Press Office November 7th, 2007
Karen L. Gillmor, PhD
Announcement of Candidacy for 26th Senate District
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Good morning and thank you for joining me in the Gillmor Science Building on the campus of Heidelberg College. Ever since the loss of my late husband, Congressman Paul Gillmor, in early September, there have been many tributes to him given by international national, state and local leaders.
My sons and I have been greatly comforted from the continuous outpouring of kindness from so many people - those who knew Paul, those who Paul helped over the years, those who Paul listened to as they expressed their opinions on state and world affairs. On behalf of the entire Gillmor family, I want to thank each of you for your kindness over these last several weeks.
Ever since Paul’s death, many have encouraged me to return to elected public service to carry on the long tradition this part of Ohio especially identifies with the name Gillmor. Since 1993, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve our State as both an elected member of the Ohio Senate and as a Gubernatorial appointee as Vice Chairman of the State Employment Relations Board.
As my husband, my mentor, and my best friend, Paul always encouraged me to excel professionally. He always supported my work in the legislature and the state government, and he humbled me through his pride in my accomplishments. However, in honor of Paul’s memory, I thought it was best not to make any final decision until after the primary election for voters to choose Paul’s successor.
With the full support of my family, and the encouragement of many throughout north central Ohio, I am announcing today that I will ask the voters of the 26th Senate District to return me to the Ohio Senate as their Senator.
It is appropriate that I make my announcement here on the campus of what most recognize as one of America’s best colleges. Those in state government should learn from the work done here at Heidelberg. Here, the focus is on realizing a brighter future and broader horizons through individual initiative, increased knowledge, and hard work.
Too many of Ohio’s brightest are leaving our state. As your State Senator, I intend to work with my colleagues to improve opportunity right here in Ohio. I am troubled by the fact that while other areas of the country have enjoyed healthy economic expansion, Ohio has lagged behind. Those in state government should not only be asking, why? They should be looking at growth elsewhere and asking, why not in Ohio? My record in the Ohio Senate clearly demonstrates I can do just that.
It is obvious to me that the cost of doing business in Ohio is too high. These high costs come from multiple sources - the cost of government, the cost of aging infrastructure, the costs of expanding business in our state, and the costs of health care, to name a few.
There is no quick fix to these problems, but we are also not helpless in reducing these costs. I believe the answer is to attack each of these costs with multiple solutions. I know this approach works because that’s what I did as your State Senator. And that’s what I intend to do when I return to the Ohio Senate in 2009.
Regarding the cost of government, Ohio used to be a low tax state. According to rankings prepared by the National Tax Foundation, Ohio currently has the 5th highest state tax burden in the country. When I was in the Ohio Senate, I authored legislation to streamline state government by eliminating two state agencies.
It worked before and it can work again. When I return to the Ohio Senate, I pledge to work with my colleagues to increase government efficiency and to reduce your cost of government.
Regarding the cost of aging infrastructure, Ohio’s economic health is dependent on a world class transportation system with access to state of the art roads and bridges, sewer systems that do not collapse, and ample clean water. When I was in the Ohio Senate, I authored legislation to renew State Issue II. Overwhelming voter approval resulted in millions to update and maintain our roads, bridges, water and sewer lines.
It worked before and it can work again. When I return to the Ohio Senate, I pledge to work with my colleagues to make the investments we need to update and maintain Ohio’s infrastructure.
Regarding the costs of business expansion in Ohio, the National Tax Foundation 2008 Climate of State Business Tax Climate ranked Ohio 46th in competitive standing among the states. I would note that Michigan ranked 29th. Loyal Buckeyes should never be satisfied unless they beat Michigan, and hopefully, beat them soundly.
When I was in the Ohio Senate, I authored legislation to create a state tax credit for the purchase of new machinery and equipment used for manufacturing in Ohio. I worked with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass it. Within two years of enactment, over 400 companies used the new legislation to invest more than $2 billion dollars in our state.
It worked before and it can work again. When I return to the Ohio Senate, I pledge to work with my colleagues to make our state a catalyst for business expansion rather than a hindrance. And yes, we will beat Michigan!
Finally, regarding the cost of providing health care, what family or employer is not worried about health insurance that is ever more expensive with seemingly reduced benefits?
When I was in the Ohio Senate, I sponsored the Managed Care Uniform Licensure Act which established solvency standards for managed care entities and was adopted as model legislation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. I offered the companion bill to the Physician-Health Plan Partnership Act which was a landmark compromise between provider groups and managed care organizations. I also offered a bill to address the escalating workplace violence in the state, and a bill to create a health mandates study commission to evaluate the social and financial costs of health insurance mandates.
In each case, I worked with my colleagues to pass these important bills. It worked before and it can work again. There is no silver bullet to the health care crisis, but when I return to the Ohio Senate, I will work to find ways to provide affordable health care to our citizens.
I have been blessed with multiple titles in my life. My two favorite, of course, are “Mom” and “Mrs. Paul Gillmor.” With the support of my children, today I humbly ask the voters of the 26th District to once again give me the title of “Senator.”
I learned from Paul and from many of you that government at all levels must be about hope. As a parent, I feel the very real responsibility to leave our children an Ohio and a country that are in better shape than the ones we inherited from our parents. That’s what our parents did for us. We can do no less for our children. An Ohio that ranks near the bottom in opportunity is simply unacceptable.
Twice, the voters of the 26th Senate District elected me to serve as their Senator. I worked hard on their behalf and received numerous awards for my service, including the National Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year Award, given by the National Republican Legislators Association.
As I stand before you today, I know that I have the energy and commitment to represent this district effectively in the Ohio Senate. I know that much work needs to be done for the people of this special place we call “Ohio.” With your counsel and support, I know that tomorrow will be better than today. With your vote, I will work with each of you to build an Ohio worthy of our parents’ legacy and worthy of our children’s future.
Thank you once again for coming. Let’s get to work.
Harris noted that Gillmor, who previously served in the Ohio Senate from 1993 through 1997, has demonstrated not only that she can win an election, but that she will be an effective voice for her region as the Senate works to make Ohio an even better place to live, learn and work.
