Collective bargaining process won’t go down without a fight

Dec. 31, 2010, Fremont News-Messenger

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to The News-Messenger

Incoming state leaders plan to target public employment laws in 2011, but on Thursday backers of the collective bargaining process promised to put up a fight.

Officials from Policy Matters Ohio, a progressive think tank, argue that states without collective bargaining have the same budget shortfalls as Ohio. They also defended the state’s prevailing wage law and say that, overall, the state’s public employment laws are good for the economy.

“The right of public workers to unionize is not driving the fiscal crisis of states,” said Wendy Patton, a senior associate with Policy Matters Ohio.

Policy Matters Ohio has traditionally backed Democratic causes, and executive director Amy Hanauer has given to a number of Democratic candidates, including outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland.

Republicans will control state government next year. Gov.-elect John Kasich and GOP legislative leaders say collective bargaining leads to higher costs for state government and overpaid workers. They would like to see substantial changes to the state’s laws.

GOP looks to public workers for savings

Dec. 26, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The new year will bring major changes to the way Ohio governments and schools manage and pay public employees, if Republicans have their way.

In recent weeks, Ohio’s next leaders have suggested the General Assembly make substantial changes to the state’s collective bargaining law, which allow public employees to organize and negotiate labor contracts, and binding arbitration, when a neutral party settles labor disagreements with final rulings on pay and work rules.

Republicans also want to enact changes within Ohio’s public pension systems.

Unmarried men outnumber unhitched women

Dec. 18, 2010, Port Clinton News Herald

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News Herald

Guys, a word of advice: If you like it, put a ring on it. Because in Ohio, women can be picky — especially those with a college education.

According to data just released in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, there are more unmarried men than women in Ohio. Statewide, there are 11 unhitched men ages 15 to 44 to every 10 available women.

More men than women have never been married. Only 50 percent of households have a married couple. Only 20 percent of households have a married couple and a child younger than 18, according to the census data.

Edwards’death shines spotlight on Ohio efforts to beat breast cancer

Dec. 12, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The death of Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, sparked a nationwide awareness of breast cancer. However, this is nothing new for Ohio.

State celebrities Stefanie Spielman, wife of football player Chris Spielman, and Donna Newberry, Muskingum University softball coach, have led to a flurry of fundraising and research efforts to combat the disease in the state in recent years.

Many treatment and research dollars have gone to early detection — catching the disease before it is too late.

Grim numbers join December trend: 24 hours, six fire deaths in Ohio

Dec. 11, 2010, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Three fatal fires killed six people in 24 hours in Ohio. That’s the most one state fire official said he has ever seen happen at once.

In Bucyrus, a mobile home burned, killing three people early Friday morning. In Zanesville, two died in a house fire early Thursday. Another house fire early Friday in Butler County killed one person.

These six deaths mean 137 people have died this year in fires. In 2009 a total of 153 were killed, and 188 died in 2008.

Fearing casinos, nonprofit groups seek video bingo games

Dec. 5, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

As gambling expands in Ohio, several nonprofits are asking the Legislature to allow electronic bingo machines in licensed halls.

This will allow them to stay competitive as skill games continue and casino construction begins in Ohio, say officials from the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Obviously, if there are casinos in every corner of the state, (people) are not going to come in and play tickets,” said Don Lanthorn, department service director for the Ohio American Legion.

Bingo down, but not out

Dec. 5, 2010, Newark Advocate

By JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Bingo cards are placed neatly in front of them. Colorful daubers are lined up within grasp. They’ve gotten food from the concession stand, and paper bags are by their feet to dispose of used cards. It’s showtime.

Five minutes later, the games start. Shelby Wright, of Zanesville, and Tina Maxwell, of Dresden, are focused, scanning their cards for the numbers called out and displayed on the video monitors.

As more numbers are called in each play, the chatter picks up and excitement brews. When someone yells “bingo,” it is met with a collective groan and simultaneous crumpling of paper.

It’s Wednesday night at MASS Bingo in Zanesville, and the room is crowded. But it used to be full for every game, said Wright, whose bingo-playing days outdate the daubers and video monitors.

It’s a typical story across the state, with nonprofits hosting bingo games seeing a decline in revenues and profits. Many organizations have dropped traditional bingo altogether in favor of pull-tab games.

Licking, Knox counties get funds to fight prescription drug abuse

Dec. 4, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health boards will split $5 million for opiate addiction treatment, Gov. Ted Strickland announced Friday.

The board for Licking and Knox counties will get $62,816, according to figures released by the governor’s office.

The funds come from a federal spending bill approved in August. Congress increased the federal contribution for Medicaid, which allowed states to spend those resources elsewhere.

Thousands of area jobless face loss of benefits

Nov. 28, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

This holiday season brings uncertainty for the 3,795 people in Licking County who will lose their unemployment benefits between Tuesday and April if Congress does not approve another extension.

Statewide, 301,404 people will lose jobless benefits in the same window.

The U.S. House of Representatives denied an emergency extension Nov. 18, before its holiday recess. U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township, voted against the extension, and U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, was not present for the vote.

Bill seeks to revamp Ohio child support payment guidelines

Nov. 28, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

It costs more to raise a child now than it did two decades ago, and some state officials say child support payments need to increase.

If passed, a bill in the Ohio General Assembly would increase current child support payments in many cases. It also would establish a base income before noncustodial parents have to start paying support and add provisions for shared custody arrangements, possibly lowering payments for some parents.

The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Shirley Smith, D-Cleveland, is based on guidelines drafted by an advisory council, led by Jobs and Family Services officials.

False ads by politicians tough to regulate

Nov. 14, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

If you’re trying to sell Product A, you can’t run an ad falsely saying Product B causes job losses, supports corruption and harms schools. There are laws against saying that kind of thing.

Unless Product A is a candidate for political office. Then truth-in-advertising laws don’t apply.

The past election saw a bombardment of political ads that grew more frequent as Election Day neared. The claims in more than a few were questionable.

Farming shaped Gibbs’ experience, philosophies

Nov. 14, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NASHVILLE, Ohio — Just past Nashville’s one traffic light is a deli that doubles as the town’s coffee shop and meeting place.

Pizza is served as early as 10 a.m., and patrons sit on vinyl chairs and eat off red-painted tables. In the back, a wall is lined with photos of locals with their deer kill.

Southeast Ohio’s next congressman pulled up Monday and tossed one of the last “Bob Gibbs for Congress” signs into his white pickup. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, he greeted the clerk and two customers by name. They congratulated him on beating the incumbent. They asked about his wife.

For Gibbs, Washington will be a different universe from Holmes County, which he has called home for 35 years.

In Ohio, Dems were doomed

Nov. 7, 2010, Chillicothe Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

On one of the first chilly nights of fall, about 100 people filled a Coshocton auditorium for three hours of candidate speeches.

They might have had different priorities, but they all were fed up with the same two things: politics and politicians.

One of the targets that October night was U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, even though he’s never quite fit the bill of the typical polished politician.

He wore jeans with his sports coat, never quite mastered the art of the 30-second sound bite and when he disagreed with his party leaders, he always was unabashed about it.

The two-term incumbent was asked repeatedly that night about policies passed during the Obama administration’s infancy. Some he agreed with. Some he didn’t. Look, he said, shaking his head,

“I have made just about everybody mad in the past two years. It’s unfortunate, but that’s what happens to moderates in Congress.”

On Election Day, the conservative-leaning district voted Space out of office despite his votes against the final health care bill and Obama’s budget and Space’s coveted National Rifle Association endorsement. He lost to state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, by 14 points.

The same wrath was felt by Democrats on all levels.

Gibbs upsets Space in 18th District race

Nov. 3, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — U.S. Rep. Zack Space was one of five Ohio Democratic congressmen to join the ranks of the unemployed Tuesday evening, according to early election returns.

State Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, won in an upset, up 54 percent to 40 percent, as of 2:30 a.m. today.

He was leading in every county except Vinton and Athens. Gibbs beat Space in Licking County 10,318 to 6,564.

Record $6.2 million spent in 18th District race

Nov. 2, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

No matter what happens today, the uncontested winners in this election are banquet halls, caterers, print shops, campaign staffers and especially TV stations.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, and outside political action committees and campaign committees have spent at least $6.2 million, a record for the 18^th District.

That’s nearly what all candidates in the 2008, 2006 and 2004 contests spent combined.

Spending in 16th District will top $10 million

Nov. 2, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

No matter what happens today, the uncontested winners in this election are banquet halls, caterers, print shops, campaign staffers and especially TV stations.

Once all is said and done, spending in the 16th Congressional District race between Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, and James Renacci, R-Wadsworth, will probably top $10 million, a record for the district.

That’s more than what all candidates in the 2008, 2006 and 2004 contests spent combined.

Local donors spend thousands in political process

Oct. 28, 2010, Port Clinton News Herald

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News Herald

There’s no escaping it. The campaign signs. The television ads. The mailers. Political campaigns dump millions into the local economy every two years in an effort to shape voter opinion.

Who pays for it all? It’s a mix. Thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year, third-party groups can now run ads without disclosing their donors, who are mostly corporations and labor unions, said William Angel, a political science professor at The Ohio State University.

However, many of the dollars flowing through campaigns come from people here in the community. Individuals can give directly to candidates or to political action committees, which either will spend on a candidate’s behalf or give to the candidate directly.

Political donors in Ottawa County spent hundreds of thousands on elections this year, with the top donors spending about $161,400 on candidates.

Portman, Fisher disagree on Ohio’s job plight

Oct. 24, 2010, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, says it’s difficult to brag about his administration’s economic achievements, because of all the Ohioans left jobless during the national recession.

In an uphill battle to remain employed himself, he came in front of CentralOhio.com editors and reporters and boasted about his achievements, in bringing new jobs to the state and keeping existing ones from leaving.

His Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, does not share Fisher’s viewpoint. In a separate interview, he was highly critical of Fisher and Gov. Ted Strickland, contending the recession in Ohio was worse than other states as a direct result of failed leadership.

Jobs and Fisher’s economic record are the central issues in the race to replace retiring Sen. George Voinovich, a Republican.

GOP pulls out all stops to regain 18th district

Oct. 17, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The Republicans want the 18^th Congressional District seat they lost in 2006 back, and they are spending big money to recoup it.

However, Democratic incumbent Zack Space of Dover is putting up a fight, thanks to a multimillion-dollar war chest.

According to The Washington Post, Space is one of the Democrats who votes with his party the least often — which is still 93 percent of the time when every roll call vote is considered.

He received the National Rifle Association endorsement, one of four Ohio Democratic congressional candidates to do so. He voted against the final version of the controversial health-care bill, breaking with his party. He voted against President Barack Obama’s latest budget. Lately he has been vocal in his opposition to free-trade deals, a position that resonates with many displaced factory workers in his district.

As Space tries to distance himself from his party, opponent and state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, wants to fit into the Republican Party’s rebranding.

18th District candidates sound off at forum

Oct. 15, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COSHOCTON — When U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, was asked how he plans to work with his opponents toward a common good, he threw his arms up and shook his head.

He’s a moderate, he said, and it’s the moderates that are not being heard in Washington.

“The middle is chronically underrepresented,” Space said. “I have made just about everybody mad in the past two years. It’s unfortunate, but that’s what happens to moderates in Congress.”

Space’s main opponent, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, pointed to a different cause of the hyper-partisanship in Washington — a bloated, broken process, where thousand-page bills slip through unread and legislation doesn’t go through the committee process.

“It’s too top-down,” Gibbs said.

It was a question of interest to those in the audience. The crowd of about 75 was polled before the event. Half said honesty and trustworthiness was the most important quality for a congressman.

Space and Gibbs met Thursday evening for a forum at the Coshocton County Career Center along with Constitution Party candidate Lindsey Sutton of Big Prairie. The event was sponsored by the county’s farm bureau and the Coshocton Business and Professional Women chapter.

Candidates agree on most issues

Oct. 10, 2010, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

In any other year, the secretary of state’s race would be a snoozer, overshadowed by the often high-profile governor’s race. But it’s not a normal year; 2010 is the beginning of a decade.

That means it’s redistricting time. The next secretary of state will be one of five people who will help draw legislative districts in 2011, which will carry considerable influence over which party controls each chamber of the Ohio General Assembly.

This year, it’s an open race. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner decided not to seek re-election and instead ran for the U.S. Senate, losing the Democratic primary to Lee Fisher.

Incumbents bill taxpayers for mailings

Oct. 9, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The four Ohio members of Congress tapped as most vulnerable this November also spent the most taxpayer money on mass communications throughout their current term.

It’s called franking — mass mailings or communications at taxpayer expense. U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, has spent $321,863 since the beginning of 2009, behind only Reps. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Columbus, and Zack Space, D-Dover, who both spent around $400,000.

Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Cincinnati, spent $309,861. These four members all are in danger of losing their seats, according to Washington political analyst Charlie Cook.

This money comes from the members’ office funds

Solar project to begin in 2011

Oct. 6, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

A Southeastern Ohio region bruised and battered by the recession received some good news Tuesday, delivered by two politicians who are fighting for their political lives.

About 300 construction and engineering jobs will come to Muskingum and Noble counties in 2011 to build Turning Point Solar, a 50-kilowatt solar farm, the biggest in the country. About 400 jobs will be created in two to-be-determined Ohio locations to build the 250,000 panels and trackers needed for the solar farms.

Space announces solar project

Oct. 5, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

By JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK – Plans are in the works to build the largest solar energy field in southeastern Ohio, U.S. Rep. Zack Space said.

Gov. Ted Strickland and Space, D-Dover, will announce the full details of the project during a news conference at 2 p.m. today in Columbus.

During a meeting with CentralOhio.com editors and reporters Monday, Space said this will be a $250 million project in partnership with a private venture capital firm. Two manufacturers will make solar panels and tracking devices to be shipped across the U.S. and Canada.

Cordray, DeWine differ sharply on issues

Oct. 2, 2010, Port Clinton News Herald

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News Herald

Corruption. Health care. Crime lab delays. It doesn’t take much to get two opposing attorneys at each other’s throats, especially when they’re competing to be the state’s top lawyer.

Attorney General Richard Cordray, a Democrat, and Republican opponent Mike DeWine, a former U.S. senator, arrived Thursday at a meeting with CentralOhio.com editors and reporters chock-full of statistics and quotes from newspapers. DeWine had a folder full of paper and a legal pad full of notes, although his only handout to those attending was his wife’s cookbook. Cordray immediately asked about the debate format.

When the camera turned on, no biographical introduction or small talk took place. Both laid their arguments on the table, and a spirited debate ensued, with each pointing, cutting one another off and accusing each other of siding with corruption.

Space wants national referendum on trade deals

Sept. 30, 2010, Chillicothe Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, has waged a war against free-trade deals, blaming them for the mass exodus of Ohio jobs in recent years.

On Wednesday, Space took his campaign to the next level, submitting legislation that even he acknowledged as extreme. Before any new trade deal passes, Space said, there should be a national, up-or-down referendum.

Daniel Chow, a law professor at Ohio State University, laughed when he heard Space’s proposal.

Candidates discuss plans to boost state

Sept. 30, 2010, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — As a Democratic candidate for governor, Ted Strickland promised to fix Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding formula.

“If I do not solve this problem if I am elected governor, then I will be a failure, no matter what else I achieve,” he told editorial boards for Gannett’s Central Ohio properties in September 2006.

Fast forward four years. Embroiled in a tough re-election battle, Gov. Strickland appeared in front of CentralOhio.com editors and reporters Wednesday, defending his education reforms and other policies.

Later in the day, his Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, appeared in the same setting, arguing Strickland’s policies had failed and his own ideas could breathe life into Ohio’s troubled economy.

Who pays for pickups?

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND LINDA MARTZ

News Journal

MANSFIELD — Bucyrus taxpayers spent $412,214 last year to cover pension contributions that otherwise would have been paid by city employees.

Combined with the city’s mandatory employer contributions, 7.9 percent of all revenues go to the Public Employees Retirement System and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Bucyrus is far from the exception. Often the result of long-standing contracts, many local entities “pick up” — or pay all or some of — their employees’ contributions to the retirement funds.

The practice has continued to grow.

In the past three years, the cities of Coshocton, Lancaster, Chillicothe, Heath and others all agreed to new or increased pickup plans, according to an analysis of public records by CentralOhio.com and the News Journal.

A free retirement

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

SPECIAL REPORT BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Some see it as a little known perk for public employees that's a growing burden for cash-strapped Ohio governments and schools.

Others, including public employee unions, say they're saving taxpayers money while shortchanging their own retirements.

The same can't be said for a select group of school officials – and a few school unions – that have negotiated deals that give them lucrative pensions without paying a penny for them.

Welcome to the world of Ohio's public pension plans, where confusing terms like “pick-ups” and “pickup-on-the-pickup” have nothing to do with trucks and more to do with decisions that can lead to free retirements.

Gibbs corrects finance reports after accusation

Aug. 31, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The campaign of 18th Congressional District candidate Bob Gibbs filed an amended campaign finance report Monday morning, shortly after his opponent accused him of accepting illegal contributions.

Gibbs, a Republican state senator from Lakeville, misreported some contributions for his primary campaign as general election donations, said campaign spokeswoman Emily Pettigrew.

Federal Election Commission rules allow candidates to accept $2,400 from each individual donor for each election, the primary and the general.

Schools’perk pads pensions

Sept. 26, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Many public school administrators pay nothing toward their own pensions. But the perk doesn’t stop there.

A lucrative deal allows 84 percent of Ohio superintendents to retire with a higher pension than they otherwise would have earned — all at additional taxpayer expense, according to an analysis of public records by CentralOhio.com and the News Journal.

About half of Ohio districts also give this benefit to other certified administrators, although it’s far less common for other school employees — only 29 of Ohio’s 613 school districts statewide give the perk to teachers or classified staff. Four of those districts are in the Mansfield area.

The practice is officially called “pickup-on-the-pickup.” School districts pay the employee share of the individuals’ retirement contribution, and then consider it extra salary for pension purposes at a total cost of 26.4 percent of the employee’s salary.

Only 14 percent of that cost is mandatory. While practiced widely at many schools, this method has received virtually no attention on the state level. Many close to the public pension system process are unfamiliar with the practice, and apparently has never been the focus of statewide legislation.

It is only offered in the pension funds for school employees. Ohio’s other three retirement decline to participate.

School budgets face uncertain future

Aug. 22, 2010, Fremont News-Messenger

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News-Messenger

Like many educators across the state, those at Elgin Local Schools are returning to school with a certain uneasiness.

The district barely averted layoffs this year, and officials do not know what kinds of cuts the state will make to education in the next two years or how local revenue might change.

“It’s really scary,” Superintendent Bruce Gast said. “This district has been through so many cuts. We’re being as cautious as we can, and then more cautious. ... All our employees understand there is uncertainty.”

By October, every school treasurer must submit a five-year forecast to the Ohio Department of Education, estimating revenues and expenditures through 2015. While they submit only one plan, the education department advises districts to plan for three scenarios — steady, bad and catastrophic.

Many treasurers contend they might as well use a Magic 8 Ball to answer the following questions when compiling their forecasts:

Bill could save 5,000 education jobs for Ohio

Aug. 6, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

A $26 billion federal spending bill could mean 5,000 education jobs would be saved or created in Ohio, according to government figures.

The U.S. Senate approved legislation Thursday that provides $10 billion for education and $16 billion to increase the federal contribution for Medicaid, providing a cushion for state governments. The House is expected to take up the measure in a special session next week.

“Yesterday was a hallelujah day,” said Patricia Frost-Brooks, president of the Ohio Education Association. “I was holding my breath.”

Pensions lurk over state, local governments

July 24, 2010, Fremont News-Messenger

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News-Messenger

The good news first: We’re all living longer.

The bad: It’s costing the state and local governments a ton of money.

Since the average person spends many more years in retirement than in years past, there is a looming question of how to pay for it.

Most private sector employers have responded by dropping the traditional pension plan in favor of a 401(k) system, in addition to Social Security benefits. However, public employees still pay a determined amount into one of Ohio’s five public pension funds throughout their working careers. Then, they are guaranteed a pension for the rest of their life, the amount based on their earnings and years in public service.

That guarantee comes at a price — one that cash-poor state and local governments are struggling to pay for. Unless substantial changes aren’t made to Ohio’s pension systems, the funds will need to come from somewhere.

For taxpayers, that could mean fewer government services, higher taxes or both. For retirees, it could mean working longer before they are eligible to retire, and lower payouts when they do.

Ohio pension Q&A

July 24, 2010, Fremont News-Messenger

By JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Unfunded actuarially accrued liabilities. Benefit accrual rate. Solvency. Fiduciary net assets.

STRS, FAS, YOS?

Yow.

Understanding Ohio’s public pension system — and why it’s a ticking time bomb that is threatening Ohio’s budget — can be daunting.

Here are some questions and answers that will help you wade through all the acronyms and financial jargon.

Is wind power the solution?

July 11, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND RUSS ZIMMER

CentralOhio.com

James Gabriel of Mount Vernon said it was a moment of weakness that led him to install a wind turbine on his farm two years ago.

It cost him $70,000, offset by a $25,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Development. On average, the turbine generates 10 percent of his electricity, and at current rates will take 25 years to pay for itself.

Despite the recent buzz on alternative energy, residential wind turbines remain a novelty in Ohio. They are scattered about in pockets, mostly in the northern part of the state. They remain a rarity in southern Ohio, where strong winds are scarce and electric rates are cheap. They are more common in northern Ohio.

Proposed change in speeding law likely won’t affect enforcement

June 27, 2010, Marion Star

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Getting a speeding ticket based on radar is bad enough. But what about one based on a police officer’s observations?

A recently publicized development in state law means police officers need no more than a trained eye to issue a speeding ticket. A state lawmaker fears this leaves a door wide open to abuses in the system.

Passing legislation requiring officers to use a mechanical device while issuing speeding tickets will take some time, however — the General Assembly is on summer recess.

Thousands to lose jobless benefits

June 26, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

BY RUSS ZIMMER AND JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Todd Schnittke figures he’s about nine months away from completing a degree at North Central State College.

An Army veteran and AMVETS officer, he wanted to go straight from graduation to a job helping soldiers who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

That timeframe is in jeopardy, he said, because the U.S. Senate rejected a jobs bill containing another extension for jobless benefits.

Panel: Gibbs complaint against Space has merit

June 18, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

There is reason to think U.S. Rep. Zack Space lied in a campaign ad, a panel for the Ohio Elections Commission determined Thursday.

The Dover Democrat has no plans to pull the ad despite a call to do so by his opponent, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville.

Gibbs filed a false-statement complaint after Space aired an ad accusing him of lying about his record as a tax cutter in the state Legislature. The ad also claims Gibbs voted for legislative pay raises and tax breaks for golf courses while ignoring Ohio families.

Space launches attack, accused of being deceptive

June 17, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

The 18^th Congressional District race has become ugly, and a non-partisan group saying a nevative ad launched last week by incumbent Zack Space is unfair.

Space, D-Dover, began airing the ad against opponent and state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, last week. He accuses Gibbs of “voting himself a pay raise” and lying about his record as a tax cutter.

But the non-partisan Web site FactCheck.org issued a critical report on the ad, accusing Space of lying on one point and being deceptive on two others.

Gibbs' campaign filed an official complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission. Today the commission will decide if the case will proceed. However, even if Space is found to be in violation of Ohio's election law, it's highly unlikely there will be serious consequences.

School bus seat-belt bill unlikely to get look before fall

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — A student’s death on a Muskingum County school bus spurred committee action on a bill that would require seat belts on all new school buses.

However, the legislation has yet to get a vote on the House floor.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, had hoped the House would take up the bill before members left for summer recess early Friday morning.

Lawmakers worked through the night, adjourning at 5 a.m., but the seat-belt bill never came up.

Dailey concedes House race; it’s Space vs. Gibbs in November

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

It’s finally official, the 18th Congressional District race will be U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, vs. state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville. Two minor-party candidates also are running.

The May 4 primary ended in a dead heat between Gibbs and former state agriculture director Fred Dailey, the 2008 nominee. The race went to an automatic recount after the certified results had Gibbs leading Dailey by 156 votes.

Dailey conceded Friday morning, calling Gibbs to congratulate him and offer his help on the campaign trail. This was after 15 of the district’s 16 counties completed recounts this week.

After tragedy, seat-belt legislation moves forward

June 3, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Just hours after a fatal school bus crash near Zanesville on Wednesday morning, a state legislative committee unanimously approved legislation requiring seat belts on all new and refurbished school buses.

One committee member said the tragedy expedited the vote. The legislation may be considered in the Ohio House today, and would then need Senate approval.

State Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, said the mood in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was somber after word of the rollover crash on Ohio 60 north of Zanesville, which killed 6-year-old Kasey King and injured the bus driver and six other students.

Ballot counting drags on in 18th District

May 18, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Straggling ballots in the 18th Congressional District have stopped coming in, but they will take another week to be counted.

Barring any surprises, they likely will then be recounted.

This means U.S. Rep. Zack Space and two minor party candidates will have to wait until at least the end of the month to find out who their Republican opponent will be this fall.

Banking on bankruptcy: Debt, unemployment lead more Ohioans to file for relief

May 17, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Ryan Foor is only slightly apologetic about writing off $30,000 in debts by going bankrupt.

He admits to being reckless. He once spent $4,000 at a high-end clothing store in Florida. There were necessary charges, too — a 28-day hospital stay and books for classes at The Ohio State University. All were his with a swipe of plastic.

Foor is one of the growing number of Ohioans filing for bankruptcy, a federal court process that allows people to write off all or part of their debt.

Usually bankruptcies are used to get rid of unsecured debts, borrowed without collateral. In exchange, debtors sometimes lose assets, and the bankruptcy is a blemish on their credit reports for 10 years.

Gibbs declares victory in 18th District

May 12, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

State Sen. Bob Gibbs declared victory Tuesday in the 18th Congressional District Republican primary, despite the likelihood of an automatic recount.

Former state agriculture commissioner Fred Dailey, who trails Gibbs by 164 votes in unofficial results, refused to concede.

“I don’t know how you can declare victory when all the votes haven’t been counted yet,” Dailey said.

18th District recount could take 2 weeks

May 6, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Ohio political observers still are digesting the complex preliminary results of the 18th Congressional District Republican primary, and it could be two weeks before a winner is determined.

The eight-candidate race ended in a near-tie Tuesday, with state Sen. Bob Gibbs, of Lakeville, leading 2008 nominee Fred Dailey, of Mount Vernon, by 164 votes. Jeanette Moll, of Zanesville, trailed Dailey by 867 votes.

Gibbs and Dailey anticipate a recount. The soonest this can happen is 16 days after the election, according to standards set by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office. The eventual winner will face Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, in November.

Gibbs, Dailey lead 6 challengers for 18th district

May 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — There never was any clear leader in the eight-way 18th Congressional District Republican primary, and that remained true early today.

As the night wore on, a recount seemed imminent. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, of Lakeville, led Fred Dailey, of Mount Vernon, by 170 votes.

Jeanette Moll trailed 860 votes behind Dailey and said she had no plans to throw in the towel.

According to Ohio law, votes must be recounted if the winner leads by a half percent or less. In this case, that would mean about 250 votes.

Bill could allow more liquor licenses in Richland County

May 1, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO AND RUSS ZIMMER

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Mansfield and other Richland County municipalities could be eligible for more liquor permits if some Ohio lawmakers get their way.

Senate Bill 252 and House Bill 445, recently introduced in the General Assembly, would allow cities with a population of less than 100,000 in counties with a population of more than 125,000 to establish local entertainment districts. In these districts, up to 10 more liquor permits could be available, depending on population.

The proposal, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, and Rep.Tom Leston, D-Warren, would plug a gap in existing law.

Statewide effort under way to combat drug abuse

Apr. 22, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Dave Burke, R-Marion, has personal experience with the dangers of prescription-drug abuse—the drugstore he runs was robbed at gunpoint last month for its supply of oxycodone.

Burke was one of 25 people who came to the table Wednesday to discuss the epidemic of deaths by drug overdose. Gov. Ted Strickland created the Ohio Prescription Drug Task Force on April 9 to find ways to curb drug addictions. About 40 people are on the task force.

The task force brings together people from Ohio’s legislative, law enforcement and health communities and is aimed at finding viable and effective solutions.

Diverse group seeks to challenge Space

Apr. 18, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — A state lawmaker. A former state lawmaker. A cattle rancher. An attorney and mother of five. A pastor. A business owner. A former football coach. An unemployed factory worker. That is the diversity of those vying for the Republican nomination in the 18th Congressional District. There is no clear frontrunner.

They come from different backgrounds and have different styles, yet their positions on the issues are similar. They think the path to a prosperous economy is through less government. They oppose the health care law in its current form, but support tort reform to lower medical costs. They are pro-life and pro-gun.

They all identify with the tea party movement that emerged one year ago and are actively courting its constituents. This means May 4 will be about identity politics.

Space raises $1.6 million; Gibbs leads Republicans

Apr. 17, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

State Sen. Bob Gibbs, of Lakeville, leads the pack in fundraising in the eight-way Republican primary in the 18^th Congressional District, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.

However, U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, has raised $1.6 million — more than five times what Gibbs brought in and the most of any incumbent Ohio House Democrat.

Gibbs has raised $299,096 this cycle. Of that, $248,396 was contributed by individuals and $50,700 from political action committees.

Incumbent has big money edge

Apr. 17, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan is the only candidate in the 4th Congressional District who has raised significant funds, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.

The Urbana Republican’s general election challengers, Democrat Doug Litt of Mansfield and Libertarian Donald Charles Kissick of Lima, did not file, as candidates raising less than $5,000 are not required to.

Jordan, who represents Richland County as part of his district, has raised $492,026.With money left from the previous cycle, he has $763,653 headed into the summer campaign season.

Travel is pricey for public workers

Apr. 11, 2010, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo and Russ Zimmer

CentralOhio.com

While some money-crunched Ohioans enjoyed the full “staycation” experience in 2008 and 2009, many public employees took business trips.

However, some of these business trips were to Disney World, Palm Springs and points in between, and frequently involved stays at luxury hotels and meals at top-notch restaurants.

It was all on your dime.

Stevens was an advocate for women, minorities

Apr. 11, 2010, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has a legacy of standing up for women's rights, the disabled and minorities, Ohio court watchers said. However, others characterized him as someone who cannot be labeled.

Stevens announced Friday he would retire from the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of this term. President Gerald R. Ford appointed Stevens in 1975.

He handled emergency matters for the 6^th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, meaning his desk was one of the final stops for Ohio death row inmates seeking a stay of execution.

Cigarette tax a tough sell at Statehouse

Apr. 6, 2010, Port Clinton News Herald

BY RUSS ZIMMER

AND JESSICA ALAIMO

Special to the News Herald

Health advocates are pushing tobacco taxes as both a way to dissuade smoking and a means to bridge the state budget shortfall, but campaign concerns may stall any tax increases.

A growing number of states have been leaning on smokers to help plug budget holes, but no such plan is in the works for Ohio. For now, anyway.

Cash-strapped states are considering or enacting cigarette tax increases at a pace that has only been equaled in 10 other years since 1950.

Officials try to cut medical expenses

Mar. 29, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer was under pressure to cut his budget last year.

He didn’t want to lose any man power or services. Medical costs were another big ticket, though hard to control without violating inmates’ rights.

So Overmyer made a small change that added up to big bucks: He took away inmates’ basketballs.

Every time a prisoner got hurt playing ball, he said, “We’d take them down to our hospital, so we’d endure those costs, plus it cost us manpower hours.”

The decision seems to be a slam dunk. In 2009, the department’s medical costs were the lowest in at least seven years, and a third of what was spent in 2004.

Costs can cripple county jails

Mar. 28, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

With county budgets trimmed to the bone, a major medical expense at the county jail could be an unexpected drain of county finances.

County jails are responsible for providing medical care for inmates. While some are able to pass the bill on to private insurance, and some end up releasing a sick inmate to avoid paying the bill, Ohio counties spent at least $38.3 million last year to treat prisoners, according to data collected by CentralOhio.com.

Totals have remained fairly steady the past few years, thanks to a change in state law, but the cost per inmate can vary greatly, from $339 in Paulding County to $4,455 in Franklin County.

Some of the disparities are due to differences in recordkeeping; not every county reported the cost of mental health care, for example. Counties also structure their medical care differently. Larger jails have nurses on staff and buy medicine in bulk. Smaller jails will get inmate medications at the local pharmacy and arrange for visits with a local physician.

Millions of public dollars spent annually to care for Ohio’s aging inmate population

Mar. 28, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — On March 7, death row inmate Lawrence Reynolds overdosed on pills.

The Ohio State Penitentiary inmate was rushed to a Youngstown hospital. After nine days and some intensive care, he was taken to Lucasville — and executed.

You paid for the whole process, from the 24-hour surveillance after he OD’d to his hospital stay to his lethal injection. While the circumstances were unique, the fact Reynolds received extensive health care behind bars was not.

Universal health care for Americans is a hot topic for debate, but it’s a given for the 50,783 inmates in Ohio’s state prison system.

Ohioans not sure how bill affects them

Mar. 23, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Whether they favored or opposed it, Ohioans agreed Monday on one aspect of health care reform: They weren’t sure how they will be affected.

At a career center in Newark, a roomful of people shrugged their shoulders when asked for a reaction. They said they simply didn’t know enough to form an opinion.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, was one of the last lawmakers to reach a decision on the bill, announcing Saturday night that he would oppose it because of the high costs involved.

According to data released by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, 59,500 uninsured residents of the 18th Congressional District will get coverage, while benefits will improve for 356,000 others.

However, business owners and health care leaders in the district said it is too soon to tell how the legislation will affect the area.