Which was the most important issue addressed in the Governor's State of the State speech

[geiger]

Poll question: Which was the most important issue addressed in the Governor's State of the State speech

Make a choice, and comment on why that choice is important to you personally or professionally.

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1. I voted public education

but could have chosen several others. We have to come to grips with state funding of education. Going back to the people for cost of living increases every five years is counterproductive. Unfunded mandates and the propagation of charter schools cost the public school system. I don't have any children in public schools and am no longer teaching. I believe that public education is the foundation of our democracy.

Environment, health care and higher education costs rank right up there at the top as well.

[geiger]

2. As a trained librarian, I throw libraries in with education as I believe public libraries

provide the information foundation for democracy.

We've got to deal with health care costs that are being shoved off to states, and job training as facilitated by coordination between secondary and higher and/or vocational education is critical.

I agree with you, one, two, three.

[Kolesar]

3. Nixing school vouchers made me smile, but the medical coverage plans were ambitious

I listened to the speech live and heard the report on public radio. It looks like the Governor wants to actually do something about uninsured Ohioans. I cannot say I know the details, but this sounds good.

[geiger]

4. And, in reality, I think it is difficult to work on any of these problems in isolation.

I too listened to the speech live on ONN. What impressed me the most was the Governor's resoluteness. For a guy who was reluctant to be pulled into the job, he seems totally confident and knowing what he's doing now. I'm more impressed with him every day. I'm sure he left more than just a few Republicans speechless.

[cmd]

5. From a Canton Repository editorial

A month ago, they pretty much dared new Gov. Ted Strickland to propose a plan to solve the school funding crisis. On Wednesday, Strickland more or less double-dared them to work against him.

In his first State of the State speech, Strickland made several specific, bold — and excellent — proposals. They include:

• Eliminate most of the vouchers that send public-school dollars to private schools.

• Allow no more charter schools to open.

• Ban operation of charter schools by for-profit enterprises, such as those owned by Akron’s David Brennan.

All of these daring ideas add up to a very public, very direct attack on the special interests that have steered Ohio, with the Legislature’s blessing, toward more and more support for private education, at the expense of public schools.

This is long overdue.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=342135&originalStoryID=342043&r=

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6. "best state of the state address I've ever heard" Scott Oelslager (R)

Both State Rep. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, and State Sen. Kirk Schuring, R-Jackson Township, jumped up to give the Democratic governor a standing ovation when he announced restrictions on charter schools and vouchers. They were among the few Republicans who did.

The two have been trying to get legislation passed that would bring more accountability to the publicly-funded private schools.

Oelslager said Strickland's speech was the "best state of the state address I've ever heard" in his many years at the statehouse.

"It was bold and creative," Schuring said. "Generally, I think there were a lot of substantive proposals. There are many things moving in the right direction."

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=342040&r=0&Category=9&subCategoryID=0

[geiger]

7. great information. i missed this one. thank you.

[geiger]

8. In light of an imminent budget crisis and Governor Strickland's remarks today

--and the national economic conditions---I am wondering if there is any more interest in this poll when I first posted it after his inaugural speech