On January 24, AFP-Ohio hosted Central Ohio activists at a virtual State of the Union Watch party. Attendees snacked on appetizers and sandwiches at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill and watched President Obama deliver his fourth State of the Union Address.

This lively event included a game of State of the Union Bingo, with participants competing for AFP-theme prizes. In addition to the evening’s main event, attendees were greeted by AFP President Tim Phillips and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who reminded viewers that even though President Obama might forget promises made in previous State of the Union addresses, WE REMEMBER.

Katie is a lifelong Ohioan, born and raised in Cincinnati.  She has called Columbus home for the past eleven years.  Katie received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and her MPA from OSU’s John Glenn School of Public Affairs.                

The editorial board of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has endorsed a YES vote on Issue 2. According to the Plain Dealer,

Issue 2 will give local governments and school districts more tools to control labor costs and protect taxpayers. It requires public employees to make the same kind of contributions toward their health and pension benefits that most private-sector workers do. It ends state-mandated wage step-ups, requires performance-based pay and permits layoffs based on more than seniority. Those factors are especially important to school districts such as Cleveland that need to transform themselves in the face of outmoded state rules that force them to toss aside newer -- and perhaps better -- teachers when money is tight. ... When they mark their ballots, Ohioans cannot worry about what is best for any political party or interest group -- on either side of this debate. They need to consider what's best for the future of their children, their communities, their state.