From the Enquirer

KEN BLACKWELL’S ECONOMIC PLAN INCLUDES:

•Limiting government spending by capping spending increases at 3.5 percent annually or the rate of inflation, plus population increases. The Ohio Legislature passed this measure earlier this year.

•Simplifying the income-tax structure with a single-rate system at 3.25 percent, eliminating the estate tax and repealing the state sales tax increase to return it to 5 percent.

•Privatizing the Ohio Turnpike, creating a $6 billion fund for infrastructure and new jobs.

TED STRICKLAND’S ECONOMIC PLAN INCLUDES:

•Creating the Ohio First Initiative to tie selection of state contractors to the jobs those vendors have in Ohio.

•Refocusing tax incentives on job training and infrastructure, providing free customized training to any company that creates more than 20 jobs in a year.

•Modernizing Enterprise Zone incentives to concentrate on communities in need.

It's safe to say if Ted is elected, our taxes aren't going down.

From WTOLtv

COLUMBUS (AP) - A referendum seeking to reform Ohio's workers' compensation program failed to reach the required number of signatures to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, the secretary of state's office said Tuesday. Backers of the reform measure failed to submit enough valid signatures on their first attempt and were issued a letter in August giving them 10 days to turn in more, according to a letter from Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's office to the Committee to Protect Injured Workers, Widows and Orphans.

From openers

Nader, the nation's foremost consumer activist, says Secretary of State Blackwell sank his quixotic quest for the White House in 2004 by booting him off the presidential ballot in Ohio. Nader's nominating petitions fell short of 5,000 valid signatures that year.

Blackwell, a Republican, at first placed Nader on the ballot, but removed him after Democrats challenged the petitions; they didn't want Nader spoiling Sen. John Kerry's chances in a race that looked headed toward a photo finish.

Yup, Blackwell sure sounds partisan by kicking Nader off the ballot. That helped Bush for sure!

1. Betty Montgomery gets endorsed by Dayton Daily News

2. Ken Blackwell proposes lots and lots of tax cuts.

3. The Stock Market hits an ALL TIME HIGH.

From Openers

While Ohio’s gubernatorial candidates prep for Wednesday’s debate on the economy in Cincinnati, their campaigns are still debating the next debate, scheduled for Oct. 16 in Columbus.

At the moment, the campaigns still do not have a sponsor for the final debate – at least not one they can agree on -- leaving the event up in the air and making tomorrow’s face-off possibly their last meeting.

The Ohio Association of Broadcasters last month pulled its sponsorship of the Columbus event after the two campaigns couldn’t agree on a moderator.

Keith Dailey, a spokesman for Democratic candidate Ted Strickland, insisted that “Ted is still committed to four debates.” He said he had no details about the progress of negotiations.

Carlo LoParo, Republican Ken Blackwell’s spokesman, said, “Our campaign has been working with sponsors to put together a panel.”

How about RAB and BSB being the sponsors. We'd make the most interesting panel out there. It'd be like Family Feud, we'd send 4 people, they'd send 4 people. We'd actually ask hard hitting and informative questions. People would WANT to watch the debates then.

This is from Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Discussion:

Answer: You couldn't find Ted Strickland with a search warrant.

In light of Congressman Mark Foley's resignation amid accusations of improper conduct with an underaged Congressional page, Ohioans should be asking questions about Democratic candidate for Governor and Congressman Ted Strickland's background on the issue of confronting child predators.

Here are the facts...

FACT #1: Ted Strickland admits he employed a man on his congressional staff who was "found guilty" being arrested for publicly exposing himself to children.

"The man worked for Strickland from 1997 to 1999, as a congressional and campaign staffer. According to Athens police, the man's case stems from 1994, when he was arrested for public indecency after several children reported he'd exposed himself. Police records show he was found guilty, although the exact charge is unclear." (Lynn Hulsey, Dayton Daily News, 3/17/06)

FACT #2: Ted Strickland admits he was "unaware" of the man's background and, after being informed of the issue, admits he "perhaps" should have pursued it more aggressively.

"Strickland said Thursday he was unaware of the man's record when he hired him… In retrospect, Strickland said he 'perhaps' should have pursued the matter more aggressively, but that he tends to give little credibility to anonymous tips." (Lynn Hulsey, Dayton Daily News, 3/17/06)

FACT #3: Ted Strickland's Democratic primary opponent raised questions about Strickland's handling of the issue, suggesting he maintained a close affiliation with the man and should have been aware of his background.

"Flannery cites Strickland's employment of the man as evidence that the congressman may be 'confused about where he stands on children's issues.'" (Jim Phillips, The Athens News, 3/16/06)

"Strickland also questioned Flannery's motives for saying Strickland and the man traveled to Italy after the 1998 campaign. Strickland said campaign workers planned to treat themselves to the trip if Strickland won, but as it turned out only Strickland and the man were able to go." (Lynn Hulsey, Dayton Daily News, 3/17/06)

FACT #4: Ted Strickland refused to vote with 355 House members to condemn a psychological study suggesting sexual relationships between adults and children might be positive for children. (HConRes 107, 7/12/99)

"Local Democrats report having received unsigned letters, which purport to be from a Democrat who is supposedly concerned about Strickland's electability, based on the position he took on House Concurrent Resolution 107 during the 106th Congress. The resolution, which Strickland did not support, condemned an academic study by the American Psychological Association, on the long-term effects of childhood sexual activity. The study concluded that available evidence suggests that sexual contact between adults and juveniles is not always highly destructive for the psyche of the younger person." (Jim Phillips, The Athens News, 12/15/05)

Even Dennis Kucinich got that one right...

FACT #5: Ted Strickland has publicly stated on the campaign trail that he intends to help convicted felons, which would include child predators, get state government jobs.

"U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland told a closed-door Toledo audience over the weekend that he would hire ex-convicts for state government jobs if Ohioans elect him governor in the fall." (Jim Tankersley, Toledo Blade, 3/8/06)

SPECIAL THANKS to various members of the State of Ohio Blogger Alliance for research assistance and Lexis-Nexus access.

 

Buckeye State Blog has been promoting this old fart lib for months. Now, Congressman Tiberi has taken the gloves off with this ad...