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House Democrats in charge

They've regained the majority. Will they now serve all of Ohio?

Published on Friday, Nov 07, 2008

Add the strong showing of Barack Obama to the favorable political winds, and Democrats now make up the majority in the Ohio House. Notch a victory for Ted Strickland, too. The governor and his allies have argued that a House majority would aid substantially his agenda, his campaign to turn around the embattled state. He has his wish. Soon Ohioans will be looking for Democrats to deliver.

That's the way it works: With power comes responsibility. Of all people, Chris Redfern, the state Democratic Party chairman, offered sound advice, reminding that ''our glory is fleeting.'' Best to put aside partisan games, especially paybacks for favored interests, and focus on serving all of the people.

Democrats have been quick to criticize Republicans for the state's shortcomings, from anemic job growth to a broken system of school funding. They have been right to do so, Republican leaders failing for too long to invest sufficiently in higher education.

To his credit, Ted Strickland has worked lately to advance the cause of colleges and universities by teaming with Republicans, even following their lead. That same instinct for cooperation will be required to repair the way the state pays for public schools.

Put another way, the Democratic House and Republican Senate must bridge their differences.

What won't be acceptable is doing little yet pretending great strides have been taken, the equivalent of the governor's lame claim to have increased dramatically the state share of school funding. Recall that the current state budget stiffed hundreds of schools districts, state money frozen or increased a smidgen at best. More, as welcome as the college tuition freeze has been, the state must continue to direct adequate resources to higher education, ensuring greater affordability for students and families.

Democrats have gained control of the House for the first time in 14 years. They are quite proud of doing so under district lines drawn by Republicans, citing the accomplishment as a historical first. Yes, they have achieved for themselves. Now how about something even more impressive for the state of Ohio?

Add the strong showing of Barack Obama to the favorable political winds, and Democrats now make up the majority in the Ohio House. Notch a victory for Ted Strickland, too. The governor and his allies have argued that a House majority would aid substantially his agenda, his campaign to turn around the embattled state. He has his wish. Soon Ohioans will be looking for Democrats to deliver.

That's the way it works: With power comes responsibility. Of all people, Chris Redfern, the state Democratic Party chairman, offered sound advice, reminding that ''our glory is fleeting.'' Best to put aside partisan games, especially paybacks for favored interests, and focus on serving all of the people.

Democrats have been quick to criticize Republicans for the state's shortcomings, from anemic job growth to a broken system of school funding. They have been right to do so, Republican leaders failing for too long to invest sufficiently in higher education.

To his credit, Ted Strickland has worked lately to advance the cause of colleges and universities by teaming with Republicans, even following their lead. That same instinct for cooperation will be required to repair the way the state pays for public schools.

Put another way, the Democratic House and Republican Senate must bridge their differences.

What won't be acceptable is doing little yet pretending great strides have been taken, the equivalent of the governor's lame claim to have increased dramatically the state share of school funding. Recall that the current state budget stiffed hundreds of schools districts, state money frozen or increased a smidgen at best. More, as welcome as the college tuition freeze has been, the state must continue to direct adequate resources to higher education, ensuring greater affordability for students and families.

Democrats have gained control of the House for the first time in 14 years. They are quite proud of doing so under district lines drawn by Republicans, citing the accomplishment as a historical first. Yes, they have achieved for themselves. Now how about something even more impressive for the state of Ohio?



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