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On today's date in The Beacon archives, we published:
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Todd Portune flip-flopping under pressure
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of here.
Local champion of the prison industrial complex, Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune cannot keep his positions consistent—perhaps signaling an inability to handle the pressures of a hotly contested topic like his desire to impose a sales tax to make an even bigger jail (despite his admission that the jails are filled with people who do not need to be there). Apparently, Portune wants Hamilton County to have all-around higher taxes than every surrounding County, so we can have a huge warehouse to store people awaiting trial, filtering them into treatment programs that might work better in community, and not industrial, environments.
Last week, when Portune spoke before the NAACP, he emphasized repeatedly that if he did not impose a sales tax, Simon Leis would be likely to file a lawsuit. Portune said this suit would likely go before a Republican judge, and it would be a jail plan that did not include social programming to reduce recidivism. Portune insisted that if we did not accept his plan, we would get stuck with one that was less humane and one that treated people badly.
Or, he continued, he could face impeachment. And then—sakes alive!—Portune could face not being in office anymore. The implication? Voters like the members of the NAACP would have to suffer the consequence of not having a great guy like him in office.
This either-or scenario got played out several times at the meeting. Portune kept repeating that if he did not push through his sales tax, he would get sued or impeached. Sued or impeached. The mantra became so repetitive, I had to stand up and ask why he doesn’t use his platform to put pressure on those elected judges who have poor sentencing habits instead of complaining about losing his job?
Today, Portune’s attitude, as reported by The Enquirer, has taken an abrupt about-face. In an article from today about the threatened new tax, reporter Jessica Brown included the following:
However, Paul Brown Stadium ended up running $51 million over budget and voters expressed their dissatisfaction by ousting then-commissioner Bob Bedinghaus, the architect of the tax, in 2000 and voting Portune into office. A couple of speakers Wednesday alluded that this decision might be political suicide for Portune, who is up for re-election next year.
“If holding onto my job is a reason for me to do something, then I shouldn’t be in this seat in the first place,” Portune said. “At some point you have to be able to act.”
I find it particularly ironic that, just a few days ago, Portune told the members of the NAACP that he had to do this, or he could face a lawsuit or impeachment. Today, when the circumstances suit him otherwise, he acts like his decision is a principled stand for what is right at the risk of his own career.
If Portune admits, as he has done, that there are people in the jail that should not be there, why won’t he force that issue to be addressed first, instead of stampeding into a new jail tax and a bigger facility? How can he be worried about losing his seat, while not being worried about losing his seat, at the very same time?
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31 May 2007 at 08:06 am | #
Jason
“the jails are filled with people who do not need to be there”
Looks to me like he is being misquoted. There is only one county jail (not plural); and I don’t recall Mr Portune ever saying they were “full” of people who do not need to be there.
31 May 2007 at 08:36 am | #
BTW I didn’t forget about the Kruse Hdw building; I consider it part of the same jail system.
31 May 2007 at 08:51 am | #
Given that there is a separation of powers in the US, the County Commissioners have few options but to deal with what local judges are doing: filling up our local jail with people awaiting trial.
The county is required to house the people our local court system - dysfunctional as it is - has not released to the streets. While it always seems preferable to solve a problem by changing what someone else is doing, that’s hardly ever a realistic option. How many years would it take to change the political attractiveness of judges vowing to keep criminals out of the streets, so incumbents with inefficient dockets, or those with questionable bail practices, will get booted out?
The County Commission is facing up to the situation, creating a credible comprehensive solution to solve a problem none of us wishes existed. Let’s not pretend the decisions about what to do, how to do it, and how to pay for it should come easy.
--pk---
31 May 2007 at 09:05 am | #
If Portune wants to take a principled stand, at risk of losing his office, then why not use his platform to force the ELECTED judges to be held accountable for their actions?
Judicial races are off most people’s radars. He could help change that. He could, if he wanted, make that a huge issue in his proposal. He is not doing that.
31 May 2007 at 09:20 am | #
The Beacon could help with that too.
--pk---
31 May 2007 at 09:38 am | #
I am. Right now. By writing stories like this one.
31 May 2007 at 09:38 am | #
But Todd Portune has the ability to reach a larger level of critical mass than little ol’ me.
31 May 2007 at 11:57 am | #
But, Mr. Dean, you’re not going to be little ol’ you much longer when your newspaper hits the stands. I hope you’ll keep writing about these judges, like who are they? They’ve certainly been off my radar screen.
I am so disappointed in Todd Portune, sick actually. I probably should check into a rehab somewhere.
31 May 2007 at 02:11 pm | #
Todd Portune has absolutely no authority to hold judges responsible for what they do - in it’s most extreme cases - he could have claims levied against him if he does try to influence their opinions, particularly, for financial benefit of the county. (There have been recent cases on this).
(The trick is the jail panel used to “out” judges without partisanship)
Dean, I know you and your well intentioned ilk are smarter than this - you’re playing your followers who trust you and it’s plain wrong. It’s more than wrong - it is catastrophic - you’re playing the old Republican game of re-labeling the issue to trick people into voting against their own best interests.
I have never been so frustrated - it makes me want to cry.
31 May 2007 at 03:01 pm | #
The jail is a smokescreen to get the money to fill the hole created by the 191 Million dollar shortfall from the last major public fuc&ing which is the Bengals/Reds Stadium. The jail will cost 190 Million to build but the tax is projected to raise 700 Million. Where is the rest of the money going?
31 May 2007 at 04:41 pm | #
It is a fact that the prospect of jail-time is not even a real deterrent for many types of crime in the city anymore. The reason: because there is no space to house inmates!! You think that the criminals don’t know this? Spend one day at the courthouse if you don’t believe me.
How can you not see that a jail is in the best interest of the county? Who cares who fixed the situation: let’s just be happy that it might finally be addressed.
31 May 2007 at 05:14 pm | #
With the extra jail space, we can lock up more of you dope smokers. It’ll be just like living in your mom’s basement…
31 May 2007 at 06:19 pm | #
Drop the Republican game crap. I don’t like the Republicans but at least they put up for the voters to decide instead of imposing this huge regressive sales tax.
Todd is the one playing his followers with his progressive sounding language and comprehensive bullshit. We know what our interests are and it’s not re-electing Todd Portune!
31 May 2007 at 09:33 pm | #
It isn’t my brothers, sisters, cousins, children being thrown in jail for stupid crap - and living in this draconian hell hole created by the likes of COAST and the GOP, good ole boys
ask yourself this: if they are so much on your side, why aren’t they addressing the problem with the biased judges jailing people for open flask?
The GOP DOES have the power to change the direction of the court - (by controlling their campaign funds, selecting who gets to run and who gets appointed to the federal bench)
If they’re all on your side - why aren’t they crying foul over the expense, bias and prejudice and heavy handedness of the people THEY control?
‘Cause they are FOR the incarceration of your family members------you are smarter than this - stop, look and listen my friends....
31 May 2007 at 09:40 pm | #
Republicans have such a great record of going to the voters in regards to taxes?? Yea, that’s laughable!
Bengals deal passed by resolution, brought before electorate by referendum.
Drake Center - tax passed by public vote - taken away by resolution and then sold off to their campaign contributors for a song and dance.
MR/DD also a tax passed by the electorate and reduced by resolution against the will of the people
And on city council - please correct me if I’m wrong here - what party tried to eliminate the human services programs…
Cry me a river - folks, you are drowning in it - your tears will come when you have screwed yourselves and finally realize it
31 May 2007 at 10:29 pm | #
It was King David Pepper and Cecil uncleThomas that pushed the draconian marijuana law that Emperor Portune has admitted is a major cause of overcrowding at the jail.
A majority of Democrats voted for this including such Liberal champions as Jeff Bengal Berding, Laketa (sold her soul) Cole and John (TIF District) Cranley. Is that in our interest? Is that fair Emperor Portune?
Do you think the NAACP is for locking people up? Or are you too busy shoveling the unDemocratic party’s poop?
You are wrong! It was Jeff Bengal Berding and Laketa (sold her soul) Cole that lead the charge. Every Democrats voted to cut the Health and Human Services Budget. Stop drinking the kool aid!
31 May 2007 at 10:43 pm | #
Thank you for correcting me - I wasn’t sure - but I noticed I was right on all the rest
And, as for Pepper’s support of the marijuana law - there’s no way in hell I’ll try to defend that load of crap—he was dead wrong
Do you think he did it to get “undesirables” thrown in jail or do you think he had something else in mind? I can’t find any justification for his thinking except that the real purpose was to create a phony excuse to search people (oh, this guy looks high or I think I smell weed [bullshit probable cause]) to get guns off the street, like the propaganda says. I think that whole thing will be found unconstitutional in the long run - it’s ridiculous.
But, the gun thing seems to be the real objective and I have never known carrying a gun to cause your eyes to get blood shot, can’t smell the darn things, and a gun generally doesn’t change your disposition ---- it’s bullshit—I won’t defend it.
But I still think this corrections reform IS good business and will serve all of us well -show me where I’m wrong - I’ve looked at this upside down and sideways
01 Jun 2007 at 06:46 am | #
I don’t understand why it is Todd Portune’s job to change the attitudes and practices of Republican judges. That is an impossible assignment. It seems to me that it is up to us as voters to change the judges.
Unfortunately judges behave as they do because they are reflecting, or believe they are reflecting, the attitude and values of those who elect them.
Perhaps even more important would be to change the County Prosecutor. After the tawdry behavior of Mike Allen, Hamilton County voters put back in office Joe Deters, who was running away from scandal in his state office, for which others working for him were indicted. It is the prosecutor’s office which aggressively seeks excessive sentences, and leads the state in seeking the death penalty. They do this partly to get publicity for when it is their turn to run for, or get appointed to judgeships. And they are successful because conservative voters approve of what they are doing.
The relationship between the Prosecutor’s office and the judiciary, which consists largely of former prosecutors needs to be recognized for the scandal which it is.
Throw out the Republican County Prosecutor, let a more liberal and less political replacement hire more reasonable prosecutors, and the entire criminal justice system in the County would take a major turn for the better.
01 Jun 2007 at 07:56 am | #
I don’t believe you.
I have spent several days at the Courthouse for piddling stuff on the behalf of a non-profit housing organization. I have seen dozens, maybe a hundred, people threatened with jail for piddling stuff. I have written about some of the cases before—for example, the guy who was threatened with jail because he had two (TWO!) unpainted window frames. The city insisted on prosecuting him because of his “attitude.”
Everyone that I saw was cowed at the prospect of jail time. They knew that they were targeted by the city. They had respect for the power of the city and law enforcement but not for how they wielded it. I also heard people tell the judge before sentencing that they would move out of the city and never come back because of what they saw as unjust prosecutions. And this seems to be exactly what the city wants. They want certain people’s homes and land in order to give them to their favored.
01 Jun 2007 at 12:01 pm | #
Dean,
I am disappointed in your loyalties. You are WAY too soft on Portune.
Last time this year, the same jail plan came out (with less of a tax I might add). You were against it- don’t play to your readers, you did not support it.
NOW, you are being soft on Portune. Why? Is he the only real political support you have? Is it necessary to not go after him too much in fear of having all sides against you?
I find it ironic that Portune is not only supporting the jail and the tax, but is implementing it. Last year, the funding was one of the main reasons why Portune was against the jail. However, he now supports the same method (tax) and it is over a longer period of time.
Why to go Todd- I guess you really bit the bullet for David last November. I just hope David will have a job for you come next election cycle, because any Hamilton County voters are going to go after you for this one (just like Phil H.)
I just can’t believe you didn’t see this coming, Todd. If you didn’t, then you’re a fool.
01 Jun 2007 at 07:09 pm | #
I’m surprised there isn’t more talk about how regressive the Sales Tax is. When Heimlich wanted to raise $300 million, the left side of the blogosphere couldn’t stop talking about what a regressive tax hike this was. Now we have 2 Democrats wanting to raise $700 million with a longer, larger Sales Tax increase, and the regressive argument seems to have disappeared.
01 Jun 2007 at 09:05 pm | #
I’ve opposed Todd on this since the beginning, and I have written about my opposition, and questioned him at a public forum. So, CNN, your point makes no sense.
Portune is no Heimlich. He had many other things going against him. For now, Portune has only this.
03 Jun 2007 at 01:09 am | #
The Dean said, “Portune is no Heimlich. He had many other things going against him. For now, Portune has only this.”
And who are going against him…
Chris Finney (Playing politics)
Pat DeWine (playing politics)
Tom Brinkman (playing politics)
Chris Smitherman (playing devil’s advocate)
Nate Livingston (playing the spinster)
The Dean (playing the fool)
This tax is a benefit to this community. What are we the citizens of this community supposed to do? Wait another ten years and hope that our community all of has a major turn around?
The tax was defeated in the first place because 1) there was no plan on to how to rehabilitate offenders, it was all a lock um up attitude. Is that what Chris Smitherman and the members of the NAACP want to continue to happen? Looks like it! Shame on the NAACP. What is there answer to the rise in juvinile crime in this community? 400 %—give me a break! Why Smitherman is going against rehabilitation is beyond the citizens of Hamilton County.
Will not placing money into a jail and justice system that is broken and in major need of repair help African Americans that find themselves in
2) Heimlich tied the tax in with his re-election bid and all the kingfs horses and all the kings men couldn’t put Phil back together again. And this here lies the answer on DeWine, Finney, Brinkman… it’s all politics. Didn’t they support the first tax under the Heimlich leadership? Yes they did… even COAST!!!!! So what do we do? What are Pat DeWine’s options? Make cuts in the county government where they can’t be made. And he doesn’t even tell us which ones.
3) The tax went on for too long and just gave us a jail to lock them up and throw away the key… maybe Nate Livingston and Finney thought that was a fine thing to do but the voters didn’t. It was voted down on these grounds.
The status quo needs to end on how we deal with the citizens (of all colors) of Hamilton County that find
themselves trapped in a system that is riddled in crumbling buildings, overcrowding, red tape, and a who gives a shit about true rehabilitation attitude.
Pepper and Portune did the right thing. But if someone can please send me some of those petition forms I could really use them… I need something to wipe my ass with.
And for the Dean… you do really need to think about the future of this County… we stall this plan that Pepper and Portune have drawn up then we fail the chilodren of this County that will have to deal with the same crap and jail issue that we are now.
If this goes to vote to repeal the Commissioners vote then I will fight against this and every leader and advocate that thinks it’s in the best interest to not invest in the programs that will lead to a better tomorrow for all in Hamilton County. It’s not about the vote, it’s not about Chris Finney, Brinkman, Heimlich, Livingston, Smitherman or the Dean of Cincinnati in lock stock and barrel. It’s about crime… it’s about children (remember the 400% rise in crime)… it’s about our now and forever and it’s going to take room and money!!!!!
Play politics all you wish to… the truth of the matter is your playing with the lives of those who need help. Me I’ll vote no to any vote that wishes to remove what Portune and Pepper have set into place… thank goodness they had the balls to do it. It was time and the stakes are high… they just didn’t seem to want to kock my children and grandchildren up and throw away the key in keeping of the status quo. Why would anybody want that to happen to his or hers is beyond me!!!!
We have truly hit a level of politics in Cincinnati that can not be called anything but… well it’s so low and self centered that… wait maybe there is a name for it… Beyond Selfish.
03 Jun 2007 at 01:34 pm | #
Peter Deane, we have indeed hit a new low and you are at the bottom of it. Last year you were part of a group called Taxpayers Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes. Now you’re condemning those who oppose a massive tax hike. You are a first-class hypocrite.
It is not them who are playing politics with this issue. You are doing that by yourself. When this was the Heimlich plan you formed an anti-tax group to help opposed it. The voters overwhelmingly rejected it. Now when it’s the Pepper/Portune plan, which raises taxes 2.5x more than the Heimlich plan, you’re here not only playing their stooge, but condemning the sincerity of those in opposition.
It’s clear you are just as unconcerned about public safety as you are about taxes. For hypocrites like you, it’s all about playing butt-boy to your favored politician of the week.
03 Jun 2007 at 05:36 pm | #
Anyway what makes up an organization? One man that starts a blog for a couple weeks to hammer TOAST for their playing politics. TOAST was a one man parody of COAST… as it was COAST that was the true hypocrite to only power Heimlich into office. And indeed I made my point perfectly clear. And if you truly believe that I am not for public safty then lets compare what you have done to improve or be a part of public safty in Cincinnati… Cincy Jeff let me allow you to go first… we’ll find out who the true hypocrite is. I believe my record will speak for itself.
Well Cincy Jeff—I’m waiting…