Dear Young Dem,

It's shaping up to be an exciting autumn. President Obama continues to gain support in his push to reform health care, Democrats in Washington and Columbus are moving to protect all Americans from discrimination and Governor Strickland is acting courageously to safeguard Ohio's future.

While we continue to make progress, we need your help to make sure our Run2009 candidates capture victory in November. And as always, we seek your input about issues that matter to you.

As you read our October newsletter, think of ways we can keep the momentum going.

Regards,

Ohio Young Democrats


In this edition:
Run2009 Candidates Sprint to the Finish Line
Health Care Reform Plans Clear Hurdle
State and Federal Governments Move to Tighten Discrimination Laws
Strickland Stands Firm on Education Funding
OYD Seeks Your Input on Issues

Run2009 Candidates Close In on Election Day

As Election Day nears, OYD's impressive array of Run2009 candidates needs your help to cross the finish line next month.

Check out the OYD-endorsed, Run2009 Candidate near you!

Amanda Armstrong, Medina Educational Service Center Governing Board
Councilwoman Nicole Dailey Jones, North Olmsted City Council
Tony Fischer, Cincinnati City Council
Wadzi Hoert, Brunswick School Board
Cassandra Jones, South Euclid-Lyndhurst School Board
John Landers, Boardman School Board
Dan Langshaw, North Royalton School Board
Meagan Pandey, Hilliard City Council
Brandon Rutherford, Elyria City Council
Adam Schneider, Lancaster School Board
AJ Smith, Middletown City Council
Jay Smith, Medina City Council

To learn more about OYD's Run2009 program, click here.

Health Care Plans Gain Support, Clear Senate Obstacle

Passing by a 14-9 vote in the Senate Finance Committee Oct. 13, the health care reform bill championed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) gained bipartisan support while clearing a key procedural hurdle. The bill, which signals a growing demand for change on Capitol Hill, passed with the support of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Wash.), the lone Republican to vote in favor.

"When history calls, history calls," Snowe said as she cast her vote at the Finance Committee hearing.

Snowe's vote represents a crucial turning point, demonstrating to Americans of both political parties that even Republicans must now admit that health care reform is vital to our nation's future. No longer can Republicans claim that health care reform is simply a Democratic issue.
President Barack Obama, speaking after Snowe's vote, called the achievement a "critical milestone."

Obama's tone quickly changed, however, urging Americans to continue working until reform is completed.

"We are closer now than ever before to passing health reform, but we're not there yet," Obama said. "Now's not the time to pat ourselves in the back, now's not the time to offer ourselves congratulations, now's the time to dig in and work even harder to get this done."

State, Federal Governments Move Towards Stronger Anti-discrimination Laws

The Ohio House of Representatives took another step toward protecting the rights of all Ohioans by passing a crucial anti-discrimination measure Sept. 15.  House Bill 176 seeks to protect Ohioans from housing or employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill passed by a 56-38 vote and has been assigned to the Senate Rules Committee for further action.

Bill co-sponsor Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus) told the Columbus Dispatch that the bill does not grant special rights to any group; rather, Stewart says the legislation safeguards rights assured to all Ohioans.

Governor Ted Strickland also applauded the bill's passage. "This is an important step forward for Ohio, as nondiscrimination in employment and housing will ensure that all of our people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve," Strickland said.

OYD has spoken out recently in favor of House Bill 176. Click here to read our letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer explaining why we support equal rights for all Ohioans.

Meanwhile, two bills in Washington aimed at reducing discrimination based on sexual orientation continue to gain momentum. HR 3017, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), would prohibit employment discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Frank's bill has garnered 186 cosponsors. In the Senate, Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has introduced a similar measure that has gained 41 cosponsors.

Strickland Protects Ohio's Education, Future; Republicans Do Nothing

Demonstrating their penchant for being the party of "no," Ohio Republicans continue to refuse to work in good faith with Governor Ted Strickland to solve the state's financial diffculties. In the midst of the nation's deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Strickland had three choices: raise taxes, cut education funding or freeze income tax rates at 2008 levels. Governor Strickland chose the third option. In doing so, he helped protect Ohio's economic recovery while also safeguarding key education funds that are essential to our state's future.

Despite Strickland's courageous leadership, Republicans continue to criticize without offering their own proposals. Contrary to Republican attacks, Strickland's plan would not increase taxes across the board. In fact, under the Strickland administration, Ohio's income tax rates have gone down in each of the last three years.

While Governor Strickland makes important decisions about Ohio's future, Republicans play politics with our state's finances. Click here to find you state representative and click here to find your state senator. Tell them you are counting on them to stand with Governor Strickland.


OYD Wants to Know What Issues Matter to YOU

What do you think of the push to reform health care? How can Young Dems support Governor Strickland? Have an issue that you think OYD should support? OYD is always seeking to make its voice heard through letters to the editor, social networking sites, press releases and other forms of issue advocacy. If you have an issue to address, feel free to email communications director Christopher Kromer at kromercm@muohio.edu.

What is your Young Dems chapter doing to get ready for 2010? Share stories, ideas and outstanding chapter members with the rest of OYD. Email Christopher Kromer at kromercm@muohio.edu with local chapter news.


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