Tag: John Boccieri(D)

The Alliance for Retired Americans says John Boccieri is the best choice to succeed retiring Rep. Ralph Regula in the race for Ohio’s 16th Congressional District.

The organization, which has nearly 271,000 members in Ohio and represents over 3.5 million seniors across America, wrote in their endorsement that Boccieri’s “election to the House of Representatives will enhance the quality of life for older Americans.”

The Alliance cited:

“Boccieri’s leadership on issues such as fighting Social Security privatization and strengthening the Social Security and Medicare systems… In addition, our members can support your candidacy because of your belief in the need to provide more affordable health care for older Americans, to create a Medicare drug program that benefits seniors, not insurance and drug companies, as well as the need for stronger retirement and pension security, and quality long term and nursing home care.”

Boccieri thanked the group for its endorsement and reiterated his commitment to standing up for seniors.

“If you’ve worked hard, played by the rules, and given back to your community your entire life, you deserve your pension benefits, affordable health care, and financial security in retirement. That’s the dream that has made America strong, and that’s the promise that I will fight for in Congress.”

Boccieri has a strong record of supporting seniors in the state legislature and has committed to use his voice in Congress to address the plight of local retirees like those from Republic Technologies who have been denied much of their promised pension benefits.

In stark contrast, when Republic Technologies retirees invited State Sen. Kirk Schuring to an October 11 meeting about their pension struggles, Schuring never showed up. And this Tuesday, the editors of the Akron Beacon Journal noted that Schuring has expressed “willingness to consider privatizing a portion of Social Security” if elected to Congress.

In 2001, Schuring cast the only Ohio House vote against creating the Golden Buckeye discount prescription drug program [“Legislation Would Give Seniors Drug Discount,” Dayton Daily News, 6/6/01], and more recently voted to raise the retirement age and strip half a billion dollars from state pension funds. [127 SB 148]

Blocked predatory lending crackdown, wants more giveaways to Wall Street

A devastating week for the U.S. financial sector has underscored the danger of congressional candidate Kirk Schuring’s economic policies for working families in the 16th Congressional District and across America.

Democratic candidate John Boccieri said today:

“Kirk Schuring’s economic philosophy is as bankrupt as Lehman Brothers. He is not offering the change that middle class families need to bounce back from this economic crisis.”

Schuring is staking his campaign on the same failed policies that caused the crisis by constantly siding with Wall Street over Main Street. His policy stances will actually worsen the impact of economic instability for middle class families.

FACT: Schuring blocked crackdowns on predatory lenders in the state legislature. In 2001, he helped push through a sham reform bill supported by predatory lenders in order to prevent Ohio’s local communities from regulating out-of-control predatory mortgage loans. HB 386; “Home Security,” The Columbus Dispatch, 9/21/05

FACT: Schuring’s top economic priority is giving more tax breaks to the Wall Street firms that created this financial mess. Corporate tax giveaways are the very first item in Schuring’s “jobs plan” – but he has not proposed a single tax cut directed at the middle class. www.schuringforcongress.com/issues, accessed 9/24/08

FACT: Schuring’s response to the crisis focuses only on helping Wall Street. In an interview on WHBC this morning, Schuring did not once call for direct assistance to the innocent homeowners at the heart of this crisis.

FACT: While Schuring claims to oppose out-of-control spending in Washington, he insists on an open-ended commitment to spending $5,000 per second in Iraq, which has already led to the largest budget deficit in American history, forced the government to borrow billions from nations like China, and left us with limited resources to stabilize our struggling economy. “16th District Notebook,” The Canton Repository, 9/21/08

FACT: Schuring has said “I think everything should be on the table” when it comes to Social Security. “Kirk Schuring on Social Security/Medicare,” accessed 9/24/08 Schuring’s Republican allies in Washington have been trying for years to turn Social Security over to Wall Street, and Schuring’s stunningly anti-senior record in the state legislature makes clear that he can’t be trusted to look out for older Americans in Congress. “Boccieri Calls for Protecting Social Security on 73rd Anniversary“

Let the facts speak for themselves; Kirk Schuring’s policy positions are not what the working families of Ohio’s 16th Congressional District need in the United States Congress.

Boccieri Breaking News:

John is Just 15 Votes from the Final Round – Vote Now!

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

VP candidate draws 2,500 in Canton

“…Gov. Ted Strickland and state Sen. John Boccieri, the Democratic candidate for the Canton-based 16th Congressional District, introduced Biden to the Canton crowd, with the three of them locking hands in a victory pose. Strickland called Boccieri one of his ”closest personal friends.”

Boccieri, D-Alliance, told the audience: ”It is time we elect change. That is why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden. ”

Boccieri said Biden is from a middle-class family and is a ”tough, smart and realistic leader.”

Read the full article…

There’s more…

John only needs 15 more votes by midnight on Saturday to advance to the final round in 21st Century Democrats online contest!

If you haven’t voted, please vote now. If you have, please urge all your friends to vote, too.

Again, the winners of this contest will receive an additional staff member for their campaigns. That extra organizer could lead to dozens of extra volunteers, thousands more phone calls and door-knocks, and a winning margin of votes on Election Day.

The deadline for Round 1 voting is midnight on Saturday. Please vote ASAP!

Thanks for Your Support,

Team Boccieri

Canton Firefighters Endorse Boccieri

The Canton Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 249, has endorsed John Boccieri in the race for Ohio’s 16th Congressional District.

Dan Reed, President of Local 249, said:

“John has always been very responsive to us. We appreciate his respect for firefighters, his military service, and his commitment to collective bargaining rights. I know he’ll listen to our needs and stand up for us in Washington.”

The Canton Professional Firefighters Association has a membership of 163 Canton firefighters.

Boccieri said he was honored to receive the group’s endorsement.

“Canton’s firefighters put their lives on the line for us every day, and I couldn’t be prouder of their service and dedication. I’ll fight in Congress to make sure they have all the support and resources they need to do their job and keep our community safe.”

I was surfing blogs this morning and stumbled upon this great ad for Senator John Boccieri(D).

We have lost major employers and suffered through “Kirk Schuring’s Gas Tax” increase while he gave himself a $9000 pay raise.

Senator Major John Boccieri(D) has served us in Iraq, Afghanastan, and 40 countries around the world. He has committed to stand up against Big Oil and help to bring down sky-rocketing gas prices. He stands with the middle class and organized labor. John Boccieri is the clear choice for Ohio’s Fighting 16th District!

From the DCCC:

John Boccieri: A Fighter. For Us. (OH-16)

A veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, John Boccieri is the right candidate to represent Ohio’s 16th Congressional District in Washington.

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for US Congress:

A very Happy Memorial Day Weekend from State Senator Major John Boccieri and Governor Ted Strickland!!!

The word coming out of Columbus, Ohio, in the Tribune Chronicle for the passage of his vets bill “just in time for Memorial Day.” Ian Walton, Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for US Congress has confirmed:

Huge News! The Veteran’s Bill Sponsored by John has just been signed by the Governor.

According to the Tribune Chronicle:

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio Senate approved a bill designed to streamline veterans programs and make sure reservists don’t lose their jobs when they are deployed overseas.The bill creates a Department of Veterans Services that consolidates existing programs under its director.

Last May, Gov. Ted Strickland formed a council to study what would be needed to create the new cabinet level post. At the time Strickland said his executive order:

…lays the foundation to ensure Ohio’s veterans and their families will always have a strong voice in state government.

State Senator Major John Boccieri, a member of the council that crafted the legislation said:

The group worked on it all summer to make sure we did this right for our veterans.

He was the sponsor of the provision to help protect reservists and National Guard members who come back to Ohio and find their old job is gone. Federal law already required employers to rehire the troops in their old jobs at the old pay rate.

Boccieri said 99 percent of employers do just that. But he said a growing number of soldiers are returning home from war to find their jobs are gone.The only recourse soldiers have now is through the federal courts, where it can take two to three years to resolve the dispute.

Often veterans walk away from the fight. What veteran can afford to fight for years for their job in federal court while needing to put bread on their family’s table?

The Major, who served four tours of duty as a C-130 Hercules Commander, said:

The bill is a first step in honoring veterans. SB 176 puts the job guarantee into state law, allows veterans to seek relief in state courts and it requires judges hear those cases first. The new law should resolve job disputes in a matter of months.

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress

This whole Attorney General Marc Dann situation gets harder and harder to stomach with each passing day. I’m glad this statement hit my desk before I read it somewhere else.

State Senator John Boccieri: Attorney General Marc Dann should resign Immediately

Today State Senator John Boccieri, Democratic candidate in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, called for Attorney General Marc Dann to resign from office:

“I am outraged that the Attorney General of the state of Ohio has neglected the duty and honor of public service,” Senator Boccieri said. “The cronyism and lack of attentiveness to protocol and detail in Attorney General Dann’s hiring practices has led us to this tragic moment in Ohio’s history. I feel for his wife Alyssa and his children, who must endure the embarrassment he has caused to them, and the people of the state of Ohio.

“We support the ongoing investigation to determine whether any criminal lines have been crossed. However, after combing through the sordid details of the investigation transcripts, it is clear that ethical and moral lines have been disregarded. For this reason, I call upon Marc Dann to resign immediately.”

Ohio has been subjected to statement after statement from Dann defending his staff and himself. As a “reasonable person”, and that will matter. I have stand with Senator John Boccieri on this whole case…It is what it is! One doesn’t comb transcripts and walk away with some false sense of reality. Personally, I think Ohio’s 16th Congressional District Democratic Candidate State Senator Major John Boccieri has done the smart thing…he held back and read the facts before coming to a conclusion and he has distanced himself from the epicenter of the after-shocks yet to come.

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress

Weather Does Not Dampen Will of Ohio’s Fighting 16th Congressional District!

I had the opportunity to catch up with Ian Walton, Campaign Manager for John Boccieri for Congress, this afternoon. Mother nature wasn’t very cooperative with rain showers, wind gusts, and unusually cool temperatures, but that doesn’t stop “The Boccieri Corps” here in the fighting 16th District!

Ian reported, here, to “The Out-Post”:

It’s encouraging to know that supporters for the Major are anxious and ready to mobilize whether rain or shine!

Ohio’ 16th Congressional District covers Stark, Wayne, part of Ashland, and part of Medina counties. We have a unique district in the fact that it lies across two old rail lines and the canal system of past generations. The economics range from the displaced middle-class factory workers, to rural family farmers, and urban center-city workers.

Ian went on to add:

The weather didn’t keep us from reaching out and talking with voters about John’s message for change in every corner of the district.

And, State Senator Major John Boccieri’s message bears repeating often as Ohio’s 16th Congressional District becomes a “poster child” for what has gone wrong through the actions of the Bush Administration.

• We still see our brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces, and in harms way, being injured and killed. It’s clear after 5 years of civil war we need to bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon.

• Once those soldiers return we must give them everything they need from health care to education.

• We need strong leadership that will bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon. The war in Iraq is costing Americans $12 billion a month, and the cost to our troops and their families is incalculable. Not expending $12 billion a month on the war would enable us to meet our obligations to our troops when they return, including the long-term health care so many will require as a result of their injuries.

• Bad trade deals have devastated the 16th Congressional District, shipping thousands of good paying jobs overseas. It’s time to vote ‘no’ on trade policies that take away Ohio’s workers’ ability to compete fairly in the global market and trade deals that don’t protect the environment or workers’ rights.

• Hundreds of families in our area don’t have health insurance. The families of the 16th Congressional District deserve a leader in Washington who will put their needs first and accomplish an expansion of affordable health care to more Ohioans.

• The cost of fuel is crippling our economy as our families confront choices between putting gas in their cars and other necessities. It’s time for a change to an energy policy that puts families’ needs before big oil profits. We need to invest in alternative and renewable energy, investments that would help create good jobs and sustainable economic growth and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

Nothing is going to stop the momentum this campaign is building, and building fast. There is a strong eager core willing to work tirelessly to make sure State Senator Boccieri wins Ohio’s 16th Congressional District in November.

Ian had the bottom line, today:

We had troops out participating in various activities supporting Major Boccieri in all four counties in the 16th Congressional District today.

John Boccieri has “Boots on the Ground!

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress

I love days like today…a blogger’s dream! The campaign just pounded so much Mojo at me today I had turn it into a major round-up. It’s a quite fitting run of “Ground Mobilization” by our candidate, the Ohio State Senator Major John Boccieri. Boots on the ground! It’s time to rock Ohio’s 16th Congressional District out of the tired funk from “The Hillary, Barack, McCain Diary Train”. Get ready for the battle brewing here in Northeast Ohio!

Out of Headquarters…Ground Mobilization!

Greetings Friends,

Efforts are already picking up in the 16th Congressional District to get the word out about Major John Boccieri and the Democratic Ticket.

On Saturday, May 3rd, Neighborhood Leaders and volunteers from across the state will engage in the first of many canvass days dedicated to talking directly with voters about the importance of electing Major Boccieri and the Democratic Ticket in this year’s election.

The morning starts with a statewide conference call and strategy session, featuring ODP Chairman Redfern and other special guests. Please make the commitment to join with us on May 3rd – you can organize a group of people to work together, or, if you prefer, materials will be available in advance at Boccieri HQ so you can canvass during the week.

The statewide goal is to knock on 10,000 doors on May 3rd – and we want to add as many doors to that total as we can. Every door we knock on means that more of our neighbors will hear about Major Boccieri and his message to change direction in Congress.

We hope you will be able to join us in this important effort Saturday.

Here are the details:

Goal: Knock on 10,000 doors statewide

When: Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00 AM

Where: Boccieri for Congress HQ, The Metropolitan Center, 601 Cleveland Ave., N.W.,

Canton Conference Call Time: 10:30 AM

Call in Number: (800) 394-7217, Pass Code 813 789 1547

Organizer: Megan Joyce, ODP NE OH Field Rep., 330-285-8745; megan@ohiodems.org

Please RSVP to Megan Joyce at 330-285-8745 or megan@ohiodems.org.

Thanks again for your support. We look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Ian Walton

Boccieri for Congress

John Boccieri for Congress

Campaign Headquarters

The Metropolitan Center

601 Cleveland Ave., NW

(corner of 6th & Cleveland)Downtown Canton

(330) 754-0534

Visit our website for more information on how you can help change direction in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District.

— Paid for by John Boccieri for Congress —

Five years after “Mission Accomplished”,” many other missions left unaccomplished

State Sen. John Boccieri, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 16th Congressional District, issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of President Bush’s declaration of ‘Mission Accomplished:

State Senator Major John Boccieri said:

“Five years after President Bush declared ‘Mission Accomplished’ and an end to combat operations in Iraq, we find many things left unaccomplished in Washington.”

We still see our brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces, and in harms way, being injured and killed. It’s clear after 5 years of civil war we need to bring our troops home safely,honorably and soon.

Once those soldiers return we must give them everything they need from healt hcare to education.

We need strong leadership that will bring our troops home safely, honorably and soon. The war in Iraq is costing Americans $12 billion a month, and the cost to our troops and their families is incalculable. Not expending $12 billion a month on the war would enable us to meet our obligations to our troops when they return, including the long-term health care so many will require as a result of their injuries.

Bad trade deals have devastated the 16th Congressional District, shipping thousands of good paying jobs overseas. It’s time to vote ‘no’ on trade policies that take away Ohio’s workers’ ability to compete fairly in the global market and trade deals that don’t protect the environment or workers’ rights

Hundreds of families in our area don’t have health insurance. The families of the 16th Congressional District deserve a leader in Washington who will put their needs first and accomplish an expansion of affordable health care to more Ohioans.

The cost of fuel is crippling our economy as our families confront choices between putting gas in their cars and other necessities. It’s time for a change to an energy policy that puts families’ needs before big oil profits. We need to invest in alternative and renewable energy, investments that would help create good jobs and sustainable economic growth and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

Bocieri laid it out like he always does:

“Throughout the 16th Congressional District, families are hurting! The cost of everything is skyrocketing, and our families feel like no one hears their calls for change. It’s clearly time for a new direction and leadership with a new vision. Our families literally cannot afford to wait any longer!”

I’ll tell you what if that’s not enough to get your blood pumping; I caught more information coming out of the Boccieri Headquarters!

OH-16: State Senator Major John Boccieri for U.S. Congress…

Fighting for his constituency, everyday!

Boccieri applauds Energy bill for stabilizing prices, emphasizing renewable and alternative sources

State Senator John Boccieri and candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 16th District today applauded Governor Ted Strickland’s signing of Senate Bill 221, Ohio’s energy bill.

Boccieri was one of several Senate co-sponsors of the energy bill, which ensures stable, reliable electricity prices and sets principles to make Ohio a leader in renewable and alternative sources of energy.

Boccieri let his voice be heard, again:

Northeast Ohio companies and manufacturers use a lot of energy, and access to reliable and affordable electricity will allow them to remain competitive and successful. Without this energy bill, we would have faced skyrocketing electricity prices that would have financially strapped Ohio families and cost our state jobs.”

Boccieri also voiced his support for a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown on Wednesday that would invest $36 billion over five years in green energy manufacturing and the use of new energy technologies in Ohio and across the United States.

Speaking of Senator Brown’s efforts State Sen. Boccieri said:

“Senator Brown’s energy plan has the potential to greatly impact Ohio with our large energy consumption and manufacturing base. Senator Brown’s proposed plan, coupled with Ohio’s energy bill, represents the kind of forward-thinking that our country needs to regain our energy independence and keep and create jobs in America.

With a skilled manufacturing workforce already in place, Northeast Ohio could be a leader in Ohio’s renewable energy efforts.”

Leading by example, Boccieri’s campaign headquarters is the first LEED-certified building in Canton. The headquarters, located at the corner of 6th and Cleveland, uses geothermal heating and solar energy.

John Boccieri added to his statement of support:

“In Washington, I will work to make long-term changes in our energy policy and tackle the sky-high fuel and energy prices which the Bush Administration failed to address.I’m committed to leading efforts in Congress that make Ohio – and America – more energy independent, while also increasing our use of alternative and renewable energies.”

I know that is a factual statement! Ohio State Senator John Boccieri and I have been talking for sometime about the great opportunities just inside the 16th District boundaries, not to mention, feasible nationwide programs in alternative energy sources. This is THE guy to have in the “Mix”!