Health Care
270,000 in Greater Cincinnati don't have health insurance. This is unacceptable! Our system of healthcare is broken. I can't tell you that I have all the answers. But I can tell you that I will no longer allow this issue to be ignored. I don't want to wait until Ohio becomes like Texas, where 27% of all working adults do not have health insurance. My plan addresses two issues: 1. The availability of health insurance, and 2. The cost of health care. more

Abortion
Few issues have been more divisive than abortion. Deeply-held beliefs on both sides, and the inability of each side to fully appreciate the concerns of the other, have left little room for productive political debate. Abortion and gay marriage have added a visceral emotional element that has poisoned discussions between Democrats and Republicans on issues ranging from taxes to healthcare. These issues are tearing apart "mixed" neighborhoods (yes, Republicans and Democrats sometimes live next door to one another). I almost lost a good friend over the issue of abortion during the 2004 election. This led me to look for a new way to address the issue. more

School Funding
Is it time to jail the Ohio Legislature for contempt of the Supreme Court? The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled four times that the way we fund our schools in Ohio is unconstitutional because of its reliance on property taxes. It's time we stopped talking about school funding and did something about it. more

Taxes
I have a more reasoned, pragmatic approach to taxes. Taxes are the way we collectively buy government services. It is not the amount of taxes, but the value we get for those taxes, that's important. If we feel we are not getting our money's worth, then that is what we should focus on. The citizens of Mason are paying higher property taxes than the citizens of Cincinnati…yet, every month people are moving out of Cincinnati into Mason. Why? Because the value of the services, especially schools, is higher in Mason. more

Save Money on Taxes
Many people do not know that there is a marriage penalty in the Ohio State tax structure. If you and your spouse both earn incomes (or if you can allocate non-earned income between the two of you), you must decide whether to file jointly or separately. Most people just instinctively file jointly, but that may not be the right way to minimize your taxes. more

Job Growth
The Ohio economy is in trouble. Job growth in Ohio since the Republicans took over the governor's mansion in 1991 has lagged well-below the national average (13% vs. 22%). Luckily, the Cincinnati region has done much better than the state as a whole (25% growth). Other parts of the state have not been so lucky (Note: all employment data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). more

Urban Sprawl
Warren County's new slogan is "Ohio's Largest Playground". However, with the 2nd-fastest growth in Ohio, it may not be a playground for long! The State Legislature needs to take a more active role in helping our fast-growing communities manage and slow growth. more