Ohio Sunday Papers – February 8, 2009

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• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Strickland’s budget has some odd twists and turns – The Plain Dealer
• GOP’s Carey scrutinizes Strickland budget – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Ohio Dems Clumsily stoop into the mud in attacking Portman - Columbus Dispatch
• Sen. Brown touts Ohio’s $6.8 BN in stimulus - Toledo Blade
• No stimulus deal for Voinovich – The Plain Dealer
• Unemployment hits nearly every area of Ohio analysis shows - The Plain Dealer
• Ohio likes Obama – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohio Mayors in line for stimulus cash – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Buy American is no sale for Obama – Columbus Dispatch
• Ohio prison staffs feeling strained – Dayton Daily News
• Malaise grows, resources shrink – Columbus Dispatch
• Some wealthy districts would gain, some poor would lose in school funding – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard: Reforming schools starts with audits – Akron Beacon Journal
• Factors in Strickland school funding plan – Columbus Dispatch
• Kasich says wait and see – Columbus Dispatch
• Region has clout in Ohio legislative ranks – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Ohio stem cell researchers get ready for old rules to be tossed – Columbus Dispatch
• Head of PUCO reappointed – Associated Press
• Maureen O’Connor to run for Chief Justice – The Plain Dealer
• Lake Erie ice fishermen rescued, one dies – The Plain Dealer

Sherrod Brown Skips Geithner Vote, Glad He Did

When you watch the issues that Sherrod Brown fights for on behalf of Ohioans and all Americans in the U.S. Senate, and you consider how damn smart the guy is, is it any wonder he’d miss the vote confirming our new Secretary of the Treasury?

Here’s what I know about Timothy Geithner.  He was talked about as one of the primary architect’s of former SecTreas Henry Paulson’s $700 billion Wall Street bailout.  $350 billion of that Congressionally approved money is spent, seemingly up in smoke, and not much of it seems to have untroubled any assets which needed relief. National City Bank, formerly of Cleveland, is now part of the PNC Bank Corp. courtesy of some of those TARP funds.

The TARP is an ongoing FAIL of massive proportions and those who designed it, demanded its rush through Congress and created the climate of fear under which it was passed should be precluded from further public service.  Oh, that would be accountability.

Geithner was also an undersecretary at Treasury during the Clinton years, involved with international affairs.  How much you want to bet Brown and Geithner have some “free” trade disagreements?

I keep hearing what a financial genius Geithner is – I just hope his smarts are to put to use for the average taxpayer in this country, it’s obvious he can carry the water for the BoAs, Citis and PNCs of the world.

Who knows what was up with Sherrod today?  Could’ve been otherwise engaged, family issue, stuck in an airport, etc.  Perhaps he didn’t want to slight the new President, but just couldn’t hold his nose and vote for Geithner.  Maybe he’s like me and wants Paul Krugman in charge of Treasury.

Ohio Newsbreak – January 14 – Winter Weather Ohio-Style, Pimp Daddy, Gamboling to Gambling, Traficant

• Governor softens a bit on gambling – Columbus Dispatch
• Speaker: Gambling may have its place – Columbus Dispatch
• Will Republicans Rebuild in 2009? – The Plain Dealer
• Portman wants U.S. Senate seat – Dayton Daily News
• Voinovich on Geithner – Pay your taxes – The Plain Dealer
• Dayton officials going to Washington with tin cup – Dayton Daily News
• Toll hike for truckers modest: Pike Chief – Toledo Blade
• House votes to expand SCHIP – The Plain Dealer
• Thousands added to Toledo Census count – Toledo Blade
• Traficant to skip early release – Columbus Dispatch
• Icy temps, snow grip Ohio – Columbus Dispatch
• How do they decide how to close school – Columbus Dispatch
• Battelle to add 200 jobs – Columbus Dispatch
• Capital Notes – Columbus Dispatch
• Brown staffer headed to White House – The Plain Dealer
• McFadden allegedly pimpin’ on Craig’s List – Dayton Daily News