Redfern: Wholesale Change Needed

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005 Contact: John Kohlstrand (614) 466-9036 Redfern: Wholesale change needed House Democratic Leader Chris Redfern said today that the House Republican fall agenda announced today is light on substance, heavy on rhetoric – and unlikely to produce the wholesale change needed to get Ohio moving again. “The fact is, they’ve had the keys to the kingdom for 12 years,” Redfern said. “What in the world have they been doing?” “They’ve been dismantling our higher education system, and letting tuition prices get completely out of control,” Redfern said. “The burden is landing squarely on the backs of young people and hard-working families throughout our state.” Redfern said he didn’t see much of substance in the statements made today by GOP leaders on higher education. “Four months ago, House Republicans had a chance to put their money where their mouths are. Instead, their state budget skimped on higher education and allowed more big tuition hikes for young people and hard-working families,” Redfern said. “Now they want to talk about improving higher education.” Redfern said. “We’ll listen, but we’re obviously skeptical,” Redfern said. “Ohio is now one of the most expensive states in America to get a four-year degree – and that’s a direct result of Republican policies over the last decade,” he said. The fact is, after twelve years of one-party rule, Ohio is on the wrong track,” Redfern said. “With hundreds of thousands of jobs lost, an education system failing our young people and a state government riddled by scandal and corruption, Republicans have failed to produce results. And that is why Democrats are fighting for wholesale change.” - 30 -