Gov. Taft reappoints Verich to SERB post

The Democratic ex-legislator supported the re-election of President Bush.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
WARREN -- Gov. Bob Taft appointed former state Rep. Michael G. Verich to his second six-year term on the state Employment Relations Board, a position that will pay him at least $78,208 annually.
Taft, a Republican, appointed Verich of Warren, a Democrat, to another term Tuesday. In December 1998, U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, a Republican serving his last few weeks as the governor of Ohio, appointed Verich to a six-year term. That occurred only a month after Verich was re-elected to a ninth term in the Ohio House.
Verich has continuously had his party loyalty questioned by local Democrats since that appointment. Verich received further criticism when he endorsed the re-election of President Bush, a Republican, while still calling himself a "proud Democrat." Verich also campaigned for the president, saying he was the right man for the job because of Bush's support of the steel industry and the war on terrorism.
The three-member State Employment Relations Board hears cases regarding unfair labor practices and oversees negotiations between public employers and employees.
Touting qualifications
Verich said he is qualified to hold a job on the board because he served in the mid-1980s as chairman of the state House's Commerce and Law Committee's subcommittee on collective bargaining that created SERB. He also served as vice chairman of the Commerce and Law Committee at the time, has a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law and master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Verich's salary hasn't been determined, and a final decision on it will come from the governor's office. Verich made $78,208 annually, and is expected to receive at least that.
Verich's term expired Oct. 6, and he could have served up to 60 days after his term expired without a gubernatorial appointment.
skolnick@vindy.com