By KAF

November 26, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter where they come from or their political party affiliation, most Ohio State legislators represent the business interests which fund their campaigns. Oh sure, they’ll pass a few laws to impress the locals, like no pedophile within 20 ft. of an ice cream cone, in order to get re-elected. But once they’re back in their chambers these politicians represent oil, coal, insurance, banking, tobacco, retail, utilites, etc. They’ve got a horde of corporate lobbyists prowling the corridors of the Capitol everyday to remind them of this. And Ohio journalists do an amazing job of hiding the voting records of state legislators from the public.

By Enon Ed

November 24, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Dayton and the surrounding metropolitan areas have certainly fared well under the powerhouse leadership of Jacobson-Austria-Husted-DeWine. These leaders who have controlled the Ohio General Assembly have definitely brought economic prosperity to the region. Just drive around the area and see all those new technology companies and the high paying jobs they have introduced. Dayton was once a GM/DELCO town, now we are so much more. This foursome had both the intellectual foresight and drive to change the region. Oooops! Those are empty buildings… but never fear the four horsemen of Dayton will ride to the rescue after every announcement that jobs are leaving. Take a ride along I-675 to see all new buildings and startups, which must bring pride to this foursome. Ooops! Those are the buildings and companies along I-270, which Husted passes on his way to his Columbus residence. Don’t we have residency laws in Dayton?? Notice all the cars driving around Dayton with Texas plates. All those federal workers looking to relocate to Dayton. You keep running into run them as they look for homes and schools. They just cannot wait to leave Texas where they pay no income taxes and military and federal civil service retirement is tax exempt. Dayton has so much to offer like an over-abundance of jobs for spouses who relocate. Ooops… Forgot that San Antonio will have 9,000 new jobs from BRAC and it is the fourth fastest growing large city. Point these discrepancies to the magnificent four and you overwhelmed by their indifference. Could we really stand another four years with the magnificent four? If they were truly effective, a strong case could be made for eliminating/modifying term limits. In fact, they are the poster childs for term limits. We need legislators with a vision who will work to achieve it. In fact I would argue the fact that the two (Jacobson-DeWine) who have left the Assembly recognized their failings. The shame is the other two continue to live with their allusions of greatness.

By Alice

November 24, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

I think one of the best things we can do for ourselves nationally and locally is enact campaign finance reform. We need to take the dirty out of politics to give more qualified people incentive to run on something more than name recognition and influence.

By Alice

November 24, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Rob… exactly. I will hate to see what the Dayton area looks like when we no longer have any “clout”!

By Jay

November 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

We already have to means to limit terms. It’s called voting.

By Earl

November 24, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Politicians, like diapers, have to be changed frequently – and for the very same reason.

By Daytonian

November 24, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Yea, if the City had term limits then Rhine would be gone next year! Let’s make it happen!!!

By greg

November 24, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

If we can only get term limits for U. S. Congress, the country may have a chance of survival.

By enuff

November 24, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Can we get a restriction on mayors too?

By Roger

November 24, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

That’s what term limits are all about. The limit keeps members from acquiring too much power and influence by bringing in new members when elections don’t. It’s a good system. Why change it?

By Rob

November 24, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure I understand the handwringing in this case. What has been the tangible benefit of having all this “clout in the state legislature”? It’s not as if these guys have been successful at attracting and keeping jobs here, or sourcing state work here, or even keeping the roads in their districts a little nicer. Frankly, Dayton has had a tough sled before these guys rose to their positions, and that trajectory has not changed for any of the players mentioned functioning in their roles. Honestly it’s open to debate whether one of these titans (Husted) of local power even lives here. I think a more pertinent question is “Now that we’re a couple years into this term limit initiative, are we convinced Ohio is getting bettter state government as a result?”. But this notion that long serving and well placed representation somehow imputes benefits to Dayton is contradicted by reality.

By termlimit

November 24, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

They get free medical for life… gee wish I could work for 2 years and get that and a pension too.

By Ben

November 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Congress should also have term limits just like the state has,just like the president has. These lifelong federal congressmen become liabilities and their entrenched power base gets abusive. New blood every 4 or 8 years is the way to go. We need term limits on mayors as well.

By Doug

November 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Term limits do not help the districts and communities that are represented by good people. The onylt hing term limits have done is created a farming system for political parties to groom candidates.

By DDN

November 24, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Term limits have their benefits and their detractions. The positives are that it helps to get new blood and new ideas into the Ohio legislature, while the downside is that sometimes the best persons for the job are getting pushed out, while the members of the legislature are never going to acquire much experience.

By think about it!

November 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Where we really need the term limits is at the city and county level. We end up with career politicians that sit and stagnate the local governments. Look at the City of Dayton.

By Mark

November 24, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Personally, I think that term limits do more harm to the legislative process than good. There was a good article about this in the NYT a few months back that looked into the growing trend nationwide of reversing term limits. I say let the voters be the ultimate limiter of terms.

By Skeptic

November 24, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Term limits are debateable, but the real problem is two-fold. First, our gerrymandered system eliminates any real competition in most districts. The party in power can redraw the lines however they wish. This needs to stop and become a bipartisan process. Second, having 2-year terms means Representatives have to campaign almost year-round instead of focusing on the important work at hand. This needs to change as well.

By brunnegd

November 24, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

The problem is an attitude that one must bring home the bacon for the voters, not one of losing clout.And why does our money go to Columbus, have a percent skimmed off the top to pay for bureaucrats, and be sent back to us. Keep it at hom.