The Observer, November 17, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 11
Editorial: Election results have the potential to effect change
After weeks of campaigning, educating, and debating, the 2007 mid-term elections are finally in the past and Ohioans are now under the leadership of new characters with great promises. Last Tuesday, Democrats Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown rose to victory as the governor and senator elects. While both candidates ran effective campaigns promising change, it is now their turn to put their words into actions and fully execute their visions.
It is no secret that Ohio is in need of economic and social advances as well as drastic improvements in its educational systems, but whether or not Strickland will use his office to make changes for the better is still uncertain. Strickland understands that Ohio is not only losing jobs but also brain power due to the rising cost of college education in Ohio. His next steps as governor are crucial as he must find ways to stave off the outflow of jobs and educated young citizens from the state. This is the first time in 16 years that a Democrat has sat in the governor's office and it is hopefully only the beginning to Ohio's rising strength and prosperity.
Aside from electing numerous officials to office, Ohioans also voted on several issues ranging from gambling to minimum wage. Voters last week passed Issues 2 and 5, increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour and prohibited smoking in places of employment and most other public places. However, Issue 3 was voted down, prohibiting the Learn and Earn Casino Gambling Amendment in which the money earned from slot machines would be funneled towards college scholarships. Issue 4, a constitutional amendment proposing to keep smoke in restaurants and bowling alleys and possibly overturning previously passed smoke–free laws was also voted down.
The results of the issues present advantages and disadvantages for the citizens of Ohio but for the most part, Ohioans can now live in smoke–free air and the state's lowest paid workers have a beginning step out of poverty. While officials must find other means of creating scholarships for college bound students, the installation of slot machines may only fueled the problems of gamblers and only truly benefited casino owners. At the very least though, these issues bring about changes that were much needed.
There were many promises that were made throughout the campaigning season and for the citizens of Ohio, they are promises that must be kept. Now with new leadership and great change, the state of Ohio is finally receiving the attention and ambition it deserves.
