by Jason on March 6, 2009
It’s almost time once again for Ohio schools to beg for funding from their communities. The case of Canal Winchester is particularly dire. According to the Columbus Dispatch”
Canal Winchester schools sent notices to 23 teachers that they will lose their jobs if the school levy does not pass on May 5.
This school district has already made major cuts to their budget, including bussing. In fact, due to their lack of school transportation, Canal Winchester has had to cancel classes due to the inclement weather much more often than other surronding school districts.
Without going into great detail, we all know that Ohio school funding is a disaster. There are many issues that I do not want to go into detail to at this point, but I simply wanted to say that pressure needs to be put on the state to develop a better way to fund our local schools. As it is now, the students are the ones that suffer the consequences of the inaction of the Strickland administration and the state legislature. It’s time to to pressure our government, and the far too influential National Education Association into figuring a solution that works for Ohio’s students.
by Jason on February 7, 2009
The continuing saga being played out by the Republicans is a little disconcerting. In the not so distant past, it seemed all but certain that John Kasich was going to challenge Gov. Stickland in 2010. But then things seemed to change and it looked like he had decided not to run. But now, here comes a story in the Columbus Dispatch which states that he is still unsure.
At one time, I thought that Kasich could really give Gov. Strickland a run for his money. Kasich has a very good reputation among many in our state and was well-liked. I think he is a principled person and honest. I bet we will find out that unlike many of our presidential cabinet picks of late, he probably doesn’t have any tax problems.
All of this waffling about his decision to run is starting to make me think of the campaign that Senator Fred Thompson ran for president in 2008. For many republicans, he was supposed to be the conservative in shining armour that would rescue the day and reinvigorate the right. But if you followed his short campaign at all, he never seemed excited or even that interested in the job. He failed miserably, if he even ever wanted the job.
In today’s rough economy, a position like this might be a tough sell.
Kasich said the income tax could be phased out over an unspecified number of years and the state could accommodate the loss of money if “you modernize and privatize and make some hard choices.”
Even though President Obama started running years before his election, he was ultimately successful. I’m not saying that Kasich needs to follow suit, but I do think he needs to get the republican party energized in Ohio, if he does decide to run. Republicans are demoralized, but if anyone can get them believing in themselves again, I think it is probably John Kasich.
by Jason on November 11, 2008
We have heard about this state employee from Ohio, Ohio Job & Family Services director Helen Jones-Kelley, in relation to her investigations of “Joe the Plumber.” She caused a lot of controversy when she apparently began trying to dig up dirt on Joe. According to the Plain Dealer:
Ohio Job & Family Services director Helen Jones-Kelley, a supporter of President-elect Barack Obama, was suspended after a check of state computers and state e-mail found connections to political fundraising, which is not allowed on state property.
Governor Ted Strickland has placed Ms. Jones-Kelley on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete. Kudoos to Gov. Stickland.
