The most important bill we work on every two years is the Budget Bill. I wanted to update you on changes we have made in Finance Committee to HB 59. I still have concerns because the latest changes continue to lock in cuts by Gov. Kasich which will hurt our schools, communities and middle class families. More money for school funding was promised, but the changes do not begin to solve the problems created by $1.8 billion in cuts in the governor’s last budget. By continuing to cut education, we are short-changing our future, limiting our long-term economic growth potential and forcing downward…

Work is underway in Columbus on the new two-year state budget for Ohio. Once again, I will serve on House Finance Committee (10 Democrats and 21 Republicans). We must work together to do what is best for all Ohioans. The new budget proposed by Gov. Kasich is over $63 billion ($7 billion more in spending). The Medicaid expansion will make 365,000 more Ohioans eligible for coverage (currently 2.3 million Ohioans). Once you factor in additional costs, additional federal reimbursements and eligibility changes, the state expects to net close to $500 million dollars. Schools were cut over $1.5 …

The Ohio Turnpike, one of our greatest assets in the state, will not end up in the hands of private ownership. The governor has wisely backed away from his extreme plan for the turnpike. I want to thank all of you who worked together with me in our fight to keep the turnpike under public control. The governor is pushing the results of a new study in which he wants to raise $1.5 billion with a bond issue backed by turnpike tolls. This amount would be combined with local and federal matches to yield nearly $3 billion for road projects away from the turnpike. Tolls would rise only at the rate of…

We recently recognized Veterans Day. It marks a time when we honor the true heroes that are the men and women in uniform. For every major conflict in which the United States has been involved, Ohioans have bravely answered the call to duty. Ohio’s sons and daughters have served honorably. Some have paid the ultimate price to protect the freedoms we enjoy. In 2008, looking for a way to honor this great sacrifice, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill to establish the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction. This honor is posthumously awarded to fallen soldiers in recognition of their courage, …

I have always believed that we must work together to solve the serious problems facing Ohio families. This session, we worked closely together to crack down on pill mills in our state. We also worked across party lines to put together a comprehensive law to protect minors and strengthen penalties for those engaged in human trafficking.  Gambling was another area where we worked together. I worked to earn bi-partisan support for an amendment to generate more revenue from the gambling industry to help address gambling addiction in our state. A new survey conducted by the Ohio Department of …

One issue that constantly comes up at my town hall meetings is the issue of texting while driving. Residents regularly express concern about their safety being jeopardized because another driving is texting behind the wheel.  Working together in Columbus, we passed HB 99. The texting while driving ban makes Ohio now the 38th state to enact such a ban. A recent study by the AAA Foundation found that 95 percent of drivers consider others texting and driving to be a serious threat. However, 35 percent admitted to having read or sent a text message while driving in the last month. The findings …

Recently, I have been working with a group of legislators to propose legislation that would ensure Ohio based companies are able to compete nationwide and internationally for state contracts. This “Buy Ohio” legislation aims to incentivize state investment in companies based in Ohio rather than giving taxpayer dollars to out-of-state and foreign businesses. Since January 2009, more than $791 million in state government contracts have gone to out-of-state companies. Most of the government contracts for goods or services were approved by the state without even considering bids from Ohio …

Residents often comment about the ongoing “Lundy Listens” town hall meetings I hold throughout the district. Many say they appreciate having the opportunity to voice their concerns. Others wonder why I am holding the meetings in the first place. As a former investigative reporter, I have always believed that government should be open and transparent with the public. I also found that with many levels of government, there is often confusion about what some elected officials do. To this day, I still have people write or call me thinking that I am their congressman. I regularly receive letters …

In the past few years, I have written several columns about efforts by our state to comply with the Great Lakes Compact. The historic agreement between seven states and two Canadian provinces is designed to protect the lakes from overuse and diversion of water to other watersheds.  As part of the compact, the legislature has been charged with passing a plan by the state to manage the waters of Lake Erie.   An earlier bill (HB 231), which I opposed, was passed by the legislature and later vetoed by the governor. The bill, which was pushed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, failed to protect Lake…

Recently I joined with several lawmakers to announce a new proposal to help off­set the impacts of last year’s historically deep state budget cuts to schools and local communities. The Kids & Communities First Fund uses surplus revenue to make up to $400 million available to schools and communities this year, and another $500 million if the Governor’s proposed severance tax increase takes effect.   The Kids and Communities First Fund would help keep teachers in the classroom, and police and firefighters on the streets in communities all across Ohio. Addition­ally, this fund would help curb …

We in Columbus have been working together to create and retain jobs. Also high on our list of priorities is helping Ohio families keep their homes. A new report says that one-third of Ohio’s mortgage holders are “under water,” owing more than the value of their homes. Also, it’s estimated that one in every six homeowners is either delinquent or in foreclosure. The newly launched federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, headed by former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, recently announced a joint federal-state settlement of $25 billion. The settlement is with five of the nation’s …

After being approved by Ohio voters several years ago, casinos will soon be opening in Ohio as early as this May. Recently, we in Columbus have been working on HB 386 to iron out the implementation language needed before the casinos can officially open. We are all eager to put Ohioans to work in the casinos. Also, the revenue they generate will greatly help our state in these tough economic times. It is important, however, that we recognize that as gambling increases in Ohio, so too will problems with gambling addiction. Research says that as we open the doors to gambling in Ohio, we can …

Our political system is based on the idea that two or more parties will compete to represent the people. Political leaders are also expected to work together in the best interests of the people. And while passionate, the debate should be civil.  Sadly, we seem to be heading in the wrong direction. The political environment today has become polluted with partisan politics. There is little effort to find common ground, and the attitude has become to find a way to win at all costs. The public doesn’t like this approach that explains why public confidence in elected officials of both parties is …

Recently I wrote about how Lake Erie is one of our greatest resources in Ohio. Other states would love to have a fresh water supply like Lake Erie. I also believe that another one of our great resources is The Ohio Turnpike. Many of us have utilized and have invested in the turnpike over the years. I often travel the road over to I-71 for my weekly trips to and from Columbus. The toll road is kept in good shape and plowed very well in the winter making it a safe driving experience. I hate to report that Governor Kasich is still moving forward with plans to sell or lease the turnpike. I …