In March, Mandel “Disagreed” That Auto Rescue Saved Iconic Auto Industry, Promised To Present His Own Rescue Plan

Mandel Also Called Sen. Brown’s Vote To Rescue The Auto Industry “Un-American,” And Sherrod Should Be “Ashamed Of Himself“

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Just weeks after finally revealing his opposition to the auto rescue that helped to protect nearly 850,000 Ohio jobs by calling Sen. Sherrod Brown’s vote for the bold rescue package “un-American,” Josh Mandel is now admitting that he lied in March when he promised the Youngstown Vindicator that he was developing his own plan to re-rescue the auto industry.

The Vindicator reported in March 2012:

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, said he is developing a plan to “rescue the auto industry.”

But based on the Vindicator‘s report today, it’s clear Mandel was lying when he promised his own rescue plan:

During that March 1 interview, Mandel said he was developing a plan to “rescue the auto industry.” On May 14, Mandel told this newspaper that he was still working on a plan to strengthen manufacturing and the auto industry was included. He said at the time that the plan should be ready by late August along with plans for energy and agriculture.

But [Mandel spokesman] Considine said Wednesday that Mandel’s auto-rescue plan is included in his jobs plan, given to a Vindicator reporter May 14, the same day the Republican said he’d have a plan by late August.

“What exactly was Josh Mandel going to introduce – blueprints for a time machine? Mandel’s opposition to the bold auto rescue package Sen. Sherrod Brown fought for is an insult to the 850,000 Ohioans whose jobs it helped to protect and that’s why he laughably promised to present his own plan to re-rescue the auto industry in the first place,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Andrew Zucker. “The truth is this – Josh Mandel can’t be trusted to fight for Ohio jobs, and the fact that he thinks it was ‘un-American’ for Sherrod to lead the charge to protect 850,000 Ohio jobs related to the auto industry is absolute proof of that.”

Republican-Controlled State Supreme Court Calls Husted Out For Lying
on Issue 2 Ballot Language, Strikes Down Ballot Summary

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Republican-controlled State Supreme Court called Secretary of State Jon Husted out for lying in his proposed ballot language about Issue 2, forcing the Ohio Ballot Board to reconvene and approve new language that accurately describes the ballot initiative. In response to the ruling, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern released the following statement:

“For months, Secretary Husted has engaged in a pattern of deceiving voters, doing everything he can to decrease access to the polls. Thankfully, Husted has finally gotten called out by members of his own political party for writing manipulative ballot language and lying about Issue 2.”

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Youngstown Vindicator – Cruze has record-breaking sales month in Aug. 

“There were 25,975 Cruze sold in August topping the previous top month of April 2011 by 915 vehicles, according to information from General Motors.”

Youngstown Business Journal – Cruze sales hit all-time monthly high

“The Chevrolet Cruze secured its best sales month ever and helped propel General Motors Co. to a 10% sales gain in August, the automaker reported.”

WFMJ – Lordstown built Cruze has record-breaking sales

“General Motors says it sold 25,975 Cruzes in August.  That tops the previous record month, April of 2011, by 915 vehicles.”

WKBN – Cruze sales set all-time record in August

“GM announced two weeks ago they will invest $200 million into the Lordstown plant in order to continue manufacturing the Cruze and a more compact version of the car.”

WYTV – Cruze sales set all-time record in August

“‘The single message Chevrolet communicated this summer was ‘confidence’ and it rang true with customers when they saw how our product lineup is being transformed,’ said Kurt McNeil, vice president of U.S. sales operations.”

WYFX – Cruze sales set all-time record in August

“GM sold 240,520 vehicles total in August and Chevy accounted for 169,978 of those sales. Three other Chevy cars— the Spark, Sonic and Volt— all posted its best month ever.” 

Last Week Mandel Launched “Lengthy, Detailed Assault” On Auto Rescue After Refusing To Take A Position For More Than A Year

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Less than a week after finally revealing his opposition to the auto rescue by calling Sen. Sherrod Brown’s vote for the rescue package “un-American,” Josh Mandel has made it clear he has no intention of backtracking. Instead of walking back his despicable personal attack on Sen. Brown, Mandel’s “doubling down” and declaring that Sherrod should be “ashamed of himself” for voting for the bold rescue package that helped to protect nearly 850,000 Ohio jobs.

The Sun Star-Courier reports:

Ohio Treasurer and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel doubled down on criticisms he made earlier in the week of  his opponent, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, after he called Brown’s vote for the 2009 auto bailout ”un-American.”

Just one question for Josh Mandel: What exactly was un-American about voting to help protect 850,000 Ohio jobs?

“Josh Mandel wouldn’t have lifted a finger to rescue Ohio’s auto industry, and in contrast to his opposition to fighting for Ohio’s middle class and his despicable personal attacks on Sherrod, Sen. Brown is proud to have led the charge to pass the auto rescue package and proud of the jobs it helped to protect,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Andrew Zucker. “Josh Mandel should be ashamed of himself. His wildly out of touch assault on the auto rescue is an insult to the 850,000 Ohioans whose jobs it helped to protect and proof that he’s a politician who can’t be trusted to fight for Ohio jobs.”

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TOLEDO, OHIO – Today in Toledo, auto workers denounced Senate candidate Josh Mandel’s newly-revealed opposition to the auto rescue and his despicable charge that Sen. Sherrod Brown’s vote for the rescue package was “un-American.”

From the United Auto Workers Local 14 Hall, state Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo), UAW Region 2B Assistant Director Stephen Kemp, Yolanda Liggons, a 17-year General Motors employee who works at the Toledo Transmission Plant and UAW Local 14 President Ray Wood decried Mandel’s outrageous attack on the cost of the auto rescue when he said that it hadn’t worked and suggested an alternative: that GM and Chrysler could ” go down whatever road they thought was feasible,” during an editorial board meeting with The Columbus Dispatch.

“There’s a reason the Assembly Complex and Transmission plants are thriving today, and it’s because folks like Sen. Sherrod Brown led the charge to rescue the American auto industry, helping to protect thousands of Toledo auto jobs and nearly 850,000 jobs in total across our state,” said UAW Region 2-B Assistant Director Stephen Kemp. “Sherrod’s opponent, Josh Mandel, had no such foresight. Josh Mandel, who has spent month after month refusing to even discuss the auto rescue, has finally shown his true colors. Josh Mandel owes the people of Toledo more than an apology affords, and he owes the people of Ohio an explanation.”

UAW Local 14 President Ray Wood praised Sen. Brown for leading the charge to rescue the auto industry, and highlighted its resurgence in Toledo and across Ohio.

“If Sen. Brown hadn’t fought to secure short-term loans for General Motors and Chrysler, the American automakers would have been devastated. Plant doors would have shuttered closed, the Toledo economy would have been devastated and nearly 850,000 Ohioans whose jobs are tied to the industry could have faced cutbacks or unemployment. But Sherrod Brown did fight, to secure those critical loans, to rescue GM and Chrysler, and now they’re posting soaring profits. The industry is thriving,” said UAW Local 14 President Ray Wood, adding that, “Toledo’s not the only community benefiting from the resurgent American auto industry. Just last week, GM announced that it would invest $220 million into its Lordstown and Parma plants to build the next generation of Chevy Cruze vehicles.”

Yolanda Liggons, a mother, grandmother, and 17-year Auto Worker for General Motors at the Toledo Transmission Plant, discussed being laid off before Sherrod fought to secure critical loans that prevented the American auto industry from collapsing altogether.

“When Chrysler and General Motors were faced with the prospect of bankruptcy, the companies were forced to lay off thousands of longtime employees. Around the same time my husband, who also works for GM, was diagnosed with cancer, I was laid off,” Yolanda Liggons said. “I remember how terrifying it felt, as if it were yesterday. First it felt like a break, and I was happy to be at my husband’s side, but then reality set it and I realized I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to work again. For 2 ½ years, I experienced that every day.”

Liggons added, “So when Josh Mandel says that it was “un-American” to vote for the auto rescue package that Sherrod Brown fought tirelessly for, I have just one question for him: what exactly is un-American about fighting for families like mine? Thanks to champions like Sherrod Brown, who led the charge to rescue the American auto industry, I’m back on the job, and GM and Chrysler are back in business.”

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) denounced Mandel for his despicable personal attack on Sen. Brown.

“Josh Mandel’s opposition to the auto rescue that helped to protect nearly 850,000 Ohio jobs is an insult to folks here in Toledo and across our state. His blistering attack on the auto industry is out of touch with Ohio’s middle class, and that’s why he’s resorted to a despicable personal attack on Sherrod Brown that has no place in our political discourse,” said state Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo). “Between his despicable ‘un-American’ charge, his ‘lengthy, detailed assault’ on the auto rescue and his months-long refusal to come clean about his opposition to it, it’s clearer than ever before that Josh Mandel is not on the side of Ohio’s middle class and a politician who can’t be trusted.”

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Ohio Democratic Party Announces Certified Delegates for Democratic National Convention

COLUMBUS, OHIO- Today, the Ohio Democratic Party announced the members of the Ohio Delegation, as certified by the Democratic National Committee, for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Convention will be held September 3-6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The demographic composition goals of Ohio’s Democratic Delegation were determined by using a combination of 2010 Census Data and the CNN National Exit Poll conducted in November, 2008, in which respondents indicated their vote for President. The Ohio Democratic Party exceeded its goals in almost every category. More information on the representation goals is available in the 2012 Delegate Selection Plan.

Ohio’s delegation to the national convention will include 65 African Americans, 26 Young Democrats (under age 35), 15 LGBT, 11 Hispanic Americans, 6 Asian Pacific Islanders, 4 people with disabilities, and 1 Native American.

The youngest members of the Ohio Delegation, as certified by the DNC, include Kevin Bloomfield (19) of Columbus, Therese Kilbane Myers (19) of Cleveland, Jake Young (19) of Columbus, Daniella Chambers (18) of Ada, and Dan Traicoff (20) of Cincinnati.

Ruby Gilliam of Minerva is the oldest member of the Ohio Delegation and attended the 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 National Democratic Conventions.

The full list is available online as a download here.

The Ohio Delegation, as certified, is as follows:

Regina A. Collins

Drusilla Ice

Shawn Alan Robaszkiewicz

Therese Kilbane Myers

Matt Besser

Elizabeth Brown

Daniel R. Ramos

Mark Schneider

Kevin M. Bloomfield

James Bird

Charlene W. Allen

Jennie Rosenthal Berliant

Karen Aronoff-Holtmeier

Paul De Marco

Linda Mansour

David J. Betras

Donald H. Nguyen

Francine Lawrence

Baldemar C. Velasquez

Patricia Frost-Brooks

Valarie J. McCall

Lana Z. Moresky

Dennis R. Wilcox

Tim Burga

Albert Lin

John A. Lyall

Gary V. Martin

Karen A. Morrison

Penny M. Tipps

Isabel Framer

Christopher Alan Mabe

Nick “Sonny” Nardi

W. Craig Bashein

Jack Landskroner

Lourdes Barroso de Padilla

Thomas J. Grote

Melissa K. Hedden

Suzanne J. Scrutton

Rebecca Williams

John L. Frola

Dan Dodd

Ruby C. Gilliam

Kathy B. Bowman

Janet A. Carlisle

Brigid Kelly

Terry Penrod

Lakshmi Satyanarayana

Roberto Torres

Michael Wager

Lauren Michelle Kinsey

John A. Boccieri

Elizabeth Shirey

Jake Young

Gabriel Michel Fletcher

Alicia M. Reece

Sally B. Steagall

Dan Traicoff

Edward Wagner

Bernadette Watson

Alan Gregory Barlow

Alta Mae Beasley

Teresa Lee Montgomery

P.G. Sittenfeld

Russell M. Joseph

Marcia R. Knox

Gen Murphy

Thomas J. Ritchie Sr.

Johnny Givand

Mary P. Malone

Randy Weston

Daniella M. Chambers

Marcus Landon Sherrell

Beverly J. Spetz

Sandra L. Wise

Mike Zickar

Allyson P. Beard

Diane L. Conroy

Jeremy Eikenberry

Ed D. Good

C. Denise Leach

Spencer Christian Young

Edna Jean Harper

Steven W. Key

Teresa Ann Law

Leslie Howard Young

Steve Hightower

Stephen Hightower II

Cathina M. Hourani

Deloris Rome Hudson

Edna R. Brown

Michael Lewis Friedman

Yvonne Harper

Gary Johnson

Andrea L. Jones

Kathy L. Rollison

Ronald R. Rothenbuhler

George R. Tucker

Kurt M. Young

Nickie J. Antonio

Dona Brady

Mary L. Devring

Steven E Holecko

Dale Miller

Michael O’Shea

Angela Paige Shuckahosee

Dean DePiero

Matt Zone

John E. Barnes, Jr.

Louise Bryan Buchanan

Phyllis E. Cleveland

Yvonne Marie Conwell

Blaine Antoine Griffin

Anthony T. Hairston

Stephanie Howse

Jeffrey David Johnson

Pernel Jones, Jr.

Julian A. Rogers

Gigi Traore

Meredith Turner

Nina Turner

Robert A. Davis

R. Sean Grayson

Tracy Maxwell Heard

Mary Ann Howell

Niranhan Neil Patel

Tei Street

Mark Ballard

Michael D. Bauer

Nicholas John Hanek

Tamela Lee

Richard Romero

Mary H. Sobah

Margaret Stambaugh

Ann M. Tanner

Susan B. Brannan

Kevin David Malecek

Diana A. Nazelli

Tomas Stone

John Patrick Carney

Emerald Hernandez

Gretchen D. James

Larry L. Malone, Jr.

Edithia Spears

Michael Stinziano

Susie M. Camper

William J. Healy (II)

Roberta Jean Skok

Robert L. Thompson Sr.

Jaladah Aslam

Deborha Bindas

Capri S Cafaro

Timothy Callion

John Filak

George Freeman, Jr.

Robert F. Hagan

Tom BJ Letson

Sean Tyrone McKinney

Judith E. Puskar

Tara L. Samples

Taylor Beeler

David Kolbe

Mary C. Rugola-Dye

Sandra S. Shonborn

Eric H. Kearney

Chris S. Seelbach

Yvette R. Simpson

Nan Whaley

Debbie M. Phillips

Wade P. Kapszukiewicz

Edward Fitzgerald

Clayton R. Luckie

Barbara Boyd

Armond Budish

Michelle Mills

Sandra R. Williams

Joyce B. Beatty

Frances Strickland

Ted Strickland

Charleta B. Tavares

Wayne M. Jones

Chase M. Ritenauer

Vernon L. Sykes

Sara L. Drew

Michael B. Coleman

Kathleen M. Clyde

Richard C. Kerns

Marco Somerville

Larry Malone

Pam O’Grady

Gayle I. Horwitz

Karen Poore

Roland Winburn

Alan Melamed

Bill Mason

Geveva M. Bates

Amber Jacott

Alex Huguelet

Bill Leibensperger

Richard Lum

Kevin Baxter

Lauren Groh-Wargo

Melissa Cropper

Lupe Williams

Chris Redfern

Joe P. Rugola

Ron Malone

Mark Mallory

Jay Goyal

Fred Strahorn

Rhine McLin

Enid Goubeaux

Jocelyn Bucaro

CJ Prentiss

William P. DeMora

Kathy Malone

Veda Rugola

Lynnie Powell

Todd M. Rensi

David Wilhelm

Betty Sutton

Tim Ryan

Marcy Kaptur

Dennis Kucinich

Marcia Fudge

Sherrod Brown

From Monday, Sept. 3, to Friday, Sept.7 Ohio Delegation Call-In Radio Opportunities Available from Convention

 

COLUMBUS, OHIO – From Monday, September 3, to Friday, September 7, members of the Ohio Delegation will be in Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in the Democratic National Convention, and officially nominate Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for President.

 

Opportunities for call-in interviews with members of the Ohio Delegation are available Monday through Friday mornings of next week. For more information on the individual members of the Ohio Delegation, a media guide of headshots and short biographies is available for download here.

 

Morning interviews with members of the Ohio Delegation will be available next week, Monday through Friday, between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM.

 

To schedule an interview with a member of the Ohio Delegation, please contact: press@ohiodems.org

 

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COLUMBUS, OHIO- Tonight, during his primetime speech at the Republican National Convention, Governor John Kasich again repeated his fairytale “Ohio Story” about balancing an “$8 billion dollar structural budget without raising taxes.”

But Ohioans know Kasich’s true story – taking a page from his protégé’ Paul Ryan’s playbook, Kasich slashed more than $1.3 billion from schools and communities, forcing layoffs, school levies, and tax increases across the state. In one instance, a small Ohio community, Uniopolis, even faced disincorporation in part due to Kasich’s cuts.

In response to the harmful Kasich policies that continue to hurt Ohio communities while Governor Kasich keeps telling his self-authored Ohio fairytale, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern released the following statement:

“Governor Kasich continues to spin his preposterous tales about balancing Ohio’s budget without raising taxes, when in reality he slashed school and community budgets to the bone, forcing layoffs, school levies, and tax increases across the state. If you like Kasich’s policy of balancing budgets on the backs of the working class, you’ll love Paul Ryan’s budget that ends Medicare as we know it, turning it into a voucher system. Kasich, Romney and Ryan are truly peas in a pod.”

BACKGROUND

Kasich Budget Slashed Funding For Schools, Communities

Kasich Administration’s Budget Slashed Local Communities, Schools by more than $1.3 billion.  Kasich’s biennial budget cut funding for local communities by about $640 million. Kasich’s budget cut funding for schools by $700 million. [The Columbus Dispatch, 6/30/11]

Kasich’s Budget Hits Local Governments Hard.  Local government leaders are upset over John Kasich’s proposed budget, saying it affects their communities disproportionately.  “For Columbus, the state’s largest city, that would be a hit of about $5 million this year, $15 million in 2012 and $20 million in 2013.”  70 percent of that money goes to public safety.  [The Columbus Dispatch, 3/16/11]

Columbus City Schools To Lose $27.5 Million Under Kasich’s Proposed Budget. Columbus City Schools may need to cut programs and break levy promises due to John Kasich’s budget cuts.  The district will no longer “be reimbursed for the state eliminating taxes on business’ personal property and lowering utilities’ property taxes.”  [The Columbus Dispatch, 3/16/11]
Kasich’s Budget Abandons Ohio School Districts to Fend for Themselves.  John Kasich’s budget will contribute $1.8 billion less to Ohio schools than the previous budget.  In addition, Kasich refuses to use even a small part of the state’s new surplus of $350 million to fill the gap.  [Akron Beacon Journal, 5/9/12]

One Year Later, Many Schools and Communities Are Seeking Levies, Tax Increases, Layoffs

Due to Budget Cuts, Ohio community disbands. Despite already laying off police and maintenance, budget cuts forced Uniopolis to approve disincorporation. [Los Angeles Times, 3/4/12]

Centerville City Schools Lost Almost $7 million Thanks to John Kasich, now facing levy.  John Kasich’s Budget cut nearly $7 million in funding for Centerville City Schools, a district with an ‘Excellent’ rating on its state report card for the last 13 years.  The Centerville School Board decided to place a levy on the ballot in November to cover the budget deficit created by the Kasich Administration.  The district has cut over $10 million in the past three years.  [Dayton Daily News, 6/2/12]

Because of Kasich budget cuts, Vandalia-Butler to eliminate 32 jobs, seek levy.Representatives of the school district noted they were seeking layoffs, and a potential August levy, due to a budget deficit of $18.3 million caused by $10.5 million in Kasich’s state funding cuts and a $7.8 million loss in property taxes.

Monroe School District Forced to Make Up $2.2 Million Deficit with Levy.  Officials with the Monroe School District are attempting to close a $2.2 million deficit with an emergency property tax.  Holly Cahall, Monroe’s Treasurer, said, “We know we can’t count on anything more from the state […].  The state is saying ‘If you want your school, you have to support your school.’ … as long as the current governor is in power, we’ll have to try to do more with less money.”  [Middletown Journal, 5/30/12]

Northwest Local School District Puts Levy on November Ballot.  The Northwest Local School District Board voted unanimously to put a levy before voters this November.  The district cut 51 jobs and $3.2 million from their 11-12 budget, and will cut about 50 full-time positions and $3.44 million in the coming school year.  [The Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/10/12]

Dublin Schools Need Passage of Levy to Stave Off $15 Million in Cuts.  The Dublin School District is trying to garner more funding from residents with an almost $7 million operating levy and an almost $16 million bond issue this fall.  Without passage, administrators project cuts could include the layoff of 150 employees and alterations to various extracurricular programs.  [The Columbus Dispatch, 5/30/12]

Kasich’s budget slashed Sycamore Townships General Revenue Funding by 50%. In a video message, Sycamore Republican Township Trustee Tom Weidman noted that due to Kasich’s budget cuts, the community would lose 50% of its general fund revenue by 2013. [http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3270521, accessed 6/2/12]

In Response to budget cuts, Sycamore Township Laid Off nearly 100 firefighters. In response to the state budget cuts, Sycamore Township was forced to lay off 70 to 100 part-time, and 14 full-time, firefighters. [Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/16/12]

Kasich Wants State to Prepare for Next Crisis While Ignoring the Problems Faced by Schools and Local Communities Now.  Kasich insists that the state’s rainy day fund should be replenished with new budget surpluses, despite the fact that schools and communities across Ohio are still suffering from state budget cuts, which resulted in “cutbacks in essential local services, hikes in local property taxes, and layoffs of teachers, police officers, and firefighters.”  [Editorial,The Toledo Blade, 4/29/12]

Centerville City Schools Lost Almost $7 million Thanks to John Kasich.  John Kasich’s Budget cut nearly $7 million in funding for Centerville City Schools, a district with an ‘Excellent’ rating on its state report card for the last 13 years.  The Centerville School Board decided to place a levy on the ballot in November to cover the budget deficit created by the Kasich Administration.  The district has cut over $10 million in the past three years.  [Dayton Daily News, 6/2/12]

State Budget Cuts Force Berea Schools to Cut $5.1 Million, Seek Levy.  Thanks to the Kasich Administration budget cuts, the Berea School District, rated “Excellent” on its state report card, will face a $2.5 million deficit if it fails to pass a levy this November. The district has already cut $5.1 million from their budget. [The Plain Dealer, 2/17/12]

And After Kasich Forced All These School Cuts, Taxes Have Already Gone Up

Groveport-Madison Local Schools, facing state cuts of $1.7 million, put levy on ballot.  Residents in the Groveport-Madison Local School District will vote on whether or not to approve a substitute levy of $7.7 million.  The district is attempting to deal with $1.7 million in cuts from the state government.  [Columbus Messenger, 7/31/12]

Groveport-Madison’s $7.7 million substitute levy passed.  Voters approved a substitute $7.7 million levy for the Groveport-Madison Local School District.  The levy will halt a potential $4.2 million set of cuts for 2013 and 2014.  [The Columbus Dispatch, 8/7/12]

Swanton Local School District put $4.45 renewal levy on ballot.  Voters in the Swanton Local School District will decide whether or not to improve a renewal for a $4.45 million levy.  Superintendent Jeff Schlade emphasized that, in addition to other problems, “state losses have made passing this levy more critical.”  [Toledo Free Press, 8/8/12]

Swanton Local’s $4.45 million renewal levy passed.  Residents in the Swanton Local School District approved a $4.45 million replacement levy.  [The Toledo Blade, 8/7/12]

Bethel Local Schools put renewal levy of $2 million on ballot, replacement levy of $7 million.  Bethel Local Schools residents will vote on a renewal levy of $2 million and a replacement levy of $7 million.  The district has already cut costs in the face of major state budget cuts.  [Troy Daily News, 7/29/12]

Levies for Bethel Local Schools passed.  Voters approved the passage of a both a $2 million renewal levy and a $7 million replacement levy for the Bethel School District.  [Dayton Daily News, 8/7/12]

Lake Local Schools put additional $6.75 million levy on ballot.  Lake Local School District, facing difficulties from state cuts and other issues, will ask voters to approve a $6.75 million operating levy.  [Toledo Free Press, 8/8/12]

Voters in Lake Local School District pass additional $6.75 million levy.  Residents of the Lake Local School District approved an additional $6.75 million levy.  The levy will generate $1.47 million annually.  [Sentinel-Tribune, 8/8/12]

After Facing Governor Kasich’s Budget Axe, Paul Ryan’s Budget Cuts Would Devastate Ohio Further

Nearly 2 million Ohioans could face devastating cuts to Medicare under the Ryan Plan. Today, 1.9 million Ohio residents – or 16 percent of Ohio’s residents – rely on Medicare.  Ohio seniors can’t afford Romney and Ryan’s reckless plans to voucherize Medicare. [Kaiser Family Foundation, accessed 8/11/12]

Paul Ryan’s Budget Could Cost More Than 1 Millions Ohioans Their Health Care Coverage. Because of Ryan’s plans to block grant Medicaid and slash its funding, between 479,000 and 1.15 million people with Medicaid in Ohio could lose their health insurance, including low-income children, seniors in nursing homes, and people with disabilities.  And that is on top of the 773,000 Ohio residents who would be deprived of the opportunity to gain Medicaid coverage under Obamacare. [Kaiser Family Foundation, May2011]

The Ryan Plan would devastate Young Ohioans’ ability to afford a college education. If cuts are made across the board, 356,000 Ohio students will see their college scholarships cut by an average of $830. [CBPP, 2/17/11]

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In His Republican National Convention Speech, Kasich Avoids His Failure to Support Most Significant Part of Ohio Recovery

 

COLUMBUS, OHIO- During his speech tonight at the Republican National Convention, Governor Kasich touted Ohio’s recovery that began nearly a year before he took office, while conveniently ignoring the significance of President Obama and Sherrod Brown’s auto rescue which put Ohio on the path to recovery in the first place.

 

While John Kasich regularly credits his Administration for their effort to “retain jobs,” it seems they feel the rules are different for President Obama and the nearly 850,000 jobs the auto rescue helped to protect. In response, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern released the following statement:

 

“The American auto industry is helping to spur growth across Ohio because President Obama and Senator Sherrod Brown ignored the pundits and politicians like Mitt Romney and John Kasich and invested in American workers. Meanwhile, John Kasich said ‘we shouldn’t throw good money after bad,’ aligning himself with Mitt Romney, who famously believes we should have ‘let Detroit go bankrupt’. As we continue to hear more and more announcements from General Motors and Chrysler about the thousands of jobs being and created and retained by the auto supply chain in 80 of 88 Ohio counties, it’s clear that our state is on a path to recovery, despite Governor Kasich and Mitt Romney’s failure to support the most significant economic investment we’ve had.”

 

BACKGROUND

 

Kasich and Romney Failed to Support Auto Rescue That Protected Nearly 850,000 Ohio Jobs

 

• As a talk show pundit, Kasich failed to support the auto rescue.  As a guest host on the O’Reilly Factor, talking about the auto rescue, Kasich said, “if they’re not going to be viable, we shouldn’t throw good money after bad.”  [O’Reilly Factor, 12/9/08]
• On The Stump, Kasich Criticized Auto Rescue Efforts.  Speaking about Americans’ attitude towards politicians at the Lake County Republican Party Convention in August, Kasich said, “So we don’t trust the politicians then we find out there is bunch of them in Washington hatching up these schemes. They’re gonna run an automobile company, they’re gonna tell us which doctor we’re gonna go to.” [Lake County GOP Convention, 8/29/09]
• Kasich: Government Shouldn’t Run a Car Company.  At a September Tea Party event in West Chester, Kasich said, “What’s happening is there’s a handful of people who’ve taken control of things for too long who are now trying to be in a position to run our lives, that’s what we don’t want. They want to tell us how to run a car company. They want to tell us how to do medical care. They want to – and they’re bankrupting our children.” [West Chester Tea Party, 9/5/09]
• Mitt Romney believed that we should “let Detroit go bankrupt.” In a New York Times Op-Ed, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney advocated in favor of letting the American auto industry go bankrupt.  He told readers that “if General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye.”  [Romney Op-Ed, The New York Times, 11/18/08]

Auto Rescue Championed By President Obama Helped Protect Nearly 850,000 Ohio Jobs

• The rescue of auto industry helped protect 850,000 Ohio Jobs.  Politifact Ohio confirmed that 850,000 jobs are indeed tied to the auto industry in Ohio.  Without the auto rescue, these jobs may have been threatened.  [The Plain Dealer, 3/14/12]
• 1 in 8 Ohio jobs are tied to the auto industry. Politifact Ohio states that based on a report by the independent Center for Automotive Research, nearly 850,000 jobs are tied to the auto industry, which is “roughly 12% of the state’s workforce”. [The Plain Dealer, 3/14/12]

Jobs Created And Retained In 80 of 88 Ohio Counties

• While Kasich downplays significance of auto rescue jobs, he takes credit himself for “retained” jobs. Kasich regularly takes credit for “job retention” efforts for which he claims his Administration is responsible. John Kasich and his non-profit JobsOhio took credit for creating and retaining 82,785 jobs in the state of Ohio in 2011. [http://jobs-ohio.com/images/jobsohio_overview.pdf , accessed 6/3/12]
• Automobile industry jobs found in 80 of 88 Ohio counties. According to the Ohio Department of Development, auto industry jobs are present throughout 80 of 88 Ohio counties.  Half of all Ohio auto industry jobs are located in 10 counties.  [Ohio Department of Development, “The Ohio Automobile Industry,” February 2011]

• General Motors restarted additional shift at Lordstown plant for Chevy Cruze production; 1,200 jobs added. General Motors announced that it was restarting the overnight shift at their Lordstown facility near Youngstown.  The additional shift begins in anticipation of GM’s decision to build the Chevy Cruze at the Lordstown plant. [The Columbus Dispatch, 2/23/10]

• General Motors announced additional 400 jobs, $260 million investment in Toledo plant.Officials at General Motors made the decision to invest $260 million in and add 400 jobs at their Toledo Powertrain Plant.  Many of the jobs would consist of new hires, since GM has exhausted their list of laid-off employees from other plants.  [The Toledo Blade, 5/10/11]

• GM to add 30 new jobs at Toledo Transmission Plant. GM officials announced the decision to invest $83 million in the Toledo Transmission Plant for use in new Buick and Chevrolet models.  30 new jobs will be added because of the investment.  [The Toledo Blade, 7/13/11]
• DE-Cal, Inc. created 40 jobs, with possibility for 100 positions total, in Youngstown. DE-Cal,  Inc., a metal-fabricating company which supplies the auto industry, among others, opened a Youngstown facility with 40 full-time workers.  It could eventually employ 100 people, with a payroll of $6.2 million.  [The Youngstown Vindicator, 8/2/11] www.vindy.com/news/2011/aug/02/ready-to-hire/
  

• Chrysler announced plans to invest $72 million in Perrysburg Plant. Officials at Chrysler announced plans to invest $72 million at the Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, OH.  The investment will allow the facility to retain 640 salary and hourly jobs.  [Associated Press, 8/23/11]
• Automotive plant announced plans to add 150 new jobs. Rieter Automotive, a carpet and noise-dampening material supplier for Chrysler, GM, and Ford, announced plans to invest $8 million at its facility in Oregon, OH.  The investment will create 150 new jobs in addition to the 300 existing jobs.  [The Toledo Blade, 10/8/11]

• Chrysler announced plans to create 1,100 new jobs in Toledo, $1.7 billion investment. Chrysler officials announced the addition of 1,100 new jobs on a second shift to its Toledo Assembly Complex starting in 2013.  The plant will begin producing four new vehicles, and the area will likely see between 400 and 500 additional new jobs for parts suppliers.  [The Toledo Blade, 11/17/11]

• Ford to move 1,300 jobs to Lorain from Mexico. Ford announced its intent to move 1,300 jobs from Mexico to its Ohio Assembly Plant.  While not directly receiving a portion of the auto rescue package, Ford benefits from the substantial auto supply chain on the ground in Ohio, which was aided by the auto rescue.  [The Toledo Blade, 12/7/11]

• Wrangler facility added 50 jobs in Toledo. In order to keep up with demand, the Toledo Assembly Complex added 50 employees.  The additional jobs will be added on the Wrangler line.  [The Toledo Blade, 2/28/12]

• GM announced new $343 million investment at transmission plant, $47 million at powertrain plant. GM officials announced a new $343 million investment at the Toledo Transmission Plant, which will be hiring for the first time in a decade, as well as a $47 million investment at the Defiance Powertrain Plant.  GM will add up to 650 jobs at its Toledo Powertrain Facility.  [The Toledo Blade, 2/28/12]
• GM converted 100 temporary employees to permanent employees. GM and UAW officials announced plans to turn 100 temporary employees into permanent employees at the Lordstown plant.  The announcement was made in light of good sales numbers for the Chevy Cruze.  [The Youngstown Vindicator, 4/25/12]

• Chrysler could add another 300 jobs at Toledo Assembly Complex. In addition to the 1,100 new jobs announced late last year, UAW officials projected that 300 additional jobs could be added to the previous total.  These jobs would be part of the new second shift at the Toledo Assembly Complex. [The Toledo Blade, 6/19/12]

• GM will build 2015 Chevy Cruze at Lordstown. GM officials announced their decision to build the next generation of Chevy Cruze at the Lordstown plant, making a $200 million investment to upgrade the plant.  They also announced the investment of $20 million to upgrade the Parma Metal Center.  Both investments will protect up to 5,000 jobs in the area.  [The Plain Dealer, 8/23/12]

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COLUMBUS, OHIO- Tonight, during his Republican National Convention speech, Governor Kasich patted himself on the back for his bi-partisan veneer and railed against the very type of divisive politics that he and his administration practice in Ohio.  In response to Governor Kasich’s utter avoidance of his attacks on working families that were supported “110%” by Mitt Romney, Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern released the following statement:

“It is absolutely hypocritical that John Kasich would decry the exact sort of divisive politics that he promotes here in Ohio, even after his attack on working class Ohioans with Senate Bill 5, which was so overwhelmingly defeated last November. Although Governor Kasich makes his best attempt to downplay the significance of Senate Bill 5’s historic defeat, Ohioans remember Governor Romney supported Kasich’s attacks ‘110%’. Later, Romney even down, adding that “[Obama] says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers… It’s time for us to cut back on government…”. While John Kasich stops at nothing to paint his illusion of “class warfare” on a national stage, it’s no coincidence that he failed to mention his own recent attempts at pitting Ohioans against each other.”

BACKGROUND

Kasich Attack Against Workers Rights Was Joined By Romney

·         Governor Mitt Romney said he was 110% behind Governor Kasich’s unfair attacks on worker’s rights. During a 2011 campaign stop in Virginia, Romney said he was unsure about other ballot initiatives in Ohio, but that he “fully supports” and was “110% behind Governor Kasich’s collective bargaining” bill. [Talking Points Memo, 10/26/12]