Leading candidates for the 19th House District want to protect education, balance the state budget and bring more jobs to the state, but the incumbent and her major-party opponent have differing plans to accomplish those goals.

First-term Rep. Marian Harris (D-Columbus) is up against Republican Westerville City Councilwoman Anne Gonzales, and both candidates express similar priorities if elected.

Also in the race is Michael Johnston, of Westerville, who is treasurer of the Libertarian Party of Ohio and an IT support-analyst for a privately owned/operated affordable housing provider. He ran for the same seat in 2008, when he pulled in 4.8% of the vote.

Ms. Gonzales and Ms. Harris both have backgrounds that reflect a focus on children. The GOP candidate spent five years as a stay-at-home mother volunteering for various causes including Westerville Reads and Kids Voting USA. The incumbent has a history as a preschool teacher and sponsored bills to combat cyber-bullying (HB 520*), heighten sex offender regulations (HB 13*) and require out-of-state juvenile centers treating Ohioans to adhere to the same regulations as those in the home state (HB 446*).

Ms. Harris, 69, said she supports the Evidence-Based Model for school funding enacted last summer (HB 1*).

"It's unfortunate that we did not have the resources to implement much of what is in it, but over the course of the next 10 years, it's going to put Ohio way on top for the kind of education kids get," she said.

The representative also said she would work to maintain education funding in the next budget. "If we don't have a good fundamental basis in education, we're not going to have educated workers."

Ms. Gonzales, 47, said she does not support unfunded mandates imposed on schools and thinks money should be directed to classrooms, not administration. She also noted that many voters in the district are experiencing levy fatigue, having faced repeated requests to raise property taxes to support schools.

Both candidates indicated that balancing the next budget is a priority, and Ms. Harris said involvement in that process is a primary reason she is running for re-election.

"My budget idea is putting everything on the table and looking at a balance between resources and spending," she said, noting programs that meet basic human needs should not be cut.

Rep. Harris said she doesn't support raising taxes, but thinks the legislature might need to consider closing some tax loopholes. She also suggested that Ohio companies that outsource jobs should pay a penalty.

The incumbent also said efficiencies in government operation should be considered, including the potential consolidation of agencies that deal with Medicaid.

Ms. Gonzales called the state's 2012-13 biennial budget the "8 billion dollar question," and pointed out that she signed a pledge to oppose raising taxes to address the situation.

"I think the way to balance the budget is we need to take a look at controlled spending," she said. "We have a spending problem here in Ohio, and we need to stop the spending."

Ms. Gonzales said, however, "when I knock on doors (in the district), that budget is not on anyone's minds." What is of concern, however, is the job climate.

"I think what we need to do is provide incentives for our manufacturers and our large and small business owners to create jobs," she said. "We have a very unfriendly tax environment here in Ohio."

The Republican proposed tax credits to businesses and said she supports GOP-initiated legislation to provide breaks to companies hiring unemployed Ohioans, retaining workers and hiring new graduates to keep them in the state.

Rep. Harris said the Strickland administration and legislature have done a lot for encouraging job development, including tax credits, public-private partnerships and support for advanced and alternative energy.

She said the General Assembly should continue in the direction it is going with programs such as the Third Frontier.

"We've got to continue to do what we can to bring jobs into Ohio," she said.

Rep. Harris narrowly won the 2008 election, taking 48% of the vote against GOP candidate Brad Lewis, who secured 47% in a three-way race.

"It's an off year, and the turnout is not what it usually is," she said. "We're working really hard to get to people."

And as for her challenger: "I think she was a reasonably competent city council woman," Rep. Harris said. "I think I've done a really good job as a state rep. I think we should both keep our job."

Ms. Gonzales said she would not comment on her opponent.

Ms. Gonzales worked as a paralegal in the insurance defense field for 10 years before staying home with her children for five years. She has served on city council since being elected in 2001. She served as vice mayor and mayor for a total of 4 years. Westerville has a city manager government, so the roles were ceremonial, she said.

She said she has brought jobs to Westerville, helped small business and generally aided residents through her volunteer and political positions.

"I thought I would see if I could help more people at the state level," she said.

Rep. Harris worked for former U.S. Sen. Howard Metzenbaum and also has an eight-year history in volunteer and event-management roles for a small business. Before being elected, consulted for a variety of legislative groups.

Rep. Harris said she seeks re-election not only to work on the next budget but also to see through several pieces of legislation she feels strongly about, including a measure to increase domestic violence penalties (HB 429*), a bill to impose green building standards (HB 7*) and one to limit rate-case expenses of water and sewer utilities (HB 344*).

"There's so many challenges ahead of us. I've had the experience of having one term under my belt," she said.

Both candidates have also put a personal touch on their campaigning techniques. Ms. Gonzales said the literature she has handed out at the 10,000 homes she's stopped at since January includes her cell phone number, which she asks residents to call if they have questions once she has left their homes.

Rep. Harris uses recipes to connect with voters. During her 2008 campaign, the Democrat put instructions for her family's poppy seed cake on campaign literature because she said people were more likely to keep it. Although it is not on this year's flyers, the recipe can be found on the incumbent's campaign website.

Ms. Harris obtained her bachelor's degree in physiology from Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts and received her elementary education certification from Ohio Dominican University. Ms. Gonzales has a Bachelor of Science degree from Otterbein University. Mr. Johnston holds a bachelor's in computer information systems from DeVry University and a master's degree in public administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

The 19th House District is composed of the eastern portion of Franklin County including the cities of Westerville, New Albany, Reynoldsburg and Canal Winchester.

To the Editor,
 
How can we help those who give up their homes, families, careers, and sometimes their lives for this country?  We can make sure that we take care of their families when they are gone, and that we take care of them when they return home.
 
On Tuesday, July 27 at 7:00 pm, I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting at the Westerville Public Library that will highlight state programs and initiatives designed to support our veterans.  Angela Dyer, Family Assistance Center Coordinator for the Ohio National Guard, will give an overview of programs that support military members and their families and answer questions about these programs.  I will be giving an update on veterans initiatives in the state legislature including the implementation of veteran bonuses (Issue 1). 
 
I invite you and your families to attend next Tuesday’s Town Hall Meeting, whether you’re a veteran or not.  For more information regarding state veterans services, you can also go to the Ohio Department of Veterans Services website at www.dvs.ohio.gov.
 
Town hall meetings give you the opportunity to share your opinions with your State Representative and for your State Representative to keep you informed. I value - and need - your input to be a good Representative for my District. I look forward to seeing you.
 
Marian Harris
State Representative
19th Ohio House District 

As sponsors of House Bill 520, we would like to respond to your recent editorial concerning our cyberbullying bill.

It is important to remember that the bill does not give the school the authority to monitor private activities. To the contrary, the only circumstance under which a school can take action is if a parent or student reports an incident. The bill requires the school to add to its bullying policy specific language to deal with cyberbullying. It is up to the school to determine what actions to take when a report is made.

The bill gives our schools the means to deal with this destructive behavior if they are made aware of a problem and to protect them from allegations of neglect.  A recent case in Michigan awarded $800,000 to the parents of a youngster who had been cyberbullied.  The court held the school responsible for not taking corrective action.  With House Bill 520, our schools can step in to mediate a problem before it becomes a catastrophe.

The effects of cyberbullying on children can be devastating and can range from discouraging our students from going to school to the unthinkable act of committing suicide.  Our bill gives our schools the authority to protect the children in their care.

Sincerely,

Marian Harris
State Representative
19th House District

Nancy Garland
State Representative
20th House District

Reps. Marian Harris, D-Columbus and Nancy Garland, D-New Albany announced last week that Franklin County is eligible to receive a portion of a state grant, made available through the federal economic stimulus package, that will help create several summer and after-school health programs to encourage kids to exercise and eat healthily. Franklin County is eligible due to its higher levels of chronic disease and poverty, and high body mass index, compared to other Ohio counties.

Harris said the programs will help make up for a removed requirement of Senate Bill 210, introduced by Sens. Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, and Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, which is awaiting the governor's signature.

SB 210, the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children bill, was introduced to establish standards for certain foods and beverages sold in public and chartered nonpublic schools, require public school students to have periodic body mass index measurements, and require daily physical activity for students.

Harris explained that the bill initially required schools to incorporate 30 minutes of moderate physical activity into their daily routines, but the physical activity provision was "diluted quite a bit" in the bill's final version because schools felt they didn't have the funding to comply with the requirement.

Instead, the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children bill included the provision as an option for schools, she said.

"The final bill was certainly a lot weaker than what was intended initially, so this grant will allow summer programs to have some additional physical activity during the summer or after school that will be good for kids," Harris said. "It will enable kids to have some physical activity because obesity is a serious problem. We are seeing incidents of diabetes and heart disease in children that 20 years ago, you never saw. ...Promoting exercise and healthy food while they're young will help them grow into strong, healthy adults."

Scott Blake, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Education, said several steps have already been taken at the state and federal level to ensure school meals are healthier.

"Many schools have enacted their own policies to steer students to healthier food options," Blake said. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established minimum nutritional requirements for lunches. Many schools have voluntarily removed soda from their vending machines, or restricted the times when soda or other snacks might be purchased."

However, HB 373 took nutritional requirements for Ohio's kids a step further, and the new programs will be a positive addition to the bill, Garland said.

"We need to get kids off the couch playing video games and involved in physical activity if we are going to curb the obesity problem we have in the country and in Ohio," Garland said.

Harris said the state will set aside $60,000 in federal stimulus dollars for the training programs, and funding will be available for up to 60 programs. The programs will use an evidence-based curriculum developed by Coordinated Approach To Child Health, a school health program designed to promote physical activity and nutritional food choices.

Sites for the programs have not yet been decided, but organizations will be able to apply for the grant to host the programs, Harris said.

New Albany will soon be home to yet another corporate giant.

Leading bargain retailer TJX Companies Inc. will be moving into the village this summer, village officials announced Monday, May 24.

The company is preparing to build a 60,000-square-foot, $84 million technology center in the village's research and information district.

The news follows last week's announcement that the village was one of two finalist cities in a nationwide search for a site to build the technology center.

TJX's decision hinged on the approval of a state-sponsored economic incentive package.

On May 24, the Ohio Department of Development approved the package, granting the Massachusetts-based company a seven-year, 55 percent job creation tax credit valued at up to $175,893.

The package comes in addition to a local incentive package approved by the New Albany Development Comission on April 29, offering TJX a 65 percent tax abatement for 15 years.

To further sweeten the deal, the state Controlling Board approved a $155,000 grant to help TJX buy new equipment and machinery for the complex.

"I am so pleased TJX will be able to expand thanks to state assistance," state Rep. Marian Harris said in a news release.

The announcement heralds the coming of increased economic success for the state, Harris said.

"We just learned last week that Ohio leads the nation in job creation this spring, and now these additional jobs added in central Ohio only serve as confirmation that our economy is heading in the right direction and making steady progress," he said.

The technology center will bring 28 new jobs to the village with an average salary of $54,000.

The village owes its sustained economic growth to solid planning, said community development director Jennifer Chrysler.

"We've been able to capitalize our assets in response to the changing economy," Chrysler said. "We've put ourselves in a position so that emerging industries will look to New Albany for growth and expansion as we all emerge from the recession."

TJX is the world's leading retailer of off-price apparel and ranked 131 in the 2009 Fortune 500 rankings. The company owns 2,600 retail stores and has 133,000 associate stores. TJX brands include T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and A.J. Wright.

New Albany stands to gain over $245,000 of revenue annually if the company makes the move, and will gain an estimated $3.6 million over the term of the 15-year tax abatement.

The village is able to attract big businesses because of its outstanding technology infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art broadband fiber network, Chyrsler said.

"The announcement is really part of a bigger story that's happening in New Albany," she said. "We have the right technology infrastructure in place and the right partnerships in the private sector to continue our outstanding success in the technology industry."

Bringing TJX to the New Albany is part of the village's long-term goal to attract responsible corporate citizens, Chrysler said.

"We're really courting companies that will be a part of the fabric of the community," she said.

The company will break ground in the construction of the technology center as early as summer 2010.

A proposed Ohio law would require employers to allow lactating women unpaid time every day to breastfeed while at work.

The proposal in the Ohio House of Representatives would also require employers to “make a reasonable effort” to furnish lactating women with a “sanitary room” that is not a bathroom to breastfeed.

“You don’t eat your lunch in a toilet stall, so to expect someone to express breast milk in that sort of environment is totally unreasonable,” said Rep. Marian Harris, D-Columbus, one of the bill’s sponsors.

To the extent possible, the breastfeeding time should run concurrently with break time already allotted to the employee, according to the proposal.

Harris said the legislation is modeled after a section of the recently passed federal health reform law that requires employers to provide their workers with time to breastfeed up to a child’s first birthday. However, the federal law exempts employers with fewer than 50 employees, provided the employer can show that complying with the law would cause it an “undue hardship.”

Harris acknowledged that she wasn’t aware of any employers barring women from breastfeeding while on the job and said most employers likely allow it. However, it’s possible that women don’t register complaints about being banned from breastfeeding at work because they fear doing so would get them fired, she said.

The Ohio Small Business Council is still reviewing and assessing the proposal, but it has “concerns” about the legislation, according to Carrie Haughawout, the organization’s director. The Small Business Council is affiliated with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Haughawout said the Chamber supports employers accommodating breastfeeding women on the job and thinks most employers already do. “A government mandate is a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores the individual needs of employers and employees,” she said.

It might be easy for an office-based employer to comply with the law, but it would be much tougher to accommodate employees who work in toll booths or quarries, for example, she said.

Currently, 24 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have legislation related to breastfeeding in the workplace, according to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.

The longer a woman breastfeeds her child, the lower her risk of serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer, and the lower the child’s risk of infections, obesity, diabetes and other diseases and conditions, according to the Committee.

While Representative Harris is not from our area, she’s from Columbus, this bill may be of interest to some of you. In via e-mail:

Rep. Harris Introduces Legislation to Protect Working Mothers

Bill ensures they can pump breast milk at work

COLUMBUS – State Representative Marian Harris (D-Columbus) has introduced legislation to protect working mothers on the job. She is sponsoring a bill that ensures new mothers can pump breast milk at work in a clean, safe place.

“The best thing a mother can do nutritionally for her newborn is to breast feed. Study after study has shown that breast fed infants are healthier,” said Rep. Harris. That’s why it is crucial that we make it possible for women to take the necessary steps even while they are working.”

A 2009 report from the U.S. Surgeon General stated, “Breast milk is the best source of infant nutrition. When a mother chooses to breastfeed, we also have a responsibility to protect and support her decision by providing an environment that enables her to be successful.”

Rep. Harris met on several occasions with representatives of the business community, and incorporated a number of their suggestions in the legislation she has introduced.

The Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that the health benefits to mother and baby conveyed by breastfeeding translate into reduced costs to employers due to lower health care costs, decreased absenteeism, enhanced productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and a better image for businesses that provide breast-feeding safeguards.

Support at the workplace is a temporary need for each breastfeeding employee. Once babies begin eating solid foods at 6 months, the need for mothers to pump gradually diminishes.

The legislation requires that employers set aside a private, sanitary location for nursing mothers to pump milk. “A toilet stall is not appropriate,” said Rep. Harris. “Breast milk is food, and it is difficult and uncomfortable managing pump equipment in a stall.”

The bill now awaits assignment to the appropriate Ohio House Committee.