Posted November 30, 200618 yr From the 11/18/06 Dispatch: State Senate Democrats select leader 11 days early Toledo lawmaker wins informal vote Saturday, November 18, 2006 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH In a vote via conference call, Ohio Senate Democrats yesterday picked Teresa Fedor, of Toledo, as their new minority leader. Although the formal vote isn’t scheduled until Nov. 28, Fedor said she had enough support to win. So, she said, a majority of Democrats decided to end the suspense and focus on filling two vacant seats. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/18/20061118-B3-01.html
November 30, 200618 yr From the 11/29/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Dems appoint Cafaro to replace Dann By STEPHEN ORAVECZ Tribune Chronicle The Senate Democratic caucus Tuesday decided to give Capri Cafaro a chance to show what she can do as a lawmaker. They selected her to replace Attorney General-elect Marc Dann, who has two years remaining in his Senate term. Cafaro, 29, will run for a full four-year term in 2008. Also seeking the post were state Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles and former lawmaker Anthony Latell Jr. of Girard. Read More... From the 11/29/06 Dispatch: GOP leadership in state Senate mostly unchanged Democrats pick Cafaro, Wilson for seats Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Ohio Senate Republicans will be lighter one caucus-leadership position next year, while the Senate Democrats will still have a Wilson in their ranks. In a day of personnel moves, Senate Republicans voted to bring back the five remaining members of their leadership team in 2007, with Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, returning to lead the chamber. Meanwhile, Democrats voted to fill a pair of open seats being vacated by Sens. Marc Dann, of Liberty Township, and Charlie Wilson, of St. Clairsville, who were elected as Ohio’s new attorney general and 6 th District congressman, respectively. Read More...
December 15, 200618 yr Health care law on the way ENQUIRER STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS December 14, 2006 COLUMBUS - Gov. Bob Taft is expect to sign a bill that will give Ohio small businesses new ways to save on their health insurance. The bill passed the General Assembly. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, permits more small businesses to band together into health care purchasing alliances. Rep. Jim Raussen, R-Springdale, introduced the companion legislation in the House. Coverage can be more affordable for alliances because of their greater negotiating power with insurers. Chambers of commerce and trade associations commonly sponsor alliances that now will be able to accept certain businesses with up to 500 employees. The old law applies to companies with up to 150 employees. Read More...
December 19, 200618 yr From the 12/3/06 Youngstown Vindicator: New senators unlikely to get prime seats All three want to serve on the same committee. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER As many people do this time of the year, the three incoming state senators from the Mahoning Valley are making wish lists. The lists for the three don't include a PlayStation 3, a Fur Real Friends Butterscotch Pony or a new red Lamborghini. Instead they want choice committee assignments in the upcoming Ohio Senate session. Read More... From same: Cafaro, Wilson aim to prove their worth The two say they'll earn respect by doing their new jobs well. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER Incoming state Sens. Capri Cafaro and Jason Wilson say they are well-aware of what some people think about their appointments to the Legislature. The two were recently selected by the incoming 10-member Ohio Senate Democratic caucus to fill vacancies. For Cafaro, of Liberty, her detractors say her family's political contributions and influence got her the 32nd Ohio Senate District seat after she failed twice to get elected to the U.S. House. Read More... From the 12/2/06 Ashtabula Star Beacon: Ashtabula County looms large in Cafaro's plans By MARK TODD Staff Writer [email protected] Health care and aging issues in Ashtabula County will be a priority when Capri Cafaro, the area's state senator-to-be, heads to Columbus in January. "There are very few health-care facilities in Ashtabula County," Cafaro said Wednesday. "We can't drop the ball when it comes to providing care." Cafaro, 29, will succeed Marc Dann in the 32nd Senate District, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus announced Tuesday. Dann was elected Ohio's attorney general on Nov. 7. Read More...
December 19, 200618 yr From the 12/5/06 Dispatch: Faber favored to replace Jordan in Ohio Senate Tuesday, December 05, 2006 J.S. A Senate Republican screening committee yesterday recommended that state Rep. Keith L. Faber of Celina be appointed to the 12th Senate District to replace outgoing Sen. Jim Jordan of Urbana. Faber, a conservative threeterm lawmaker, must still be approved by the full caucus. Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, praised Faber for his "strong record of service to his constituents." Read More...
January 29, 200718 yr From the 12/20/06 Dispatch: Campaign-finance bill hits snag with provision on unions Wednesday, December 20, 2006 James Nash and Jim Siegel THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Officeholders who receive significant donations from labor unions would be disqualified from voting on labor contracts under a last-minute addition to a campaign-finance bill proposed by Ohio Senate Republicans last night. By treating unions the same as companies that build schools, pave roads and provide consulting services, Republicans insisted that they are attempting to curb fundraising influences on the contracting process regardless of the donor. The bill passed the Senate’s Rules Committee last night 7-4 on a party-line vote with all Democrats opposed. It was headed to the full Senate and House, both of which are controlled by Republicans, after press time last night Read More...
January 29, 200718 yr From the 12/22/06 Dispatch: DEATH OF A BILL It was just too much for the legislature Friday, December 22, 2006 James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Sorry, pawpaws. Too bad, bullfrogs. And in perhaps the unkindest snub of all: Better luck next year, Ohio veterans. The pawpaw fruit, bullfrogs, tomatoes, the Buckeye Trail, the Great Serpent Mound and veterans all lost a chance for official recognition during the chaotic twilight of the 126 th Ohio General Assembly this week. Blame it on a pawpaw-tomato rivalry, a smear campaign that cast bullfrogs as carnivorous predators or the sheer volume of legislation moving through the House and Senate this week in sessions that stretched into pre-dawn hours. Whatever the cause, the Senate failed to act on a 65-part bill passed by the House last week that would have designated an official state fruit and native fruit, amphibian, state trail, effigy mound, children’s author and dozens of other titles. Read More...
January 29, 200718 yr From the 1/23/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Area's state senators learn committee assignments The Valley senators each received three committee assignments. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER When it came to getting appointed to Senate committees, the three Mahoning Valley state senators received almost everything they requested. Committee assignments for the 33 state senators — 21 Republicans and 12 Democrats — were announced Monday. Senate President Bill Harris, a Republican, made the committee selections with recommendations for Democratic appointments from that party's Senate leadership. State Sens. John Boccieri, Jason Wilson and Capri Cafaro, all Democrats and new Senate members, wanted to serve on the energy and public utilities committee, which seats only three Democrats. Read More...
May 24, 200718 yr From the AP, 2/15/07: Former congressman to fill Ohio Senate seat Thursday, February 15, 2007 ASSOCIATED PRESS Democrats selected a former congressman, who also served as mayor of Akron and a state representative, to fill a vacant seat in the Ohio Senate. Senate Democrats voted Monday to appoint Tom Sawyer to the seat that opened when Gov. Ted Strickland announced Sen. Kimberly Zurz would join his cabinet as director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. Sawyer will represent the 28th District, which includes the city of Akron, southern Summit County and Portage County. The term expires at the end of 2008. Read More...
