They have won the election, so now it’s time to get to work.
Soon our current and future leaders will get a helping hand when it comes to holding office.
And you, the taxpayer, are picking up the tab.
The newly approved state budget sets aside $5 million to train public officials.
The John Glenn Institute at Ohio State will give city council members, mayors and state representatives a crash course on public service. The training courses are designed for those who do not have a background in public service.
"It's always a learning process," said Cleveland Mayoral Candidate Tony Madalone.
Madalone, who is a business owner turned politician, is just one of the candidates on a quest to be Cleveland's next mayor.
"I'm constantly trying to learn and have a conversation with people that are experienced," said Madalone.
Madalone says while this institute sounds like a good idea, he'd like to see the money used for something else.
"I don't know that we need to put $5 million into a program that helps people learn about politics. I think there are already educational programs out there for that, and Google," said Madalone.
Brandon Chrostowski, another Cleveland business owner who is also running for mayor, says this is money that should be used to fight heroin or be used to train voters on how to elect someone who doesn't need a crash course on public office.
Taxpayer Matt Shields agrees.
"That's something they should get on their own," said Shields. "I don't think it's something the government should be paying for."
While there are still a lot of questions about exactly what will be offered and who will be teaching the courses, we do know the institute will be non-partisan and will promote more cooperation between political parties.
