Candidate Profile: Dave Greenspan For Ohio House 16

WESTLAKE, OH — The 2020 election is heating up in Ohio and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Age: 55
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family: Mary, Lauren, Eric and Grant
Occupation: Business Executive 20+ years, State Representative 4 years
Previous elected experience: Ohio State Representative, District 16 ( 2017-present)
Cuyahoga County Councilmember, District 1, Cuyahoga County, Ohio (2011-2016)
Sandy Springs City Councilmember, District 1, Sandy Springs, Georgia (2005-2007)
Family members in government: No

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Responding to the Pandemic: It is important that we realize that we are in challenging times as we address the global pandemic. With this said, as a State, we have seen challenges in the areas of public health and the economy.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Experience, and more specifically relevant experience. I have an extensive professional and elected service background. I was first elected to the inaugural City Council for the City of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Sandy Springs is Atlanta’s second largest city and Georgia’s seventh with a population of almost 100,000 residents. In 2010, I was again elected to an inaugural governmental body and re-elected in 2014 – as a Council member for Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Cuyahoga County is the most populous county in the State of Ohio and the 29th county in the country (est. 1,300,000 residents). I served as Chairman of the Finance and Budgeting Committee. Under my leadership, the County adopted a $3 billion biennial Operating Budget that was balanced, did not raise taxes or increase debt while growing the County’s rainy day fund.

Currently, Representative Greenspan is serving in his second term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. As a member of the House, I serve on the Finance Committee and Chairs the Finance Sub-Committee on Transportation, and is a member on the Financial Institutions Committee and serves on the State and Local Government Committee.

I worked hard to build a career in finance and operational management. My career progressed with increased responsibilities from a staff accountant to Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. No stranger to hard work, I have held leadership positions with the Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting, Turner Media Consultants, and the PGA TOUR Radio Network.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As a member of the Cuyahoga County Council, I first served as Chair of the Ethics Committee and sponsored the County’s first Ethics Ordinance and first Inspector General legislation to ensure an ethical and transparent government. I later served as the Finance and Budgeting Committee Chair.
As a member of the state legislature, I serve on the Finance Committee and Chair the Finance Sub-Committee on Transportation, and I am a member on the Financial Institutions Committee and the State and Local Government Committee.

I have sponsored a law that protects law enforcement personnel, first responders and members of the military. I have also sponsored and co-sponsored various laws that have focused on transparency and accountability, economic development and supporting our local communities, including cities, libraries and schools.

Additionally, I have sponsored a resolution that was adopted by both chambers that condemned anti-Semitism and deterred hate groups and their ideologies in Ohio.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
As Governor DeWine has emphasized, we can do two things at one time – manage both the public health and economic challenges facing our state.

I believe in personal responsibility, respect and tolerance. Ohioans have proven to be resilient and responsible as we have navigated through the COVID-19 environment. I support voluntary compliance with the cleanliness and hygiene protocols encouraged by the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention.

I believe that we should begin to re-evaluate and address current provisions and, with the proper safety protocols, open our economy and quality of life activities.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
I have taken the lead in identifying that antisemitism, racism and all forms of discrimination should not be tolerated. In the past General Assembly, I introduced two resolutions addressing these issues. The first, House Concurrent Resolution 10, condemns manifestations of anti-Semitism and the second, House.

Concurrent Resolution 19, deters white nationalism and neo-Nazism and their ideologies. The latter was ultimately engrossed into HCR 10 and was adopted by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

This year, I wrote a series of guest columns addressing the issues of racism. These columns were published locally and nationally. The series themed “It’s Time”, is focused on a progression of phases to bring us together to address and provide guidance as to how to approach the challenges before us. The first piece is titled- “It’s Time….It’s Time to Unite“, the second, “It’s Time - It's Time To Talk Not Text” and the third “It’s Time - It’s Time to Set Goals”.

In the House, earlier this year, an amendment to a bill was presented that addressed the prohibition of certain symbols and signs. This amendment was “tabled” because it violated the first amendment of both Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Ohio. I, as many of us, find many signs and symbols abhorrent. However, in American, speech is protected regardless of whether we agree with that speech or not.

The challenges and opportunities that we face can only be addressed if we stop retreating to our safe corners and have the courage to stop pointing fingers at each other and start talking with each other. I have started that process, but it takes cooperation. I will strive to be a unifier and not a divider

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
To preserve and enhance the quality of life for the residents of the 16th House District and the residents of the State of Ohio with responsive, responsible and practical representation.
To:
Strengthening our Communities: Our State is only as strong as our local communities. In my 4 years in the legislature I have focused my efforts on assisting cities, villages, townships, libraries and our local schools in various areas including easing regulations and providing additional resources, including financial resources.

Respond to the Pandemic: It is important that we realize that we are in challenging times as we address the global pandemic. With this said, as a State, we have seen challenges in the areas of public health and the economy. It is important that we continue to find the balance between combatting the national narrative with state objectives on the public health front and that we continue to strengthen our economy. By continually manage the ever changing dynamics of this situation, we be positioned to successfully be able to find that balance.

Lower Taxes: In my tenure in the legislature I am proud to voted repeatedly to lower taxes on Ohioans and Ohio businesses. In the last operating budget alone, we reduced income taxes by over $630,000,000. I will continue to identify areas to lower taxes and simultaneously work to strike the balance to provide the necessary resources to meet the needs of Ohio.

Reduce Unnecessary Regulations: It is important to understand that some forms of regulations are necessary to provide guidance, public health and safety protocols, to name a few. However, over regulation through outdated and over-reaching rules has the unintended consequences of restricting growth and opportunity and may in some cases under mind the original purpose of the original intent of the regulation.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I believe in the core values of honor and integrity. I have always endeavored to achieve the highest levels of ethics in his personal life as well as in public service. As a member of the Cuyahoga County Council, I have introduced and passed the county’s first ethics ordinance and inspector general ordinance. As a member of the General Assembly, Dave has introduced legislation that promotes transparency and ethics at all levels of government.

I believe in doing the right thing and continues to put the interests of his continents first. He has demonstrated courage and has broken with his party leadership to support his values and beliefs. I did not vote for Larry Householder for Speaker of the House. Nor did I vote for House Bill 6, the Nuclear Bailout Bill, twice. Additionally, I am the primary sponsor on a bill to repeal House Bill 6, the bill that is at the center of a federal corruption investigation.

When asked why I wanted to serve as an elected official, I said:
"I want to use my experience, enthusiasm and time to bring fair common sense & inclusive representation for our State. It will give me great satisfaction knowing that I made a difference for my constituents and community and that I made a stand for what is right."