Thursday, January 20, 2011
New President to take helm; Meeting dates set for 2011
On January 18th, we conducted our organizational meeting and the first regular meeting of the year ~ a week later than originally planned, due to imclement weather. At the organizational meeting, officers were elected: Karen Krause, President, and Michael Dansack, Vice-President. Additionally, we set the meeting dates and times through August, all of which will take place at the Collingwood Center, 2275 Collingwood in the new conference room. The dates and times follow: 2/8, 5:30 PM; 3/8, 5:30 PM; 4/19, 5 PM; 5/10, 5 PM; 6/14, 5 PM; 7/12, 5 PM; and 8/9, 5 PM. This information will be posted on the website, to keep the public informed ~ as always, the public is always welcome at these meetings, and there is an opportunity for the public to speak and ask questions or offer insights.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wrapping up 2010, and putting a bow on it
Last night at 5 PM was the final meeting of the LCESC board for 2010. We recognized outstanding educator Maria Braknis, and learned more about the teacher residency program... teachers in Ohio will, as of January 1st, move to a four-tiered progressive licensing system: Resident Educator, Professional Educator, Senior Professional Educator, and Lead Professional Educator. More information can be found at this link, on the Ohio Department of Education website: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=513&ContentID=15511&Content=95038
The discussion turned to our regional organization, which is planning a spring conference on March 10th at the Apollo Career Center. We plan to coordinate a region-wide food drive as a part of this conference. I will serve as regional president this year, and in keeping with our focus from last year when we sponsored "Lifting up Lake," we will continue to develop a humanitarian approach to our organization, seeking to be servant leaders.
We approved the acceptance of two grants, both of which have increased from 2010 levels: Early Childhood Special Education/IDEA, in the amount of $68,803.33, and Motorcycle Safety, in the amount of $138,791.17.
Although our fiscal year won't be over until June 30th, we continue to operate in the black, and anticipate that because of careful budgeting and resource management, this will continue through the end of the fiscal year.
Our organizational meeting for 2011 will be held at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center; we will elect our officers for 2011 and set our meeting dates. Those dates will be published here, and as we will be launching a new website in mid-2011, the dates will appear on the website as well. As always, we welcome and encourage any and all participation at our meetings, and any and all questions and comments here on the blog (or feel free to email me privately). Have a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year!
The discussion turned to our regional organization, which is planning a spring conference on March 10th at the Apollo Career Center. We plan to coordinate a region-wide food drive as a part of this conference. I will serve as regional president this year, and in keeping with our focus from last year when we sponsored "Lifting up Lake," we will continue to develop a humanitarian approach to our organization, seeking to be servant leaders.
We approved the acceptance of two grants, both of which have increased from 2010 levels: Early Childhood Special Education/IDEA, in the amount of $68,803.33, and Motorcycle Safety, in the amount of $138,791.17.
Although our fiscal year won't be over until June 30th, we continue to operate in the black, and anticipate that because of careful budgeting and resource management, this will continue through the end of the fiscal year.
Our organizational meeting for 2011 will be held at 5 PM at the Collingwood Center; we will elect our officers for 2011 and set our meeting dates. Those dates will be published here, and as we will be launching a new website in mid-2011, the dates will appear on the website as well. As always, we welcome and encourage any and all participation at our meetings, and any and all questions and comments here on the blog (or feel free to email me privately). Have a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Question from audience: how do you build a positive bi-partisan climate to make this budget happen?
Sykes: open meetings will help a lot. Important decisions should be made in a public forum. The governor should offer the minority to have input into the process, but I see rep Carey laughing here, so I will ask how he can offer more opportunities
Carey: the last budget became very difficult for everyone - people become very passionate during this process - there are arguments in the caucus - when people have limited resources...people should be allowed to have their say and be respectful;no one will get their way 100%. I think the minority should be respected and included - probably every member of my caucus has been mad at me more than once... but that is why we're here, we have to talk about the issues and be respectful, learn what is important to my colleagues...
Pari Sabety: HB 119 was the Strickland budget that passed with only one dissenting vote...everyone has a different view... views are not right or wrong, they are views...that is why we live in a democracy. The budget sometimes becomes arms in an ideological battle and that does not foster progress, but impedes it. The next successful facet to bipartisan governing - all three branches - we are brought here to serve our public and our public expects us to deliberate together with common sense and come forth with a solution that may be painful for some, less painful for others, but moves us forward in a positive direction. They do not expect us to assassinate each others' characters or fiddle while Rome burns and the economy is in a state of collapse.
AND ALL AGREE THAT THE BUDGET WILL BE FINISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN LAST.
Carey: the last budget became very difficult for everyone - people become very passionate during this process - there are arguments in the caucus - when people have limited resources...people should be allowed to have their say and be respectful;no one will get their way 100%. I think the minority should be respected and included - probably every member of my caucus has been mad at me more than once... but that is why we're here, we have to talk about the issues and be respectful, learn what is important to my colleagues...
Pari Sabety: HB 119 was the Strickland budget that passed with only one dissenting vote...everyone has a different view... views are not right or wrong, they are views...that is why we live in a democracy. The budget sometimes becomes arms in an ideological battle and that does not foster progress, but impedes it. The next successful facet to bipartisan governing - all three branches - we are brought here to serve our public and our public expects us to deliberate together with common sense and come forth with a solution that may be painful for some, less painful for others, but moves us forward in a positive direction. They do not expect us to assassinate each others' characters or fiddle while Rome burns and the economy is in a state of collapse.
AND ALL AGREE THAT THE BUDGET WILL BE FINISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN LAST.
Questions
Rep Ron Amstutz: 90% of taxpayer money goes to health and human services, education, prison... and spending outpaces revenue by 10%, how do you want to balance the budget?
J. Pari: we have to make hard choices... I don't think people understand how dependent they are on the state government
c $1 out of every $6 spent on healthcare in this state is spent by the state of Ohio. It is a devil's choice you must make as you walk through the budget process.
Casino question: What effect does this have?
Sykes: We don't have an estimate of how much money will be generated.
J. Pari: there are as many estimates of the size of the budget hole as there are people in the room. The size of the hole depends on your assumptions - what matters, what you want to invest it, and how you are going to live within your means. This will be decided in the next two months. The message from my presentation is to say that the risks we were dealing with in HB1 - those risks, those shifting sands are gone. The new budget will be built while the economy is growing, not in freefall.
J. Pari: we have to make hard choices... I don't think people understand how dependent they are on the state government
c $1 out of every $6 spent on healthcare in this state is spent by the state of Ohio. It is a devil's choice you must make as you walk through the budget process.
Casino question: What effect does this have?
Sykes: We don't have an estimate of how much money will be generated.
J. Pari: there are as many estimates of the size of the budget hole as there are people in the room. The size of the hole depends on your assumptions - what matters, what you want to invest it, and how you are going to live within your means. This will be decided in the next two months. The message from my presentation is to say that the risks we were dealing with in HB1 - those risks, those shifting sands are gone. The new budget will be built while the economy is growing, not in freefall.
And here we go...
...back to the budget.
John Carey (R-94th district): We are going to have to make cuts, but we need to decide what sacrifices are the least painful. As a result of this election we have a mandate to cut - Schools need to prepare for a 10-15% cut...
J. Pary Sabety (Director Ohio Office of Budget Management): We are on a sound fiscal course - to end the suspense, let me tell you where we are today: over the biennium we are absolutely on track and our economy is making progress. There are no secrets. When we began this administration (Strickland and two years ago) we had a mix of bad (red) yellow (caution) and green (good). Now we are all green with one yellow... our revenue is on track. We have been doing well since September 2010, solid. We are moving out of the recession which we were in 2008-2009... started to improve in January 2010. We are turning over an economy and tax system that is starting to perform well. Pink slips aren't flying the way they were. Ohio unemployment down 6 mos. in a row, one of only 8 states that can say that.
In January of 2011 jobs should start to pick up. This will, however, be at a slow pace. Traffic growth on turnpike has been 5.6%... meaning more trucks are on the road. Moody bond rating said that After months of recession, Ohio is back on path to recovery. This administration is handing over a stronger economy to this new administration.
Vernon Sykes (D-44th district): Chair House Finance and Appropriations Committee
I am proud of what we did ~ we only wanted to prop up the budget for a short term with one-time money to make sure that all had access to the services they need. And I am glad to say this is working. We are above expected revenues and below expected expenses. It is unfortunate, though, that this was not fast enough for the election. I teach at Kent State University - usually an election is a report card on how we are doing - but I am proud of our accomplishments. I am hopeful that before the end of this month we can make some recommendations to the new general assembly. Now you know, people trust us to govern - but we shouldn't misuse that trust by keeping them out of the process. I sponsored the open meeting legislation - but now we are going back to closed meetings. We need transparency. I am hopeful that in this coming session we will have media advocacy to open up the finance committee. Some of my colleagues feel it is impossible to make some decisions with public scrutiny, and it is difficult, but I am hoping that we can have that transparency.
John Carey (R-94th district): We are going to have to make cuts, but we need to decide what sacrifices are the least painful. As a result of this election we have a mandate to cut - Schools need to prepare for a 10-15% cut...
J. Pary Sabety (Director Ohio Office of Budget Management): We are on a sound fiscal course - to end the suspense, let me tell you where we are today: over the biennium we are absolutely on track and our economy is making progress. There are no secrets. When we began this administration (Strickland and two years ago) we had a mix of bad (red) yellow (caution) and green (good). Now we are all green with one yellow... our revenue is on track. We have been doing well since September 2010, solid. We are moving out of the recession which we were in 2008-2009... started to improve in January 2010. We are turning over an economy and tax system that is starting to perform well. Pink slips aren't flying the way they were. Ohio unemployment down 6 mos. in a row, one of only 8 states that can say that.
In January of 2011 jobs should start to pick up. This will, however, be at a slow pace. Traffic growth on turnpike has been 5.6%... meaning more trucks are on the road. Moody bond rating said that After months of recession, Ohio is back on path to recovery. This administration is handing over a stronger economy to this new administration.
Vernon Sykes (D-44th district): Chair House Finance and Appropriations Committee
I am proud of what we did ~ we only wanted to prop up the budget for a short term with one-time money to make sure that all had access to the services they need. And I am glad to say this is working. We are above expected revenues and below expected expenses. It is unfortunate, though, that this was not fast enough for the election. I teach at Kent State University - usually an election is a report card on how we are doing - but I am proud of our accomplishments. I am hopeful that before the end of this month we can make some recommendations to the new general assembly. Now you know, people trust us to govern - but we shouldn't misuse that trust by keeping them out of the process. I sponsored the open meeting legislation - but now we are going back to closed meetings. We need transparency. I am hopeful that in this coming session we will have media advocacy to open up the finance committee. Some of my colleagues feel it is impossible to make some decisions with public scrutiny, and it is difficult, but I am hoping that we can have that transparency.
Redfern and DeWine - Party chairs review
Redfern (abbreviate): Thanks for this gathering. Congratulations to Kevin DeWine. We served together for 8 years in the legislature. Politics often swings as a pendulum but I did not realize it would swing so strong and so quick. I'll offer up some thoughts about the election...the Republican party is strong because of Kevin's leadership, which makes us as democrats fight harder and be better. There are more democratic officials in Ohio at the local level than there have been in 50 years. The legislature. Between now in 2012 we will work to elect more democratic city councilpeople across the state...we will work to build upon what we learned on Tuesday. Obama won 22 Ohio counties and won Ohio. Strickland won 26 Ohio counties, but the shades of blue where lighter; that was the difference. The majority of those votes are in Northeast and rural Northwest Ohio. With Sarah Palin as the nominee who will be running in 2012... well no one is more scared of that than Kevin DeWine. The same four states will open the presidential cycle in 2 years - the primary in Ohio will be in May. If you have a base of support like Governor Palin has, well, she can come out of those states and win. I believe and I know that Sherrod Brown is right - healthcare, auto jobs - these are the issues that will help us win in two years. I will be here, reminding those that made the promises that now it is time to keep them. Income taxes have been cut in the last four years and we are not more competitive for it. Thanks very much.
DeWine: If any of you were expecting Chris to be gracious in defeat - well you are disappointed. But I know how it goes I have been there... and I wish you many more opportunities to be there. There are so many new fresh faces that are coming to Columbus - this is the first opportunity to let the healing process begin and work on behalf of the 11.5 million people of Ohio. It is kind of difficult for me to put into words what happened on Tuesday. Chris and I have different styles, those of you who know me - I am not up here to be braggadocio, to pound my chest - what happened is seismic, this is bigger than 1994, bigger than anything they have experienced in their political lifetimes. Let's focus on what happened in Ohio. We defeated an incumbent gov. for the third time ever in the history of Ohio. I recognize Ted Strickland for coming here today. It speaks to the character of the man who led this state for four years. We swept the statewide offices. We have the largest majority in the senate since 1967 (that was the year I was born). We won 13 of 18 US house seats. We kept all 3 seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Picked up 23 county commissioner seats. Broke every volunteer record, turned out more voters than the ODP. Tuesday's victory for the GOP is deep and wide for Ohio government. We need to make sure we understand the lessons of this election. Voters have unhappy with what is going on in Ohio - the pendulum swings hard in Ohio. This is correction of the democratic overreach, a message to Barack Obama that you went too far. The independents left him. This is a rejection of the party in power rather than an embrace of the GOP agenda, to those who were elected, remember that please. Voters want checks and balances. They want bold, decisive leadership and that's what they saw in Kasich.
DeWine: If any of you were expecting Chris to be gracious in defeat - well you are disappointed. But I know how it goes I have been there... and I wish you many more opportunities to be there. There are so many new fresh faces that are coming to Columbus - this is the first opportunity to let the healing process begin and work on behalf of the 11.5 million people of Ohio. It is kind of difficult for me to put into words what happened on Tuesday. Chris and I have different styles, those of you who know me - I am not up here to be braggadocio, to pound my chest - what happened is seismic, this is bigger than 1994, bigger than anything they have experienced in their political lifetimes. Let's focus on what happened in Ohio. We defeated an incumbent gov. for the third time ever in the history of Ohio. I recognize Ted Strickland for coming here today. It speaks to the character of the man who led this state for four years. We swept the statewide offices. We have the largest majority in the senate since 1967 (that was the year I was born). We won 13 of 18 US house seats. We kept all 3 seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Picked up 23 county commissioner seats. Broke every volunteer record, turned out more voters than the ODP. Tuesday's victory for the GOP is deep and wide for Ohio government. We need to make sure we understand the lessons of this election. Voters have unhappy with what is going on in Ohio - the pendulum swings hard in Ohio. This is correction of the democratic overreach, a message to Barack Obama that you went too far. The independents left him. This is a rejection of the party in power rather than an embrace of the GOP agenda, to those who were elected, remember that please. Voters want checks and balances. They want bold, decisive leadership and that's what they saw in Kasich.
Question from audience
We have a constitutional right to collective bargaining... how do you deal with this? to Mary McCreary:
Teachers don't work as many hours... when you pro-rate it out, they make over 100,000 dollars.
Teachers don't work as many hours... when you pro-rate it out, they make over 100,000 dollars.
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