Ohio House 13th District

Maria Anderson (R)

City: Cleveland

Nickie J. Antonio (D)

City: Lakewood

Age: 59 Education: Cleveland State University-MPA (Masters in Public Administration),BS Education -Special Ed K-12 Lutheran West High School- graduate Employer: Ohio House of Representatives Qualifications: A former special education teacher and nonprofit administrator for a women's chemical dependency treatment center Antonio is a former CSU adjunct professor for Women’s Studies and Public Administration, consultant in Organizational Development Political Experience Serving in 2nd term at Ohio House of Representatives-2011-present. Former elected at-large Lakewood City Councilmember 2006-2010.

All local governments have seen sizable reductions in state funds, which they had been using for public libraries and infrastructure repairs. What is your position on this particular approach to state budget cutting?

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio We cannot cut our way to prosperity. I voted against the cuts to local governments. We must use smart growth tactics, which include prioritizing repair and maintenance of our infrastructure that is; roads, bridges, pipes and dedicate resources to libraries, schools, senior services, police and fire for healthy, prosperous communities. This approach is detrimental to the stability of our communities and it has not led to consolidation as was originally touted as the rationale.

The state last year cut income tax rates, and paid for part of the cut by raising the sales tax, increasing some property taxes, and reducing the property discount program for seniors. How did you vote or would you have voted on this plan? Explain.

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio I was opposed to these measures to increase property taxes on affected seniors and voted against them. They are regressive by nature and disproportionately negatively affect low and middle income Ohioans. I was very vocal and offered amendments to reinstate the homestead exemption program in its original entirety without income caps. I believe it is unfair to provide income tax benefits for the more wealthy in our state at the expense of senior citizens.

How would you better assure safe drinking water from Lake Erie, with special attention to agricultural contamination and untreated animal waste from industrial farming?

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio I attended a recent Legislative Hearing in Toledo and scientific experts testified that we know right now the steps to take to stop the increase of algae blooms in Lake Erie. Actions could be taken to reduce the amount of fertilizer used on farmland, to reduce phosphorus, to reduce the amount of manure used- especially not to broadcast on frozen ground, to reduce the amounts used on fields, to change the procedures of the past to come into a more informed environmentally safe process for this generation. We need to help farmers implement conservation practices that reduce phosphorous runoff into the lake. But we must also address all contributing sources to algal blooms, including our wastewater systems and testing for microcystins.

In your opinion should Ohio become a right-to-work state? What do you believe this would mean for workers and/or employers? How would you work toward or try to prevent such legislation?

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio I do not believe Ohio should become a so-called “right to work” state. In states where this has been instituted the wages of all workers, not just those in unions, have been driven down; workplace safety could be compromised and communities lose jobs when wages are lowered by right to work. To combat so called “right to work” the public has a right to know that federal labor law already protects workers who don’t want to join a union or make political contributions and they have a right to know that “right to work’s” true purpose is to hurt the ability of unions to advocate for all workers and serve as a check on corporate greed. I believe education on the realities of so called "right to work" and the consequences are the best tools.

Ohio has gained more than 240,000 jobs since the beginning of 2011, but the rate of job growth trails the national average. What is the No. 1 thing you as a lawmaker can do to create more and better paying jobs?

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio We need policies to increase employment that would also strengthen our communities and make Ohio a model of vitality and energy efficiency. These include rehiring laid-off public sector workers, expanding access to education from pre-K through college and tech prep, investing in green building, renewable energy and public transit, and by restoring Ohio’s clean energy standards. Investments such as these will increase employment in good paying jobs and reduce future costs for remedial education, incarceration, unemployment and energy. We must encourage entrepreneurial strategies, technological and biotech advancements and initiatives for high paying tech sector jobs.

The schools need a financial plan that is equitable for all districts. How would you improve the way money is allocated for schools?

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio I would begin by raising the per pupil amount that is calculated for each student and then create a formula that takes into account the specific needs of each child and resources of the community to level the playing field across the board. In order to prepare all our children for success competing in a global economy, our children need access to education and technological resources throughout the state. We need to reevaluate and increase the amount of funds allocated to the public schools through the lottery. Ohio policy should also include fully funding pre-K and all day kindergarten and support continued expansion of opportunities for credit earned for college and career tech training for our high school students.

Should local cities and villages be permitted to pass gun laws stricter than those established by the state? State how you voted or would have voted on this issue.

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio I am a strong proponent of local control and the ability of local authorities towards self-governance. I also support 2nd amendment rights of citizens. However, I find many of the state laws passed in the past few years (guns in bars for example) to be lacking in common sense towards the provision of safety of our communities. I understand the concern of local leaders to protect their citizens. On recently introduced bills this GA, one would recognize concealed carry permits from other states - even if their training standards are lower, law enforcement has expressed concern suggesting that perhaps other states are making the decision for Ohioans. I do not believe this to be a productive status for Ohio.

Should the state legislature enact a photo ID law requiring that voters present a driver's license, state ID, military ID or passport in order to cast a ballot? Explain.

Maria Anderson Candidate did not respond.   Nickie J. Antonio There are far more pressing state issues than this. I do not favor these types of laws requiring a photo ID to cast a vote.This is a solution in search of a problem with little fraud of this kind (voter fraud), placing the burden on voters that can unduly restrict the right to vote and imposes unnecessary costs and administrative burdens on elections administrators.
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Volume 10, Issue 22, Posted 5:40 PM, 10.28.2014