Monday, November 8, 1999
Section 8
Local
Dayton Daily News

[Headline] Capitol Corridors
[Subheading] Disabled activists leave mark pointing to Medicaid concerns

Columbus--They came, they protested, they relieved themselves on the governor's plants.

About 50 disabled activists, most in wheelchairs, crammed into the lobby of Gov. Bob Taft's office last Monday. They wanted to meet with the governor and want him to change Medicaid so more disabled people can receive long-term care at home, rather than in nursing homes.

Taft was out of town that day, but the protesters didn't care. They weren't going to leave his lobby for anything--and that included using the restroom. Some protesters--knowing Highway Patrol troopers were waiting for them outside the lobby-- turned hallway garbage cans and plant containers into portable bathrooms, according to state officials and workers on the 30th floor of the Very Riffe Center for Government and the Arts.

Damages for the carpet and plants were estimated at $2,200. But that was nothing compared to other expenses related to the protest.

There was about $6,000 damage to an elevator and a whopping $138,000 spent on state patrol work hours, overtime and equipment used to control the protesters, said Scott Milburn, the governor's press secretary.

The state is considering suing the group that organized the protest, Denver-based ADAPT for the cost of the damage during the three days of demonstrations.

[Subheading] Democrats, Republicans claim victory

The Democrats won. No, the Republicans won. No, the Demo...

Following last Tuesday's statewide election results both the Ohio Democratic and Republican parties were declaring a victory.

The Democrats cited mayoral wins in Columbus--where Michael Coleman will become the first Democrat to hold the office in 28 years--Cincinnati, Akron, Parma, Mansfield and many other communities. The Democratic newsletter boasted that for the first time since 1913, Democratic mayors will serve simultaneously in Ohio's three largest cities: Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Republicans were also spinning their victories. They cited a net gain of seven mayoral seats across Ohio. Cities where Republicans unseated Democrats include, Lorain, Bowling Green, Cambridge, Perrysburg, Norwalk, Circleville, Bellefontaine, Defiance, Logan, Fostoria and Cadiz.

[Subheading] Columbus Gets its First Black Mayor

Voters in Columbus made history last week by electing Michael B. Coleman as the city's first black mayor.

But even before Election Day, Coleman and his republican opponent, Dorothy Teater, had made history on their own. Through Oct. 13--the last date covered by pre-election campaign finance reports--they had spent nearly $2.7 million on the race, making theirs the most expensive mayor's race in the city's history. They surpassed the previous record of $2.5 million spent during the entire 1991 race, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

[Subheading] Big Apple Sells Tobacco risk

New York City has begun selling $705 million of bonds backed by money it's scheduled to receive from the national tobacco settlement.

The idea is to get the money now and let investors bear the risk of the tobacco industry. The strategy is now being used in California and elsewhere around the nation, but Ohio lawmakers didn't like the idea.

Ohio is scheduled to receive $10.1 billion over the next 26 years from the settlement. State Treasurer Joseph Deters wanted Ohio to also sell the award, as New York is Financial experts consulted by Deters' office believe the state could receive $4.1 billion up front, annual residual payments totaling $3.5 billion over 30 years and another half-billion as a final payment.

Deters believes the proposal makes sense because the long-term profitability of the tobacco industry is questionable and the state should sever ties with an industry whose products have caused devastation to countless Ohio families. But others around the Statehouse said the strategy is the same as giving money away.

Ohio is expected to recieve its first installment of about $130 million next summer. On Tuesday, lawmakers are expected to again take up the issue of how to spend the money.

[subheading] Dayton Official Appointed by Taft

Julia "Rita" McNeil, the Dayton law director has been appointed to the Governor's Community Service Council by Gov. Bob Taft. McNeil's term will run through April 21, 2002. She replaces Bobbi Stern, whose term expired. The council helps local communities establish service programs.

-Columbus Bureau

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Thursday 18 July 2013

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Friday 6 December 2019

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