Tom Cooper: Upcoming gubernatorial election

From Tom Cooper
12/04/05

Dear teachers and friends of Education;
Recently we began a discussion concerning the politics of the coming elections for Governor, and the candidacy of Ted Strickland was put forth for consideration. I am only sending this as an information background so that we may totally informed concerning ALL of the candidates. If you are not aware, Bryan Flannery made a valiant effort, through referendum, to force the legislature to act on the Supreme Courts ruling concerning school funding. Read the following and I suggest you go to www.flanneryforgovernor.com . On the top of the home page you will see a green block that says "Message"Click on the link and go to the 2nd paragraph and click on the link to EducateOhio.com and read his plan to change funding for schools in Ohio and end the never ending levy losses. By the way. Ohio.com is currently running a series on the race for governor, and there are other articles, such as some background on Ted Strickland, and an article on the race as it may affect the national mood.

Posted on Sat, Dec. 03, 2005

School funding drives Democrat
Gubernatorial hopeful Flannery for years has sought system change

By Stephen Dyer
Beacon Journal staff writer

For a guy who started on a national championship Notre Dame football team, gubernatorial candidate Bryan Flannery could almost make you believe he was some kid tracking the team's statistics.

While he makes no secret of his gridiron past on campaign literature (even quoting former coach Lou Holtz), in a recent interview about his bid for the governor's mansion, Flannery -- a former defensive lineman -- had to be prompted to talk about his days tracking down offensive stars Raghib ``Rocket'' Ismail and Ricky Watters in practice.

``It was a great experience,'' Flannery said, ``but it was one of many.'' To really get Flannery talking, don't talk pigskin, talk education -- specifically the way Ohio funds its public school system. It's a funding system the Ohio Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional four times, yet one that remains essentially the same -- dependent on local property taxes.

Flannery, a Democrat who lost a bid for secretary of state in 2002, has been a school-funding hound since 1999, when as a state representative he offered a $1,000 reward to any resident who could fix the system.

Since then, he has pushed for a constitutional amendment to change the system. Efforts have fallen short, although he expects to get the measure on the ballot for November.

``We have failed (our children) for years now,'' he said. ``For the first time, we'll have an issue on the ballot that makes the state's school-funding system constitutional.''

He said when his 5-year-old was born, he made a pact with his wife that the system would be fixed by the time their child attended school. Flannery's plan calls for property taxes to fund 30 percent -- rather than the current 53 percent -- of public schools' budgets.

``People are sick of teachers having to be fund-raisers, not teachers,'' he said, adding that taxpayers also want relief from new levies every year or two.

A political family

Flannery's political passions come from his family. His great-grandmother Margaret was a delegate for Franklin Roosevelt. His grandfather Joseph served 10 years on the Cleveland City Council. His father, Jim, served in the Ohio House from 1966 to 1972.

Flannery's passions get roiled over more than education. The health care consultant also wants to make health insurance cheaper, better and more accessible. He said that can be done not through universal coverage, but smarter coverage.

He also wants to create a medical manufacturing corridor throughout Northern Ohio.

Flannery said several Republican corruption scandals have soured the public, but Democrats need to do more than point that out. ``We're really good at pointing out problems,'' he said of his party. ``What people want to hear is solutions.''

Flannery refuses to suggest he will lose in the May primary. U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, is considered the front-runner. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman dropped out this week. Flannery said he formally will announce his candidacy Dec. 14.

Stams as running mate

Despite his passion for education, his Notre Dame past continues to permeate Flannery's candidacy.

He said his lieutenant governor would be St. Vincent-St. Mary High graduate Frank Stams, a former linebacker and teammate of Flannery's on the 1988 Notre Dame national championship team.

Flannery said he never tried out for the pros because in his last practice for the Orange Bowl in his senior season, he suffered an injury. That's when he decided to follow his family's tradition.

Yet it's not the football cliche that Flannery uses to stress education's importance. It's another Irish example he cites as a cure to Ohio's ills. When Ireland joined the European Communities -- the precursor to the European Union -- in 1973, it was one of Europe's poorest nations. Then the country started investing heavily in education, Flannery said. Now, according to EU data, Ireland is the EU's second-wealthiest member.

``Education is the great equalizer,'' Flannery said.