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.