Eric Condon, candidate for Euclid Council Ward 8, announced he's received endorsements by Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap; Lake County Engineer James R. Gills; Lake County Sanitary Engineer Albert J. Saari; Willowick Council President Robert J. Patton; Kirtland Council President R. Robert Umholtz; Willowick Councilman John P. O’Donnell; Eastlake Councilwoman Laura DePledge; Willoughby Councilman Jeffrey H. Black; Mentor Councilman Bruce Landeg; Mentor-on-the-Lake Councilmen Troy Elam and Dale Langbehn; Painesville Councilwoman Lori DiNallo and Madison Village Councilman Ken Cahill.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Former state Rep. Ed Jerse, who has announced he’s a candidate in 2014 for Ohio Senate District 25, said today in an email that he has pulled candidacy petitions to run for the office.

Jerse, a Euclid Democrat, also said he has received endorsement for the position by Lake County Commissioners Judy Moran and Daniel P. Troy and former Lake County Commissioner John F. Platz. He also cited previous support from state Rep. John Rogers.

Ohio Senate District 25 consists of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County, plus Euclid, Richmond Heights and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, currently represents the district and has announced plans to run in 2014 for Ohio Secretary of State.

Former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, a Richmond Heights Democrat, also has announced he's running for the position in 2014.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

John Plecnik, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, announced endorsements by state Sen. John Eklund, state Rep. Ron Young, Willoughby Hills Councilman David Fiebig, Willoughby Hills Councilwoman Nancy Fellows, and former Willoughby Hills Council President Tim Manning.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The decision Monday by the Ohio Controlling Board to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid to a larger group of Ohio residents garnered national headlines and was noticed by the White House, which devoted a blog post to the news.

Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who pushed for the expansion to cover those who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level despite resistance from the Ohio General Assembly, was applauded by many people and groups across the state and nation for finding a way to get it done.

In Lake County, an estimated 5,000 more people would be eligible to receive Medicaid health care coverage through the expansion, according to Deputy Health Commissioner Ron Graham of the Lake County General Health District.

Policy Matters Ohio, which says it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization, estimates the expansion would also save the state $404 million and that money would free up resources that could be used to provide funding for things like hiring police, firefighters, teachers, increasing college aid and providing caseworkers for seniors.

Some state lawmakers have also suggested using any potential savings to provide an additional state income tax cut.

However, not everyone is pleased by the Ohio Controlling Board action. Among those unhappy locally are Republican state Reps. Ron Young of Leroy Township and Matt Lynch of Bainbridge Township.

Both state legislators are among the complainants who after the decision filed legal action with the Ohio Supreme Court against the Ohio Controlling Board and the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

Their argument is not based on Medicaid expansion as a public policy issue, rather the matter essentially is whether the executive branch can implement a major policy over the objections of the General Assembly.

Young distributed a report on Oct. 15 (six days before the Ohio Controlling Board decision) that he titled “The Myths of Medicaid Expansion” and it discusses five items followed by paragraphs of what he terms are reality and his sources of research.

In a nutshell, Young’s report aims to debunk claims that Medicaid offers good health care and that expanding it will save countless lives, Ohio would be foolish to turn down federal dollars to expand the program, people should trust the federal government to live up to its promises, if the expansion doesn't work the state can shut it down and walk away, and Medicaid expansion is an opportunity to reform the program.

The state legislator has opposed Obamacare from the beginning and has not wavered on his stance. His report also says — contrary to what Kasich has previously indicated — that it is impossible to oppose Obamacare and yet support a Medicaid expansion.

Time will tell if the lawsuit has merit and if it will present any change to the decision in Ohio to expand Medicaid.

Politically, it also will be interesting to see if positions on Medicaid prompt any serious challenges next year when all members of the Ohio House of Representatives are up for re-election.

Taken out petitions

Dennis N. LoConti has taken out candidacy petitions to run for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge in 2014. LoConti, a Democrat, has until Feb. 5 to file to run for the office. LoConti also ran for Common Pleas Court judge in the Democratic Party primary in March 2008.

Bar Association blessing

The Lake County Bar Association recently announced Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets received a “highly recommended” endorsement. Trebets is unopposed for re-election to a full six-year term commencing Jan. 1. The endorsement was given after a poll was conducted by the organization’s membership. Trebets received 133 votes, and 132 were favorable.

Event

Geauga County Democratic Party hosts a progressive dinner will be held Nov. 2. It begins at the party headquarters in Newbury Township. Schedule and location directions are sent to those interested after registrations are made.

Fundies

• Geauga County Engineer Joe Cattell hosts fall fundraiser 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Geauga County Historical Society in Burton Village. See Frank Antenucci.
• Geauga County Republican Party Christmas Party, Dec. 6 at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Bainbridge. See Ed Ryder or Frank Gliha.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

David Eva, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor, announced endorsements by John S. Crocker, former Lake County treasurer and former Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor; John M. Rogers, state representative and former Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor; Lake County Commissioners Robert E. Aufuldish, Judy Moran and Daniel P. Troy; Lake County Treasurer Lorraine Fende; Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe; Robert G. Schiebli and Lake-Geauga AFL-CIO; M-O-L Council President Dale O. Langbehn; M-O-L Council Vice President  Jennifer Bittner; Mentor-on-the-Lake Councilmembers John Hawkins, Susan Shirley, Desirea Thompson; former Mentor-on-the-Lake Council President Andy Rose and AFSCME Power In Action Committee 5.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Well, it’s over — at least for now.

Federal lawmakers came to an agreement Wednesday night to fully reopen the federal government and to also avoid a threatened national default.

The deal will fund the government through Jan. 15 and allow the Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7.

Let’s hope that those in Washington can learn from what has transpired the past few weeks and be able to find bipartisan solutions to the big problems our country faces.

That was also a similar feeling former President Bill Clinton expressed when he visited Cleveland on Thursday to speak at Cuyahoga County Community College Foundation Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

Clinton shared that he felt relief that the situation was over in part because of the political drama that had been created and he believes the country’s reputation has suffered internationally because of it.

The former president has a perspective that only a few can share because he was in office the last time the federal government was shut down.

Although many believe Clinton benefitted politically and that it helped him get re-elected to a second term, he said that threat of a government shutdown is not the right way to govern.

Even though it was a last minute agreement with little choice and time left, a bipartisan agreement was reached.

When looking at the final roll call, eight of Ohio’s 16 members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the deal including Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, and Marcia L. Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights. Both Ohio U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, and Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, voted to approve the deal.

A Washington-based television reporter asked President Barack Obama that same night after he delivered remarks prior to the House voting on the deal whether he expected the drama to return in a few months when the next deadlines arise and the president simply said “no” before exiting the room.

It would make sense for Congress to work together to put forth a budget for Obama to sign. Is that really too much to ask?

The policy of adopting continuing resolutions to fund the federal government doesn’t seem to accomplish much except to keep things status quo.

Quite frankly, there has to be a better way for our elected officials to govern.

Maybe it took the country’s nearly falling financially off a cliff to make that point clear.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Jefferson-Jackson dinner

The Lake County Democratic Party hosts its annual Jefferson-Jackson starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake. Featured guests include Ohio Attorney General candidate David Pepper and former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

Event

Ward L. Kinney, candidate for Chester Township trustee, hosts a meet and greet event 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Geauga West Library in Chester Township.

Fundies

n Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Park Road Grill in Painesville Township. See Terri Conley.

n Arlene Becks, candidate for Painesville Council at large, hosts Three Pasta Entrée Buffet fundraiser with special guests state Sen. Nina Turner and state Rep. John Rogers, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Painesville Elk’s Lounge. See Becks, Trudy Simmons or L.K. Williams.

n Tom Fitzgerald, candidate for Painesville Council Jan. 1 term, hosts an open house fundraiser, 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23, at his home in Painesville. See Debra Fitzgerald or Janet Clair.

n Chuck Brickman, candidate for Willoughby Council at large, hosts a fundraiser, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wild Goose in Willoughby. See Brickman.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Laura J. Gorshe, candidate for Euclid Council Ward 8, announced she has received endorsement by the Sierra Club.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Joe Zawatski, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, announced he has received endorsement by Willoughby Hills Mayor Bob Weger.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Micheal Zuren, candidate for Eastlake Council, announced he has been endorsed by the Lake and Geauga Area Association of REALTORS.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Laura J. Gorshe, candidate for Euclid Council Ward 8, announced she has received endorsement by the Black Women’s Political Action Committee.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Lake County officials remain concerned about a state law that could force the county to purchase additional voting machines.

A ratio that requires each county to have one voting machine per 175 registered voters was enacted in 2006 and is slated to go into effect next year.

Eliminating that ratio had been discussed as part of the two-year state budget that was passed June 30, but it ultimately did not happen.

Earlier this year, Lake County elections officials estimated the county would have to purchase an additional 54 voting machines based on a voter registration level of more than 152,000.

The cost would be $100,000 to $200,000, depending on if the equipment was new or used.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy said during a meeting this week that spending that money to purchase additional machines was an “unnecessary expenditure.”

Troy also recalled that county Elections Board Director Scott E. Daisher previously stated to commissioners publicly that the longest anyone had to wait to vote in the November 2012 election was a report of a 30-minute wait when the polls opened in one precinct.

Otherwise, there have been no long wait times so purchasing additional machines simply isn’t needed, officials said.

Troy said the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and Lake County officials will continue to speak with state lawmakers, including state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat who represents half of Lake County as part of District 25 in the Ohio Senate.

Turner also is running for Ohio Secretary of State next year and likely will face incumbent Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

When the law was enacted in 2006, it came as memories were fresh about reports of voters across the state who weren’t able to cast a ballot or had to wait for so long to vote that they decided not to bother.

Troy and other election officials in Lake County now argue the ratio is no longer necessary to implement because voters have more options available to them to vote absentee and that has helped alleviate long lines and made it easier to vote.

An interesting question to ponder is what would happen if the law isn’t changed or a solution isn’t reached in time and the county decided not to go ahead and purchase additional machines? Perhaps a potential legal challenge?

It will be interesting to see what develops.

Medicaid expansion

Gov. John Kasich continues to push for an expansion of Medicaid for people who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Friday that the governor will ask the seven-member Ohio Controlling Board to approve spending about $2.56 billion in federal money to cover an estimated 275,000 low-income Ohioans under Medicaid.

With four Republicans, two Democrats and Board Chairman Randy Cole, who is a policy advisor for the state Office of Budget Management, it will be interesting to see if a Medicaid expansion basically skips past the Ohio General Assembly.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

n Matt Jaworski, candidate for Wickliffe Council at large, hosts a bowling fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m. today at Wickliffe Lanes. See Jaworski or Matt Gallik.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran hosts Oktoberfest 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at American Legion Hall in Willowick. See Paul Miller or Kevin Malecek.

n Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Park Road Grill in Painesville Township. See Terri Conley.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The potential ballot in November 2014 looks like it might be a little less crowded now that a group that had opposed a new law to ban storefront sweepstakes parlors has dropped its fight to place a repeal up for a statewide vote.

The Committee to Protect Ohio jobs wanted to repeal Ohio House Bill 7, and the group said it had gathered thousands of additional signatures after falling short of the required number earlier this month.

Ultimately the committee decided not to submit any more to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted by a Thursday night deadline.

House Bill 7 gives the state Attorney General’s Office regulatory authority over sweepstakes terminal devices used by internet sweepstakes cafés, according to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. Cafés are required to obtain a certificate of registration from the Attorney General’s Office and file monthly reports.

The Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation also now will have explicit authority to investigate gambling law violations alleged to occur at internet sweepstakes cafes. DeWine also plans to send letters to each of the 88 county prosecutors in Ohio on the issue.

Another group called Healthy Ohioans Work aims to have the Ohio General Assembly approve Medicaid expansion for people who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Democrat lawmakers appear to be mostly united on this issue, but so far leading Republican lawmakers have declined to support the issue even with Gov. John Kasich urging them to do so.

It’s a lengthy process to submit the language and appropriate number of signatures to force the Ohio General Assembly to consider a proposal, but if the group is successful and state lawmakers don’t act, an initiative could be part of the November 2014 ballot.

Other possible initiatives that have been mentioned in publications across the state could include the so-called right to work issue, legalizing gay marriage and legalizing marijuana either for medicinal purposes and/or recreational use.

Next year will really be interesting on the statewide level as the governor’s race will be on the ballot along with most statewide officeholder positions.

It’s entirely possible that whatever issues do appear on the ballot would have a significant impact on how the candidates races go.

To provide just a quick example, Medicaid expansion in Ohio has proved to be a divisive issue especially between conservatives and most Democrats. Even some in the Republican Party aren’t unified against expansion — like Kasich, who supports it and top Republican lawmakers who apparently don’t.

In big races that involve statewide issues and candidates, getting loyal party voters and even independents interested can often mean the difference for a candidate’s chances of winning and losing. We’ll see how it shakes out.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Event

Dennis Morley, candidate for Eastlake mayor, will host a meet and greet event, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 at Trader Jacks in Eastlake.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts fall clambake, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Mentor Beach Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

n Matt Jaworski, candidate for Wickliffe Council at large, hosts a bowling fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Wickliffe Lanes. See Jaworski or Matt Gallik.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran hosts Oktoberfest 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at American Legion Hall in Willowick. See Paul Miller or Kevin Malecek.

n Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Park Road Grill in Painesville Township. See Terri Conley.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Rusty Bliss, candidate for Willoughby-Eastlake School Board, announced he has received endorsement by the Lake County Republican Party.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Joe Zawatski, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, announced he has received an endorsement from former Willoughby Hills Mayor Mort O'Ryan.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Laura Gorshe, candidate for Euclid Council Ward 8, announced the following endorsements by Euclid City Council members Kirsten Holzheimer Gail, Madeline Scarniench, Kandace Jones, Patrick McLaughlin, Daryl Langman and Greg Van Ho, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Sunny Simon, former state Rep. Kenny Yuko, Sevin Hills Finance Director Jack Johnson, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Euclid Democratic Club, North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Plumbers Union Local 55, AFSCME – Ohio Council 8, and Laborers’ Union Local 860.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah