News and Notes: Ohio

Some items of interest from the best damned state in the land:

Ted Creates Panel to Screen Judicial Appointments - In a very welcome development, the new Governor acts to elevate actual qualifications over political considerations in interim judicial appointments. Gov. Taft (R) acted strictly on recommendations from local GOP leaders, and all twelve of the judges he appointed just before leaving office are Republicans. The Ohio State Bar Association applauded the move, saying the panel will help build "trust and confidence in Ohio's courts."

New Black Caucus Leaders - Congratulations to Rep. Tyrone Yates (D-Cincinnati), elected president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus last week to replace former Rep. Barbara Sykes (D-Akron). Freshman Rep. Tracy Heard (D-Columbus) is secretary. The caucus has 17 current members, with veteran Sen. Ray Miller (D-Columbus) as its unofficial "dean."

Auditor Issues Finding on Missing School Money - New State Auditor Mary Taylor (R-Green) today released a finding for recovery against a Toledo-area school district secretary and her bonding company for $5,587 that the secretary had collected from various teachers, parents and students over a six month period. The money was later reported to police as stolen. "The deposits were kept in a walk-in vault which was typically left both open and unlocked during the school day. In addition, the cash collections procedures were not followed and deposits were not always made on a daily basis," Taylor's report states. Also in the news, Taylor has finalized her staff, announcing that she is retaining veteran chief deputy auditor Robert R. Hinkle. Taylor previously installed campaign manager Christina Haddad as chief of staff, former Taft aides Karen Huey and Susan Raber as legal consel and director of public affairs, respectively, and former Department of Public Safety official Gary Joseph as director of administration.

Interviews with New Members of Congress - The Mansfield News Journal has an interview with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), who replaced retired Mike Oxley (R) in the 4th Congressional District, and the Zanesville Times Recorder talked to Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover), who replaced Bob Ney (R) in the 18th. Jordan is really drinking the Kool-Aid on Iraq, supporting Bush all the way. Space is planning district offices in Zanesville and Chillicothe to go along with his office in Dover, acknowledging that accessibility to constituents is a key part of his agenda.

Sherrod Brown at City Club - The new senator spoke at the hallowed forum of free speech here in Cleveland and I'm sorry to say that I missed it. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that he focused on the economy, saying "Our economic house is not in order, not nationally and not close to where it needs to be in Ohio." In an excerpt on WCPN this morning I heard him say that the U.S. must use its influence to pressure China to improve conditions for its workers, which will make trade competition more fair. He also said that he has been working with Sen. George Voinovich (R) to convene meetings of the entire Ohio Congressional delegation to talk about economic development. Also, Brown is counting on his close relationship with Gov. Ted Strickland (D) to help develop "a state and federal partnership in Ohio that you have not seen in history." As to Iraq, he predicted that a resolution opposing the surge will pass by 80-20, but if it were a secret ballot it would be 90-10, due to Republican legislators who oppose the war but are afraid to say so publicly .