Cafaro takes on challenge as Senate minority leader

Capri Cafaro is a rarity in the Ohio General Assembly: She actually reads legislation from cover to cover, rather than glancing over the caption and then depending on staff to provide her with pertinent details.

Veteran lobbyists who attend committee hearings marvel at the Liberty Township resident’s ability to grasp the nuances of complicated issues and to ask questions that elicit information not easily discernible.

Perhaps Cafaro’s work ethic is prompted by her determination to prove that her appointment to the 32nd District Senate seat in 2006 wasn’t just because of her family’s wealth and political influence.

Or, it could be a reflection of her intellect. She has always excelled academically, earning a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University when she was 19 and a master’s from Georgetown University at 22.

Regardless of the reason, Cafaro, whose family owns one of the leading shopping center development companies in the country, has established a reputation as a hard-working legislator.

Her appointment Wednesday by Senate Democrats to be minority leader might seem odd considering the short time she has been in Columbus. But it does suggest that her colleagues believe she has the ability to serve the party’s best interests and that she will be up to the challenge.

Indeed, her main task will be to persuade Republicans, who have a significant majority, to work with Democrats and not treat them as mere distractions.

One of issues that promises to make the Republican-Democrat divide in the Senate even wider will surface at the beginning of next year.

School funding

Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, will unveil his long-awaited plan for funding public education. But even before any of the details are known, Senate President Bill Harris has already taken aim. Harris has said Republicans will oppose any state tax dedicated to public education.

It will up to Cafaro to try to win support for the government’s plan, which should sail through the House. On Nov. 4, Democrats regained the majority — after 14 years of being in the minority.

With a 21-12 advantage in the Senate, Republicans don’t need any votes from Democrats. Harris might have been inclined to reach out to the opposition had the governor been a Republican. But, the GOP is not interested in making Strickland look good on the singularly important issue of school funding.

The Supreme Court has ruled four times that Ohio’s current system of funding kindergarten through 12th grade is unconstitutional. The major source of revenue for school districts is local property taxes.

When he ran for governor in 2006, Strickland pledged to find a way of easing the economic pressure on property owners. He has not revealed what options he is exploring, but Senate President Harris’ threat looms large.

Cafaro has shown herself to be astute politically, but she’ll need to have her wits about her because legislators on both sides of the aisle will be watching closely to see how she performs under pressure.

The minority leader will have an area lawmaker as part of her team. Senate Democrats selected Jason Wilson, D-30th, of Columbiana to the No. 4 position of assistant whip. Like Cafaro. Wilson has served in the Senate for two years.