In House, Dems plan focus on family issues

The new Democratic leadership will stress no major tax increases.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The new Ohio House minority leader says Democrats will offer alternatives to Republicans next year on issues important to working families, especially taxes.
"Democrats understand that raising taxes, especially during a recession, is the wrong thing to do for a struggling economy," state Rep. Chris Redfern said Thursday.
Joined by his leadership team for the two-year legislative session that begins next month, Redfern, of Catawba Island, promised to offer clear distinctions between Democrats and Republicans.
Leadership team
On Redfern's leadership team are Joyce Beatty of Columbus, assistant minority leader; Dale Miller of Cleveland, minority whip; and John Boccieri of New Middletown, assistant minority whip.
"We're going to offer alternatives and better choices for Ohio," said Redfern, 38.
Next year, state lawmakers will have to enact a two-year state budget by July. Some state officials say Ohio faces a budget deficit of up to $4 billion. State officials will have to balance the budget by either raising revenues or cutting spending.
The current two-year spending plan that ends in June is about $44 billion.
Redfern, who begins his second two-year term in January, said he also believes that the state must invest in higher education and high-technology and that the state should re-examine the state's tax code.
Boccieri, 33, who enters his second term, said Democrats will have to reach out to prospective voters in rural and Appalachia areas. "We need to recapture those votes."
Loss of seats
Redfern takes over a caucus that lost three seats in the last election. Republicans will outnumber Democrats 62 to 37 next year. Republicans now outnumber Democrats 59 to 40. Redfern said Democrats will work together and could potentially gain concessions from the GOP if Republicans fight among themselves.
"Democrats understand that we need to stick together," Redfern said.
Redfern said he looks forward to working with House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford.
Redfern said Democrats also will begin fund raising and recruiting candidates for the next election cycle in two years.
Redfern succeeds state Rep. Dean DePiero, a Parma Democrat, as minority leader. DePiero, 34, who had been elected to his third term, decided not to run again for leader and will instead concentrate on a run for mayor of Parma next year.