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5 years since Lordstown complex closure

On March 6, 2019, just over five years ago, my life, along with my family’s, was entirely uprooted when the General Motors plant in Lordstown closed. While living in Youngstown, I worked at the plant for 41 years alongside my wife before I retired in 2018. My wife, on the other hand, still worked at the plant and was years out from retirement, so she — and the rest of us — were forced to pick up and leave to maintain employment and the hope of a secure retirement. I never wanted to leave Ohio. It is where I grew up, built a family and raised our children. But when the Lordstown ...

Going our own way? Hold off for a minute

Recently it has been announced that four counties that comprise the Lake-to-River corridor in northeast Ohio want to break off from the region administered by Team NEO and create its own economic development region. Trust me, I understand why they want to, but I wonder if it is the right thing to do. Years ago when I worked at the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, the top two executives of the Allegheny Conference, which is an organization committed to improving the Pittsburgh region’s economic future and quality of life, according to its website, paid us a visit in downtown ...

Cleveland to take on Columbus

The Democrats have been the minority party at the Supreme Court of Ohio for the better part of two decades. Now the Democratic leadership in Columbus wants to extend that dry spell by engineering an unnecessary primary. They have orchestrated a divisive primary between Columbus and Cleveland and once again demonstrated they have no idea how to run a Supreme Court race. Let me explain. There are two highly qualified Democratic Judges running for an open seat which could readily change the balance on the Court from 4-3 Republican to 4-3 Democrat. The stakes could not be higher. And the ...

Check Medicaid, health care coverage

Access to health care — doctors, health screenings, prescription drugs and hospitals — is critically important for all Ohioans. Health insurance through employers, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid helps make sure people of all ages and in every corner of the state can get this crucial coverage. More than 3 million Ohioans currently receive health care through Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for low-income households. To ensure people didn’t go without health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid was ...

Misguided energy policy could sink renaissance of manufacturing

An extraordinary but little-noticed economic phenomenon is occurring across the United States today. Electricity demand — which has been relatively stable for more than a decade — suddenly is surging. The U.S. economy is embarking on a literal power trip, and the pace is likely to increase. Consider that California’s major utility, PG&E, expects the state’s electricity demand to jump 70% in the next two decades. New York’s electricity demand is on track to double by 2050. And Virginia’s power demand is projected to jump 85% in just the next 15 years. Why such huge ...

Why fair maps are essential for our democracy

Three strikes and you’re out? The politicians in Ohio have struck out three times, and we, the citizens of Ohio, are crying foul. Strike 1: Ignoring the will of the voters and the Ohio Supreme Court by repeatedly imposing unconstitutional maps on us. Strike 2: Charging us $20 million for a desperate failed election in August to try to fool us into signing away majority rule. Strike 3: Democrats colluding with Republicans on the political redistricting commission in the dark of night to draw up and then pass even more heavily gerrymandered maps. Enough is enough. The citizens of ...