Sunday, February 27, 2000
Bateman hopes for return next month
CAPITOL INSIDER
BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As the General Assembly debated legislation about abortion, how to spend the state's $10.1 billion tobacco settlement and other subjects, one Southwest Ohio voice was conspicuously absent.
A string of illnesses has kept state Rep. Sam Bateman, R-Milford, away from the Statehouse since last summer. His chair in the House chamber has been empty since early June, according to House attendance records.
“He's had pneumonia, a couple of infections and a swelled-up knee,” Mr. Bateman's wife, Barbara, said last week. “But we hope to have him back up there in March.”
Mr. Bateman, who will be forced out of office by term limits, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee. In his absence, the panel's vice chair, Rep. Patricia Clancy, R-Colerain Township, has wielded the gavel.
While some Republican operatives privately say they don't expect Mr. Bateman to return, House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, R-Reynoldsburg, isn't about to ask her longtime friend to step aside early for his potential successor, Jean Schmidt of Loveland.
“I want to do what's in the best interest of the member and his family,” Ms. Davidson said. “There are days I certainly could have used Sam around, but we haven't had a day where his vote was considered crucial.”
If it's an election year, it must be time to start talking about tax cuts.
Just before lawmakers left the Statehouse to concentrate on the March 7 primary, several vowed to push for tax cuts more sweeping than the temporary relief offered in recent years.
Sen. Scott Nein, R-Middletown, told his colleagues on the Senate floor that he expects a “broad-based” tax cut to be considered this year. House conservatives also are clamoring for permanent tax relief.
Senate President Richard Finan has blocked past talk of tax cuts, but as the politically savvy Evendale Republican looks toward the general election, he may be less stubborn. “There may be a case for a tax cut,” he told reporters.
Another sign that lawmakers are moving into election mode: Rep. Randy Gardner, a Bowling Green Republican and No. 2 GOP leader in the House, is pushing legislation that would increase the personal state income tax exemption to $2,000 from $1,050.
Mr. Gardner is running for the Senate this year. His bill may be the moderate alternative to the conservatives' proposed 5 percent permanent rate reduction.
All this talk may be moot, though. The Ohio Supreme Court could order lawmakers to try again to overhaul the way public schools are funded, effectively requiring that more be spent on education.
What do duct tape, a chimpanzee and a ventriloquist dummy have in common?
They're all props in a series of low-budget public service ads running on MTV and other cable channels, designed to boost the number of young people showing up at the polls.
One of the brief but clever spots features a series of rapid-fire images of people ripping tape off their mouths as they leave voting booths. “Let your voice be heard,” the tag line says. “Ohio's primary is March 7.”
Another makes a slap at TV journalists, with an actor portraying a talk show host.
“I still don't understand why you want to interview me about elections,” his “guest” says.
“Well, you are the leading expert on primaries,” he says.
“Primates,” she says as the camera zooms in on a chimp pointing to its head.
The project is a collaboration between Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Dan Shellenbarger from Ohio Government Telecommunications.
“Young people can't sit on the sidelines if they want to effect change,” said Mr. Blackwell, the state's chief elections officer.
Michael Hawthorne covers state government for The Cincinnati Enquirer. He can be reached at (614) 224-4640.
Cincinnati turns out for McCain
McCain blasts foes' 'underhanded stunts'
DeWine has a ball in McCain campaign
McCain is a 'Zonie thing
Cop killer wants freedom
Ex-sheriff's deputy accused in slaying
February going out like a lamb
Infant mortality jumps after four-year decline
Home visits fight to improve infants' chances
Family proud to be off welfare
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Students retrace slaves' steps to freedom
No sparks fly over hot swimsuit issue
GOP flexes muscle, KOs gas-tax hike
Poems soothe teen souls
Cammys honors career of Big Joe Duskin
CCM's 'LaMancha' powerhouse of talent
GET TO IT
Go ahead, you can spend $45 million
Maestro Santora reviews CCO
Museum Center exhibits prizes
Orchestra blooms under Carlos Kalmar's baton
Readers like movie captioning
Young Ringling ringmaster in 'right place, right time”
Peck saw talent in 'Malcolm'
'Beach Boys' actors look authentic thanks to Bridgetown native
115 take icy dip for disabled
Bateman hopes for return next month
Bush toast of GOP at gathering
Fireman may admit DUI
Heartland battles 'brain drain'
Housing project 'connects'
Leaks plague shelter
Mason relishes business boom
Mayors' monthly sessions pay off
Pool's chlorine level sends kids to hospital
Residents get their say on planned runway
Syrup producers rare in area
Traficant's bills would aid friend, paper says
TRISTATE DIGEST
