Michael J. Skindell

Michael J. Skindell (born August 31, 1962) is an American politician and member of the Democratic party in Ohio. He is a practicing attorney in Cleveland, and represents the 13th district in the Ohio House of Representatives, which includes Lakewood and portions of western Cleveland.

Biography

Skindell graduated from Walsh College (now Walsh University) in North Canton, Ohio with a B.A. in Business and Political Science in 1983. He received his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland in 1987. He is currently a practicing attorney with the firm of Friedman, Damiano and Smith in Cleveland, specializing in personal injury and product liability.

Skindell is a member of the Board of Single-Payer Action Network Ohio, the Executive Committee of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, the Boards of Trustees of Barton Senior Center and Westerly Senior Apartments, and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

He is a past president of the Lakewood Jaycees, and past Chairman of Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grant. He is a former Ohio Assistant Attorney General, and former member of Lakewood City Council. In 2004, he received the award for Ohio Environmental Council Public Servant of the Year.

Ohio House of Representatives

After an unsuccessful run in the primary election in 1996, Skindell was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2002 taking the place of former Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar who retired after serving one term in the State House. He was unopposed for reelection in 2004 and 2006.

Currently in his third term, he serves as Ranking Minority Member of the Finance and Appropriations committee. He is also a member of the State Government & Elections and Judiciary committees.

Issues

Bicycle Helmet Law

In August 2007, Rep. Skindell suffered a broken collarbone and a ruptured spleen after he was struck by a motorist and thrown from his bike onto the pavement while riding through Lakewood and Cleveland. Skindell acknowledged his injuries could have been more serious, if not life-threatening, had he not being wearing a safety helmet.

After his recovery, he jumped into action by introducing legislation that would require children under 18 to wear bicycle helmets. The legislation also included a method to raise funds for low-income families from $25 fines. If the legislation becomes law, it will join 20 other states and District of Columbia with bicycle helmet requirements for children.

Single-Payer Health Plan

Skindell is a member of the Board of Single-Payer Action Network Ohio, and a proponent of a Single-payer health plan for the state of Ohio. He has introduced House Bill 186 to enact it.

External links

• Official Ohio House web page
• District map
• Project Vote Smart profile
• Follow the Money
  • 2006 2004 2002 1996 campaign contributions