Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Cordray for Treasurer

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Contact: TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney

Executive Director, OLBC

(614) 746-1363 cell

(614) 341-6912 office

staff@olbc1967.org

February 1, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Cordray for Treasurer

Ohio's Families Deserve Fiscal Accountability in State Government

Columbus – The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) has endorsed Richard Cordray for Ohio Treasurer. OLBC is comprised of the eighteen African-American legislators who serve in the Ohio General Assembly. Fourteen serve in the House of Representatives and four serve in the Senate. OLBC members hold minority leadership positions in both the House and Senate.

"Richard Cordray is right; we are in need of more traditional values in our state government. The current administration has shown total disregard for fairness, justice and fiscal accountability. The impact has been especially harmful to the African-American community with persistent disparities in almost every major social area. Millions of dollars have been lost that are desperately needed for education, healthcare and other basic needs for Ohio's families," said Representative Barbara Sykes and OLBC President. "It is disgraceful that the current administration has paid lip-service to traditional values but its actions have represented something very different."

OLBC has endorsed Cordray, the current Franklin County Treasurer, because of his goal to fundamentally change the way that tax-payer money is handled. Cordray has collected a record-breaking amount of delinquent taxes by streamlining processes in the treasurer's office and by gaining a good understanding of the challenges faced by both government and taxpayers. He has supported outreach efforts designed to keep seniors in their homes; created a community-wide financial education program; and established a land bank to clean up and redevelop foreclosed properties. Because of his accomplishments, Cordray has earned national recognition including the American City & County's 2005 County Leader of the Year.

"Ohio is in need of people-oriented leaders like Richard Cordray," said Representative Sykes. "He is the type of leader that will get us back to traditional values such as fairness, justice and fiscal accountability that will build a brighter future for all people. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus encourages all voters to support Richard Cordray for Ohio Treasurer."

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