Vote Taft

Wendy Edgar
Staff Writer

   Four years can seem like a lifetime. Some people graduate from high school in four years, and some very lucky people can graduate college in four years. For the past four years, Bob Taft has been the governor of the state of Ohio.

   With the upcoming election on Nov. 5, Taft is voicing his issues, including school funding, higher education and possibly the most heated issue on the ballot, Issue 1. The proposed amendment, State Issue 1, would amend the Ohio Constitution to require drug treatment, instead of incarceration, for some nonviolent drug offenders. Taft, the Republican incumbent, opposes Issue 1. Taft's press secretary Orest Holubec said Issue 1 would undermine the current drug courts, which are working effectively. He also said it would change Ohio's Constitution, which in Taft's opinion "should not be toyed with."

    "Drug addiction is not a one-size-fits-all problem, and drug treatment cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach," said the governor in a recent article of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Taft also argues that Issue 1 would provide an automatic right to treatment for users of heroin, LSD and other hard drugs. Taft's opposition, Democrat Tim Hagan, supports Issue 1.

   Another issue Taft has is higher education. Holubec said the governor has taken a stand on higher education by instituting tuition caps that will not let colleges raise their tuition at high rates. Holubec also said Taft has allowed for more costs in the budget for higher education.

   Taft also instituted his Third Frontier Project, Holubec said. This project brings in higher paying, high-technology jobs to the state to appeal college students.

    "Taft is creating jobs that will keep young Ohio students here in Ohio, close to their families, and bring in out-of-state students," Holubec said. The $1.6 billion Third Frontier Project plans to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to build high-wage jobs for generations to come.

   Holubec said Taft is proud of his record in schools and the Third Frontier Project, and remains excited to put his plans into action. Holubec noted Taft received high ratings in a recent public opinion poll.

   During the past four years, Taft has made steps to improve schools. According to the governor election Web page, Taft started the Ohio Reads program, in which more than 40,000 Ohioans, including the governor first lady, volunteer to tutor to help children learn to read. This number doubled Taft's goal for the number of tutors. Taft said his highest priority is for every child to learn to read by the end of fourth grade.

   Taft also launched the Commission on Teaching Success to recommend policies to ensure caring, competent teachers in every classroom. His school-building initiative has had tremendous impact; Ohio now spends more than $2 million a day to build and improve school buildings.

   Also since taking office, Taft has increased the PASSPORT program, allowing lower-income older people to remain in their homes and live independently. He also initiated, signed and currently is persuading legislation to provide seniors with 10 to 25 percent discounts on the coast of prescription drugs.

   According to his biography, Taft began his career in public service as a teacher in the Peace Corps in East Africa. He has served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, as a Hamilton County commissioner and as Ohio's secretary of state. He graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in government, received his master's degree in government from Princeton University and earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati Law School.

   Taft's great-grandfather, William Howard Taft, served as the 27th president of the United States and the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. His father and grandfather served in the Senate. Taft was sworn in Jan. 11, 1999, as Ohio's 67th governor.

   Since 1999, Taft has also made strides to clean up the state of Ohio. He proposed The Clean Ohio Fund, which was approved by voters. The fund was set up to preserve green space, waterways and parklands, and to revitalize urban centers through redevelopment.

   Taft will be looking for another term, another four years to make a difference in Ohio. He continues to claim pride of his record, a record that will be tested Nov. 5.

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