SEIU District 1199 Executive Board Member and Independent Home Care Provider Teresa Law spoke at the Cincinnati Issues Forum and Candlelight Vigil on Friday, January 14. Her
message was clear: Tell Gov. John Kasich to honor Dr. King's Legacy by respecting work and the people who do it

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The governor and Republicans should be alert to the reality: The state cannot cut its way to greater prosperity

Akron Beacon Journal editorial, Jan. 18, 2011

Relying entirely on spending cuts to balance the next state budget risks damaging the state's economy in the long run. That is the worthy argument of One Ohio Now, voiced during a rally at the Statehouse last week. The group, representing more than 30 health and human services, education, transportation and labor interests, rightly called for a ''balanced approach.'' In other words, additional revenue also must be part of the budget solution.

The perspective is a valuable one to bring to the coming budget debate. Gov. John Kasich and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate are charting a different course as a projected deficit ranging from $4 billion to $8 billion looms for the next biennium. Kasich and his allies propose cutting taxes, for example, letting the final phase of an income-tax cut go into effect and eliminating the state's estate tax. That means deeper spending reductions.

Billions already have been cut in recent years. Slash billions more? The fear is a further weakening in areas such as education, mental health services and job training, harming Ohio's ability to lay a stronger economic foundation and to assist the poor and vulnerable. Erasing the jobs of teachers, safety forces and state employees also has a downside, the loss of solid, middle-class jobs, contributing to an unemployment rate that remains stubbornly high. Full article.

Nearly 600 people united today to say that the best path forward to solve Ohio's budget woes is with a balanced approach. Cuts alone won't fill the $8 billion hole, and today SEIU and other coalition partners of One Ohio Now (www.oneohionow.org) rallied at the Ohio Statehouse to call for balance - including revenue - to overcome the impact of the worst national recession in a lifetime.

"With families struggling and unemployment way too high, we can't afford to see education, libraries, healthcare, mental health and other necessities slashed," said Debbie Hajzak, Member Vice President of SEIU District 1199 and an employee of the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System. "If we are to make the most of prosperity when it returns, we must take a balanced approach today."

Coalition members have come together over the past year to support common-sense solutions. Like other states, Ohio suffered an unprecedented collapse in state revenues at the same time that public needs are on the rise. Many states have taken a balanced approach that included revenue, instead of trying to solve a problem this big only with cuts in necessary services.
One Ohio Now's work is based on the following principles: a balanced approach; productive, stable revenue solutions that reflect today's economy; building on sound and sustainable public investments; and addressing the immediate crisis and planning for the future.

Notice to Home Care Providers Who Are Members of SEIU

Effective January 13, 2011, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 will no longer deduct union dues from Ohio Medicaid provider reimbursements.  Instead, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will make the necessary deduction before issuing payment.  In anticipation of this change, union members were asked to update their electronic banking information on file with the Office of Budget and Management.  Members who have failed to update their banking information will automatically be sent paper warrants after January 7, 2011.  Warrants will be mailed to the last known address on file at ODJFS.

Notice to Home Care Providers Who Are Not Members of SEIU

Effective January 13, 2011, "fair share" fees will no longer be required of Ohio Medicaid providers who are not members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199.  As a result, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will no longer deduct these fees from non-union provider reimbursements.

Thanks to the efforts of thousands of SEIU members contacting Congress, a Senate vote today cleared the way for passage of the much-needed extension of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)

The extension provides critical funding to maintain jobs in the public sector, hospitals, nusing homes and other healthcare facilities. Ohio stands to receive about $513 million from the increased federal match through June 2011, while West Virginia will get $81 million and Kentucky will get $158 million.

"Today the Senate protected hundreds of thousands of American jobs," said SEIU President Mary Kay Henry. "Our economic recovery depends on putting people back to work in good jobs with decent wages and keeping the rest of us working. Thanks to today's bipartisan vote and the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, kids will keep their teachers and we can all still count on the cops, firefighters, and other public service workers who keep our communities safe and livable."

Eight SEIU District 1199 members traveled to Stevens Point, Wis., in mid-April to help get out the vote in an election to organize 6,000 home care workers into SEIU.

These members were among 60 member organizers from SEIU healthcare locals across the country who campaigned across the state. Votes will be counted on May 6.

The members were: Carol Ford, Pattie Huckabee, Gwen Hinton, Chana Trimble, Vikki Tully, Vanessa Jones, Teresa Law and William Harper. Congratulations to each of them for their dedication to strengthening the Union and helping workers gain a voice!