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‘Beautiful Bill’ a bonanza for billionaires — Ohio pays the price

In his recent op-ed, Senator Jon Husted praises the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a “gift” to working Ohioans. Please let me set the record straight. This legislation isn’t beautiful, it’s brutal. It’s not for working families, it’s for Billionaires. It doesn’t strengthen our communities, it hollows them out. And BBB leaves our most medically vulnerable without the medical insurance they need. The BBB is both cruel, lopsided, and a budget buster. As Dean of the Ohio Delegation and a lifelong advocate for Ohio, I have never seen a bill so egregiously tilted ...

Marking a milestone for America’s Black community

This month will be the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington that took place on Aug. 28, 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. There were a number of people that attended that great March on Washington at personal risk to their own careers. One was someone who passed on July 31, 2022. I speak of none other than the champion of champions, William Felton Russell, born Feb. 12, 1934. Bill Russell is reported to have said, “When I heard the speech, I had no idea that the words of that speech would last so long as they did.” In ...

At Ohio’s community colleges, back to school means new opportunities

The “back to school” season is here, along with all the anticipation and the memories it brings. For the 200,000-plus Ohioans served by our state’s community colleges, “back to school” means new opportunities, and many options to support the journey. Students might be taking classes at the community college campus, online or at work. They could be earning an industry-recognized credential, an associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree in an applied field. “Back to school” for the youngest college students happens in high school, where earning college credit and even ...

Global hope for those of us who know and understand

SelectUSA is a large conference and exhibition in Washington, DC hosted by the U.S. Commerce Department to encourage foreign investment in the USA. All 50 states and U.S. territories are represented. Shale Crescent USA has an exhibit booth every year. Last year we had a stand-up sign comparing natural gas prices. Asia was $15/MCF, Europe was $14/MCF and Shale Crescent USA was $2/MCF. A gentleman from India saw the sign and asked my wife, Lynnda who was also working our booth. “Is that a mistake?” Lynnda responded, “No sir.” He then asked, “It is obviously an introductory price. ...

A magical evening spent in New Martinsville

I made my debut as an actor/magician’s assistant on Thursday in downtown New Martinsville. My husband Mike, aka Magician Michael Strough, was part of “The Big Four” magic show at the Parlor Theater at Doolin Center. It’s a show that he and three friends put on every other year. The reason for that particular schedule is that it happens to coincide with visits one of the magicians makes back to his hometown. Joe Hindman hails from New Martinsville, but today he is a full-time resident of Japan, where he lives with his two sons. In addition to Mike and Joe, the show included ...

Ask questions, things aren’t always what you think

Lynnda and I were at the reception prior to the Speaker Hall of Fame Banquet dinner at this year’s Influence, the National Speakers Association’s annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona. We met Neerja from India. She is a generational diversity speaker helping companies to better understand employees from different generations so they can have a more effective workforce. Our conversation turned to marriage. Neerja had an arranged marriage. Since she was a child, both families agreed on the marriage. She accepted her role eventually falling in love with her husband. He was a military ...