbs Jones' Office

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:23:48 -0700

"It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today. The official cause of death was an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

"Her death followed a full day of activities, including planning for an upcoming forum on electoral reform and other administrative duties yesterday. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was scheduled to travel to Denver on August 24, 2008 to attend the Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate.

"Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. Congresswoman Jones is a lifelong resident of the 11th District, which encompasses most of the East Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs.

"Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman was a strong advocate for many issues, and championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman was the first African-American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) and the first African-American woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. She was an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

"Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has made a number of historic achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant. Prior to her election to the House, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones served as the first African-American and the first female Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor. She was the first African-American woman to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State of Ohio and was a Municipal Court Judge in the City of Cleveland.

"Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has received numerous honors throughout her lifetime including the National Bible Association Capitol Hill Distinguished Leadership Award, Human Rights Campaign of Cleveland Equality Award, Backbone Campaign's Backbone Award, and the Carib News Multi-National Business Conference Marcus Garvey Award.

"Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools. She received her undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University, graduating with a degree in Social Work from the Flora Stone Mather College in 1971. She received her Juris Doctorate form Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1974. Additionally, she has received honorary doctorates from David N. Myers University, Notre Dame College, Central State University and Cleveland State University.

"An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she served on their national Social Action Committee. She was a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and was a member of their Board of Trustees.

"Her husband of 27 years Mervyn L. Jones, Sr. preceded her in death.

"The Family and the 11th Congressional District Office wishes to thank friends, constituents, and colleagues for their expressions of sympathy and asks that the community allow the family privacy at this time. Thanks are also extended to the Cleveland Heights Police Department and Emergency Medical Services, Huron Road Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Gus Kious, Chief of Staff at Huron Road Hospital. Information regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming."

CNN Once Again Reporting That Tubbs Jones Has Died

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:44:30 -0700

CNN is once again reporting the death of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Again our thoughts go out to her friends and family, regardless of whether or not this is true.

Turncoat Joe Speaking At The Republican Convention

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:59:44 -0700

Today it was announced that Joe Lieberman will be speaking at the Republican National Convention next month.

Senator Lieberman, of course, was the Democratic VP candidate back in 2000, but became an Independent in 2006 after losing in the Democratic primary for his Senate seat. Since then he’s still been allowed to caucus with the Democrats and retain his seniority and leadership positions in order to give the Democrats the majority in the Senate.

Lieberman was able to hold onto his status in the Democratic Party even after he endorsed Republican John McCain for president, but has he finally crossed the line? I think it’s time for a poll…

Should Joe Lieberman still be allowed to caucus with the Democrats?

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:51:24 -0700

UPDATE: Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones is in critical condition with limited brain function

Nick D — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:23:18 -0700

ABC News, the Plain Dealer, and the Associated Press have retracted their reports about the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Presently, they are all only reporting that she is in critical condition, but close friends are preparing for the worst because she has limited brain functionality, and unfortunately the anuersym is in a part of the brain that is unreachable by surgeons.

Our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. The Congresswoman's impact on her constituents and the greater Cleveland area is unmistakable.

Tubbs Jones' Office Says She’s Stable, But Rumors Abound

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:12:10 -0700

The Plain Dealer has a statement up from Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones’s office saying that she is in stable condition, but they also report that it doesn’t seem to match up with the mood in the hospital.

"At the present time Rep. Tubbs Jones condition has stabilized and she is receiving the best care available," Nicole Williams said.

People at the hospital had a grim outlook, however. Cleveland Councilman Roosevelt Coats sobbed and said Tubbs Jones was unconscious, and that her friends were preparing for the worst.

It’s also been revealed that the blackout was caused by an aneurysm.

All of us here at BSB are hoping for the best, and would like to wish Stephanie a quick recovery.

OH-11: Tubbs Jones Hospitalized

dpotts — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:50:43 -0700

Politico is reporting that Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was hospitalized last night after blacking out behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

A Cleveland television station is reporting that Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) was hospitalized Tuesday night after police found her unconscious behind the wheel of a moving car.

Cleveland’s WOIO reports that police tried to pull over a fast-moving sedan at around 9 p.m. Tuesday but got no response from the driver. When they managed to get the car stopped in a field, they found Tubbs Jones, 58, unconscious in the driver’s seat.

A spokeswoman for the Huron Road Hospital in East Cleveland confirmed Tuesday night that Tubbs Jones was in the hospital but told the AP that family members wanted no further information released. WOIO said that Tubbs Jones' condition has been “stabilized.”

While details are still scarce, several people are reporting that Jones is still unconscious.

Dispatch: GOP Attack on Brunner "Much Ado About Nothing"

Nick D — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:39:23 -0700

This editorial appears in today's Columbus Dispatch:

The run-up to an election can be the silly season, and not just because of the absurdities expounded during campaigns. Political parties often accuse each other of exploiting voting rules as an election draws near.
Some Republicans are overreacting because an unforeseen interaction of separate election statutes has created a five-day window in which people may register to vote and then immediately vote by absentee ballot.

This results because one Ohio law permits absentee voting up to 35 days before an election. Another Ohio law says the cutoff for voter registration is 30 days before an election.

Some Republicans say the legislature never intended such instant voting but wanted only to ensure all voters be registered at least 30 days before they cast a ballot.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner ruled that as long as the registration is 30 days before Election Day, the early votes are valid. She points out that those votes aren't counted until after polling locations close on Election Day, which, in effect, means that the votes are treated as if they were cast on Election Day anyway.

Apparently the GOP hierarchy is worried that loads of Barack Obama supporters will show up during this period from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6 to register and then vote.

If Republicans so dislike the overlap, they should persuade the GOP-led General Assembly to address the situation instead of complaining about Brunner's directive to county election boards.

This option was available to registrants in the gubernatorial election of 2006, and just 60 people in Franklin County voted this way. There were no recorded complaints. Brunner, a Democrat, said not a "single question or concern has been raised about the overlap period" prior to last week.

So, what's the problem?

The problem? The problem is, as I stated before, other states with same-day registration have seen turnout increases amongst young people. And since SurveyUSA finds that 18-to-35 year olds in Ohio break 57-35 for Barack Obama, the Ohio GOP wants as few of them to vote as possible.

Governor's Conversation On Education

dpotts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:08:08 -0700

For the last few weeks, Governor Strickland has been traveling around the state holding forums on education with people at all levels of the school system to discuss the problems that need to be addressed. Last night I finally had the chance to watch part of one of these forums.

I was only able to attend the last half of the event, but during that time I heard teachers, professors, superintendents, parents, and even students stand up and raise their concerns about the education system. I heard issues ranging from charter schools to tutoring sessions for parents. The plan is to eventually work some of the concerns into the Governor’s forthcoming education plan.

During the event I couldn’t help but recall Congressman Zack Space’s forums in the 18th district. It really is democracy at it’s finest to invite the public into the governmental process like this. I look forward to seeing the education plan that comes out of this.

Dear Common Cause/Ohio: STFU. Signed, BSB

modernesquire — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:21:35 -0700

(Okay, I didn't clear this title with BSB admins, so they can feel free to dissent.)

Last week, Common Cause/Ohio wrote a letter to the REPUBLICAN leadership of the General Assembly asking that both houses pass a resolution denouncing the standard of impeachment set forth by the House Democratic caucus' impeachment resolution against Dann. (According to all published reports, no such letter went to the House Democratic caucus-- the group that actually introduced the articles of impeachment.) Apparently, the Board is even more upset that nobody in the media really paid any attention to their press release last week, so for some reason the AP's Statehouse bureau has decided today to report on it after all this time:

The government watchdog group Common Cause urged lawmakers in a letter last week to pass a resolution rejecting the standards for impeachment established in the Dann case.
They argued that such acts as "neglect of duty" or "failure to exercise due care" are far too vague and amorphous to serve as standards for removing a statewide elected official from office.
After all, Common Cause governing board chairman William K. Woods argued, legislators didn't impeach former Gov. Bob Taft after four misdemeanor convictions - suggesting that an official's conduct needed to be worse than that to qualify.
Impeaching Dann would have required a Senate trial on each of the charges leveled against him, as well as Republican support. Ohio hasn't impeached and convicted anyone since 1808.
"The removal (of Dann) appeared to be carried out in a rash and reckless manner containing little concern about the rights of over 2 million Ohioans who voted for Dann, the requirements of the laws, and basic principles of fairness," William K. Woods, chairman of the Common Cause governing board, wrote. "Instead, the process was apparently driven by strong concerns about the condition of one political party's 'house.'"

Here's what is so mind-numbingly stupid about Common Cause. First, no standard of impeachment was established in the Dann case. In order for a standard to have been made, the House would have first needed to actually PASS an impeachment resolution. Does the General Assembly now have to affirmatively pass resolutions denouncing every other piece of legislation it doesn't enact in order to avoid "confusion" that their silence might be taken as acceptance?

Apparently, Common Cause/Ohio thinks so. Idiots.

Second, why should the State Senate pass a resolution about the standard of impeachment? Constitutionally, the standard of impeachment is an issue solely for the House to decide in interpreting its responsibilities under the Ohio Constitution. It would be an infringement of the House's constitutionally delegated powers for the Senate to take a position as to the proper standard for impeachment under the Ohio Constitution. For a public interest group that is supposedly so worried about the Ohio Constitution, you'd think they would have realized this.

Third, the General Assembly didn't "remove" Dann from office! Something that never happened cannot be carried out in a rash and reckless matter. Dann resigned. Maybe he resigned in a rash and reckless manner containing little concern about the rights of over 2 million Ohioans who voted for Dann. But after all, that would be consistent with how he ran his office during his short term.

Fourth, and I'm sick of repeating this-- the impeachment resolution did not use "removal standards that are inconsistent with the impeachment standard contained in the Ohio Constitution.” Again, we covered this: in this post and this post and well, countless others at the time.

Fifth, there's a difference between why Marc Dann had articles of impeachment introduced against him; and Bob Taft didn't. Impeachment is inherently a political, not legal act. Say that seven more times until you remember it. You say that the effort to impeach Dann was largely political? Duh. And guess what? If the Framers didn't want politics to play out into impeachment, then they wouldn't have given that power to one of the most political branches there is.

Sixth, yes, Dann's impeachment would terminate the mandate of the majority who elected him. But if that's an argument against impeachment, then can only appointed officials be removed from office?

Common Cause's nonsensical protest over poor, ol' Marc Dann doesn't stop there. No, they also criticize giving the IG the power to investigate Dann (originally presented as a delegation of the House's impeachment investigatory duties) and the "raid" against his office:

Woods also said the law giving Charles jurisdiction to investigate Dann happed quickly and created the appearance of a conflict of interest, because Charles is appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland, “who had publicly and repeatedly called for Dann to resign or be impeached.”
Additionally, Woods said the inspector general’s “raid” on Dann’s office hours before he resigned was done “in a manner that crippled Dann’s ability to continue to function as attorney general” because important electronics and property were seized. Woods wrote that sexual harassment complaints are often investigated without the need to raid offices and seize equipment.

Is Woods so out-of-touch with the facts of the Dann affair that he really thinks the only issue was the sexual harassment complaint?? What about Gutierrez conducting private business from state resources, his questionable purchases, Dann's questionable hiring practices, the FBI investigation about Dann and games of chance, and is there anything else I possible forgot? And since when do we blame law enforcement for seizing evidence in order to prevent the destruction of relevant evidence? Maybe if Marc Dann had treated the trust of those 2 million voters a little more seriously, I dunno, maybe such a raid for evidence wouldn't have been necessary?

I can't name one single positive policy achievement in Ohio that was the result of Common Cause/Ohio (thanks for those RON amendments, guys). If you go to their website, you'll see an exhibit of sporadic activity (and all of it mostly failures). You will see that they still have a "Guide to Coingate", and therein you see the real rub. Common Cause is hitched to Marc Dann over Coingate. The press that Dann was able to generate with that story gave Common Cause/Ohio a hook to fundraise over. And they're trying to defend an ol' political friend who was the only thing that had made this entity anything close to being politically relevant in this State by helping him play the "rush to judgment" victim card. Boo-hoo...

So Common Cause of Ohio owes Marc Dann and is now (well after the fact when it can do so without suffering too much political heat because Marc Dann is so backpage news) trying to repay it. Meanwhile, their national Board is supporting the impeachment of the President (how many millions voted for that guy-- twice). It also supported the impeachment of former AG Alberto Gonzales because of the partisan hiring practices of the AG's office. So apparently, Common Cause believes an Attorney General should be impeached for hiring someone based on whether they are a Republican, but it's ok if they make hiring decisions based on the applicant's "ass and tits" like Dann's office did.

Until Common Cause shows some common sense, don't give them your hard-earned dollars and cents.

Brunner Decides For Weekend Voting In Franklin County

dpotts — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:10:15 -0700

Breaking a 2-2 tie in the Franklin County Board of Elections, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has ordered that they must keep early voting going during the weekend.

"I believe it is reasonable to anticipate that demand for in-person absentee voting will be even greater for the general election."

-- Jennifer Brunner

I really have to question the motives of the 2 Republicans that had voted against weekend voting. If a person can go get a Big Mac at 3 A.M. on a Sunday morning, why shouldn’t they be allowed to vote on a Saturday afternoon. Either these people are living decades in the past, or they don’t think the type of people who work long hours during the week deserve to vote.