Verich wins post despite objections

There was no Senate floor vote on Verich's appointment.
COLUMBUS -- Democrat Michael G. Verich won Ohio Senate confirmation Tuesday of his reappointment to the State Employment Relations Board, despite objections from some Democrats, apparently over Verich's endorsement of President Bush for re-election.
Majority Senate Republicans didn't bring up Republican Gov. Bob Taft's reappointment of Verich for a floor vote, but still confirmed him to a the position by getting the appointment approved by one committee Tuesday, then moving the nomination to a second, according to Senate President Doug White.
State Sen. Jay Hottinger, a Newark Republican, and the No. 3 GOP leader in the Senate said Republicans declined to bring a floor vote for Verich's naming to avoid a tussle with minority Democrats, outnumbered in the upper chamber by Republicans 22 to 11.
'A real Democrat'
In the first committee, the Senate Insurance Commerce and Labor Committee, Democrats raised numerous objections to Verich's appointment to another six-year term. Democrats on the committee noted that Verich's appointment was for a Democratic spot on the three-member panel. The panel's other two members are Republicans.
& quot;Naturally, we would want a real Democrat, & quot; said state Sen. Ray Miller, a Columbus Democrat and the ranking minority member on the committee. & quot;Verich has demonstrated that he is not. & quot;
& quot;In good conscience, I could not support him, & quot; Miller said before the Senate committee voted to approve the appointment over Democratic objections. That committee sent the nomination to the Rules Committee. If the Rules Committee doesn't vote on the appointment within 10 days, the appointment takes effect.
Verich was not present at the committee meeting Tuesday. Committee officials said Verich, a former state representative from Trumbull County, had to attend a SERB meeting Tuesday. He couldn't be reached later to comment.
SERB has administered Ohio's public employees' collective bargaining act since 1984. Verich was originally appointed to SERB by then-Gov. George V. Voinovich in 1998. The appointment pays about $70,000 annually.