John Rogers, Democratic Candidate for Ohio House

General Information

Name : John Michael Rogers
Age : 55
Place of residence : Mentor-on-the-Lake

Education

College

Attended college : Yes
College : Cuyahoga Community College, Hiram College
Degree : Associate of Arts/ Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts
Year of graduation : BA - 1982

Grad school

University : John Carroll Universtiy
Degree : Master of Business Administration
Year of graduation : 1993

Ph D.

University : Cleveland- Marshall College of Law
Area of research : Juris Doctor
Year of graduation : 2002

Employment Information

Job titles held : Mayor/Safety Director, City of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Lake County Deputy Treasurer
Employers : City of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Lake County Treasurer's Office

Political Information

Party affiliation : Democrat
Running for a: State office
Running for position: State Representative, 60th District
Chamber/district: Soon to be 60th District
Incumbent: No
First elected: August 8, 1988
Previous elective offices : Mayor/Safety Director for the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake, I am now serving my 18th year. Initially appointed & then elected to five terms, three times without opposition. Member of Council, City of Mentor-on-the-Lake for five years. Initially, I was appointed & then elected to two terms.
Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : Endorsed democratic candidate in two primary races, Juvenile Judge in 2008 and Lake County Treasurer, 2012.

Party HQ

Address 7547 Mentor Ave., Suite 107
Mentor, Ohio 44060

Other facts

There are actually three areas of concern I believe are of tremendous need and require consideration at the State level. The issue of restoring our share of the local government fund, education funding in Ohio and the sad state of affairs involving our infrastructure.

In Lake County and throughout the State of Ohio, the continued reduction in the amount of tax dollars collected by the State and historically shared with our the local governments is having a devastating impact on many communities.

The impact from keeping these and school funding dollars may have shored up Ohio's budgetary crisis, but leaves us with few option; dismantling our ability to deliver services and investing in our greatest resource‚ our kids, borrowing more money or asking for additional taxes to offset those lost with the State keeping our share. In effect the State‚Äôs actions equate to a hidden tax increase.

In Lake County alone, we have experienced lost revenues approaching $12.5 million dollars in the last four years and is fast approaching a complete extinction. School funding, time and again determined to be unconstitutional in Ohio, and has yet to be adequately addressed.

Many of our public schools have found themselves in extreme financial difficulties. Mr. Dan Wilson, the well-respected Treasurer with the Mentor Exempted Public School System recently provided testimony to a Committee within the Ohio Legislature describing how major tax and educational policy decisions by the legislature has dramatically reduced the amount of local funding available for public education.

Within his own district, Mentor has taken measures such as school closings and consolidation, reducing staff and programs, while maintaining a historically stable level of expenditures.

Yet it continues to see its state share of revenues decreased while costs increase. He projects lost revenues from the State approaching $67 million dollars by the 2015-2016 school year, resulting in a significant deficit. That is just one system out of many throughout the state. And of course our infrastructure needs have reached a critical point and there again begs an answer as to funding.

All three of these issues in turn impact our ability to attract and maintain a viable commercial and industrial base that can grow. If we do not have and educated workforce, if we cannot keep on top of our infrastructure, if we don't have solid schools and communities with good services, we will not be able to keep jobs here at home nor our kids who will need jobs!

I truly believe that a voter, who looks at my credentials, will find that I have the requisite experience and know how to get the job done and to represent the residents and business within the 60th District. The issues we face are not Democrat or Republican, they are not black or white, and they are not based on creed.

The serious issues we face today are do we have a job, can we feed our families, can we put and keep a roof over our heads, in a community that is safe and sound, can our kids get a good education - giving them a future of opportunity, can we get health care when we are sick or injured and can we afford to retire when the time comes.

Throughout my entire career, I have considered my role in government as one of public service. It is challenging, it is rewarding and it is something I enjoy. I truly believe that working together; people can establish working relationships and make a difference in areas affecting all of us. And while I personally may not be able to address all of the issues I have just mentioned, but I will do my best to address those I can on your behalf.