Dear Young Dem,

As we prepare to celebrate the holidays and reflect on 2009, we at OYD have much to be thankful for. Our Run2009 candidates took OYD to a new level in 2009. We have a Democratic Governor who remains commmitted to protecting our state's future priorities, despite Republican intransigence. And we have a Democratic President and Congress moving forward on lasting health-care reform for the whole country.

In this month's OYD newsletter, get the latest on Governor Strickland's courageous fight to protect Ohio's future and Congressional action to provide health care for all Americans. You can also read about the Ohio Democratic Party's success in "knocking out" Republicans in recent weeks. Finally, you'll get the rundown on the Ohio Democratic Party's holiday gathering, the Ohio Young Democrats winter meeting and the OYDCares initiative.

While we reflect on our accomplishments in 2009, let's start thinking about how to make 2010 even better. The coming year will be so critical for our state's future, and we want your help in turning Ohio blue.

Sincerely,
Ohio Young Democrats

In this edition:
OYD and ODP Invite You to Get Into the Holiday Spirit
OYDCares (and so can you!)
Strickland, Ohio Democrats Stand Firm in Budget Battle
Congress Moves Closer to Health Care Reform
Local Events Leave Republicans Down For the Count

OYD, ODP Set Winter Gatherings for Dec. 19

The Ohio Democratic Party will hold its annual holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Conference Center at NorthPointe in Columbus. Admission is $5. ODP will also be collecting non-perishable items at the door to donate to families in need. ODP Chairman Chris Redfern will be in attendance, as well as special guests Governor Ted Strickland, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, Attorney General Richard Cordray, Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce and Speaker of the House Armond Budish.

Please RSVP to Ruth Zeager at (614) 221-6563 ext. 116 or ruth@ohiodems.org.

Additionally, the Ohio Young Democrats Executive Committee will meet from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. the same day. Agenda items include approving chapter applications, voting on presidential appointments and discussing the 2010 Convention.

OYDCares Needs Your Help!

As part of this year's OYDCares community service program, the Ohio Young Democrats are asking for your help in collecting toys and gifts for the less fortunate. All collected gifts will be donated to the Homeless Families Foundation, an organization in the Columbus area that provides shelter, support, stability and nurturing for homeless children and their families as they prepare to acquire and maintain permanent housing.

Gifts will be collected at the ODP holiday party on Dec. 19. The following items are needed:
Fisher Price toys/Lego sets
Learning toys (all ages)
Board games (Monopoly, Sorry, Checkers, Operation)
Popular DVD­s
Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls
Diaries with gel pens
Books (Harry Potter, Junie B Jones, Box Car Children, etc.)
Disposable cameras
Teenagers tend to get left out so we are asking for gift cards from: (Target, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Famous Footwear, Bath & Body Works, AMC movies).

For more information on the OYDCares project, contact OYDCares coordinator Mary Rebecca Wilson at mrw112003@yahoo.com.

Strickland, Ohio Democrats Protect Future; Republicans Play Games

As Governor Strickland and Democratic senators and representatives continue to fight for education funding and other future investments, Republicans insist on playing dangerous political games with the state's budget.

The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives has passed a measure that will help to fill an $851 million budget gap without raising taxes or slashing critical school funding. All that remains is for the Republican-run Senate to follow suit and protect the state's budget priorities. But the Senate GOP refuses to do so.

Instead, Republicans in the Senate want to use the budget battle as an opportunity to write other policy preferences into the budget bill. Republicans are willing to use the budget as political leverage to extract concessions like modifications to the state's construction policies. As Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro told the Dayton Daily News, it's easy to see through these antics.

"It seems to me that the funding for education is being held hostage to somebody'­s desire to have construction reform,"Cafaro said.

Don't like Republicans playing risky games with your budget? Click here to find your state senator. Let him/her know that you're tired of the GOP tricks.

US Senate Moving Closer to Health Care Reform

Following passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act by the House on Nov. 7, Democrats in the Senate have been working feverishly to reach President Obama's goal of achieving genuine health care reform by the end of 2009. Senate Democrats are getting closer to the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican opposition.

Sen. Sherrod Brown remains a strong advocate of the public option. Speaking on the Senate floor, Brown explained that his commitment to universal health care is more than just lip service.

"Seventeen years ago when I first ran for Congress," Brown said, "I promised I would pay my own health insurance until Congress paid health insurance for everyone. I have paid out of my pocket since then. I look forward with great eagerness to joining the public option as soon as it is available."

ODP Sets Up for "Knockout" Blow

The Ohio Democratic Party has been laying the groundwork for 2010 success in recent weeks through its local Knockout events. In the past month, these highly-energized gatherings that lay out the party's election strategy have swept across the state, drawing an estimated total attendance of 2,500 across 9 cities.

ODP Executive Director Doug Kelly says Knockout events are crucial to victory next year.

"ODP is moving full speed ahead towards the 2010 election and is thrilled to see how excited and eager Democrats around the state are for this winner-take-all election," said Kelly. "We want you in the field with us in 2010."

Events have already been held in Guernsey, Franklin, Summit, Stark, Hamilton, Lucas, Montgomery, Ross and Cuyahoga Counties.

Attendees have included elected officials, Democratic candidates, labor activists and Democratic voters of all ages.

A Mahoning County event is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15. Click here for more information.

Click here to view Youtube video of recent Knockout events.

What is your local chapter doing to prepare for 2010? What role should OYD play in turning Ohio blue next year? Share your ideas with us! Email info@ohioyd.org to discuss canvassing, organizing and communications strategies that will lead to victory next November.

ohioyd.org