Monday, February 28, 2011

Steve Stivers

Republican Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) is one of five Republicans who will become the focus of the 2012 congressional campaigns because of his support of the plan to remove funding for Planned Parenthood.

TPMDC:

....The message will be aimed at GOP Reps. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY), Bob Dold (IL), Nan Hayworth (NY), John Runyan (NJ) and Steve Stivers (OH). Democrats say that by informing voters in those districts of the details of the Republican plan to defund federal family planning programs -- part of a wider war on Planned Parenthood and federal abortion coverage -- they'll drive a wedge between moderate voters in the districts in question and their Republican members of Congress....


Stivers and his support of the radical right wing, anti-female agenda is especially troubling because the district he represents includes housing near the Ohio State University.  Many female students who are away from home have been able to get gynecological medical attention through Planned Parenthood. Now Stivers and his GOP buddies want to deny them and other women that medical help.  The Republicans are all for deregulation except when it comes to a woman's body and her reproductive freedom ----- then the Republicans want to force their views on everyone. 

****  Republican Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) joined Republicans and "....voted to block EPA from implementing and enforcing standards to sharply reduce mercury and other toxic air emissions from a polluting industry....," according to Domyravend's blog.

Domyravend's blog:

...Mercury and lead both are dangerous neurotoxins—brain poisons—that harm the developing brains of children and fetuses. Dioxins are known human carcinogens linked to birth defects, reproductive abnormalities, and lung and breast cancer. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen linked to lung and kidney cancer and PCBs are probable human carcinogens linked to liver cancer.

On Feb.17, in a 250-177 vote, the House of Representatives approved an amendment by Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) to deny any funds to EPA to “implement, administer or enforce” mercury and other toxic air pollution standards for all cement plants in the country....

I guess he is just following the orders of his major contributors who are big time polluters.  In case you are interested, the rest of the Ohio Republicans voted with Stivers (see Domyravend and ClerkoftheHouse: Roll Call Vote 86).

Those major polluters who helped out Stivers during the campaign have grabbed the attention of the good people at the NRDC Action Fund:

....Steve Stivers falsely calls cap and trade a “job killer” that will lead to higher electricity bills for Ohio families. In reality, strong clean energy and climate legislation would create a net of 1.9 million jobs, according to in-depth study by the University of Illinois, Yale University and the University of California. In Ohio, this would mean 61,000 new, good-paying jobs created over the next ten years. And, as analysis by the experts in the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office shows, the effect of ACES on electricity bills will be, as Rep. Kilroy said, less than going to the movies once a month. 


Stivers doesn’t just stop at opposing clean energy and climate legislation, he also “disagree[s]” with the statement, “Man-made global warming is a scientific fact and immediate action to lower CO2 emissions is necessary to prevent an environmental catastrophe.” And, if denying the unassailable science behind climate change wasn’t enough, Stivers also opposes our right to hold the government accountable in court for protecting our public health and environment. 

Stivers’ strong anti-environmental views are not so surprising when you consider the sources of his campaign cash, such as oil and coal services giant Koch Industries, Murray Energy,  
 and Rep. Joe Barton's Texas Freedom PAC.....


Koch Industries has been in the news recently because of their support for the anti-union activities of Americans for Prosperity and Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin.  The Kochs also contributed to the John Kasich campaign in Ohio.)  In the telephone call between Gov. Walker and a fake David Koch, Walker revealed that he and Kasich talk everyday.  Can you say conspiracy?

Sunday, February 27, 2011

What can I do?

First, here is some background....

With information that some high profile, anti-union billionaires are behind the move to discredit and remove unions, people are wondering how to stop this. The group, Americans for Prosperity, is being bankrolled by two brothers who are determined to destroy the unions of public employees as well as their lives. The excerpts from article below, reveal how the Koch Brothers, Americans for Prosperity, and their advisers supported Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

NYTimes:


....Tim Phillips, the president of Americans for Prosperity, told a large group of counterprotesters who had gathered Saturday at one edge of what otherwise was a mostly union crowd that the cuts were not only necessary, but they also represented the start of a much-needed nationwide move to slash public-sector union benefits....

....What Mr. Phillips did not mention was that his Virginia-based nonprofit group, whose budget surged to $40 million in 2010 from $7 million three years ago, was created and financed in part by the secretive billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch....

....Even before the new governor was sworn in last month, executives from the Koch-backed group had worked behind the scenes to try to encourage a union showdown, Mr. Phillips said in an interview on Monday.... 

Did Ohio Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio GOP have similar help from the Koch Brothers, Americans for Prosperity, and their people in crafting the legislation to destroy unions in the state?  With the money that came from the Koch Brothers, is Kasich just trying to pay them back with his attacks on unions? Are there Koch people in Ohio still advising Kasich and the Republicans on what to do and what to say?

Raw Story indicates that the financial holdings of wealthy Koch Brothers are being targeted by "Anonymous" to stop their political agenda which is going on in Wisconsin and Ohio:

..."Anonymous hears the voice of the downtrodden American people, whose rights and liberties are being systematically removed one by one, even when their own government refuses to listen or worse - is complicit in these attacks," they continued. "We are actively seeking vulnerabilities, but in the mean time we are calling for all supporters of true Democracy, and Freedom of The People, to boycott all Koch Industries' paper products. We welcome unions across the globe to join us in this boycott to show that you will not allow big business to dictate your freedom."

In the US, those products were listed as Vanity Fair, Quilted Northern, Angel Soft, Sparkle, Brawney, Mardi Gras and Dixie. For Europe, they were Demak'Up, Kitten Soft, Lotus / Lotus Soft, Tenderly, Nouvelle Soft, Okay Kitchen Towels, Colhogar, Delica, Inversoft and Tutto.

All were produced by the "Georgia-Pacific" company, and all bear the logo....

 A "To Do" List:
In summary, there are a few things you can do to stay informed and get involved:

1. Read and discuss everything you can on the legislation (SB 5) that seeks to end collective bargaining.

2. Boycott products produced by Koch Industries and "Georgia Pacific" products. (see list above)

3. Call the governor's office:  Gov. Kasich (614) 466-3555
   Ohio Senate: 1-800-282-0253 (466-8842 in Columbus), State Senators
   Ohio House:  1-800-282-0253 (466-8842 in Columbus), Ohio House Members

4. Do you know someone who is a union member?  Ask them how you can help support their campaign against this legislation.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Stand Up For Ohio

There are several organizations springing up around Ohio to let Republican lawmakers know that we are against SB 5.  Join in and voice your opposition.

Here is some vital information from ProtectOhioFamilies:

SB-5 Myth vs. Reality

Myth: SB-5 is needed to help balance the budget and stimulate job growth.
Reality: SB 5 destroys jobs and lowers wages. You cannot create jobs by destroying jobs. If SB 5 passes, owners of shops, gas stations and other small businesses across this state will be forced to lay off workers or close their doors.

Myth: Public employees are overpaid, and their salaries need to be brought in line with the private sector.
Reality: A recent Rutgers University study found Ohio public employees earn 6 percent less on a yearly basis than their peers in the private sector. They earn 3.5% less on an hourly basis.
The average OAPSE (Ohio Association of Public School Employee) makes $24,000 a year and retires with an average pension of $900 a month. Public employees do not pay into or receive Social Security.

Myth: Public employees need to make a sacrifice to reduce the state’s projected $8 billion budget shortfall.
Reality: Ohio is 44th of 50 states in per capita spending on government workers. State employees have taken a pay freeze five times in 9 years. In the last contract, state employees voluntarily took furloughs and made other financial sacrifices that saved $250 million and an additional $100 in health care costs.

Myth: Public employees have too much power and the public agrees.
Reality: A recent Gallup poll found the 61% of the public oppose taking away some collective bargaining rights of most public employee unions.  A recent Quinnipiac Poll found that only 34 percent of the people in Ohio support this proposal.

Myth: Rolling back collective bargaining rights is needed to help managers do their jobs.
Reality: Ohio passed a law in 1983 to establish collective bargaining for state workers. The 1983 law has reduced labor strife, and increased professional training and productivity.

ProtectOhioFamilies has vital details on where your help is needed and how you can
help: Take Action .

Other info:

* You might want to visit this page on Facebook: Recall Ohio Governor John Kasich.

Cleveland Leader has an article about a town hall meeting in Cleveland on Sunday, February 27th:

State representatives and other legislators from across the Cleveland area will be holding a Town Hall meeting on the anti-middle class, anti-union Senate Bill 5. It will be held at P.J. McIntyre's Irish Pub in Cleveland on Sunday, February 27th beginning at 2pm.

State Representatives Mike Foley, Nickie Antonio, Sandra Williams, and Timothy DeGeete will be on hand, in addition to State Senator Mike Skindell.
Town Hall Meeting on Senate Bill 5
Sunday, February 27 - 2 p.m.
P.J. McIntyre’s Irish Pub
17119 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111


* Call your state senator and tell them vote "NO!" on SB 5: 888-218-5931.

Visit the Facebook page: Say No to Senate Bill 5-Protect Those that Protect You.

 

 

 



 

 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Kasich and Walker: At War Against Workers

We all know what the Republicans, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and their organizations with big money are trying to do - - - kill unions.  If they can destroy unions, they can gain power and keep it for years to come.  Historically, union members have supported Democratic candidates because Dems have pushed for worker protections, improved labor laws, and pushed for anti-discrimination measures.  Republicans, on the other hand, have continued to block/vote against similar legislation.

Here is an interesting post from U.S. News and World Report:

U.S. News blogger Leslie Marshall also thinks Walker is being unreasonable. She writes:
The argument put forth by Walker is that he has to get his budget in line. But Walker is lying. Statistically, whether it be Wisconsin, Ohio, Nevada, or New Jersey, union workers make on the average 6 percent less than their private sector counterparts. Also statistically, if you look at the budget of Wisconsin, the biggest savings have nothing to do with state workers or collective bargaining; by Walker’s own admission, he could save $165 million just restructuring the current debt. And we know this isn’t about money or savings to the state of Wisconsin or its citizens, it’s politics.

Here is another article by Marshall---

As Leslie Marshall, at U.S. News, says in an article posted on 2/23/11:


Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Is a Koch Brothers Puppet

The politicians in Wisconsin, specifically the governor, claim that this fight is about money. Hogwash. And I want to personally thank Americans for Prosperity, an organization funded by and cocreated by the Koch brothers--one of the largest contributors (over $40,000) to Walker’s campaign by the way--for helping me to prove that. [See who donates the most to your member of Congress.]

This organization is reportedly developing an ad to run in opposition to the union ad presently running, demonstrating that this isn’t about money, it isn’t even about politics; it’s about payback. And you know what they say about payback, it’s a “b.” How does it feel to be a puppet on a string? Or a muse? Ask Governor Walker. He’s the Koch brothers’ puppet. And for that, thank the Supreme Court for their ridiculous decision in the Citizens United case, because what’s happening in Wisconsin is just a tiny taste of things to come. Corporate billionaires pulling our politicians’ strings.....

...If I tell you I’m going to reduce your pay, ask you to contribute more out of that lower salary for healthcare benefits and your pension, tell you I’ll arrest you if you strike and oh, by the way, you also can’t collectively bargain, what do you have left? I have taken everything. What kind of a teacher are we returning to the classroom or nurse to the hospital? A beaten, downtrodden one. One who is making less and has been stripped of his or her rights. One whose value has been questioned. A happy employee is a productive employee and a better employee.....


I guess these governors are just carrying out the wishes of their puppeteers.

*  Just when you thought that things couldn't get any worse for workers in Ohio, we have this from BizJournals:

Ohio’s economic development deal makers are pressing Gov. John Kasich for an executive order spelling out how his administration will apply the state’s prevailing wage law on expansion projects.

Without the guidance, companies that scout spots for growing businesses may not bother to consider Ohio, said Chris Strayer, vice president of the Ohio Economic Development Association trade group...

Kasich and his business friends want nothing more than to feed their own greed on the backs of workers in the state.  Why are there questions about the prevailing wage?  Shouldn't people be paid fairly?  Do the Republicans want to overturn the prevailing wage  laws?  Will Kasich and his cronies try to overturn the Ohio minimum wage too?


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Teachers Stand to Lose A Lot With Kasich and the Republicans

In the old days, before collective bargaining, teachers were often subjected to the rule of tyrannical principals and superintendents.

Teachers were fired because they were pregnant.
Principals demanded teachers take certain duties, or risk losing their jobs.

If teachers have no rights on the job, anything can happen.  Before unions, the right to file grievances, and contract agreements between unions and school boards, teachers were fired for a variety of reasons.

Here is a selection of news articles about teachers being fired for a variety of incomprehensible reasons:



1957: Teacher fired for being a member of the NAACP. (published May 28, 1957, The Afro-American: Google Archive)

1961:  Teacher fired for assigning the book, 1984, to her class. (published October 22, 1961, St. Joseph News-Press: Google Archive)

1962:  School board ordered to rehire teacher who was fired for rejecting to an assignment to chaperone a student bowling club for the entire school year. (published April 18, 1962, Gettysburg Times: Google Archive)

1969: Teacher fired "...because he wouldn't shave off his beard..." (published January 31, 1969, Spokane Daily Chronicle:  Google Archive)

1976: Teacher fired "...for taking days off on religious holidays..." (published July 14, 1976, Spokane Daily Chronicle:  Google Archive)

1977: Unwed teacher was fired after giving birth, later won her job back. (published July 15, 1977, Ocala Star-Banner: Google Archive)

1975: Four Ohio teachers fired for having mustaches. (published November 14, 1975, Daily Sentinel: Google Archive)

2004: Teacher fired because "..he refused a parent's request to change a student's grade..." (published June 2, 2004, City Beat)


If you haven't taken a look at the legislation proposal called SB 5, you might want to visit the link for SB 5.

Welcome to Youngstown?

*  Ohio Gov. John Kasich had a "welcoming committee" when he arrived in Youngstown today.
WKBN:

Upward of 750 ralliers from both sides of the Senate Bill 5 debate steadily flowed to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport Thursday morning to rally before an appearance by Gov. John Kasich.

Protesters lined both sides of state Route 193 in front of the hangar where a Youngstown-Warren Chamber of Commerce luncheon was taking place. Local steel workers, electricians, sheet metal workers and firefighters waved signs and chanted to "kill the bill."

Several local officials like state representatives Bob Hagan and Joe Schiavoni along with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and Mahoning County Democratic Chairman Dave Betras were also among the crowds....


Then Kasich had to go to an airport hangar for a private gathering of his supporters.

* How many times has Kasich talked to Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker today?  What other devious plans do they have in store next in their assaults on their citizens?

*  Republicans in the Ohio House have come up with another way to mess with working people ---- an anti-overtime bill

ProgressOhio:

State Representative Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and other House Democratic members were joined at the Statehouse today by opponents of House Bill 61 (HB 61), legislation which will significantly impact workers' rights to receive overtime compensation....


....The bill permits private employers to give their employees compensatory time off rather than monetary overtime compensation. It also requires that compensatory time be accrued at a one hour to one hour ratio, unlike overtime which allows employees to receive one hour to 1.5 hours of pay. The bill also limits the total number of compensatory hours which can be accrued during a one year time period and can only be used at the discretion of the employer. Also, under the bill as written, employers would be required to let employees use compensatory time within a "reasonable" period from when it was earned unless it "disrupt[s] the operations of the employers." 

....Overtime is the most widely accepted method of compensating workers for extra time on the job. Changing the current system, without adequate safeguards for workers, could result in unfair practices and unjust treatment of workers.   Benefits such as workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, Social Security and pensions are all based on weekly or yearly earnings, not compensatory time....

Why do Republicans hate middle class working people?



*  The dcstreetsblog reported that Republicans in charge in the House brought the Congressional Field Hearing on Transportation to Columbus.  The Republicans, who continue to be backward thinking, are still promoting road construction. Republican Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15), a former bank lobbyist, attended the hearings.  With gas prices predicted to exceed $4/gallon because of unrest in Egypt and Libya, it is important to know that Republicans continue to support gas powered auto transportation instead  of high speed rail.

*  Republicans are targeting Planned Parenthood funding.  Planned Parenthood provides gynecological services, including pap smears, exams, family planning counseling, mammograms, and help for women.  The GOP and their far right supporters are involved in attempting to prevent all funding to Planned Parenthood, and thereby eliminate gynecological services for poor women.  Can you provide a contribution to show your support for Planned Parenthood?

Ohio Teachers

 WashingtonPost:

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whose efforts to curtail the rights of public-employee unions have thrust him into the national spotlight, is pushing other new Republican governors to follow his lead.  


He said he communicates regularly with Ohio Gov. John Kasich and has spoken with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. And Walker has suggested that his counterparts in Michigan and Florida seek to address their budget problems in part by demanding major concessions from public workers....

......FreedomWorks, a Washington-based group led by former House majority leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.), said it will send paid workers to Tallahassee; Indianapolis; Harrisburg, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; and Salt Lake City in coming weeks as part of the effort....

Freedom Works?  These corporate funded groups like Freedom Works and Americans for (their own) Prosperity are fighting middle class public employees.  The millionaires and billionaires who are bankrolling Freedom Works and Americans for (their own) Prosperity are trying to beat up on teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, state employees, snowplow drivers, and professors.  Those millionaires and billionaires, fueled by their own greed, are waging their campaign against the middle class public employees.  
 ______________

I've also posted the following at http://stubbornliberal.blogspot.com.

With what appears to be a grand conspiracy by Republican governors to destroy public employee unions, many citizens are downright disgusted.  It is time to do some real homework and examine what the Republicans in Ohio are trying to do.

This link  http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_5_PSC_N.html               will take you to SB 5 as it appears on line.  If you have a chance to read the entire documentary, you will reach the same conclusion that I have----- this is a power grab and an attempt to manipulate public employees. 

Here are a few sections I'd like to highlight from SB 5:

...Sec. 3306.01....

...(3) Each city, exempted village, local, and joint vocational school district shall have on file, and shall pay in accordance with, a teachers' salary schedule which complies withsalaries based upon merit as required under section 3317.13 of the Revised Code... 

....Sec. 3317.13.  (A) As used in this section and section 3317.14 of the Revised Code:
(1) "Years of service" includes the following:
(a) All years of teaching service in the same school district or educational service center, regardless of training level, with each year consisting of at least one hundred twenty days under a teacher's contract;
(b) All years of teaching service in a chartered, nonpublic school located in Ohio as a teacher licensed pursuant to section 3319.22 of the Revised Code or in another public school, regardless of training level, with each year consisting of at least one hundred twenty days under a teacher's contract;
(c) All years of teaching service in a chartered school or institution or a school or institution that subsequently became chartered or a chartered special education program or a special education program that subsequently became chartered operated by the state or by a subdivision or other local governmental unit of this state as a teacher licensed pursuant to section 3319.22 of the Revised Code, regardless of training level, with each year consisting of at least one hundred twenty days; and
(d) All years of active military service in the armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 3307.75 of the Revised Code, to a maximum of five years. For purposes of this calculation, a partial year of active military service of eight continuous months or more in the armed forces shall be counted as a full year.
(2) "Teacher", "teacher" means all teachers employed by the board of education of any school district, including any cooperative education or joint vocational school district and all teachers employed by any educational service center governing board.

... (B) No Each teacher shall be paid a salary.....


Ohio teachers need to read the entire document and consult with their union leaders. 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Show Us The Numbers

Gov. Kasich and his Republican members of the General Assembly have suggested that public employees are too much of a drain on the state.  However, they have not yet provided us with any numbers that support their side.  They've not proved that taking away collective bargaining and ending binding arbitration will save the state money.  Let me show you some numbers that dispute the Republican mantra that continues to blame public employees.

According to a study conducted by Gallup in August 2010, the state of Ohio has the lowest percentage of government workers, even though Ohio ranks seventh in state population. The "government workers" that Gallup refers to are "federal, state, or local government" employees. That would mean that the percentage of state and local employees in Ohio is much lower than 12%.

Gallup:
States With Lowest Perecentages of Government Workers, January-June 2010 
  
According to Kasich and the Ohio Republicans, the public employees who make up less than 12% of Ohio's population, are to blame for everything. The amazing thing is that these pro-business, pro-personal wealth, Republicans and their lobbyist friends still refuse to blame the bankers and speculators on Wall Street for the financial disaster that our country and state faced.

Teachers are worried about rumors that a new pay scale has been created by the governor.  Is there any truth to that?  I don't know, but it shows that teachers and other public employees don't seem to have any trust in Kasich and his party.  

What is their Republican agenda?  Is it really their agenda or plans promoted by contributors, business leaders, lobbyists, or powerful industrial moguls? What does Kasich want to do --- get people back to work or destroy the lives of public employees, their families, and communities?  What do you think?

_____

After hearing about that call between Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Fake Koch brother, we know that Kasich and Walker are having conversations about their plans to destroy unions. 

CityBeatCincinnati:

In this week’s Porkopolis column, Kevin Osborne writes about the coordinated effort by newly elected Tea Party-backed Republican governors like Wisconsin’s Scott Walker and Ohio’s John Kasich to use the looming budget crises as a reason take away labor unions’ ability to collective bargain, with the ultimate goal of busting unions altogether...

....A muckraking Web site called the Buffalo Beast all but confirmed Walker’s blind allegiance to the Kochs, as the site’s editor Ian Murphy posed as David Koch and was able to trick the embattled Wisconsin governor in an extended phone conversation that touched on a variety of Tea Party-friendly topics. The apparently clueless Walker admitted in the call that he talks about the coordinated union-busting effort with other governors, including Kasich. “I talk to John (Kasich) every day,” Walker said.....



Kasich and Walker are not very nice people.




Fighting Against The Republican Agenda

As police, fire fighters, teachers, nurses, professors, college students, and public employees, held rallies at the Ohio Statehouse yesterday, some Republicans seemed unswayed about their support for SB 5.

Business-Journal:

...The reform, as introduced by state Sen. Shannon Jones, the majority whip, would end collective bargaining for state employees (including faculty and classified employees at the 13 public universities) and severely curtail collective bargaining for employees of county, municipal and township governments and school districts.

Public school teachers, for example, could no longer bargain about class size. Police and firefighters would have to submit to binding arbitration should they be unable to sign a new contract before their old contract expired... 


.....Despite opponents' claims that Jones just put her name on SB5 as the sponsor, that it was really written by lobbyists and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the majority whip says she is the primary author. Yes, she had help from the LSC [legislative service center] and our legal counsel, "But I wrote it," she said....

In the article, State Senator Jones said that she anticipated some discussion about the legislation "but I don't think anyone expected this level."  Seriously?  She is dealing with people's lives and their ability to feed their families.  Didn't she think those being targeted would have something to say? 

With regard to the accusations that the legislation was written by pro-business individuals and groups, Jones claims to be the "primary author."

According to Project Vote Smart, State Senator Shannon Jones had these ratings:

Business and Consumers:

2010  Senator Jones supported the interests of Ohio Business Votes 100 percent in 2010.
2010  Senator Jones supported the interests of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce percent in 2010.
2007-2008  Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Ohio Business Votes's position, Senator Jones received a rating of 80.
2007-2008  Senator Jones supported the interests of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce 87.5 percent in  2007-2008.
2007  Senator Jones supported the interests of the Ohio Business Votes 100 percent in 2007.

The Boro Report discussed some of the campaign contributions that Shannon Jones received from some high-powered names and that was in March 2010:

Shannon Jones has been running some pretty expensive ads lately. I went to the Ohio Secretary of State website and pulled a list of contributors (go here and enter candidate last name Jones) to the Friends of Shannon Jones. Below is a list of contributions $2500 and up.


I was surprised to see the amount of money an incumbent can raise over the course of a few years, and if money is a measure of a politicians influence then Jones has a lot of influence. I’m not suggesting anything improper here, but it's interesting to see most of the big money coming from outside the district. I would like to know about the agendas these power brokers are pushing and whether that is influencing Senator Jones. I found a few links that tell a little about some of these folks. Over $100,000 from various Boich family members, companies and employees. $50,000 from the Brennan family. $40,000 from the DolanMathile Family. family. $40,000 from the (UPDATE: Looking through the contributions made by Friends of Shannon Jones $40,000 was refunded to the Boich companies. Also Jones has donated more than $650,000 of the money she raised to the Ohio Republican party.)...


She has indeed received quite a lot of campaign money from some very interesting names.  Hmmmm.  Hey, I'm just saying......

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Down at the Statehouse - The Rally

There are thousands of people downtown Columbus rallying against SB 5, but there is just one problem.

ProgressOhio:

Thousands of Ohio citizens were locked out of the Statehouse today when they arrived to protest SB 5.

Chanting, "This is Our House/ Let Us In" and "Kill the Bill", they were left out in the cold apparently by Republican lawmakers....

....Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro and Senate Democrats annouced a little after 3pm that they were going to Court to file an injunction to open the doors.

ProgressOhio video on YouTube:




Joseph at Plunderbund has this information about the rally at the Statehouse:

...Update: A Capital Square Review and Advisory Board spokesperson is telling reporters that the decision to keep people out of the Statehouse came from the Department of Public Safety. In other words, the Kasich administration. If you’d like to reach out to the Governor, call his office at (614) 466-3555 and if they don’t answer, try the constituent hotline and make sure they record your complaint (614) 644-4357. And if you feel like it, touch base with Director Charles at the Department of Public Safety (614) 466-3383....

Incredible.

There is one more piece of news about John Kasich and SB 5:  According to Plunderbund, John Kasich is sending out emails to fundraise on SB5.  Kasich's actions are positively disgusting.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Stopping SB 5

* According to a story at CNN International, Gov. John Kasich said '...proposed curbs on the collective-bargaining rights for public employees in the state is to "restore some balance to the system," not destroy unions....'

"We frankly want to give the managers in the local communities and our schools the ability to control their costs so they don't have to raise taxes and drive businesses and more jobs out," Kasich said. "What we're trying to here is to balance it out, to make sure that management has some power and some tools to create to control their costs."

"If the unions want to keep talking and negotiating that's fine, but we don't want binding arbitration, where an outsider comes in and imposes a settlement on a community that the community can't afford," Kasich said.

What term comes to mind when managers have total control and workers have no voice?  I think that I am reminded of terms like indentured servant, and sweat shop.

Before you say that we should believe Kasich, just remember that through his introductions and efforts, the public pension funds of Ohio lost over $400 million when Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy in late 2008.


>>>  Keep up the pressure on Ohio Senate Republicans. Continue to call/email them with the message -Vote No on SB 5.

(graphic from clipsandcomments)
 
 
I was visiting the AFP website (the Americans for their own Prosperity group) and I noticed they've advised their Ohio membership to call and email the state senators.  We cannot allow the members of the State Senate to listen to them, and not us.  Voice your opposition to SB 5 by contacting the following Republican members of the Ohio Senate:




District 1

Cliff Hite (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8150
Email: SD01@senate.state.oh.us

District 2

Mark Wagoner (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8060
Email: SD02@senate.state.oh.us

District 3

Kevin Bacon (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8064
Email: SD03@senate.state.oh.us

District 4

Gary Cates (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8072
Email: SD04@senate.state.oh.us

District 5

Bill Beagle (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-6247
Email: SD05@senate.state.oh.us

District 6

Peggy Lehner (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-4538
Email: SD06@senate.state.oh.us

District 7

Shannon Jones (R)
Majority Whip
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-9737
Email: SD07@senate.state.oh.us

District 8

Bill Seitz (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8068
Email: SD08@senate.state.oh.us

District 9

Eric Kearney (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5980
Email: SD09@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 10

Chris Widener (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-3780
Email: SD10@senate.state.oh.us

District 11

Edna Brown (D)
Minority Whip
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5204
Email: SD11@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 12

Keith Faber (R)
President Pro Tempore
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-7584
Email: SD12@senate.state.oh.us

District 13

Gayle Manning (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 644-7613
Email: SD13@senate.state.oh.us

District 14

Thomas E. Niehaus (R)
President
Statehouse
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8082
Email: SD14@senate.state.oh.us

District 15

Charleta B. Tavares (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5131
Email: SD15@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 16

Jim Hughes (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5981
Email: SD16@senate.state.oh.us

District 17

David T. Daniels (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8156
Email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us

District 18

Tim Grendell (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 644-7718
Email: SD18@senate.state.oh.us

District 19

Kris Jordan (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8086
Email: SD19@senate.state.oh.us

District 20

Jimmy Stewart (R)
Majority Floor Leader
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8076
Email: SD20@senate.state.oh.us

District 21

Shirley A. Smith (D)
Assistant Minority Leader
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-4857
Email: SD21@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 22

Larry Obhof (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-7505
Email: SD22@senate.state.oh.us

District 23

Michael J. Skindell (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5123
Email: SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 24

Tom Patton (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us

District 25

Nina Turner (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-4583
Email: SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 26

Karen Gillmor (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8049
Email: SD26@senate.state.oh.us

District 27

Frank LaRose (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-4823
Email: SD27@senate.state.oh.us

District 28

Tom Sawyer (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-7041
Email: SD28@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 29

Scott Oelslager (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-0626
Email: SD29@senate.state.oh.us

District 30

Jason Wilson (D)
Assistant Minority Whip
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-6508
Email: SD30@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 31

Tim Schaffer (R)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5838
Email: SD31@senate.state.oh.us

District 32

Capri S. Cafaro (D)
Minority Leader
Statehouse
1 Capitol Square, 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-7182
Email: SD32@maild.sen.state.oh.us

District 33

Joe Schiavoni (D)
Senator
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8285
Email: SD33@maild.sen.state.oh.us
  

 -------------------------------------------

* Looks like State Sen. Chris Widener, Republican of District 10, did a "cut and run"  before the questions at a townhall got too tough for him.

SpringfieldNewsSun:

....The event at the Heritage Center was billed as a talk about the state’s estimated $8 billion deficit. But most people showed up to discuss a proposal before the state Senate that would cut public employee bargaining rights.

State Sen. Chris Widener, R-Springfield, left for another meeting before talk turned to unions. This left the hosts — Republican Reps. Ross McGregor and Bob Hackett — in the awkward position of commenting on a politically charged issue in the other chamber.

McGregor, who represents Springfield, told the crowd of largely teachers and firefighters that he serves on the House committee that would take up the bill if it passes the Senate. And he expressed misgivings about the bill....

Was Widener too busy to have an open discussion with his constituents?  You might want to try to contact him since he probably didn't get a chance to hear from you.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Defeat SB5

(graphic from clipsandcomments)

* Keep the phone calls and emails going to the members of the Ohio Senate to defeat SB 5.
 They might not know that you are against this awful legislation that unfairly targets public employees.  Contact the following state senators ASAP:

Kevin Bacon:  Phone: (614) 466-8064
Email: SD03@senate.state.oh.us


Jim Hughes: Phone: (614) 466-5981
Email: SD16@senate.state.oh.us

Tim Grendell: Phone: (614) 644-7718
Email: SD18@senate.state.oh.us 

Tim Schaffer: Phone: (614) 466-5838
Email: SD31@senate.state.oh.us

Scott Oelslager: Phone: (614) 466-0626
Email: SD29@senate.state.oh.us 

Frank LaRose: Phone: (614) 466-4823
Email: SD27@senate.state.oh.us 

Karen Gillmor: Phone: (614) 466-8049
Email: SD26@senate.state.oh.us 

Larry Obhof:   Phone: (614) 466-7505
Email: SD22@senate.state.oh.us

Tom Patton: Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us 

Jimmy Stewart: Phone: (614) 466-8076
Email: SD20@senate.state.oh.us

Kris Jordan:  Phone: (614) 466-8086
Email: SD19@senate.state.oh.us

David Daniels: Phone: (614) 466-8156
Email: SD17@senate.state.oh.us 

Check the following website for the contact information for the state senators: If you don't have access to a computer, call the toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-282-0253 (466-8842 in Columbus).






* Last year, public employees in the state of Ohio were furloughed 10 days + additional time.  Some lost as much as the equivalent of 14 days of pay.  However, those employees who worked directly with elected officials were not covered by the furlough mandate.



* Wisconsin's labor situation is a mess.  Gov. Scott Walker seems like he is trying to blame everything on those unions that did not support him.  Here is an interesting piece of information from TPMMuckraker:

The reason state workers are so outraged by Walker's actions, Kind said, is because they spent all last year negotiating and making $100 million in concessions with then-Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle only to have Republicans state legislators kill that bill then have a new governor come in and deny their negotiating rights. 

"[Walker] didn't even come back and sit down with them," Kind told TPM. "Public employees are willing to contribute their pound of flesh. He wasn't even willing to talk to the teacher unions despite 17 separate requests from them for meetings with him."

Sounds like Walker doesn't even respect his public employees enough to sit down and talk.  

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Middle Class

Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Wisconsin Gov. Walker have made a special effort in going after public employees.  Why are they especially going after teachers?  While he was still exploring the idea of a run as a Republican candidate for Ohio governor, Kasich spoke in front of a group of Republicans in March 2009.

StarBeacon:

...Throughout his message to the local party, Kasich sounded warnings about runaway deficit spending in Washington and Columbus, the effort to end school vouchers in Ohio and President Barack Obama’s plan to increase the tax burden on wealthy Americans....

...3. Expand the school voucher program and break the grip unions hold on education. "Now my concern with the teachers union is that I am convinced they are a lot more concerned with their own situation rather than the situation of our children," Kasich said.


“We need more school choice, we need to break the back of organized labor in the schools, and we need to turn our schools into institutions that excite our kids and teach them, and the best way to get it done is to give mothers and fathers the power to take their kids out of bad places and put them in good,” Kasich said to a round of applause....

Kasich's plan to end collective bargaining by going after labor unions is really an attack on the middle class.  Teachers, firefighters, police, and public employees make up the middle class, pay taxes, worship with you, and support your communities. They respond to emergencies, provide support services, and teach your children.  This is how Kasich and the Republicans show them respect.

Ohio's public service employees should not be forced into genteel poverty so that the rich can get richer.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Where are the jobs, Gov. Kasich?

* Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Republican, continues to be the topic of conversation at the water cooler.  Kasich's recent example of speaking off the cuff resulted in him calling a police officer an "idiot" in front of Ohio EPA employees. (see previous posts below) As has been noted in many newspapers, and blogs, Kasich received a ticket for this failure to give room to an emergency vehicle.

Responses to Kasich calling an officer an "idiot" have been swift.

Dispatch:

"We're not idiots; we're out enforcing the law that he as governor has asked us to go out and enforce," said Jim Gilbert, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 9, the union representing most central Ohio law-enforcement officers.

Jay McDonald, president of the 26,000-member Ohio FOP, said, "I thought that the comments show the governor doesn't understand what our job is and the dangers our people face. ... Calling them idiots certainly doesn't make their job any easier."

....Sara Winfield of Marysville, the widow of Marion County Deputy Sheriff Brandy Winfield, posted a letter to Kasich on her blog saying she was disheartened. She later called for an apology to all officers....


I wonder what Kasich's approval rating would be today since it was 30% just a few weeks ago according to a Quinnipiac Poll.

* The JobsOhio bill passed, but there might be some legal entanglements involved with the application of the bill and the leadership of the program.

ProgressOhio:

Mark Kvamme is not a resident of Ohio, but we all knew that when Gov. Kasich appointed him as Director of Development running JobsOhio, which just passed both houses this afternoon.


ProgressOhio research has shown that a long-held Ohio Attorney General Opinion provided to former GOP Governor George V Voinovich reveals that under the Ohio Constitution and Ohio Law Kvamme, a non-Ohio resident who commutes from California, is barred from serving as a State Director.

In fact, persuant to ORC 121.03 the Director of the Department of Development is an office to which section § 15.04 of the Ohio Constitution applies, and ORC3503.01(A) requires, in part, an elector be "a resident of the state."


We'll see what happens.

****  The Republican controlled House Financial Services Committee are trying to cut regulations and funding for oversight of Wall Street, according to The Hill.  Do you know who serves on this committee?  Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15-R), a former bank lobbyist, is a member of this committee.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Kasich's Latest

Ohio Gov. John Kasich,Republican:

Youtube



Kasich has been pushing to end collective bargaining for public employees in the state of Ohio.

Cleveland.com:

In a speech last month Gov. John Kasich emphatically referred to a police officer who ticketed him for a driving violation as "an idiot." 

The Republican governor was ticketed on Jan. 11, 2008 for "approaching a public safety vehicle with lights displayed" on Route 315 in Columbus and later paid an $85 fine. But Kasich was not happy about it. 

During a Jan. 21 speech to Ohio EPA workers, the governor recalled the day three years ago he was given the ticket. In telling the story, Kasich, who took office on Jan. 10, referred to the Columbus police officer who ticketed him three times as an idiot as seen in this video... 

* Here is what Politico had to say about Kasich's latest:

'Idiot,' defined

It is, apparently, a police officer who tickets a politician:

A video posted on YouTube shows Ohio Governor John Kasich describing a police officer who ticketed him in Columbus as "an idiot."

Speaking to state workers from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on January 21, Kasich told the audience, "There's just a way to deal with people, the kind of way I deal with you here today."


* Clevelandleader:

....According to court records, Kasich was pulled over on January 8, 2008, heading northbound on Rt. 315 for not moving over for a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. Kasich pleaded guilty and three days later he paid the $85 fine....


...Jim Gilbert, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 9, the union that represents Columbus police officers, Franklin County sheriff's deputies and officers in several suburban departments, said:
"We're not idiots, we're out enforcing the law that he as governor has asked us to go out and enforce."

Is this why Kasich has gone after police, firefighters, teachers and other public service employees?

Nothing

Republican Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15) had this to say in the Delware News:

....During his campaign, Stivers said his goal would be to focus on jobs as well as cutting spending. After a month on the job, that remains the agenda.

"I'm still hearing about jobs, and spending," Stivers said.

"One out of 10 people who want a job, can't get one in this district," he said.


What has Steve Stivers done to create jobs in Ohio's 15th congressional district?
(1)  Here are the job creation bills that Stivers has sponsored in the House of    Representatives, according to Thomas, the Library of Congress: 0


(2) These are the job creation bills co-sponsored by Stivers from the Library of Congress 0


Stivers said he is "...still hearing about jobs..."  Stivers can say that job creation is important, but he has done nothing to spur the development for jobs.  Stivers has gone along with the Republicans and their cultural wars.


*  Yesterday was the first hearing on the bill to end collective bargaining in the state. The hearing room for SB 5 was packed by those supporting  the bill State Senator Jones and opponents of the bill.  Gov. Kasich and the Republicans continue their assault on teachers, firefighters, police officers, and all public employees.


A letter to the editor published in the Toledo Blade sums up the agenda pushed by Kasich and the elected Republicans in the General Assembly.
Toledo Blade:


(Kasich) ....He comes from a world where working people are regarded as a necessary evil whose unreasonable demands for a say in their working conditions, a fair wage, and access to affordable health care are to be resisted at all costs, lest they interfere with huge bonuses and extravagant perks bestowed upon those captains of Wall Street who devastated the U.S. economy.

Ohio's collective bargaining law, in effect since 1984, is not the reason for the state's financial woes.....


...Governor Kasich maintains that cutbacks and hardship must be shared by Ohio's union workers. But sharing the pain does not extend to the friends and supporters to whom he has given jobs....





How true!  While Kasich wants to punish teachers and public employees, he has overpaid his cronies and mostly white male department heads.   


>  The maneuvering continues on the Ohio School Board.  Gov. Kasich appears to be trying to exert more pressure and influence on the makeup and agenda of the board. (Dispatch)
Kasich's plans in education will receive immediate attention with his stacked board appointees. 


* Make your plans for tomorrow (Thursday, February 17, 2011):  SB 5 hearings will continue tomorrow in the Ohio Senate at 10am in the South Hearing Room on the second floor.


Continue to contact members of the Ohio Senate @ toll-free legislative hotline at 1-800-282-0253 (466-8842 in Columbus)  and http://www.ohiosenate.gov/directory.html for individual Ohio Senators.  Let them know that you oppose SB 5 and the attacks on the public employees.

With all the emphasis on attacks on public employees and continuing right wing culture war, Republicans in Ohio and Congress haven't created one job to help our unemployed. While they waste time and effort on workers in our community, nothing is being accomplished.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Against Kasich's attacks on teachers, firefighters, state employees, etc.?

 If you are opposed to the Kasich and Republican plan to eliminate collective bargaining in Ohio, you might want to attend the Ohio Senate hearings on Insurance, Commerce, and Labor committee:

( TODAY ) Tuesday, February 15th, 2:30 PM,
South Hearing Room: Ohio Senate Building
Chair: Bacon
SB 5 Jones, 2nd Hearing,
Proponent Revisions to Collective Bargaining Law

and

Thursday, February 17th, 10:00 AM,
South Hearing Room: Ohio Senate Building
Chair: Bacon
SB 5 Jones, 3rd Hearing,
Proponent/Opponent Revisions to Collective Bargaining Law

Be there and bring some friends!

* Update:  BuckeyeStateBlog has some valuable information:

Anti-Abortion Bills: 6,  Pro-Job Bills: 0

That's the score, in case you're wondering, in our newly GOP-controlled state government. And, smartly, the Ohio Democratic Party is starting to push back with an online petition telling Ohio's GOPers to do what they promised to do: focus on creating jobs instead of reviving their culture war fantasies. 

I'm not surprised.



* Would you like to make $55,000+/year for a part time job?  You should run for a job as a member of the Ohio House or the Ohio Senate.  These elected officials are making good money for essentially a job that does not require a full week of work. Before the members of the Ohio General Assembly start making cuts in programs, perhaps they should reduce their own pay.  According to postings concerning committee calendars for the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House, these elected officials are hardly working.  Some committees in the Ohio House don't even meet within a week. 

Ohio House Committee Meetings (for this week):

OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS


Week of February 14, 2011 ��




TUESDAY
2/15/11
WEDNESDAY
2/16/11
THURSDAY
2/17/11
Agriculture and Natural Resources
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Commerce and Labor
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Criminal Justice
No Meeting
9:00 am Rm 114
HBs 38; 53; 54; 62
No Meeting
Economic and Small Business Development
No Meeting
No Meeting
9:30 am Rm 121
HBs 94; 61
Education
No Meeting
7:00 pm Rm 017
HBs 39; 36; 21
No Meeting
Finance and Appropriations
1:30 pm Rm 313
HB 2
No Meeting
No Meeting
Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Health and Human Services Subcommittee
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Higher Education Subcommittee
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Transportation Subcommittee
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Financial Institutions, Housing, and Urban Development
No Meeting
No Meeting
10:00 am Rm 122
HB 48
Health and Aging
No Meeting
9:00 am Rm 116
HBs 93; 78; 79; 85
No Meeting
Health and Aging Subcommittee on Retirement and Pensions
No Meeting
2:30 pm Rm 018
HB 69
No Meeting
Insurance
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Insurance Subcommittee on Workers� Compensation
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Judiciary and Ethics
4:00 pm Rm 122
HBs 49; 88; 92; 22 HJR 1
No Meeting
No Meeting
Local Government
1:30 pm Rm 121
HBs 19; 50
No Meeting
No Meeting
Public Utilities
No Meeting
10:00 am Rm 121
HBs 82; 87; 95
No Meeting
Rules and Reference
Immed after session Rm 119
Immed after session Rm 119
No Meeting
State Government and Elections
1:30 pm Rm 116
HBs 26; 57; 59; 60; 81; 31; 45
No Meeting
No Meeting
State Government and Elections Subcommittee on Redistricting
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Transportation, Public Safety, and Homeland Security
No Meeting
4:00 pm Rm 122
HBs 40; 73; 23; 65; 75; 83; 84
No Meeting
Veterans Affairs
No Meeting
No Meeting
No Meeting
Ways and Means
No Meeting
3:30 pm Rm 114
HBs 3; 10; 18
No Meeting