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Mahoning Valley’s two state senators say compromise and collaboration are keys to having the Democrats matter in Ohio government
COLUMBUS
With only 10 Democrats in the 33-member Ohio Senate, it takes a lot of compromise and collaboration with the Republican majority for the minority party to get its voice heard, the Mahoning Valley’s two upper-chamber members say.
But that has proven to be a winning formula on such issues as the expansion of land banks, legislative redistricting and clearing a backlog of untested rape kits statewide, said state Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd; and Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, the most senior Democrat in the Senate.
“To pass legislation, you have to be realistic that as a Democrat you need Republicans,” Schiavoni said. “If you have an idea, you go to them and find out if anyone in the Republican caucus is interested. Co-sponsorship is the best option to get a bill passed.”
If that fails, Schiavoni said, “You go to Plan B, and that is make your voice heard on legislation — you get the public involved, write press releases and have press conferences. I’ve spent the last three years on charter-school accountability without it going anywhere. [Republicans] didn’t want to touch this, but now it looks like we may be able to do something with it.”
Cafaro said, “When you’re in the minority, you need to find areas of common ground [with Republicans] and work together. Dual sponsorships certainly helps and increases opportunities to get bills passed. We do a lot of other things too with amendments and working through the committee process. Your name isn’t always there, but the work gets done.”
At the top of the list of priorities this year for Senate Democrats is increased oversight of charter schools, permanently expanding Medicaid eligibility, raising the minimum wage, and making the Earned Income Tax Credit refundable.
At 37, Cafaro is the “dean” of the Senate Democratic caucus with the most seniority. She was appointed in January 2007 and then elected in 2008 and 2012.
Cafaro has had success on co-sponsored bills being signed into law and is among the few Democrats to have meaningful legislation passed as a sole sponsor. That includes a bill to enable Warren and other similar-sized cities to establish downtown entertainment districts thus allowing up to 15 additional liquor permits, and one that requires law enforcement agencies to review all cases in their possession and send untested rape kits to a state crime lab.
Schiavoni played a large role in the legislative redistricting compromise — that needs to be approved by voters — and expanding land banks.
Schiavoni, 35, was appointed in January 2009, was elected in 2010 and re-elected last November.
Because of term limits, Cafaro’s time in the Senate concludes at the end of 2016, and Schiavoni is done at the end of 2018.
Cafaro served as minority leader from January 2009 to January 2012. Schiavoni became minority leader in December 2013 when Eric Kearney of Cincinnati stepped down.
Schiavoni and Cafaro have expressed interest in the U.S. House 13th District seat, but would only consider running if the incumbent, Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat from Howland, didn’t seek re-election.
“People talk about Tim Ryan running for something else, but it doesn’t happen,” Schiavoni said. “It’s definitely something to consider, but how can I consider that when he’s still in Congress?”
When talking about term limits, both were critical of those who jump from the House to the Senate and vice versa with Cafaro saying some “play musical chairs.”
As for her future in politics, Cafaro said, “We’ll see. I’m not counting anything out or anything in. Regardless of my future plans, everyone knows my passion for public service. I’m fortunate that I’m able to problem solve and use policy to improve the lives of people.”
Schiavoni said his time as minority leader has given him the opportunity to travel the state, raising money and making important contacts.
“When the time comes, if the opportunity arises, I may seek another office,” he said. “I may go back to my law firm. I don’t know [about 2018]. All the statewide offices are open and there are options.”
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper called them “two of the brightest stars on the Democratic side of the Senate. Joe has come into his own, and Capri is one of the smartest people in Columbus. Both of them could do important things inside and outside politics. They’ve done great work for the Valley and the state of Ohio.”