Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson today endorsed Armond Budish for Cuyahoga County executive.

Budish, a Beachwood Democrat and state representative, looks to win a Democratic Party primary next May.

Other Democratic candidates mentioned for the position have included former Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid and state Sen. Shirley Smith. 

“I am endorsing Armond Budish today, and I’m looking forward to working cooperatively with him on our shared vision for Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the region,” Jackson said in a news release. “Armond Budish has an established record of bringing people together to accomplish common goals, and I believe he is the right person to lead our county,” Mayor Jackson said.

Budish in a news release thanked Mayor Jackson for the endorsement.

“If we are to successfully move our county forward, to create new jobs, train folks for the thousands of good jobs that already exist but are unfilled, and keep our kids here at home, the county and the city of Cleveland must form a strong and constructive partnership," Budish said. “I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Mayor Jackson on our shared vision for our community’s future.”

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, announced Monday that she has endorsed Armond Budish who is running for Cuyahoga County Executive in 2014.

“With so many pressing problems facing our area, we need strong and dynamic leaders here in Cuyahoga County who are willing to put the needs of our communities first.  Armond Budish is that kind of leader,” Fudge said in a news release issued after a press conference held in Warrensville Heights. “Today, I am enthusiastically endorsing Armond Budish, and I will be working side by side with him on this campaign, and then on the challenges facing our region.”

Budish, a Beachwood Democrat who has served as a state representative since 2006 and served two years as Ohio House of Representatives speakers, thanked the congresswoman for her endorsement.

“Over the last few months, I’ve outlined a bold vision to bring jobs and prosperity to northeast Ohio, making sure that all persons are included and no one is left behind," Budish said. "But our challenges are significant. To be successful, our leaders at the federal, state, county and local levels must all work together. I’m confident that Congresswoman Fudge and I will work together very well.”

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

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, has endorsed Armond Budish in the race for Cuyahoga County Executive.

Turner, who represents half of Lake County in Ohio Senate District 25, and Budish released these statements regarding the endorsement:

“Armond Budish is a leader with a deep commitment to public service and the experience to unite diverse communities behind a common goal,”Turner said. “As one of the leaders of county reform, I am confident that he will continue to push for accountability, equity, and efficiency in government and transform Cuyahoga County into an economic powerhouse."

“Sen. Turner is a leading voice for Cuyahoga County both at home and around our state," Budish said. "We both care deeply about attracting good-paying jobs to our communities, and ensuring that every Ohioan has an equal and fair opportunity to exercise their right to vote. I am honored to have her support.”

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The ever-changing proposed state budget took several twists this past week, and what the Ohio Senate unveiled is quite different from the measure passed earlier by the Ohio House of Representatives.

Among the differences is the Ohio Senate wants to scrap a 7 percent permanent income tax cut for individuals. Instead, Ohio Senate leaders in their initial budget bill included a $1.4 billion tax cut to small businesses by cutting in half taxes on the first $750,000 of net income.

The statewide tax cut for individuals was estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, but Ohio Senate leadership said the target tax relief for small businesses would have the most direct impact to encourage job growth.

They hope the small business tax cuts would provide incentives for owners to invest more money into equipment needs, expansion plans, and employee payroll.

Gov. John Kasich had proposed a 20 percent income tax rate reduction for individuals, but it now seems as if there will be little or no reduction in this area.

Ohio Senate officials also announced they do plan to continue work on tax reform with the Ohio House of Representatives in Conference Committee.

What appears to be off the table for now was the governor’s plan to expand the base of the state sales tax and also reduce the overall sales tax rate.

Also missing in either state budget proposal so far is a plan to expand Medicaid coverage to more Ohioans.

But it doesn’t seem the door is closed on this issue, as Ohio Senate leaders said they continue to work on a Medicaid reform plan outside of the budget process.

When it comes to education spending, the Senate version of the budget bill would raise spending on K-12 education by more than $717 million when compared to the last two-year budget, The Associated Press reported.

Schools, according to the GOP-controlled Senate plan, would see an additional $141.6 million in direct state aid when compared to the funding formula the Ohio House passed in its version of the budget bill.

A full Ohio Senate vote is planned for Thursday, and if the measure is approved, the bill heads to a conference committee to hammer out the differences with what was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives.

At this point, there appears to be a lot of discrepancy, so there will be much work to do to pass a final version that needs to be signed by the governor before July 1.

Budish announces

State Rep. Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, announced that he will run for Cuyahoga County executive. He aims to replace Ed FitzGerald, who is running for governor. Media reports showed FitzGerald was present at the announcement and endorsed Budish’s campaign.

Governor appointment

Patrick W. Bevack of Concord Township recently was appointed by Kasich to serve on the Savings and Loan Associations and Savings Bank Board.

Lake-Geauga YRs

The Lake-Geauga Young Republicans are the host club for the 2013 Ohio Young Republican State Convention on June 7-8 at LaMalfa Centre in Mentor.

Local speakers during the convention include state Rep. Matt Lynch and 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Colleen M. O’Toole. Keynote speaker for the dinner program will be U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce will be inducted into the local club’s hall of fame.

Contact Matt Jaworski or Brian Wollet for more details.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Maureen Callahan for North Perry Council; Ed Levon for Wickliffe Council Ward 4; and Kenneth J. Blakeley for Leroy Township trustee.

Fundies

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap’s Golf and Steak Fry, 10:30 a.m. shotgun start June 7 at Painesville Country Club. See Lu Dunlap or Frank Leonbruno.

n Willoughby Hills Councilwoman Nancy Fellows hosts Flag Day Family Picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. June 14 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills. See Nancy or Dale Fellows.

n John Plecnik, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, Slovenian Style Dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 12 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Plecnik or Tony Manfredi.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Lake County was once again in the spotlight this past week as part of ongoing discussion about the state’s upcoming biennial budget proposed by Gov. John Kasich.

The governor appeared Wednesday night at the Lake County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner where he worked the crowd to support his proposals that include tax reform and an expansion of Medicaid.

Also in attendance were other statewide officials including Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith L. French, whom Kasich appointed Jan. 1.

Noting of his surroundings, Kasich immediately acknowledged he will need to appoint a new Lake County Probate Court Judge and he joked that everyone in the room seemed to be a candidate.

All kidding aside, the governor has not backed down on his desire to accept federal funding to help Ohio expand Medicaid despite objections from conservatives who continue to voice concerns that it will lead to more government dependency and who say there is no guarantee that the federal government will honor its pledge to provide 100 percent funding for the first three years.

Many Republicans aren’t happy with the governor’s budget proposal because of the Medicaid expansion. Democrats typically are pleased by the expansion but oppose the budget on many other points especially the idea to expand the sales tax base to include services that are not subject to the tax.

How the state budget shapes out will likely have an impact on how the governor is perceived if and when he formally announces a re-election campaign.

As the 2014 election of statewide office holders starts to come into focus, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald appears to be the front-runner in the Ohio Democratic Party to run against Kasich.

If FitzGerald does in fact run for governor that would create an opening for Cuyahoga County executive.

Among the local Democratic names who may have an interest is state Rep. Armond Budish of Beachwood, who served as Ohio House Speaker in 2009 and 2010.

Prior to this development, many thought Budish would (and still may be) consider a run for Ohio Senate District 25, which includes half of Lake County.

Budish is termed out and cannot seek re-election to the Ohio House and sources indicate he’s considering a run for executive.

Ohio Senate District 25 could also play out to be important statewide, as state Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, who currently represents the district, could run for Ohio Secretary of State in 2014. She hasn’t made a decision on whether to seek re-election or to run statewide.

Activists and supporters really want her to run for statewide office and the Ohio Democratic Party even released a website www.RunNinaRun.org to urge her to do so.

If Budish and Turner run for the aforementioned offices, that potentially opens the door for two former state Reps. — Ed Jerse of Euclid, and Kenny Yuko of Richmond Heights.

Jerse last served as a state legislator in 2004, when he could not seek re-election due to term limits. That opened the door for Yuko’s election and he also served four terms before term limits prevented him from running last November.

Jerse also has some experience campaigning in Lake County as he ran for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District in the 2004 Democratic Primary, when he finished second to Capri S. Cafaro, who now is a state senator representing District 32, which includes a portion of Geauga County.

Fundies

n Dennis Morley will host a kickoff fundraiser for his Eastlake mayor campaign, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 17 at Trader Jack’s Riverside Grille in Eastlake. See Donna Vaughn or Barb Morley.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at Dino’s Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Kathy Russo.

n Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin D. Malecek’s Annual Cinco De Mayo Fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 1 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Malecek or Nora Colburn.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah