Posts Tagged Mixon
Kasich Investor in Company that Plugs Ohio as ‘Better Than Ever’ for Business
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Economic Development, Politicians on February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010… Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Kasich holds 45,000 share of stock in company that says “Ohio’s business climate is better than ever.” Oops.
The revelation came in a blog by former Plain Dealer reporter Bill Sloat in his meaningful blog out of Cincinnati.
Read the story here:
CINCINNATI (TDB) — John Kasich, the Republican candidate for governor of Ohio, serves on Invacare Corporation’s board of directors and owns 45,000 shares of stock in the Elyria-based medical products manufacturer. (See the April 2009 proxy statement above.) Kasich’s company — which has made him rich — loves the state. And while Kasich is campaigning on a theme that Ohio’s tax climate is miserable for business growth and entrepreneurs, Invacare is taking part in a national advertising campaign that says “Ohio’s business climate is better than ever.” While Kasich claims Gov. Ted Strickland’s administration has been chasing jobs out of the state, Kasich’s company sees Ohio as “an ideal location.” Indeed Invacare’s (IVC:NYSE) version of Ohio is poles apart from Kasich:
“From its early beginnings in 1885, Invacare has called Oho home. Here, they’ve found an ideal location, a skilled workforce, an excellent transportation infrastructure and government leaders will to work as partners with industry . . . And now Ohio business climate is better than ever. Major tax reforms have shifted policy from taxing capital investment , profits and wealth creation to taxing gross receipts. The result is greater incentives to invest in innovation and productivity and more support for entrepreneurial activity.”
All that is from an advertisement that goes on to quote A. Malachai Mixon III, Invacare’s Chairman and CEO, as saying Ohio has been a great location for his company: “From our headquarters in Ohio, Invacare has become a world leader in home medical products. The state’s new tax laws will help us continue to grow.”
Kasich has been on Invacare’s board of directors since 2001. The latest proxy statement shows him with 45,018 shares. Just after noon today, those shares were worth $26.46 each — or $1,1919,762. Kasich seems to have done well financially in a state whose tax and business climate he is ripping on the campaign trail. His Invacare holdings have made him wealthy. You can find the a link to the Invacare ad here and a brochure(pdf) that lists Invacare among several corporations that are effusive about their Ohio business locations.
Posted by Bill Sloat at 2/08/2010
Plain Dealer Gives Voinovich Cover on Health Bill
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Media, Politicians on December 24, 2009
December 24, 2009… You may have noticed that The Plain Dealer gave cover to its favorite Senator, George Voinovich, on the health care bill. Of course, Voinovich – who has spent more than 40 years on a government health plan – voted NO on a bill that could help more than 1.3 million Ohioans.
No pressure from the PD, however, to care about the 1.3 million. Voinovich remained with his Republican NO Party on this bill. He played obstructionist with his 38 other buddies.
More than 1.3 million Ohioans have no health insurance. George Voinovich always has health insurance. We pay for his family’s care. We have for 40 plus years as he went from public office to public office. Never had to worry about getting sick.
The PD story allowed Voinovich to play the “responsible” politician as usual, reporting about his concern for jobs. Not about his lack of concern for the 1.3 million. The story is here:
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2009/12/tax_in_health_care_bill_could.html
But what could you expect from someone who called President Barack Obama a “Socialist.” Talk about absurd.
The story on Page One the other day noted Voinovich’s complaint that the health bill would hurt one of his favorite corporations, Invacare. And, of course, his favorite corporate leaders – Mal Mixon, Invacare’s boss. Mixon is a leading corporate official here.
The costs, they both said, would force Mixon and Invacare to ship Ohio jobs to China and Mexico. This from a guy and a company that makes much of its money from Medicare, Medicaid and the Veteran’s Administration for its medical devices and products. In other words from American taxpayers.
Of course, Mixon and Invacare are helpful to Voinovich. He’s their favorite. In 2008 Mixon gave Voinovich $4,700 and Invacare’s political action committee added $3,500. His wife, Barbara, gave Voinovich $6,000. It wasn’t an election year for Voinovich and he isn’t running again in 2011. But money is always nice to have.
Mixon also co-hosted a fund-raising party for Voinovich in 2007 with attendees paying $1,000 to $2,300 for the opportunity to be with Voinovich. Guess most readers couldn’t afford it. Wonder who could?
Mixon is also generous to well-placed Democrats. In total, he made $78,500 in donations in 2008. When so much business comes from the government and its regulations can you blame him? The investment comes back in piles and piles.
Mixon, of course, laid it on about the job losses he’d have to make for the PD article. Neither Mixon nor Voinovich mentioned the 1.3 million people (and growing) without health care. Figures on the Ohioans without health care here:
http://www.online-health-insurance.com/coverage-by-region/ohio-health-guide-page-18.php
You can always bet that Voinovich will get the benefit of any doubt in the Plain Dealer. Always has. Always will.
Luckiest politician I’ve ever observed.