Debbie Phillips
Encyclopedia
Debbie Phillips is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives
, representing the 92nd District since 2009. She serves as assistant minority whip.
, Phillips sat on Athens City Council
where she chaired the Planning and Development Committee. She is also the executive director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign.
In 2008, Phillips opted to run again. However, with Stewart now running for the Ohio Senate
, Phillips quickly became the favorite to win the seat. Instead, she faced Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson in the general election, who proved to be a viable candidate. In the end, Phillips won with her second try, securing 50.47% of the vote.
In 2010, Phillips was a top target for House Republicans, who saw her as vulnerable in the Republican leaning district. Fielded was Mike Hunter, a retired lieutenant colonel with the State Highway Patrol. However, she won reelection with 52.59% of the vote. After the election and with Democrats now in the minority, House colleagues chose Phillips to serve as assistant minority whip. She also is serving on the committees of Rules and Reference, Finance and Appropriations and its Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee, Education, and Agriculture and Natural Resources.
With Republicans gaining the House majority in 2011, Phillips had remained critical on the majority's plan to eliminate former Governor Ted Strickland
's model for school funding, stating, "If we back away from our responsibility, it's going to be local taxpayers or the mom who now has to pay tuition for her child to attend kindergarten." She also has brought forth concerns that changes to the all-day kindergarten provision would conflict with the state's Race to the Top plan, which has garnered $400 million in federal funding for Ohio schools.
Phillips has been critical of state schools Superintendent Stan Heffner, stating that he influenced state contract awards to benefit a business that later offered him employment.
She has also threatened legal action if Governor
John Kasich
does not offer actual budget numbers regarding his education funding in the biennium budget.
Collective bargaining
Phillips is a staunch supporter of continuing collective bargaining
for public employees. She has stated that she's "amazed" at how enthusiastic residents have been about repealing SB5.
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
, representing the 92nd District since 2009. She serves as assistant minority whip.
Career
A graduate of Ohio UniversityOhio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
, Phillips sat on Athens City Council
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
where she chaired the Planning and Development Committee. She is also the executive director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign.
Ohio House of Representatives
Phillips initially ran for the Ohio House in 2006, when incumbent Jimmy Stewart was vying for a third term. In a contested race which proved to be undecided on election night, Stewart narrowly defeated Phillips with 51.08% of the vote.In 2008, Phillips opted to run again. However, with Stewart now running for the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, Phillips quickly became the favorite to win the seat. Instead, she faced Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson in the general election, who proved to be a viable candidate. In the end, Phillips won with her second try, securing 50.47% of the vote.
In 2010, Phillips was a top target for House Republicans, who saw her as vulnerable in the Republican leaning district. Fielded was Mike Hunter, a retired lieutenant colonel with the State Highway Patrol. However, she won reelection with 52.59% of the vote. After the election and with Democrats now in the minority, House colleagues chose Phillips to serve as assistant minority whip. She also is serving on the committees of Rules and Reference, Finance and Appropriations and its Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee, Education, and Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Policies, positions and initiatives
EducationWith Republicans gaining the House majority in 2011, Phillips had remained critical on the majority's plan to eliminate former Governor Ted Strickland
Ted Strickland
Theodore "Ted" Strickland was the 68th Governor of Ohio, serving from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing ....
's model for school funding, stating, "If we back away from our responsibility, it's going to be local taxpayers or the mom who now has to pay tuition for her child to attend kindergarten." She also has brought forth concerns that changes to the all-day kindergarten provision would conflict with the state's Race to the Top plan, which has garnered $400 million in federal funding for Ohio schools.
Phillips has been critical of state schools Superintendent Stan Heffner, stating that he influenced state contract awards to benefit a business that later offered him employment.
She has also threatened legal action if Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
John Kasich
John Kasich
John Richard Kasich is the 69th and current Governor of Ohio. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1983 to 2001...
does not offer actual budget numbers regarding his education funding in the biennium budget.
Collective bargaining
Phillips is a staunch supporter of continuing collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
for public employees. She has stated that she's "amazed" at how enthusiastic residents have been about repealing SB5.