PLATFORM
Infrastructure
We can't expect our local communities and county governments to ask for new taxes to fund our much needed infrastructure improvements. We can certainly work with our communities and governments to fund a small portion of it, but the bulk of it is the state government's responsibility.
A Severance Tax would be the best way to improve our local infrastructure.
Workforce
John sits on the Mahoning Columbiana Workforce Development Board. He believes in all training programs and opportunities, local control is best. Those are the people that know what the needs of the employers are and know the type of training that would be necessary for the citizens to be gainfully employed. The Workforce and Investment and Opportunity Act was changed by the Senate recently to give more control to the state government, unfortunately at the expense of smaller regional control. Locally, our training program has been quite successful in meeting the needs of our employers so we now have residents who have received good training and have decent paying jobs.
John would maintain a greater local input on development of programs in terms of changing the system. Sometimes requirements prevent people from having the opportunities to benefit themselves. People want to work and make money, but can't get the training due to age or economic requirements. It should be about giving people who are willing to work hard the opportunity to succeed.
Opioid Epidemic
Heroin use is a serious issue in Columbiana County and has been for some time. Law enforcement and health professionals are struggling to keep up with the growing drug problem and are doing the best they can with limited resources.
We need to increase funding for drug rehabilitation centers while passing tougher laws on heroin drug dealers. While opioids continue to claim a record number of our neighbors, parents, and children, Republicans refuse to call this crisis what is it: a public health emergency.
The American Dream
We know that due to the current state of the economy, people are working harder and longer but still struggle to met ends meet and spend time with their family. They see the economy and the workplace sliding further out of balance. I myself have experienced layoffs and plant closings and understand what working people endure.
Throughout the years, I've seen opportunities for working people evaporate. I believe young adults shouldn't have to delay starting a family, buying a house, or fixing their car to get to work just to earn an education. Every hardworking Ohioan should have access to quality healthcare, the opportunity to succeed in life, and most of all, the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
Buy Ohio
John's one big difference he wants to make is to put Eastern Ohio back to work by passing a common sense Buy Ohio law that ensures Ohio-based companies can compete and win state contracts. For several years, Democrats in the legislature have pushed efforts to ensure that the state government considers Ohio companies and small businesses first when it comes to state contracts. If Ohio is serious about addressing its economic challenges and transforming into a new economy, we need a far greater investment in Ohioans, in real people, not just tax abatement or incentives. Rather than ensuring Ohio tax dollars support Ohio jobs, prior and current representatives have allowed state contracts to use companies based in other countries such as China and India. While some lawmakers have exclusively pursued income tax cuts as an economic development tool, tax cuts alone will not get us there. We need a new approach from the state to grow our economy and help small businesses thrive.