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A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
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Harriet Applegate, Executive Secretary, North Shore AFL-CIO
Tremont neighbors and members of trade unions rallied this week in the shadow of the Inner Belt bridge to urge ODOT to 'finish the job.' State officials have indicated construction of a second new bridge span might have to be put off until the money is available, a move that would delay completion of the project for years. City officials hope to convince ODOT to move the project up the priority list.
Roundtable:
Laura Johnston, reporter, The Plain Dealer; Jay Miller, reporter, Crain's Cleveland Business; Bill Sheil, weekend anchor, Fox 8 News.
Domestic Partner Benefits
Cuyahoga County council voted to extend employee medical coverage to the children of same-sex couples. It's a benefit not extended to the children of heterosexual couples. To qualify for benefits, gay couples will have to sign a document stating they'd get married if such a union were legal in Ohio.
Surprising Finding in New Q Poll
Polling numbers out this week show Ohioans in favor of a state 'right-to-work' law by a margin of 50 to 36%. The finding in a Quinnipiac University poll comes a few months after voters repealed SB 5 which did away with collective bargain for public employees. Now, voters appear to be behind a law that would open up union shops. The same poll slightly lifted Governor Kasich's approval rating to 40% and showed a majority in favor of a 70 m.p.h. speed limit.
Paper for Plastic
Customers might have to start paying for those ubiquitous plastic bags widely used by merchants. Cuyahoga County council is considering the law as a way to reduce litter caused by discarded bags. What's not clear now is whether the council has the legal authority to enact the ban.
Russo's Testimony
Former county auditor Frank Russo took the stand this week in the federal court trial of ex-commissioner Jimmy Dimora. Russo confirmed earlier witness statements that business people seeking county contracts lavished him and Dimora with expensive meals, lavish trips and free home improvements. Russo also testified that people seeking county jobs were eager to offer large bribes. Russo sided with the government against his former friend in an attempt to slice time off his 22-year prison sentence. Russo earlier pleaded guilty to corruption charges.
February 17, 2012