Good luck to new bipartisan caucus

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A group of the youngest members of the Ohio legislature (along with at least one graying, young-at-heart representative) have formed the Ohio Future Caucus. Members aim to “rise above partisan politics and find common ground to advance beneficial public policy,” Gongwer News Service reports.

Apparently, the millennials are taking a page from the Greatest Generation. Longtime politicians often reminisce about the days when Republicans and Democrats had civil disagreements about public policy while staying friends and working together productively.

Focusing on issues of benefit to all Ohioans, such as jobs and education, would be a nice change from the partisan brawls and rancor over social issues.

Rep. Michael Stinziano, D-Columbus, and Rep. Sarah LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, are leading the House branch of the Future Caucus. Senate caucus leaders are Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, and Frank LaRose, R-Copley Township.

Stinziano is moving to the Columbus City Council in January, but helping set up this caucus is a fitting end to a Statehouse tenure during which — and this says a lot about the need for the new caucus — he stood out for his common sense and collegiality.

He said nearly a quarter of Ohioans are millennials, and they are the next generation of leadership. “They clearly want to get past the rhetoric and pursue common-sense policies and goals,” he told the news service.

LaRose noted that “partisanship has become tribal,” and some politicians appear to believe that “if it’s bad for the other party, it’s good for me.”

Lost in that attitude is “what’s good for Ohioans?” Kudos to this group of young lawmakers. We wish them a long and successful effort.