Friday, January 28, 2000
Taft appointments more diverse
Numbers of women, minority members rise
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — As Senate Democrats complained that Gov. Bob Taft isn't appointing enough women and minorities to state boards and commissions, Mr. Taft released figures Thursday showing the numbers are slowly improving.
The Senate approved the governor's appointments to the newly created 11-person Technology Action Board on Wednesday despite Democrats' objections that no women were picked.
Sen. Rhine McClin, D-Dayton, said she is concerned that Mr. Taft still isn't making enough strides to improve female and minority representation on boards and commissions.
Sen. Linda Furney, D-Toledo, meanwhile, said she will propose legislation to expand the board by two seats to provide space for women or minority appointees.
“I think a technology action board in the year 2000 with 11 members ought to have at least one woman on it,” Ms. Furney said.
Mr. Taft has appointed 512 people since becoming governor last year. Of those, 13.3 percent were black, said Taft spokesman Scott Milburn. Blacks make up 11.5 percent of Ohio's population, according to 1998 census estimates.
Mr. Taft has appointed minorities to nine boards that didn't have minority representation previously. Of six new boards or task forces, all have minority representation.
Women made up 32 percent of Mr. Taft's appointments. According to 1998 census estimates, 52 percent of Ohio's 11.2 million residents were female.
Mr. Milburn said the first thing Mr. Taft looks for “are qualified people to serve. That is the driving motivation behind appointments.
“He obviously puts a priority on diversity,” he added. “We want to cast as wide a net as possible to find candidates.”
Mr. Milburn said the most recent appointment statistics prove the governor is making progress, although Mr. Taft's not satisfied.
“But we've been able to improve quickly, and we've been able to make sure there's minority representation on every new board or commission created,” Mr. Milburn said.
The technology board will oversee distribution of about $15 million annually to stimulate economic development in high technology areas. Of three additional nonvoting members on the board, one — Mary Kimberline, representing the Department of Transportation — is a woman.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Gov. Bob Taft has appointed 512 people to state boards and commissions since taking office last year. A breakdown:
• Women: 32 percent.
• Blacks: 13.3 percent.
• Hispanic: 2.5 percent.
• Other: 1.2 percent.
Source: Governor's office
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