U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge announced Sunday she plans to attend the national memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa as part of an official U.S. Congressional delegation.

Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, will attend the public memorial service on Tuesday in FNB stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mandela, who was revered around the world for his life-long struggle to end apartheid and who became his country’s first democratically elected and first black president, died Thursday at age 95.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter have also announced they will attend the Tuesday memorial service for Mandela in South Africa.

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

President Barack Obama once again made an appearance in Cleveland, stopping Thursday at steelmaker ArcelorMittal for what was intended to be a speech about the economy.

However, the president earlier in the day had made a statement from Washington about his plan to allow health care insurers to extend current plans that would otherwise be canceled next year and to allow people whose plans have been canceled to re-enroll in the same kind of plan.

So when he came to the friendly confines of Cleveland, where he has traditionally enjoyed tremendous support in the past, Obama spent a significant part of his speech focusing on the new health care law.

No surprise, but it was interesting to see the president gave praise to Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who pushed for Ohio to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage to provide an estimated 275,000 people health care coverage.

Obama said that it was the right thing for the governor to do and that sometimes leaders need to put politics aside and do what is best for the people.

Conservative Republicans have criticized the effort to expand Medicaid in Ohio and a lawsuit is pending that challenges the authority of the Ohio Controlling Board, which voted earlier to accept the federal funding.

Plus, the Ohio Republican Party has begun to ramp up efforts to make health care a central focus during the 2014 election in Ohio.

State GOP leaders will look to hold Ohio Democrats responsible for the new health care law and urge people who believe they have been harmed by the changes to share their story by visiting www.ohiogop.org/obamacare.

What I think will be interesting is how Republicans plan to push out that message while at the same time work to get Kasich elected.

It may be a delicate situation, but how the economy goes next year in Ohio will likely be an important issue and critical to Kasich as he seeks a second term.

The governor has said that he opposes Obamacare in principal, but he also felt expanding Medicaid in Ohio was the best decision for the state.

The Ohio Democratic Party this week touted a recent poll they sponsored that suggests the race for governor next year is in a dead heat between Kasich and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat.

It suggests that if the election were held now, Kasich and FitzGerald would each receive about 41 percent, and Libertarian Charlie Earl would receive 6 percent.

About 13 percent of those who responded said they weren’t sure for whom they’d vote.

The margin of error in the poll was plus or minus 4 percent, but again keep in mind it was sponsored by the state Democratic Party.

A lot will happen before next year’s election that will affect the governor’s race, but something I will find interesting is just exactly how the national focus on health care reform will play a role.

Would a successful implementation of Obamacare hurt or help Kasich?

Acting Geauga commissioner

A week ago, Geauga County Republicans appointed Blake Rear to serve as a new county commissioner to replace Tracy Jemison, who retired effective Oct. 31.

Rear, who is the county GOP vice president and former Chardon School Board member, learned Thursday morning that his fellow commissioners wanted to swear him in as acting county commissioner at their meeting.

At that time, the paperwork hadn’t been completely processed by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office to official make Rear a commissioner.

So by swearing him in as an acting commissioner, the Board of Commissioners would have each of the three seats filled.

The idea was that if something should happen to either Commissioners Mary Samide or Ralph Spidalieri, the county would be able to continue have a quorum at meetings with at least two commissioners in office.

It wasn’t an unprecedented move, as Geauga County commissioners also did the same last year when Spidalieri was sworn-in as an acting commissioner prior to beginning his term in January.

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

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce reflected on issues such as immigration, health care, jobs and Syria during a visit this week with The News-Herald.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, has completed his first eight months as a congressman.

When comes to immigration, Joyce acknowledges that this is a big issue especially in Lake and Ashtabula counties, which are part of the seven-county 14th Congressional District.

Joyce believes that for any bill to have a realistic chance to pass through Congress it must address border security, and the process must be improved when issuing visas.

The congressman said he continues to hear from businesses and his constituents about concerns they have about uncertainty of the nation’s new health care law often called Obamacare.

He said people are genuinely concerned about whether they will continue to receive health care from their employer and that some businesses are considering or have already dropped coverage because it may be cheaper for them to pay a fine and let employees buy their own coverage on health exchanges.

Joyce doesn’t believe that defunding Obamacare or shutting down the government is the right approach to address the issue.

Rather, he believes it’s time for President Barack Obama, Republicans and Democrats to work together on health care and find common solutions.

The economic recovery remains soft and there is apprehension about what the future may hold, Joyce believes, adding the number of jobs in the 14th Congressional District remain about the same since the beginning of the year because businesses in general aren’t planning much expansion due to an uncertain feeling as to what their costs are going to be.

He thinks the economy will get better when people feel more secure and can spend their money.

Joyce would like to see the Obama Administration lay out an overall strategy for what to do in Syria after the government there apparently launched a chemical attack.

He feels that the United States shouldn’t launch an air strike to just do it without a greater plan to move forward and to have an end strategy.

Lake County Probate Court update

An appointment by Gov. John Kasich for the Lake County Probate Court bench inches closer and could happen this week.

Candidates said to be under consideration are Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Bartolotta; Lake County Probate Court Magistrate Lora Lynne Krider; Lake County Assistant Prosecutor John O’Donnell; and Jim O’Leary, a Painesville Township attorney.

In the meantime, retired Stark County Probate Court Judge R.R. Denny Clunk has been filling the seat on the bench until Kasich makes the appointment.

Events

n Former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette is the headliner speaker for the 20th anniversary reception for the behavioral health care service provider Bridges from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dino’s in Willoughby. Others featured are Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Tracy Plouck, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Provider CEO Hubert Wirth, and Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board Director Kim Fraser.

n Bolton Women’s Club Cupcakes Social is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the The Confectionary Cupboard, Mentor.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for John Popelka, candidate for Willoughby Council Ward 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Mullarkey’s Irish Pub in Willoughby. See Popelka, Geoff Weaver or John Bowers.

n Kimberly Evers, candidate for Eastlake Council, hosts his fundraiser 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at The Captains Club in Eastlake. See Diane Goss or Mary Evers.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee’,  hosts a “ ’60s Night” fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts his Fall Classic golf outing and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start Sept. 27 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Kip Molenaar.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It appears the U.S. Senate finally came together this past week to get something accomplished that was long overdue.

Former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray was confirmed as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

It was nearly two years ago that President Barack Obama nominated Cordray to head the agency that the White House says will lead consumer watchdog efforts.

Various reports previously noted that Senate members didn’t have an overwhelming objection to Cordray himself, but rather concerns were mostly about the agency and what it would be allowed to do.

There were also other concerns by Senate Republican leaders about how Cordray was nominated during a congressional recess.

However, compromises were finally made and the Senate was allowed to move forward with procedure, and Cordray was confirmed by a 66-34 vote.

All 54 Democratic senators voted to confirm Cordray, and 12 Republican senators, including Sen. Rob Portman from Ohio, joined them.

Regardless of one’s opinion, a yes or no vote was needed on this matter, and it finally happened. Two years was long enough.

One other thing the nomination does is eliminate Cordray as a potential Democratic candidate for Ohio governor.

Yes, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has already announced he is running for governor and is actively campaigning against Gov. John Kasich.

But there was always that slight chance that Cordray might enter the race if he was no longer involved with the federal position.

One of the first emails I received from politicians and organizations was from FitzGerald’s campaign congratulating Cordray.

It was a sincere congratulations and statement, I’m sure, but my hunch is there might be just the tiniest bit of relief from the FitzGerald camp that this possibility of a serious primary opponent was pretty much eliminated.

No labels

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township was one of more than 80 members of Congress from both parties who came together in Washington Thursday to announce a reform package of nine bills aimed to improve efficiency and curb spending.

The bipartisan group is called the No Labels’ Congressional Problem Solvers Coalition, which is honorarily chaired by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican, and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Joyce called the announcement and group’s formation “monumental,” and hopes that it can lead to passing bills that at first may be considered common sense, low-hanging fruit and with that building more trust and bipartisanship to help end Washington gridlock.

More about the coalition can be found at www.nolabels.org.

Event

Willoughby Hills Councilman David Fiebig hosts a free All American Family Picnic including a special guest from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills.

Fundies

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing scramble, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Kevin Malecek or Paul Miller.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges recently stopped by The News-Herald to discuss some of his vision for the party’s future.

Borges was elected to the post in April and is making his way around the state looking to receive as much input as possible to take back to Columbus.

The 2012 election was disappointing for Ohio Republicans at the top of the ticket, with President Barack Obama’s re-election, but Borges believes there has to be a way to appeal to voters and draw them into the coalition.

Borges said the method is to work hard and to have better candidates, with a better message and to run better campaigns.

He also wants to guard against complacency as Republicans hold so many statewide offices.

“It takes an all-in effort and I want us not to forget that,” Borges said.

If the issue of gay marriage is placed on the November 2014 ballot, it will be up to the Ohio GOP’s executive committee on how the party would weigh in on the issue.

But Borges is unsure whether the issue will be on the ballot or what exactly the language would be.

“If this campaign is one about discriminating against Americans, I don’t want to be apart of that,” Borges said. “If it’s a campaign about values, mothers and fathers and the sanctity of marriage, I think that’s a campaign I could be part of and proud of.”

He defended the party’s reputation and disagreed with narratives from Democrats who say a war was declared on women by the GOP after the state budget was passed.

Borges noted that 12 of 18 staffers who worked on the budget were women and the measure also received good support in the Ohio General Assembly from Republican women who voted for the budget.

When it comes to potential expansion of Medicaid, Borges isn’t certain what exactly will transpire as Gov. John Kasich has continued to push, while the GOP leadership in the Ohio General Assembly refused to put it in the state budget.

He added that the discussion about Medicaid reform is one that likely would not have happened if the issue had not been brought forward.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Mark Cicero for North Perry Village Council; and Philip Haskell Sr. for Perry Township trustee.

In Geauga County: Claudine Steinfurth and Michael Troyan for Auburn Township trustee; Mark Saric for Chester Township trustee; Edward W. Kaminski and Nadine Pope for Hambden Township trustee; Al Vontorcik for Huntsburg Township trustee; Lu Ann Burger for Montville Township trustee; Carl Sanborn for Troy Township trustee; Mark Porter for South Russell Council; Dennis A. Battles for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; and Barbara Raikes for Ledgemont School Board,

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Albert Paolino and Frank Sarosy for Fairport Harbor Council, J. Jay Fabian for Madison School Board, Jack Miley for Riverside School Board, and Andrew Roberts for Perry School Board.

In Geauga County: John Eberly and Karen E. Quay for Auburn Township trustee; Charles H. Nichols for Bainbridge Township trustee; Kenneth C. Burnett for Burton Township trustee; Michael Brown for Chardon Township trustee; Judy Caputo, Ward L. Kinney and Michael Petruziello for Chester Township trustee; John Bryant for Hambden Township trustee; Jon A. Hunter and Chris Whitney for Huntsburg Township trustee; Robert A. Evans for Middlefield Township trustee; James Marsic for Montville Township trustee; Jan Blair for Newbury Township trustee; Roger Anderson for Parkman Township trustee; Kristina Port for Russell Township trustee; Colleen Goebelt for Aquilla Village Council; Diane Lillibridge for Burton Village Council; Andrew K. Blackley, John Mallen, James Pruce and Thomas E. Ray for Chardon Council; William Blue and Brandon Reed for Middlefield Village Council; Mike Carroll, John Dishong and Bill Koons for South Russell Council; Lois Jeffrey and Janice Koster for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; John J. Manfredi for Berkshire School Board; Kenneth J. Klima for Cardinal School Board; Beth Krause for Kenston School Board; Carol A. Geisman for Ledgemont School Board; Susan Arnold, John Gingerich and Guy Mann for Newbury School Board; and William W. Beers and Sally Gillmore for West Geauga School Board.

Fundies

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Shirley Vesel.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Gov. John Kasich has seemingly rebounded from a rocky political start as governor to now enjoy his highest approval rating since he became governor in January 2011.

For the first time, Kasich’s job approval rating has risen to more than 50 percent, according to a new poll released by Quinnipiac University.

The survey found that 53 percent approve of Kasich with 32 percent against. In December, the governor had a 42 to 35 percent approval rating.

Quinnipiac also took a look at some potential challengers to Kasich in 2014. The governor hasn’t officially announced a re-election bid, but all signs point to him running again.

Here’s what the poll that surveyed 1,011 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent found when comparing Kasich to four potential Democrats who might consider challenging the governor. None have officially announced a gubernatorial campaign.

Kasich led 45-35 against Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald; 44-39 over U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray; 44-36 against U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles; and 45-38 over former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of Copley.

It is worth pointing out that Kasich does not receive more than 50 percent against any potential candidate, but it may cause some potential opponents to think twice about a statewide run.

At first glance, the poll indicated FitzGerald has the most ground to make up, and Cordray would be the closest to Kasich in terms of percentage points.

Cordray is prohibited from discussing politics while in his federal role and I wonder if his status among Ohioans would rise if he decided to run for governor.

Of course this is just one poll and it’s too early to make significant judgments now because much could change over the next year.

But what it does suggest is that the governor has made a bit of a political comeback after a stinging loss when he was vocal proponent of Senate Bill 5 in November 2011, a measure that aimed to strip away collective bargaining powers. It was soundly repealed by a statewide referendum and many blamed Kasich for the defeat.

Democrats were riding a wave of momentum after that victory and it likely helped during the 2012 president campaign that saw President Barack Obama carry Ohio.

The poll also comes after Kasich released his budget proposal that contains a blend of tax reform proposals and an expansion of Medicaid among the most popularly discussed items so far.

What makes the budget proposal even more interesting is both parties see in it things they like and don’t like.

As I've written before, I believe there will be compromises needed by both parties to hammer out the final details of this state’s two-year budget.

Kasich to headline Lake GOP dinner

The governor will be the featured speaker April 3 for the Lake County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. Tables will only be reserved for pre-paid parties of eight and VIPs. All other seating will be open. For more information, contact party headquarters or visit www.lakegop.com.

Taken out petitions

Amy Zuren recently took out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board for Willoughby-Eastlake School Board.

Filed petitions

Janet A. Dowling has filed petitions to run for Mentor Council at large.

Fundies

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

n Re-election kickoff for Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Patrician Party, Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 12 at LaMalfa Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is rescheduled to 5 to 7 p.m. April 1 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

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.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newheraldjah

One of the two major speeches I’ve anticipated hearing this month was finished Tuesday when President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union Address.

The other comes this Tuesday in Lima, when Gov. John Kasich will give his State of the State Address.

Initially, I thought a few of Obama’s proposals were interesting, but I also was left with questions.

The president wants high-quality preschool available to every child in America.

Obama said that every dollar spent on children for that purpose can save $7 down the road.

The president didn’t exactly specify how — no matter how much merit the idea might have — it would be funded initially.

Obama also called for an increase in the minimum wage and for Congress to put gun-control legislation up for a vote.

Critics often argue that increases in minimum wage lead to inflation and prompt businesses to raise prices or cut employee hours or jobs to offset the added wages.

Minimum wage proponents frequently say people should be able to earn enough to make a living and the added income gives minimum wage recipients more money to purchase goods and services.

Obama said gun violence victims deserve a vote, and he shared the story of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl from Chicago who was killed recently in a Chicago park after school, just a mile away from Obama’s house.

Obama said people including Pendelton’s family, the people of Newtown, Conn., and other victims such as former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords deserve a vote on gun control measures, whether it be a yes or no.

Emotion aside, my question is what would that legislation look like and how effective might it be?

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, gave the Republican rebuttal speech and provided a sharp contrast to the president in terms of policies moving forward.

He also shared a little bit of his family’s roots and was encouraged by a renewed effort by Congress to take up immigration reform.

Unfortunately, Rubio’s speech will likely be remembered as much, if not more, for his awkward attempt to grab a drink from a bottle of water.

But the appearance did raise Rubio’s profile on the national stage and may position him to be thought more as a presidential candidate in 2016.

United Solutions

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, has joined the United Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group of freshman Members of Congress committed to working together to find common ground on issues.

The caucus was founded by U.S. Reps. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., and Patrick Murphy, D-Fla. Nearly 30 members of the freshman class have joined.

Picked up petitions

Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board was Lori Lipton for Concord Township trustee. The deadline to file for the position is Aug. 7.

Hear ye, hear ye

The Ohio Supreme Court has approved the nomination of Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell as a member of the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts representing the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges. The term ends Dec. 31, 2015.

Deadlines

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

Fundies

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is 5 to 7 p.m. March 4 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

n Re-election kickoff for Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Patrician Party, Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

An interesting state budget battle has already begun with state political leaders engaging in lively banter regarding Gov. John Kasich’s two-year proposal.

Kasich’s budget looks to implement a number of big policy changes such as a Medicaid coverage expansion and changes to state income tax and sales tax rates.

The budget has parts that Democrats and Republicans like, although initially there doesn’t seem to be much mutual agreement.

Interestingly, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said the state GOP wouldn’t officially support or oppose the governor’s plan, rather it would let the legislative process play out.

However, Bennett said the budget delivers on education reform, tax cuts and accelerated job growth for the next two years.

Meanwhile, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern made it known quite clearly the party adamantly opposes the governor’s budget, although he agrees with Kasich’s proposal to accept federal funding to help the state expand Medicaid health care coverage.

The Republican governor raised a few eyebrows when he broke ranks from what some other GOP governors have done by wishing to expand Medicaid.

It may take a bit to persuade some Republicans to go along with that idea, especially GOP state lawmakers who oppose the nation’s new health care law, dubbed Obamacare.

Redfern said Democrats would look to separate a Medicaid expansion from the budget and offer amendments for the issue to be considered as stand-alone legislation.

Republicans have a clear majority in the Ohio General Assembly, but I think Democrats could have some success separating Medicaid expansion from the budget.

I’m probably in the minority there, but I think it could provide a path for some Republicans to then support the governor’s budget and provide them political cover from the more conservative members of the party.

The Ohio Republican Party also cited support of Kasich’s signature program, JobsOhio, to attract new businesses. JobsOhio has received little support from Democrats who say the program is unconstitutional. They also have questioned its transparency.

Bennett also criticized Democrats who “have been hard at work (last) week spreading outright lies about the new budget.”

In fact, Bennett unveiled Thursday a new website, www.StopOhioJobKillers.com, that he said is “promising that the old lies and new lies to come will now be available to the public.”

Redfern blasted Bennett saying “This soon-to-be outgoing chairman has the audacity to suggest it’s the Democrats who want to kill jobs. Quite the contrary.”

The Democratic Party chairman then said former Gov. Ted Strickland offered seniors the largest property tax cut in state history by expanding the Homestead Exemption. He then said Kasich’s plan to expand the base of the state sales tax is one of the largest expansions of sales tax in state history.

Despite the fact the overall rate would be lowered, Redfern said the proposal would disproportionately effect lower-income residents and would now raise the cost of services such as haircuts, funerals and foreclosures.

Joyce makes friends

As a freshmen federal lawmaker, U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce continues to reach across the political aisle in Congress to make friends and build relationships.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, plans to sit next to fellow freshman lawmaker U.S. Rep. Cheri Busto, D-Ill., during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The two members of Congress, who first met during a bipartisan Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, said their decision was based in the spirit of bipartisanship and working together.

Fundies

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts his annual Mardi Gras Party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is 5 to 7 p.m. March 4 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce plans not to sit next to a fellow Republican during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Instead Joyce, R-Russell Township and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., announced they will sit together.

“In the spirit of bipartisanship and working together, we look forward to attending President Obama’s State of the Union address together,” the two federal lawmakers said in a statement. “As freshman Members new to Washington, we understand our constituents want to see common-sense solutions to our nation’s problems, not partisan bickering.

“We look forward to hearing the president’s proposals to address our challenges and working together to tackle the serious issues facing the U.S. such as reducing our debt, creating jobs and growing our economy.”

Joyce and Bustos now serve their first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. They met while attending a bipartisan Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with eleven other Members of Congress.

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

Federal lawmakers finally approved a proposal that will stop the nation from hitting its debt ceiling limit — at least through May 18.

The legislation would allow the government to borrow money to meet its obligations until that time and resets the debt limit to reflect that change.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill that passed by a 64-34 vote in the U.S. Senate.

Among those who voted against the measure was U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

Portman said that no one was arguing that the country must pay its bills, but rather the debate should be about how to shrink those bills moving forward.

The senator said it would be irresponsible to merely pay past obligations without having a real debate about Washington’s spending habits and how to avoid the situation in the future.

Voted down prior to the bill’s passage were two amendments offered by Portman that he said would ensure one dollar in savings for every dollar in new debt and end the threat of a government shutdown and artificial cliffs.

However, Portman said he was pleased that Senate Democrats have promised to move forward passing a budget.

Now that the debt ceiling has been averted for a few months, can Washington leaders move forward and work together and resolve this issue permanently?

There are other potential topics on the agenda for Congress and the president to work on such as immigration reform, gun control and what to do about entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare to name just a few.

Kasich unveils school funding plan

Gov. John Kasich believes his school funding plan to overhaul educational funding will be pass constitutional muster as the Ohio Supreme Court years ago ruled the state relies too much on property taxes for school funding.

“I think you’ll be surprised by the depth, the content of the plan,” Kasich said, according to the Associated Press.

The governor said his plan would “strip all the politics out,” and focus on directing dollars to classrooms and resources for districts that need the most help.

Early criticism by the Ohio Democratic Party said Kasich unveiled a disappointing new formula.

The state Democratic Party said while the Governor’s proposal was short on specifics and lacked a district-by-district breakdown, it was clear Kasich does not intend to fully restore the historic $1.8 billion taken from the state education budget in 2011.

Democrats said a recent independent study found that due to the governor’s education cuts, more than $1 billion in new tax levies have been on the ballot across the state, and Kasich’s plan ensures that number will only increase.

LaTourette next Transportation Secretary?

With U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood leaving his post, among the names mentioned for a possible appointment is former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette.

LaTourette, a Bainbridge Township Republican, served for years on the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

LaHood, a Republican, is the only member of the GOP on President Barack Obama’s cabinet.

LaTourette recently retired from his 18-year career as a congressman and now heads a new subsidiary of McDonald Hopkins, a business advisory and advocacy law firm in Washington D.C.

He told the Columbus Dispatch this week it would be a “huge honor” to be picked but that the White House had not contacted him about the possibility.

Picked up petitions

Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board are Joshua Pennock for Painesville Township trustee, Dan Hill for Timberlake Council, Desirea Thompson for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, and Ken Hoefle for Eastlake Council.

Fundies

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts his annual Mardi Gras Party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is 5 to 7 p.m. March 4 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

President Barack Obama will be inaugurated for his second term in office on Monday and among those in attendance will be U.S. Rep. David Joyce.

A presidential inauguration is usually a historic event and this year it also falls on the holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Partisanship can be swept aside for a moment during an inauguration as the air is filled with pomp and circumstance and typically ushers in a spirit that better things are to come for the nation.

For Joyce, R-Russell Township, the event will be his first opportunity to witness a presidential inauguration as a sitting congressman. He plans to bring along his family and has invited someone whom you might not expect.

The new congressman set aside two tickets to attend the inauguration for his opponent Dale Virgil Blanchard, a Solon Democrat who was his party’s nominee Nov. 6 for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

Joyce said that when he began his campaign last August the two men agreed to keep things on high ground, and they have stayed in touch since the campaign concluded.

During this session of Congress, Joyce will serve as co-chairman to the U.S. House of Representatives Nursing Caucus.

The caucus meets on a regular basis to discuss issues related to the nursing profession and to help develop ideas and solutions to any challenges facing nursing professionals.

Joyce said it is a natural fit as his wife, Kelly, has been a registered nurse at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for 22 years.

Filed petitions

John Trebets filed petitions Tuesday to seek re-election for Mentor Municipal Court judge. There would only be a need for a May 7 primary if two or more candidates from the same party file petitions by the Feb. 6 deadline to run for the position. If there is no primary, the position will only appear on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Painesville City Schools has filed petitions for a May 7 special election to seek a five-year, 6.06-mill renewal levy.

Picked up petitions

Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board are Dennis Morley for Eastlake mayor, T.R. Hach for Painesville Township trustee, Nancy Fellows for Willoughby Hills at large Jan. 2, 2014, term, Steven Komarjanski for Willoughby-Eastlake School Board, David Anderson for Willoughby mayor, and Michael Zuren for Eastlake Council at large.

Potential fall primaries?

If three or more people file to run for certain offices in a few Lake County communities there will be nonpartisan primaries on Sept. 17 with the top two vote getters running against each other Nov. 5.

Those races involve Eastlake mayor and three city council at large seats; Mentor-on-the-Lake mayor; Wickliffe mayor, council president and wards 1, 2, 3, 4. Because of potential primaries, the filing deadlines for these races is July 19, rather than Aug. 7 for most other races this year.

Carson named Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association president

Geauga County Democratic Party Chairwoman Janet Carson was recently elected as president of the Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association.

The association’s goal is to work to increase the Democratic vote percentage in all of Ohio’s counties.

The newly elected officers will serve through the 2014 gubernatorial statewide election cycle, when all statewide offices will be on the ballot.

Power 100

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy along with Lakeland Community College President Morris Beverage; Classic Auto Group owner and president Jim Brown; James Hambrick, chairman, president and CEO of Lubrizol; and Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and CEO of Lake Health; were recently selected in the January Power 100 issue of Inside Business Magazine as among the region’s most influential leaders.

Fundies

n Troy hosts his annual Mardi Gras Party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is 5 to 7 p.m. March 4 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced Tuesday that he not seek the Democratic Party nomination to run for governor in 2014.

Strickland had served as governor for 4 years before he lost a re-election bid to Gov. John Kasich in November 2010.

Cuyahoga County Ed FitzGerald is among a few Democrats who have been mentioned as potential gubernatorial candidates and Strickland’s decision likely paves the way for him to make a decision to run.

Strickland, who served as a campaign surrogate during President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign and may eventually find a position in the president’s administration, released a lengthy statement to announce his decision:

“In many ways, this has been a very difficult decision. I look back fondly on my time as Ohio’s 68th Governor and am proud of my Administration’s efforts to guide our state through the greatest national economic crisis since the Great Depression. With the help of my First Lady — Frances Strickland — my dedicated and loyal Cabinet, and my incredibly hard-working Executive Staff, we held the ship steady. With the help of President Obama, who provided the funds necessary to keep Ohio and all of America from slipping into another Great Depression, we were able to preserve the social safety net, make important investments in education, and position Ohio’s economy for the recovery that started in February 2010.

“And when I look back on my four years as Governor, I am equally proud of those in the Strickland Administration who served the public with honor, integrity, and humility. We sought to make Ohio better.

“My administration was about positioning Ohio as a leader in our rapidly changing economy and global world. We worked to rebuild our infrastructure with a special effort to make sure the national system for rail transportation included Ohio. We worked to ensure there were more Ohioans with affordable health care coverage. We significantly improved our national standing in public education, made sure it did not suffer from deep cuts during the economic crises, and worked to satisfy the Supreme Court’s ruling for equitable funding with a new formula that was less dependent on property taxes. We enacted a comprehensive energy reform bill that helped to stabilize the energy market for consumers and business while creating a renewable portfolio standard that has positioned Ohio as a leader in advanced energy. And, we made college more affordable. Most significant for jobs, we were leaders in investments in alternatives sources of energy and went to bat for the automobile industry; working closely with President Obama on the rescue plan that has been so pivotal in Ohio’s economic recovery.

“In short, I believe my Administration stood and spoke for the causes that count.

“Frances and I will continue to be politically active private citizens. We will continue to stand with working men and women to build a stronger Ohio ---and to defeat anti-worker and anti-middle class legislation that may arise.”


Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett said in a statement that whoever decides to challenge Kasich’s record on job growth should think twice.

“Ohio has made giant leaps in progress in two short years under John Kasich and it will be hard for any Democrat to argue why he shouldn’t continue to create jobs for hardworking Ohio families and put Ohio back on the right track," Bennett said


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

A new era began in Lake County after Judy Moran was sworn-in Tuesday as the first Democratic female commissioner in the county’s 172 years of history.

Moran, formerly Willowick Council’s president, now is the second woman to serve as a Lake County commissioner. Republican Mildred M. Teuscher was the first woman to serve as a commissioner before retiring in January 2003.

Democratic Party women in Lake County also have fared well in recent elections including winning four positions at the county level on Nov. 6.

Lorraine M. Fende won election as treasurer, Ann M. Radcliffe was elected recorder, and Maureen G. Kelly was re-elected to her second term as clerk of courts.

When Kelly was first elected in 2008, she became the first Democrat in 40 years to be elected to the position and the first Democratic woman to serve as clerk.

As for other candidates who will appear on the ballot this year, only one race in the county is eligible to have a partisan primary in May — Mentor Municipal Court judge.

Judge John Trebets has served as the court’s judge after he was first elected to a six-year term in 2001 and then re-elected in 2007.

The filing deadline to run as a candidate for Mentor Municipal Court judge is Feb. 6 and if there was a primary it would be held May 7 along with any special election involving issues such as school levies.

Nonpartisan races for the Nov. 5 General Election have until Aug. 7 to file nominating petitions with the county Elections Board. Some candidates have already taken out petitions.

Strickland nearing decision?

Look for some development in the next few weeks on who could be the Democratic Party’s 2014 candidate for Ohio governor.

Democrat sources say that former Gov. Ted Strickland is being vetted for a potential position in President Barack Obama’s administration, especially after Strickland played a vital role as an Obama surrogate during the presidential campaign.

If that doesn’t happen, it’s quite possible that Strickland may throw his hat into the ring to challenge incumbent Gov. John Kasich, setting up a possible rematch.

The race between Strickland and Kasich in 2010 was fairly close, so it might be interesting to see the two battle once again.

If Strickland declines to run, many think that Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald will decide to seek the party nomination.

Coming from Ohio’s largest county, FitzGerald likely would do well in Northeast Ohio, but it’s not certain how he would fare in other areas of the state where his name is not as well-known as someone like Kasich or Strickland.

Other names often tossed around as potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates are U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles; and Richard Cordray, former Ohio Attorney General and treasurer, who now serves as director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

To the brink

Once again, the country was led down the path of brinkmanship when Congress passed legislation by a vote of 257-167 Tuesday night to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

All five House Democrats from Ohio voted in favor and Ohio’s House Republicans split, six voting in favor and seven against.

Those voting in favor were Democrats Marcia Fudge, Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich, Tim Ryan and Betty Sutton, and Republicans John Boehner, Bill Johnson, Steve LaTourette, Robert Latta, Steve Stivers, and Pat Tiberi.

Members who voted against the legislation were Republicans Steve Austria, Steve Chabot, Bob Gibbs, Jim Jordan, Jim Renacci, Jean Schmidt and Michael Turner.

As for LaTourette, he leaves his post during an unusually busy final few days of his term. Now U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Russell Township, who was sworn-in Thursday, will represent Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

A Sutton move?

There has been some rumblings that Sutton, D-Copley, who is now a former U.S. Rep. who lost a bitter battle on Nov. 6 against Renacci, R-Wadsworth, might consider a move to Ohio’s 14th Congressional District to potentially run again for Congress in 2014. However, local sources say it appears that’s not likely to happen.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah