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Regarding education systems, Niehaus has stated he generally agrees with advocates for scrapping limits on [[charter schools]] and vouchers for students to attend private schools at the state's expense.
Regarding education systems, Niehaus has stated he generally agrees with advocates for scrapping limits on [[charter schools]] and vouchers for students to attend private schools at the state's expense.


Niehaus also said [[collective bargaining]] changes could be rolled into the budget bill, but said decisions on that wouldn't be made until hearings get going. Ultimately, the changes came in the form of Ohio S.B. 5, which proved very controversial. However, Niehaus continues to support changes to the system, stating, “We’re looking at being fair with all state employees. We respect the work that the safety services provide. Again, you all know, this is a process. We debate, we listen to all interested parties, and that is what we have done.”<ref> {{cite news | first = Julie | last = Carr Smyth | title = OH Senate OKs union wage bargaining | date = 2011-02-23 | url = http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110223/NEWS/302230033/1196/rss1212/OH-Senate-OKs-union-wage-bargaining?odyssey=nav/head | work = [[Associated Press]] | accessdate = 2011-02-25}}</ref> The bill ultimately passed the Senate on a 17-16 vote, and is currently being heard in the [[Ohio House of Representatives]].<ref> {{cite news | first = Jim | last = Siegel | title = No timetable on Senate Bill 5 vote | date = 2011-03-11 | url = http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/10/no-timetable-on-sb-5-vote.html?sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-03-11}}</ref> It will eventually return to the Senate for concurrence.<ref> {{cite news | first = Joe | last = Guillen | title = Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel evasive about possible run for U.S. Senate | date = 2011-03-11 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/03/ohio_treasurer_josh_mandel_eva.html | work = [[The Plain Dealer]] | accessdate = 2011-03-11}}</ref>
Niehaus also said [[collective bargaining]] changes could be rolled into the budget bill, but said decisions on that wouldn't be made until hearings get going. Ultimately, the changes came in the form of Ohio S.B. 5, which proved very controversial. However, Niehaus continues to support changes to the system, stating, “We’re looking at being fair with all state employees. We respect the work that the safety services provide. Again, you all know, this is a process. We debate, we listen to all interested parties, and that is what we have done.”<ref> {{cite news | first = Julie | last = Carr Smyth | title = OH Senate OKs union wage bargaining | date = 2011-02-23 | url = http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110223/NEWS/302230033/1196/rss1212/OH-Senate-OKs-union-wage-bargaining?odyssey=nav/head | work = [[Associated Press]] | accessdate = 2011-02-25}}</ref> The bill ultimately passed the Senate on a 17-16 vote, and is currently being heard in the [[Ohio House of Representatives]].<ref> {{cite news | first = Jim | last = Siegel | title = No timetable on Senate Bill 5 vote | date = 2011-03-11 | url = http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/10/no-timetable-on-sb-5-vote.html?sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-03-11}}</ref> The bill ultimately passed the House,<ref> {{cite news | first = Joe | last = Guillen | title = Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel evasive about possible run for U.S. Senate | date = 2011-03-11 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/03/ohio_treasurer_josh_mandel_eva.html | work = [[The Plain Dealer]] | accessdate = 2011-03-11}}</ref> and was voted on for concurrence by the Senate, amongst public outcry in the Senate Chamber.<ref> {{cite news | first = Jim | last = Siegel | coauthors = Joe Hardon | title = Assembly sends SB 5 to Kasich | date = 2011-03-31 | url = http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/31/copy/assembly-sends-sb-5-to-kasich.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-04-01}}</ref>


Acknowledging a difficult budget process, Niehaus has stated that there will be cuts across the board for the 2012-2013 [[biennium]] budget.<ref> {{cite news | first = Jon | last = Craig | title = Moment of truth near for Ohio spending | date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110313/EDIT03/103130343/Moment-of-truth-near-for-Ohio-spending | work = [[Cincinnati Enquirer]] | accessdate = 2011-03-15}}</ref>
Acknowledging a difficult budget process, Niehaus has stated that there will be cuts across the board for the 2012-2013 [[biennium]] budget.<ref> {{cite news | first = Jon | last = Craig | title = Moment of truth near for Ohio spending | date = 2011-03-14 | url = http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110313/EDIT03/103130343/Moment-of-truth-near-for-Ohio-spending | work = [[Cincinnati Enquirer]] | accessdate = 2011-03-15}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:17, 1 April 2011

Tom Niehaus
93rd President of the Ohio Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byBill Harris
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2005
Preceded byDoug White
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 88th district
In office
January 3, 2001-December 31, 2004
Preceded byRose Vesper
Succeeded byDanny Bubp
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEmily Niehaus
ResidenceNew Richmond, Ohio
Alma materXavier University, Ohio State University
ProfessionJournalist

Tom Niehaus is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 14th District since 2005. Previously he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2000 until 2004. Niehaus succeeded Ohio Senate President Doug White, who was prevented by Ohio's term limits law from running for re-election, and himself became President of the Ohio Senate for the 129th Ohio General Assembly.

Career

A graduate of Xavier University and Ohio State University, Niehaus spent 10 years with Harte Hanks Communications, and 15 years (10 as an editor/publisher) with Community Press, a network of 27 community newspapers serving the Greater Cincinnati area.

With incumbent Representative Rose Vesper term limited and unable to run for another term, Niehaus sought to replace her. In a three way Republican primary in the 2000 election, Niehaus defeated Melvin Dean and Scott Boone to take the nomination 46% of the vote.[1] He went on to win the general election against Democrat Ken Zuk by 10,000 votes.[2] Niehaus was unopposed for reelection in 2002.

Ohio Senate

Midway through 2003, Niehaus, along with Jean Schmidt stated their intentions to both run to succeed Senate President Doug White in 2004. Receiving support from both incumbent Senator White and former Representative Rose Vesper, while Schmidt received support from Speaker of the House Larry Householder, the primary proved to be one of the closest watched of the cycle. The race prompted complaints over fund-raising tactics and featured testy television spots centered on disputes over tax votes. The Ohio Taxpayers Association got into the fray, touting a $100,000 TV "issue ad" campaign that labeled Mr. Niehaus a tax-hiker.

In the end, the race came to a razor thin margin, with Schmidt initially beating Niehaus by 62 votes. However with a mandatory recount enacted and the counting of provisional ballots beginning, Niehaus began to close the gap, and by late March, Niehaus had taken the lead. In the end, Niehaus was certified the winner by 22 votes.[3] Niehaus went on to defeat Democrat Paul Schwietering by 53,000 votes.[4]

In his first term in the Senate, Niehaus served as Chairman of the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee. In 2008, when Randy Gardner resigned from the Senate, Niehaus was chosen by Senate colleagues to take his place as Senate majority floor leader, and after Jeff Jacobson's resignation, Niehaus again was elevated to Senate President pro tempore.

Niehaus won reelection in 2008 against Democrat Gregory Napolitano by 50,000 votes.[5] He once again was selected to serve as President pro tempore for the 128th General Assembly.

In the 129th General Assembly, Niehaus is serving as President of the Senate. On opening day of the assembly, Niehaus set a tone for bipartisanship, stating "I want to assure the Senate that this will be a deliberative body where all voices will be heard."[6] As President of the Senate, Niehaus also serves as chairman of the Rules and Reference Committee; the Legislative Task Force on Redistricting, Reapportionment, and Demographic Research; the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee; vice chairman of the Legislative Service Commission; and the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.

Early in his term as President, Niehaus drew criticism from the left for throwing out out all appointees former Gov. Ted Strickland attempted to seat on boards and commissions. However, Niehaus stated that the move was intended to provide maximum policy leeway to new Gov. John Kasich.[7]

Policies, positions, and initiatives

With the Ohio House of Representatives introducing a bill to privatize the Ohio Department of Development, Niehaus has expressed solid support for moving the bill quickly and said he had no objections to the new board meeting in private to negotiate with businesses.[8] "We will have as many hearings as we need to make sure that our members are comfortable with it and that we've got this ready to go, and that it will achieve the goals that the governor has outlined," he said.

In regards to Ohio's public pension systems, Niehaus said the pension review is "somewhat of a moving target" but noted that members are aware that delays in action could have a negative impact on fund solvency. "The sooner we act, the better," he said. "The longer we delay, the implications for the solvency of the funds is impacted greatly." He is in favor of greater employee contributions, stating that doing so would put public employees better in line with what is going on in the private sector.[9]

Regarding education systems, Niehaus has stated he generally agrees with advocates for scrapping limits on charter schools and vouchers for students to attend private schools at the state's expense.

Niehaus also said collective bargaining changes could be rolled into the budget bill, but said decisions on that wouldn't be made until hearings get going. Ultimately, the changes came in the form of Ohio S.B. 5, which proved very controversial. However, Niehaus continues to support changes to the system, stating, “We’re looking at being fair with all state employees. We respect the work that the safety services provide. Again, you all know, this is a process. We debate, we listen to all interested parties, and that is what we have done.”[10] The bill ultimately passed the Senate on a 17-16 vote, and is currently being heard in the Ohio House of Representatives.[11] The bill ultimately passed the House,[12] and was voted on for concurrence by the Senate, amongst public outcry in the Senate Chamber.[13]

Acknowledging a difficult budget process, Niehaus has stated that there will be cuts across the board for the 2012-2013 biennium budget.[14]

While a bill pertaining to the requirement of a photo ID to cast a ballot passed the Ohio House of Representatives three days after introduction, Niehaus has stated the legislation is not one of the Senate's priorities.[15]

References

  1. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth2000 primary election results 2000-03-07
  2. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth2000 general election results 2000-11-07
  3. ^ "Rep. Niehaus nips Rep. Schmidt by 22 votes for White's Senate seat". Buckeye Firearms Association. 2004-04-12. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  4. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2004 general election results 2004-11-02
  5. ^ Brunner, Jennifer2008 general election results 2008-11-04
  6. ^ Ryan, Rory (2011-01-02). "Niehaus to serve as next Senate President". Highland County Press. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (2011-01-12). "Ohio Senate rejects appointing McLin to Lottery Commission". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  8. ^ Hallett, Joe (2011-01-20). "Kasich launces 'JobsOhio' program". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  9. ^ Siegel, Jim (2011-03-17). "Kasich looks to extract savings from pensions". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  10. ^ Carr Smyth, Julie (2011-02-23). "OH Senate OKs union wage bargaining". Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  11. ^ Siegel, Jim (2011-03-11). "No timetable on Senate Bill 5 vote". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  12. ^ Guillen, Joe (2011-03-11). "Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel evasive about possible run for U.S. Senate". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  13. ^ Siegel, Jim (2011-03-31). "Assembly sends SB 5 to Kasich". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-04-01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Craig, Jon (2011-03-14). "Moment of truth near for Ohio spending". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  15. ^ Hershey, William (2011-03-24). "Ohio House passes bill to to have voters show photo ID". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-03-24.


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