COLUMBUS – Ohio Gov. John Kasich today released his plan that would purportedly balance the federal budget — but his administration has wasted millions on a failing, for-profit charter school system and an economic development agency that is plagued with conflicts of interest. “Under Kasich’s leadership, Ohio’s for-profit charter school system costs taxpayers $1 billion,

Party Leaders Demand Independent Investigation of Grade-Fixing That Helped Donors NORTHWEST OHIO – The Ohio Democratic Party is highlighting the impact of Ohio’s $1 billion for-profit charter school industry on local school districts with a statewide “Chartergate” tour, which kicked off today in Toledo and Bowling Green. Along the way, Party leaders and officials are

The Hill Newspaper Reports Portman, Among McConnell’s ‘Closest Allies,’ Is In ‘Serious Danger’ Of Losing His Seat COLUMBUS – The Hill newspaper reports that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is worried about his go-to guy, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman. Despite millions spent by Portman and his dark money allies, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland continues

MEMO Subject: For-Profit Charter School Fiascos Continue in Ohio Date: Oct. 7, 2015 Every day it seems like there’s a new story about Ohio’s failing for-profit charter schools — and how Ohio Republicans are continuing to enable the excesses of an industry that just so happens to contribute millions to Republican officials. You can be

COLUMBUS – Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s senior strategist John Weaver — @JWGOP — today passed along a Twitter critique of elected officials campaigning for another office, but he seems blissfully unaware that his own candidate has been seldom seen in the Buckeye State since kicking off his presidential run.   For the record, this is

Akron Beacon Journal Reports Senator ‘Endorsed’ Grant Application after Taking Campaign Cash from Charter Business Bosses COLUMBUS – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman entered the Chatergate fray this week when the Akron Beacon Journal uncovered that Portman weighed in with the U.S. Department of Education to endorse a $71 million grant application written by the very

Senator Took Thousands from Pro-TPP Corporations And Gave Up Chance to Make Changes to Protect Ohio Workers COLUMBUS – With the news that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement has been finalized, the people of Ohio will finally have a chance to review the details . . . just in time to do nothing about it.

Perkins Loan Program Expired at Midnight, Portman Proposed Ending Perkins Program as Bush Budget Director COLUMBUS – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman has fulfilled his long-time goal of eliminating the Federal Perkins Loan Program that more than 25,000 Ohio students depend on. The program expired at midnight as Congressional Republicans refused to extend it. But it is

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus released the following statement from Chair Kathy DiCristofaro in response to Sen. Rob Portman’s comments on Planned Parenthood and “women’s health needs that are legitimate.” “Senator Rob Portman’s comments on ‘legitimate’ health care are shameful, but they are part and parcel of what today’s Republican Party stands for.

Ohio Cities Join Amicus Brief in Voting Rights Supreme Court Case COLUMBUS – Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo are taking a stand for Ohio voting rights and joining an amicus brief in support of the “one person, one vote” principle, which is being challenged in an upcoming Supreme Court case. “Standing up for the principle