Saturday, January 08, 2011

Governor’s Last Official Act in Office Advances Ohio Toward Construction of First Freshwater Wind Farm in the World Offshore Wind Farm to Position Ohio, Cleveland as Global Renewable Energy Leaders Columbus, OH – In his last official act as governor, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed an Option-to-Lease contract between the State of Ohio and the Lake Erie Energy Development Company (LEEDCo), a major step toward the construction of the world’s first freshwater wind farm in Lake Erie. The contract further positions Cleveland and the State of Ohio as global leaders in advanced energy industry job creation and in the production and distribution of renewable energy. The agreement between the State of Ohio, LEEDCo, and Freshwater Wind I, LLC, was signed, on behalf of the state by, Governor Strickland, Attorney General Richard Cordray, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan. The legally binding contract gives LEEDCo and Freshwater Wind the exclusive right to pursue a submerged lands lease for a designated area in Ohio’s portion of Lake Erie. If performance metrics are met within the timeline established in the contract, Ohio will be home to the first freshwater wind farm in the world. “This agreement advances the project to build the first freshwater offshore wind farm in the world and emphasizes Cleveland’s role as an international hub of renewable energy,” Strickland said. “This project builds on the strengths of Ohio’s manufacturing and maritime industries, our incredible natural resources, and our advanced research capacities, and puts Northeast Ohio on the cusp of creating thousands of jobs in the growing wind energy industry. We can develop Lake Erie’s wind resources and grow our economy, while protecting the lake’s value as a vast natural resource. I am very proud of the partnership we’ve developed with local and civic leaders to help us reach this point, and I strongly encourage the state to continue this collaborative effort.” The area covered by the Option-to-Lease agreement consists of nine grid cells totaling approximately 5,706 acres and is located approximately six miles due north of the city of Lakewood (Lakewood Park area). Ohio’s first option to lease Lake Erie submerged lands for production of wind generated electricity allows a pilot project to explore the potential of offshore wind in Lake Erie. LEEDCo and Freshwater Wind expect to install five wind turbines at the proposed site beginning late 2012 in an initial project expected to produce approximately 20 megawatts of electric generating capacity. According to estimates by NorTech, the initial project is estimated to create and sustain more than 600 jobs. “Offshore wind represents America’s energy future—a clean, renewable source of power that helps put Americans back to work while reducing our unsustainable dependence on foreign energy. Ohio is poised to lead the nation in this global race to a clean energy future,” Sen. Brown said. “Over the course of the last several months, offshore wind in Lake Erie has gotten closer and closer to becoming a reality. The signing of these leases is another strong signal that Lake Erie is ready to house the world’s first offshore wind farm in freshwater.” Brown has been a longtime advocate of offshore wind energy. In July, Brown urged the Obama administration to strongly consider establishing the country's first demonstration wind project in Ohio. In April 2010, he introduced The Program for Offshore Wind Energy Research and Development (POWERED) Act of 2010, which would spur research on potential offshore wind projects, expand incentives for offshore wind development, and require the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the deployment of offshore wind. Brown is also the original cosponsor of S. 3062, legislation which would provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending production and investment tax credits for offshore wind until 2020. These provisions are vital because of the long lead times required to permit and construct wind turbines offshore, compared to onshore wind energy. Brown's POWERED Act has been endorsed by The University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio, Case Western Reserve University, The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, The Ohio State University, The Great Lakes Wind Network, and by wind developers like NRG Bluewater Wind. By 2020, LEEDCo aims to have developed turbines producing 1,000 MW of offshore wind installed in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, in the ramp up to an economically-competitive and self-sustaining market employing thousands of local citizens. NorTech estimates that 1,500 MW of wind energy would create or maintain nearly 3,000 jobs in Ohio, generating $2.2 billion in wages, $6.5 billion in sales, and $171.5 million in public revenue (state and local) by 2030. “This option brings us one step closer to making offshore wind in Lake Erie a reality,” said Dr. Lorry Wagner, President of LEEDCo. “There are numerous steps and milestones in the permitting process for any power generation project, much less a first-of-a-kind project like this one, and this important step demonstrates once again that Ohio is in a leading position to build the Great Lakes offshore wind market and sector.” The Lease Option area is based on a grid cell mapping system developed by the ODNR Office of Coastal Management. The system takes into account the potential limiting/restrictive factors for wind turbine placement in the lake – such as shipping lanes, harbor areas, important fishing and birding habitat and lakebed substrates – and maps those areas in a color-coded system identifying user conflicts within each cell. Each grid cell is 1 nautical mile by 1 nautical mile or approximately 634 acres. "This agreement signals another step forward in the building of an advanced energy industry in Ohio,” said Attorney General Cordray. “My office’s Advanced Energy Task Force was created to help lay a foundation for growth by facilitating ground-breaking projects just like this, and I hope our efforts here can serve as a model for how the Attorney General can support this type of job-creating innovation.” During the Option-to-Lease period, LEEDCo and Freshwater will gather the data necessary to meet the requirements for obtaining a long-term submerged lands lease and for approval by the Ohio Power Siting Board. The Option-to-Lease agreement requires LEEDCo and Freshwater to meet certain performance measures within agreed upon time limits. The agreement allows for an initial two-year lease option period and can be extended up to three years if the performance measures are met. To view the interactive mapping tool showing the thematic map layers that were used to develop the Wind Turbine Placement Favorability Analysis Map, visit the Office of Costal Management website by selecting the “Coastal Wind” logo at www.ohiodnr.com/coastal. The interactive map viewer also highlights the location of the nine grid cells included in lease option for the LEEDCo/Freshwater Wind pilot project. "This agreement demonstrates that economic development and environmental conservation can work together," said Sean Logan, ODNR Director. "I would like to thank ODNR's professional staff for helping to propel Ohio forward." About the project partners: Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) is a regional non-profit corporation leading efforts to deploy offshore wind projects in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. Representing Northern Ohio's public interest in offshore wind, LEEDCo is responsible for assembling a world-class team to develop an initial 20 megawatt (MW) offshore pilot project in Lake Erie near Cleveland with a 1,000 MW target by 2020. Founded in 2009, LEEDCo members include The Cleveland Foundation, NorTech, the City of Cleveland and the Counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Lake. | www.leedco.org Freshwater Wind, formerly known as Great Lakes Ohio Wind, is the developer selected by LEEDCo for the Lake Erie offshore wind project, and the development company established by the following three companies: · Great Lakes Wind Energy, LLC (GLWEnergy) - an Ohio-based company formed specifically to develop offshore wind projects in Lake Erie. The GLWEnergy management team draws on strengths in development of energy projects in Ohio, offshore wind, engineering and construction, finance, regulatory affairs, and supply chain development. · Bechtel Development Company, Inc. - specializes in project development and finance and is one of the Bechtel group of companies. Bechtel is a global leader in engineering, construction, and project management. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 23,000 projects in 140 countries and all seven continents. · Cavallo Great Lakes Ohio Wind, LLC- part of Cavallo Energy, an energy development and asset management company that develops natural gas and alternative generation, energy storage, power marketing and electric transmission projects. Cavallo’s management team has more than 150 years of industry experience in energy development and operations. Freshwater Wind will work in cooperation with LEEDCo to engineer, finance, construct, install, and operate offshore wind in Lake Erie. www.freshwaterwind.com

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Governor Completes Agreement Between Ohio Agricultural Leaders and Humane Society Issues Ban on Ownership of Dangerous Animals Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued an executive order that completes the governor’s responsibilities brokered in the agreement between Ohio’s agricultural leaders and the Humane Society to enhance animal care standards while maintaining a vibrant livestock industry in Ohio. The emergency executive order allows for the immediate adoption of a new Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife rule that bans the private ownership of dangerous wild animals.. “This action fulfills my responsibilities within the agreement that will keep Ohio's vital agriculture industry profitable while appropriately updating animal care standards,” Strickland said. “This rule will help protect Ohioans from deaths and serious injuries caused by attacks from dangerous wild animals held in private ownership.” The agreement between the major organizations representing livestock producers and other agricultural interests and the Humane Society of the United States was first announced by Strickland on June 30, 2010. It resulted in the Humane Society not pursuing a ballot initiative this past fall, the initiation of several steps to enhance animal welfare and animal care standards including the adoption of rules, and preserved the integrity of the Ohio Livestock Animal Care Standards Board. The executive order authorizes the ODNR Division of Wildlife to adopt a new rule that prevents new private ownership of wild animals that are dangerous to human health and safety, requires existing private owners of dangerous wild animals to register the animals with the state, and details the type of facilities that can own and rehabilitate dangerous wild animals. These emergency rules will be in place for 90 days. During those 90 days ODNR will submit these rules to the state's rule making body, the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, for inclusion in Ohio's Administrative Code. The JCARR process is expected to be completed before the executive order expires. Under the rule, the ownership, breeding, selling, trading, and bartering of dangerous wild animals is prohibited to anyone who does not currently own one of the designated animals. Similarly, existing owners of wild dangerous animals cannot breed, sell, trade, or barter these types of animals. Existing owners would be allowed to continue with their ownership if they register their animals by May 1, 2011, and every year thereafter. This registration will improve law enforcement efforts, if needed, and provide a mechanism for the Ohio Department of Agriculture to trace animal-borne diseases before they become a widespread problem. “This rule takes a responsible step forward in protecting human life,” said ODNR Director Sean Logan. “While the rule will become effective immediately, under Ohio law it is only effective for 90 days. Therefore, we hope the incoming Administration will see the value of this effort and take the necessary steps to implement a permanent rule that would ban the ownership of these species.” Since Ohio has not previously banned ownership of dangerous wild animals, Ohioans have suffered attacks over a number of years. Most recently, a black bear tragically killed a trainer in Lorain County in August. The full text of the Executive Order is below: Executive Order 2010 – 17S Immediate Adoption of Rule Regarding the Possession, Sale, and Transfer of Dangerous Wild Animals Possession, Sale, and Transfer of Dangerous Wild Animals Present Threats to Ohio’s citizens. Dangerous wild animals in private possession in this State present a threat to the public health and safety of Ohio’s citizens as well as to the welfare of the animals. Dangerous wild animals are very difficult to keep and care for in captivity, which can lead to problems of animal abuse and neglect. They may carry viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens that may be transmitted to people and other animals, including livestock and wildlife, causing diseases that threaten the health of those infected. In addition, these species may be kept in residential areas by unqualified individuals, posing a direct risk to people’s safety. In August 2010, a man was killed by a bear kept by an individual who owns large carnivores and recently filed for bankruptcy. Further, the possession, sale, and transfer of these animals often fails to benefit the conservation of the species involved. Therefore, possession, sale, or transfer of dangerous wild animals, to include big cats, bears, wolves, non-human primates, large constricting and venomous snakes, and crocodilians must be restricted. Continued possession of dangerous wild animals presently in private ownership at the time of the signing of this Order may be allowed under specified conditions. Accredited Zoological Institutions, Bona Fide Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Certain Other Facilities are Exempt. Because certain entities possessing wild animals within the State have expertise in possession and care of wild animals and are accredited by organizations setting standards for their care, the risks due to possession, sale, and transfer of dangerous wild animals by these entities are reduced. Therefore, institutions that are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries should be allowed to continue to own these types of animals. Similarly, subject to certain specifically-established criteria, long-standing circuses and mascot programs, along with veterinary hospitals, research facilities, Department of Natural Resources-permitted native-wildlife rehabilitation facilities, law enforcement officers, and temporary transporters should also be allowed to continue to own these types of animals. The Department of Natural Resources is Responsible for Regulating the Possession, Sale, and Transfer of Dangerous Wild Animals. The Ohio General Assembly has expressly authorized the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) to regulate the possession and sale of all wild animals (Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 1531). The Ohio Rev. Code § 1531.01(X) declares certain animals to be “wild animals,” but does not purport to provide a comprehensive list of such animals. Other animals which should be deemed “wild animals” for the purpose of the implementation of Ohio law concerning wild animals can be established through the adoption of Rules in the Ohio Administrative Code. Further, Ohio law provides that “[n]o person shall take, kill, possess, transport, buy, or sell any wild animals contrary to any rule of the division of wildlife.” Ohio Rev. Code § 1531.11. Thus, the DNR has statutory authority to prohibit the possession, sale, and transfer of dangerous wild animals within the State. Adopting Administrative Regulations Regarding the Possession, Sale, and Transfer of Dangerous Wild Animals within 90 Days of this Order. In order for the State to strengthen its efforts to protect the citizens of Ohio from threats posed by possession and movement of dangerous wild animals, and to promote proper care for such animals when held in captivity in this State, this rule must be fully implemented immediately. Therefore, the DNR is directed to adopt final regulations necessary to address the issue of possession, sale, and transfer of dangerous wild animals within 90 days. Procedure for Immediate Adoption of the Administrative Rule. Section 119.03(F) of the Ohio Revised Code, authorizes the Governor, on request of an agency, to suspend the normal rule-making procedures with respect to a specific rule when an emergency exists necessitating the immediate adoption, amendment, or rescission of the rule. When such a determination is made, the agency may immediately adopt that rule, which is valid for 90 days. Determination of an Emergency.. I believe that an emergency exists justifying the suspension of the normal rule-making process when failure to act immediately would have a negative impact on the citizens of Ohio. The DNR has asked me to determine, and I have determined, that the failure to implement immediate administrative rule changes to prohibit the possession, sale and transfer of certain dangerous wild animals will adversely affect the health and safety of Ohio citizens. Therefore, an emergency exists necessitating the immediate adoption of a new administrative rule in this regard. Authorization for Immediate Adoption of Rule. Accordingly, the normal rule-making procedures are suspended with respect to the immediate adoption of Rule 1501:31-19-05 of the Ohio Administrative Code regarding the possession, sale and transfer of dangerous wild animals within the State. The Secretary of the DNR may therefore adopt this rule immediately by electronically filing it with the Secretary of State, the Director of the Legislative Services Commission, and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. I signed this Executive Order on January 6, 2011. It will expire at the end of the ninetieth day it is in effect, March 6, 2011. Ted Strickland, Governor

Friday, December 31, 2010

Governor Signs Executive Order, State Adopts Emergency Rules Implementing Greenhouse Gas Rules in Ohio Major Industries, Ohio Businesses Support Rules to Limit Burdensome Federal Mandates Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland signed an executive order today authorizing emergency rules that require only very large emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) to obtain clean air permits for their Ohio operations. These rules will enable Ohio businesses to operate without additional federal red tape and regulations. “Although I believe that Congress, and not U.S. EPA, should be developing a strategy to control greenhouse gases, Congress has not yet successfully addressed this issue,” Strickland said. “Ohio businesses have expressed their concern about this issue and how it could impact the speed at which they can complete projects and create jobs. As U.S. EPA continues to aggressively move down a regulatory pathway, Ohio must act quickly to make sure that, come January 2, Ohio EPA’s regulations pertaining to emissions of greenhouse gases do not negatively affect Ohio’s employers. As Ohio recovers from this national recession, our businesses must not be subjected to overly burdensome regulatory requirements.” Beginning January 2, 2011, states are required by U.S. EPA to begin permitting greenhouse gas emissions from “major sources” of greenhouse gases. Ohio’s emergency rules will provide certainty to the business community by restricting Ohio’s greenhouse gas regulatory requirements to only those large sources covered by U.S. EPA’s regulations. There has been significant support from Ohio businesses for the immediate implementation of these emergency rules before January 2 when the federal regulations take effect. Strickland and Governor-Elect John Kasich received letters of support for this rule package from major Ohio employers, such as: Ohio Chemistry Technology Council, Procter & Gamble, BASF Chemical Company, Lubrizol, AEP, INEOS ABS Corp., GFS Chemicals, Capital Resin Corporation, Americas Styrenics, Dover Chemical Corp., and ISP. These rules will assure that permitting requirements in Ohio apply only to those GHG sources which must have permits under the U.S. EPA’s greenhouse gas “tailoring” rule and do not apply to hundreds or thousands of small greenhouse gas sources in Ohio. U.S. EPA has adopted “tailoring” rules that raise the major source threshold for greenhouse gases. Raising the threshold to the higher levels means that only the largest sources of greenhouse gases will be subject to permitting requirements. The emergency rules that were adopted today raise the emission levels that would trigger permitting to the same levels as those adopted by the federal government. Without these emergency rules, it would not be sufficiently clear which emission thresholds triggered the need for greenhouse gas permitting. Without these types of rules, millions of greenhouse gas sources across the country would fall within the “major source” category and be required to apply for and obtain major source permits under the Clean Air Act whenever they would want to build, expand and operate. That would include small apartment buildings, retail complexes, fast food restaurants and other small businesses. “Ohio is moving forward with emergency rules to give Ohio businesses certainty that the State will no t have more stringent requirements than the federal government regarding greenhouse gas emission permitting,” said Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski. “Many in the business community support this action and have requested these rules so that their business development plans will not be hindered.” Emergency rules must be adopted before the end of the year to ensure that state regulations are no more stringent than federal rules. Emergency rules are valid for 90 days. Go here to read the Executive Order: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vs1garSpx58%3d&tabid=1819 Go here to read the Emergency Rules: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=2982 Go here to read support letters from industry:

Friday, December 31, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments to 11 Judicial Vacancies Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to 11 current judicial vacancies on courts in Clermont, Franklin, Lucas, Madison, Montgomery, Paulding and Putnam counties, and in the cities of Cleveland, Dayton and Sidney. Clermont County Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Kenneth Zuk to fill the vacancy on the Clermont County Municipal Court created by the election of Judge Thomas R. Herman to the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas. Zuk, a current Common Pleas Court judge and a former solo practitioner and assistant public defender, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Cleveland Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Lynn McLaughlin Murray to fill the vacancy on the Cleveland Municipal Court created by the election of Judge Kathleen Ann Keough to the 8th District Court of Appeals. Murray, a magistrate with the Cleveland Municipal Court and a former assistant director of law with the City of Cleveland Tax Division, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Dayton Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Christopher Roberts to fill the vacancy on the Dayton Municipal Court created by the death of Judge Dennis Greaney. Roberts, a magistrate for the Dayton Municipal Court and a former general practice attorney, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Franklin County Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Eric Brown to fill the vacancy on the Franklin County Municipal Court created by the election of Judge Julia Lillian Dorrian to the 10th District Court of Appeals. Brown, the current chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and a former judge on the Franklin County Probate and Common Pleas Courts, will take the bench effective January 2, 2011. Lucas County Common Pleas Court Governor Strickland appointed Myron Duhart to fill the vacancy on the Lucas County Common Pleas Court created by the December 17 resignation of Judge Charles J. Doneghy. Duhart, a general practice attorney and a small business owner, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Madison County Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Eric Schooley to fill the vacancy on the Madison County Municipal Court created by the announced resignation of Judge R. David Picken. Schooley, a private practice attorney with an emphasis on litigation and criminal law matters, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Montgomery County Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division Governor Strickland appointed Timothy Wood to fill the vacancy on the Montgomery County Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division created by the resignation of Judge Judith A. King, effective December 31. Wood, a magistrate for the Montgomery County Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division and former managing attorney at Hyatt Legal Services specializing in domestic relations and bankruptcy, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Montgomery County Common Pleas, General Division Governor Strickland appointed Steven Dankof to fill the vacancy on the Montgomery County Common Pleas, General Division created by resignation of Judge AJ Wagner, effective December 31. Dankof, a private practice attorney specializing in civil and criminal litigation, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Paulding County Court Governor Strickland appointed Suzanne Shuman Rister to fill the vacancy on the Paulding County Court created by the election of Judge Tiffany Beckman to the P aulding County Common Pleas Court. Rister, a private practice attorney, will take the bench effective January 7, 2010. Putnam County Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division Governor Strickland appointed Michael A. Borer to fill the vacancy on the Putnam County Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division created by the resignation of Judge Daniel Gerschutz, effective December 31. Borer, a private practice attorney and village solicitor for Leipsic, Pandora, Cloverdale, Dupont and Miller City, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011. Sidney Municipal Court Governor Strickland appointed Duane Goettemoeller to fill the vacancy on the Sidney Municipal Court created by the resignation of Judge Donald G. Luce, effective December 31. Goettemoeller, a private practice attorney and an assistant prosecuting attorney in Shelby County, will take the bench effective January 7, 2011.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Strickland Appoints Interim Directors, PUCO Chair Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today appointed three interim agency directors for the departments of Veterans Services, Public Safety, and the Adjutant General, and a new chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Strickland appointed Tim Espich as interim director for Veterans Services; George Maier as interim director for Public Safety; Major General Matthew Kambic as interim Adjutant General; and Commissioner Steven Lesser as PUCO chairman. “I’m proud to appoint these extremely capable and dedicated public servants to lead these agencies and their colleagues through this time of transition,” Strickland said. “I’m confident they will demonstrate the same integrity, transparency and responsibility that they have shown throughout their years of service to Ohioans.” Public Safety Director Tom Stickrath resigned from his position, and Veterans Services Director Bill Hartnett, Adjutant General Major General Gregory Wayt and PUCO Chairman Alan Schriber retired. These retirements and resignation are effective Dec. 31, 2010. Espich, Maier and Kambic will provide leadership to state agencies until appointees by the governor-elect take office on January 10, 2011. Steve Lesser, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Appointed to the commission by Governor Strickland in 2010, Lesser served in many cap acities at PUCO, most recently as chief of staff, and was instrumental in developing policy positions on legal and regulatory issues. In addition, he played a critical role in the implementation of the administration’s landmark energy and electricity reform bill. Chairman Lesser serves as chair at the pleasure of the governor; if a new chairman is appointed by the governor-elect, Lesser will remain a commissioner. Tim Espich, Department of Veterans Services Most recently the assistant director of Veterans Services, Espich previously served under two governors as the director of the Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs and was instrumental in the Strickland Administration’s creation of the new Department of Veterans Services in 2008. Major General Matthew Kambic, Adjutant General As assistant Adjutant General for the Army, Ohio’s Joint Force Headquarters, and Ohio Army National Guard since 2005, Major General Kambic has established policies, priorities and oversight for the readiness of more than 11,000 soldiers. Kambic, who began his military career more than 35 years ago, previously served as chief of staff and deputy chief of staff for operations and plans. George Maier, Department of Public Safety With 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Maier previously served as assistant director of the Department of Public Safety and was appointed by Governor Strickland to serve as chair of the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force, which was established by governor's Executive Order in April 2010 to fight the prescription drug epidemic in Ohio.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Columbus, Ohio-The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today announced an improvement in customer service for individuals wishing to purchase a certified copy of an Ohio birth record. Over the next few months, local registrar offices throughout the state will have access to issue an Ohio birth record regardless of the county where the birth occurred. Prior to this improvement, a person would need to purchase a copy from the county where the birth occurred or from the state office of vital statistics. “These changes will help to streamline birth record requests across the state and more quickly connect Ohioans with essential records, “said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson M.D. “They will be especially helpful for individuals who need a birth record in a hurry, since a person will now be able to travel to the closest office and purchase the record they need.” The implementation of ODH’s birth and death registration system was noted as innovative by the Public Health Accreditation Board earlier this year. The project began in 2006, with scanning and keying index information of over 20 million vital records into the state database. With this effort complete, all local health departments will now be able to access and issue a certified birth abstract for Ohio birth records dating back to 1908. Participation by local departments is optional and not all offices may choose to participate. Individuals are encouraged to contact their local health department to see if they offer this service. It is also important to call ahead to determine the hours of operation and the fees associated with a request for a certified birth abstract. To find information on a local health department visit www.odh.ohio.gov and click on “Local Health Departments.”

Friday, December 17, 2010

Columbus, Ohio – While unemployment rose in 21 states last month, Ohio and Illinois are the only two states in the nation that have had declining unemployment rates for eight consecutive months, based on preliminary data for November. Ohio’s rate fell from 9.9 percent to 9.8 percent last month, matching the U.S. unemployment rate for the first time since December 2002. “For the first time since December 2002, Ohio’s unemployment rate is not higher than the national unemployment rate. And Ohio is one of only two states that have seen our unemployment rate move in the right direction for eight straight months. We weathered the global economic recession by living within our means and through investments and policies to create jobs and support our great middle class. Ohio’s economy is positioned for growth because we’ve built a strong foundation for our future,” Strickland said.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Strickland Statement on Tax and Unemployment Bill Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement on the pending tax and unemployment legislation compromise currently before the United States Congress: "As I said a few weeks ago, I am puzzled by leaders of the Republican Party who would say that we cannot provide unemployment insurance to people out of work during this terrible recession without paying for them, yet they are more than willing to give tax breaks to the richest Americans. I think that shows a fundamental difference between the value systems of our two parties. These are the same people willing to borrow money from China in order to give a tax break to people who make more than $1 million dollars a year. “So it makes me angry - and it should make the people angry - that once again Washington Republicans are playing chicken with the pocketbooks of middle-class Americans for political gain. That is the worst kind of elitism. But the fact is that allowing current tax cuts to expire at the end of the year will mean many middle-class Ohioans will receive smaller paychecks in January. At a time when so many Ohioans are struggling to find a job, allowing unemployment insurance to expire would be unconscionable. “While the deal currently before Congress is far from perfect, I believe President Obama has made a tremendous effort to reach a workable compromise. And while, ideally, Congressional Democrats could make the bill even better for Ohioans, we risk too much, both for our economy and for Ohioans who work for a living, if we let these tax cuts expire and allow unemployment support to fall away."

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Judicial Panel Accepting Applications to Fill Vacancy on Madison County Municipal Court Columbus, OH – The Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel (OJARP) is currently accepting applications to fill the vacancy on the Madison County Municipal Court. The seat will become vacant on December 31, 2010 due to the announced resignation of Judge R. David Picken of the Madison County Municipal Court. The standard OJARP process has been modified to allow for the consideration and filling of posted vacancies before the end of Governor Ted Strickland's term on January 9, 2011. All applicants for the vacancy must submit an OJARP questionnaire to be considered for appointment. Applicants may also submit additional materials in support of their application, including, but not limited to, a cover letter, resume, and up to six letters of recommendation. All application materials for this recently announced resignation in Madison County must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, December 17, 2010. The OJARP questionnaire and application may be downloaded at: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=yoPLJzEECRk%3d&tabid=1813 All applications will be reviewed by working groups of the statewide panel of OJARP members. The statewide OJARP members will make non-binding recommendations to the governor.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Governor Announces Appointment of Yvette McGee Brown to Ohio Supreme Court Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced his appointment of Yvette McGee Brown to the Ohio Supreme Court, effective January 1, 2011. McGee Brown will be the first African American woman to serve as an Ohio Supreme Court justice. “Yvette is one of the most remarkable public servants I know,” Strickland said. “Throughout her life, from a humble upbringing to a distinguished career serving others, Yvette has embodied the highest levels of personal integrity and an exceptional intellectual capacity. Her diversity of experience, work as a former judge, and advocacy for the welfare of Ohio families will add a unique perspective and balanced decision-making to Ohio’s Supreme Court. I have no doubt that Yvette will provide a wise and compassionate voice for the most vulnerable to our highest court.” McGee Brown, 50, is a lifelong resident of Columbus and an active, respected leader in the Central Ohio community. She most recently served as the founding president for the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital before becoming a candidate for Ohio lieutenant governor in early 2010. McGee Brown’s term commences on January 1, 2011, and she will fill the seat vacated by Justice Maureen O’Connor when O’Connor becomes chief justice of the Supreme Court. “I am honored for this incredible opportunity to continue my service to Ohio’s children and families,” McGee Brown said. “I have been fortunate to have a life and career that has allowed me to pour my heart into helping others and expanding opportunities for vulnerable Ohioans. I look forward to bringing my diverse experiences and thoughtful perspectives to my work on the Ohio Supreme Court.” McGee Brown was born to a single, teenage mother on Columbus’ East Side who worked two jobs to provide for her family. Early in life, her mother and grandmother instilled in her the importance of education and hard work. McGee Brown graduated from Ohio University in 1982 with a degree in journalism/public relations. She continued her education at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate in 1985, while her mother attended college at the same time. Following graduation, McGee Brown worked at the Ohio Attorney General's Office and then became chief legal counsel to the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Department of Youth Services. Immediately prior to being elected to the bench, she was a partner in the law firm of Turner, Wright & McGee. McGee Brown served as a judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court, from 1993 to 2002. She was the first African-American and the second woman to be elected to the court. As judge, she founded programs that assisted young people in the Franklin County community: SMART, a truancy and educational neglect intervention program, and the Family Drug Court. In 2002, McGee Brown retired from the Franklin County Common Pleas Court to create the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, a multi-disciplinary child abuse and family violence program that co-locates prevention, assessment, treatment, research, advocacy and education services for children and families experiencing abuse. The program has become a national model for integration of multi-disciplinary services. An active community and corporate leader, McGee Brown has served on the boards of Ohio University, The Ohio State University Medical Center, the National Council of the OSU Moritz College of Law, M/I Homes, Inc. and Fifth Third Bank of Central Ohio. She is the former chair of the United Way of Central Ohio and YWCA Columbus Board of Directors. In 2008, McGee Brown was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. Among her honors, she has received the Champion of Children Award, YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and several honors from Ohio University and The Ohio State University. McGee Brown resides in Gahanna and is married to Tony Brown, a special education teacher. They have three children.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Governor Urges Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement urging Congress to pass a temporary extension of unemployment benefits. Unemployment compensation for many Ohioans will exhaust on Dec. 4. “At a time when Republican leaders in Washington are only concerned with giving tax breaks to the richest people in our country without paying for them, I am urging Congress to stand with our struggling middle class and extend unemployment benefits for working people.”

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Strickland Applauds PRO-TEC Expansion to Create 80 Full-time Jobs in Leipsic Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today applauded PRO-TEC Coating Company in Leipsic on the construction of a continuous annealing line at the facility, a $400 million investment that will create 80 full-time jobs and 500 construction jobs. “The additional line at PRO-TEC’s facility will enable the company to increase its capacity to supply high-tech materials to consumers worldwide,” Strickland said. “PRO-TEC’s commitment is a great example of the private investment Ohio is attracting today that is creating jobs and laying a foundation for Ohio’s long-term economic growth.” With this new line, PRO-TEC, a joint venture between U. S. Steel and Kobe Steel, will now produce cold-rolled advanced high-strength steels and ultra high-strength steels for certain automotive parts

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Governor Announces 2008 Clemency Decisions Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced clemency decisions for 176 applications recommended by the Ohio Parole Board in 2008. “Executive clemency power is an important part of our justice system – it provides a second chance to those who have earned one and ensures that unusually long sentences are in line with similar cases,” Strickland said. “This process also provides an opportunity to show mercy and forgiveness to those who have recognized what is expected of them in our society and who remain committed to being productive and responsible citizens.” Today's decisions are for all pending clemency applications for which the parole board made a recommendation between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. The governor has already begun reviewing the 283 recommendations received in 2009. 2008 Clemency Requests Strickland reviewed 176 clemency applications received in 2008. Of the 176 applications, Strickland: Denied 137 requests Granted clemency 39 times - 33 pardons and 6 commutations The Ohio Parole Board recommended to grant clemency 30 times and to deny clemency 146 times. The governor agreed with the Parole Board 163 times and disagreed 13 times. Of the 13 cases on which he disagreed with the Board, he disagreed with a recommendation to grant clemency 2 times. He disagreed with a recommendation to deny clemency 11 times. For one of the 13 cases on which he disagreed, he agreed in part and disagreed in part with the Parole Board’s recommendation, granting a pardon for one offense, but not another, when the Board had recommended a denial. Click here to view a chart outlining the governor's clemency decisions. Most of Strickland's favorable clemency decisions are grants of pardon associated with comparatively minor and/or non-violent offenses. In every case, these pardons have been granted to individuals who have completed their entire sentence, usually many years ago, or were never incarcerated. Virtually every case involves an individual who has not reoffended with the exception of traffic violations. The individuals granted pardons today have demonstrated that they have been rehabilitated and have assumed the responsibilities of citizenship. A small number of favorable clemency decisions are grants of commutation. In most of these cases, the governor has concluded, after careful review of each case, that the sentence imposed for the crime amounted to a fundamental injustice, or was so overly disproportionate to the sentences imposed upon others committing similar offenses, that a modification of the sentence was warranted. Three individuals were granted commutations that will result in the end of their current incarceration, effective December 15, 2010, to allow the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections an appropriate amount of time to manage the release process. One individual was granted a commutation to become immediately parole eligible. Three of the pardons granted carried conditions – paying restitution, for example – with them. Last November the governor announced 63 clemency applications carried over from 2005 and 2006 and 233 applications recommended by the Ohio Parole Board in 2007. Of the 63 applications from 2005 and 2006, 30 requests were denied and 33 were granted clemency (29 pardons and 4 commutations). Of the 233 clemency applications received in 2007, 188 requests were denied and 45 were granted clemency (39 pardons and 6 commutations). Governor's Constitutional Clemency Authority & Process The Ohio Parole Board and Governor Strickland consider applications for two forms of clemency: commutations and pardons. A commutation is the change of a legal punishment for the commission of a crime to a lesser punishment. A pardon is a complete forgiveness for a crime committed, eliminating all penalties and other legal consequences for the commission of a crime. An individual granted a full and unconditional pardon is deemed, by law, to have never committed the offense. The Ohio Constitution authorizes Ohio's governor to grant pardons and commutations "for all crimes and offenses, except treason and cases of impeachment" (Article III, Section 11). Under Ohio law, the governor may only grant a pardon or commutation after the adult parole authority has received a clemency application and the parole authority has provided a written recommendation to the governor. The governor may follow or reject the parole authority's recommendation. The governor's legal staff review of each parole board recommendation includes, but is not limited to: communication with the court and the prosecutor's office involved in the conviction; input and assistance from law enforcement officials, defense counsel, witnesses, victims and others who may have information relevant to the governor's decisions; consultation of official records from the offender's prosecution and appeals, the parole board's report and exhibits, petitions, letters, media reports and other documents or materials concerning the case. The legal counsel prepares these findings for the governor's review, initially shielding their clemency recommendations at the governor's request. After a thorough and detailed discussion of the specifics of a given case, the legal staff presents their recommendation for or against clemency. The governor considers the totality of information presented for each application and decides whether to approve or deny clemency.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions. The State Board of Education exercises, under the acts of the General Assembly, supervision of the system of public education in the state. Roger McCauley, of Glouster, has served as the executive director for the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development since 2000. He previously served as the director of planning for the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development and as the executive director of the Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action Agency. McCauley also serves as a member of the advisory committee for the Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development at Ohio University. He received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Ohio University. The Zane State College Board of Trustees sets the tuition and fees of the college, hires and fixes the compensation of the school's employees and does all that is necessary to ensure the successful operation of the college. Kathy Brantley, of Zanesville, currently serves as the chairperson of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund. She has also served as a reading assistant volunteer in public and private schools in the Zanesville community for the past 16 years. Brantley also serves as a board member for the Muskingum County YMCA. She received a bachelor’s degree from Bethune Cookman College in 1981 and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1983. The Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is charged with gathering and disseminating information and conducting hearings, conferences, investigations, and special studies on problems and programs concerning Spanish-speaking people. It also secures appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of Spanish-speaking people to the state. Baldemar Velasquez, of Toledo, has served as the president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO since 1967. He also served as an organizer for the National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991. Velasquez received the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award in 1994. He also currently serves on the board of directors for Policy Matters Ohio. Velasquez received a degree in practical theology and was ordained as the chaplain to farm workers by Rapha Ministries. He received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Toledo. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission advises the Attorney General on the standards and the curriculum of police schools for all level of government. Vernon Stanforth has served as the sheriff of Fayette County since 1997. He previously served as the past president of the Washington Court House Kiwanis Club and the local chapter of the Jaycees. Stanforth also currently serves as a district director for the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association. He is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy Session #205. Troy Mineard, of Akron, has served as a sergeant for the City of Akron Police Department since 1992. He previously served as a part-time criminal justice instructor at the University of Akron. Mineard received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in 1992 and a master’s degree from Tiffin University in 2007. The State Board of Emergency Medical Services is charged with preparing a plan for the statewide regulation of emergency medical services during times of disaster. The board oversees an Emergency Medical Services Grant program to improve quality and accessibility of EMS services within the state. James Parrish, of New Philadelphia, has served as a member of the New Philadelphia Fire Department since 1992. He also served as an emergency medical professional for MedFlight of Ohio since 1996. Parrish previously served as an EMS professional for the Gnadenhutten Volunteer Fire Department from 1982-1992. Brian Springer, of Kettering, has served as a professor of emergency medicine at Wright State University since 2002 and as the director of the Wright State University Division of Tactical Emergency Medicine since 2009. He has served as a fellow for the American College of Emergency Physicians since 2005. Springer received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY College at Oneonta in 1989 and a medical degree from the Southwestern Medical School in 1998. Deanna Harris, of Medina, has served as a registered nurse for the Metro Heath Medical Center since 2004 and the Medina General Hospital from 2000-2004. She also serves as a nurse for Metro Life Flight at Metro Health Medical Center. Harris received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron. James Davis, of Westerville, is a firefighter and paramedic for the City of Columbus, Division of Fire. Davis also serves as a rotor wing flight nurse with Medflight of Ohio/Grant Lifeflight and as an adjunct faculty member for the Columbus State Community College paramedic program. He received associate’s degrees in nursing and emergency medical services from Columbus State Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University Vickie Graymire, of Ottawa, has served as the trauma program manager at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima since 1998. She has been active in several professional organizations, including the Northwest Ohio Regional Trauma Registry, the Society of Trauma Nurses and the Ohio Society of Trauma Nurse Coordinators. Graymire received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bowling Green State University in 1990 and a master’s degree in nursing from Wright State University in 1993. Bruce Shade, of Willoughby, has served as the director of operations for Community Care Ambulance since May 2010. He previously served as the assistant director of safety for the City of Cleveland from 2001-2006. Shade also currently serves as a part-time firefighter and paramedic for the City of Willoughby. He received an associate’s degree from Cuyahoga Community College in 2000. Stark State College of Technology Board of Trustees has the power to establish and operate a technical college within a designated district and is responsible for setting the school’s tuition, fees and employee salaries. Tony Townsend, of Massillon, has served as the principal at the Hope Academy since 2006. He had previously served as an assistant principal at the Hope Academy from 2005-2006. Townsend has also been elected as a councilman for the City of Massillon and has served in that position since 2005. Townsend received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in 2000. Central Ohio Technical College Board of Trustees has the power to establish and operate a technical college within a designated district and is responsible for setting the school’s tuition, fees and employee salaries. Pamela Wilson, of Granville, has served as a corporate finance business controller for IBM since 2008. She previously served in numerous global sales and business operations positions for IBM since 1996. Wilson also served as the manager and acting director for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation from 1993-1995. She received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1975 and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton in 1996. The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Council monitors progress in improving student health and wellness, makes periodic recommendations to the Board of Education on improving student nutrition, assists the Department of Health in developing a list of resources regarding health risks associated with weight status and regularly reviews developments in science and nutrition to ensure the council remains informed for purposes of making recommendations. Kimberly McConville, of Mt. Vernon, currently serves as the executive director of the Ohio Soft Drink Association. She previously served as the executive director of the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners and as the director of legislative affairs for Auditor of State Jim Petro. Erich Merkle, of Stow, has served as the pupil adjustment program school psychologist for the Akron Public Schools since 2009. He previously served as the school psychologist and field-based clinical supervisor for the Akron Public Schools from 2007-2009 and as a school psychologist for the Trumbull County Educational Service Center from 2004-2007. Merkle received a bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg in 1996 and a master’s degree from Kent State University in 1999. Dale Kain, of Euclid, has served as a physical education teacher at Mayfield High School for the past 15 years. He previously served as an industrial arts teacher for 17 years. Kain also serves as the varsity tennis coach at Mayfield High School and as a member of the board of directors for the National Education Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. Andrew Wapner, of Columbus, has served as the obesity coordinator for the Ohio Department of Health since April 2010. He previously served as a pediatrician at the University Medical Associates from 2004-2009. Wapner is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a doctorate degree from Des Moines University. Stephen Mitchell, of Kent, currently serves as a professor of sport pedagogy at Kent State University. He previously served as the sport studies coordinator at Kent State University. Mitchell also currently serves as the advocacy chair for the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He is a member of the American Alliance for Health. Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the Loughborough University of Technology, and a doctorate from Syracuse University. Olivia Whyte Thomas, of Columbus, has served as the chief of the ambulatory section at Children’s Hospital in Columbus and as the chief of the ambulatory division at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health since 1999. She has also served as a member of the medical staff at Children’s Hospital since 1979 and also serves as a board member for the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. Thomas received a bachelor’s degree from Kentucky State University and a medical degree from Creighton University in 1976. Lisa Simpson, of Cincinnati, has served as the director of the Child Policy Research Center at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since 2007. She previously served as the director of the Division of Child Health Outcomes at the University of South Florida from 2003-2007 and as the deputy director of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1996-2003. Simpson also serves as a member of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee at the American Public Health Association. She received a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. The State Independent Living Council works with the Rehabilitation Services Commission to increase the ability for disabled Ohioans to live independently. The council helps these individuals through improved transportation, housing, peer counseling, employment and education opportunities and the promotion of self-advocacy for people with disabilities. Nathan Turner, of Holland, currently serves as an undergraduate student at Wright State University where he is expected to graduate in late 2010. He also serves as a volunteer for the Ohio’s Council for Disabilities and as a memory tutor for traumatic brain injury students at Wright State University. Turner is a member of the Youth Leadership Forum. Michael Corbett, of Delaware, currently serves as the executive director of Delaware Creative Housing, a non-profit housing corporation, and Creative Living Systems Inc., a non-profit manufacturing and home modification company. He previously served as the contract manager/waiver administrator for the Delaware County Board of Development Disabilities from 1994-2001. Corbett received a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College in 1986 and a master’s degree from the University of Denver in 1988. The State Fire Commission is charged with recommending courses of action to be taken by the Fire Marshal in carrying out his duties. Scott Williams, of Powell, has served as the director of governmental affairs for the Ohio Association of Realtors since 2005. He had previously served as director of state legislative affairs for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation from 1999-2003 and as a legislative aide to Senator Doug White from 1996-1998. Williams received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1992 and a master’s degree from Ohio University in 1995. James Hilz, of Columbus, has served as the executive director for the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio since 2003. He previously served as the director of governmental affairs for the Ohio Association of Realtors. Hilz received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Governor's Statement on Clemency Application of Sidney Cornwell Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the pending clemency application of Sidney Cornwell: “As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. Sidney Cornwell is scheduled to be executed on November 16, 2010. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted. “In making my determination, my staff and I have reviewed the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Cornwell's conviction, Mr. Cornwell's application for executive clemency and its appendix, and arguments presented for and against clemency at the Parole Board hearing. We also reviewed institutional records and letters received in the Governor's Office regarding this matter, the Parole Board's report and recommendation, and the exhibits presented at the Parole Board hearing. “There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Cornwell is guilty of the crime of aggravated murder - and he has admitted that. The only question I am confronted with is whether the death penalty is appropriate in this case given the fact certain mitigating information was not available at the time the sentence was imposed. “Critical to that evaluation is the fact that in recent months, Mr. Cornwell was definitively diagnosed with a genetic disorder known as Klinefelter's syndrome. This condition, which impacts both the body and the mind of its sufferer, was unknown to the jury and judge responsible for determining Mr. Cornwell's sentence despite significant testimony a nd argument during Mr. Cornwell's trial regarding certain of his physical characteristics. “A jury deciding whether to recommend the imposition of the death penalty must unanimously make such a recommendation to the sentencing judge and the sentencing judge must determine that the death penalty is appropriate. If one juror, or the judge, had determined that the death penalty was not appropriate, Mr. Cornwell would instead have been sentenced to life in prison. “Once aware of the probable Klinefelter's diagnosis, one of three Sixth Circuit judges reviewing the case determined that the death penalty was not an appropriate sentence. After the Klinefelter's diagnosis was confirmed, one of eight parole board members determined that the death penalty was inappropriate in this case. In both instances, Mr. Cornwell's recent diagnosis was referenced as the basis of the dissent. “In Judge Moore's dissent, she stated, with respect to the question of whether a jury might have reacted differently when it recommended the death penalty had it known about Mr. Cornwell's disorder, that knowledge of such a diagnosis ‘would have a reasonable probability of affecting the outcome of the penalty phase...’ “The Parole Board Chair, dissenting from her colleagues' recommendation to deny clemency, cited three basic reasons for her recommendation: having a medical disorder is a strong mitigator and was not presented during the sentencing mitigation phase; a mitigation phase which would have centered on a genetic disorder would have caused the jury to have more sympathy as opposed to one which centered on a person who was portrayed by the prosecution as merely overweight and lazy by nature; and that Klinefelter’s syndrome could have reduced Cornwell's overall culpability. “The fact is, there is a substantial possibility that had the jury or sentencing judge known about Mr. Cornwell's disorder, one or more of them would have found that the death penalty was inappropriate in this case, just as one of the Sixth Circuit judges did and as the Parole Board's Chair did. “Because the trial jury and sentencing judge did not have information at the time of sentencing about Mr. Cornwell's Klinefelter's syndrome, I have concluded that it would be inappropriate to proceed with the death penalty in this case. There can be no doubt that Mr. Cornwell's conduct still necessitates severe punishment. Accordingly, I have decided to commute his sentence to a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.”

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Strickland Announces Major Breakthrough on American Centrifuge Project to Create 4,000 Ohio Jobs After Prolonged Negotiations, US DOE Provides Term Sheet for $2 Billion Loan Guarantee, Acknowledges Viability of USEC Technology Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and USEC Inc. today announced that the effort to develop a uranium enrichment facility in southern Ohio took a major leap forward as the U.S. Department of Energy affirmed its confidence in USEC Inc.’s technology by putting the framework of a deal on the table to negotiate a $2 billion loan guarantee. USEC’s American Centrifuge Project is estimated to create up to 4,000 Ohio jobs. Governor Strickland hailed the news as the most significant step forward for the project in several years. “We’ve fought long and hard to build this facility here because it means thousands of good Ohio jobs,” Strickland said. “But it also means that Ohio will continue its legacy as a nuclear manufacturing leader and will further establish Ohio as home of the advanced energy revolution. Getting this facility built is as critical to our national energy interests as it is vitally important to the resurgence of Ohio’s economy and the livelihoods of the hard working people of southern Ohio. Today, that vision for our energy and economic future is a giant leap closer to reality thanks to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu for his commitment and willingness to take this significant step toward granting the loan guarantee.” “The Department’s decision to move forward reflects the significant progress we have made on both the technical and financial fronts in deploying the next generation of U.S. uranium enrichment technology,” said John K. Welch, president and CEO of USEC. “We are very pleased to receive DOE’s draft term sheet which will provide a framework for further discussions. We look forward to working with DOE to continue advancing the project.” On Tuesday evening, DOE transmitted to USEC a confidential draft term sheet for DOE’s issuance of a loan guarantee in support of USEC’s American Centrifuge Project. Strickland has fought for this project and the jobs it will create since he was a member of Congress. Just last month Strickland and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown sat down with U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to urge DOE to approve the loan guarantee. That was the latest in a series of meetings, calls, letters and other requests the governor, senator and other Ohio leaders including Representatives Zack Space and Charlie Wilson made on behalf of the American Centrifuge Project. Earlier this year the governor also announced that Babcock & Wilcox and Toshiba will each invest $100 million into the Piketon facility, a significant investment that strengthens the project’s ability to move forward. According to USEC, the company is investing in advanced centrifuge technology to meet the U.S. energy needs of a growing population, and to provide a long-term, reliable and secure fuel source for the U.S. and international nuclear power plants. The American Centrifuge is the most advanced centrifuge technology in the world. As the only domestic enrichment facility using U.S. centrifuge technology, the American Centrifuge Plant will also help to rebuild U.S. nuclear manufacturing capabilities. This multi-year construction project would create nearly 8,000 U.S. jobs in 10 states, with up to 4,000 in Ohio. “Pike County and its neighboring counties have a rich history of supplying a dedicated and patriotic workforce to advance our nuclear energy needs. There is no doubt that nuclear power is a vitally important part of America’s energy future, and that Ohio will play a pivotal role in that future,” Strickland said.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Strickland Applauds ITC Investigation into Chinese Practices that Harm Ohio’s Renewable Energy Sector Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk applauding the initiation of an investigation into Chinese practices and policies that harm U.S. and Ohio advanced and renewable energy manufacturers and workers. The full text of the letter is below: October 18, 2010 The Honorable Ron Kirk Office of the United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Kirk: I write today to applaud your initiation of an investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, in response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers. I encourage you to make this issue a top priority and proceed with the investigation as quickly as possible. The predatory practices utilized by the Chinese government in the renewable energy sector, such as hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies, restrictions on access to critical materials, and discrimination against foreign firms, threaten both America’s economy and our quest for energy independence. The outcome of this investigation is critically important to Ohioans, as the state’s advanced and renewable energy sectors are important growth industries. In 2007, we established one of the strongest advanced energy portfolio standards in the country, requiring that 25% of all energy consumed by Ohioans will come from advanced and renewable sources by the year 2025. These and other policies have laid a foundation for a strong renewable energy industry in Ohio – and we are starting to see results: · There are currently over 532 active or emerging companies in the Ohio wind supply chain, from machine shops to sensor developers. · In September, we took an 80-acre solar farm online. This project used 159,000 solar panels that were made in Ohio and installed by Ohioans. · Just last week, we announced a joint venture between the State of Ohio, Turning Point Solar, American Electric Power, and prominent Spanish solar power component manufacturers, Prius Energy and Isofoton, to develop a 49-megawatt solar array, making Ohio the home to one of the largest solar projects in the country and creating over 600 jobs. The two Spanish companies supplying the 239,400 panels have announced that they will be making significant capital investments to establish their North American production headquarters in Ohio. Even while we are working to advance this industry and accelerate job creation, Chinese exports have increased by more than 400 percent. The USW petition outlines over 80 Chinese laws and practices that seek to benefit Chinese green technology firms that unfairly undercut American competitors. I believe that both Ohio’s and the national economy would recover more quickly if we could compete on a level playing field to grow this emerging industry. Ambassador, I appreciate all that you have done to promote fair trade during your tenure as US Trade Representative. Because of Ohio’s unique leadership position in both the U.S. manufacturing industry and the advanced and renewable energy industries, I believe that we can be helpful to you as your office conducts this investigation. Please do not hesitate to call upon me or my office to provide assistance. Sincerely, Ted Strickland Governor, State of Ohio

Friday, September 24, 2010

Governor, Lt. Governor Ask Speaker Pelosi to Support Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today called on U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to support Representative Tim Ryan’s H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, which will help put a stop to Chinese currency manipulation that is costing Ohio jobs. “Purposeful undervaluation of the Yuan by the People’s Republic of China has had an especially devastating effect here in Ohio,” Strickland and Fisher say in the letter. “China has a pattern of giving itself unfair currency valuation advantages at the cost of tens of thousands of Ohio jobs.” Full text of the letter is below: September 24, 2010 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker, US House of Representatives H-232, US Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Dear Speaker Pelosi, We write today to voice our support for H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, and to advocate for a vote on this Resolution before the full House. H.R. 2378, sponsored by Representatives Tim Ryan and Tim Murphy, directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to treat currency undervaluation as a prohibited subsidy, and will give the U.S. Government the ability to fight back against this harmful practice. Purposeful undervaluation of the Yuan by the People’s Republic of China has had an especially devastating effect here in Ohio. Along with the exporting of highly subsidized goods and the dumping of products at prices significantly below their cost to produce, China has a pattern of giving itself unfair currency valuation advantages at the cost of tens of thousands of Ohio jobs. A Yuan undervalued by as much as 40% makes China’s exports to the U.S. cheaper, U.S. exports to China more expensive, and hurts our competitiveness in other countries. We have seen positive results when we have battled back against these harmful trade practices in the past. For example, shortly after a ruling by the International Trade Commission on steel products, V&M Star, a large steel producer in our state, announced a $650 million plant expansion along with plans to bring hundreds of manufacturing jobs back to Ohio. Ohioans simply want to make sure we’re playing on a level field. Speaker Pelosi, we urge your support for H.R. 2378 and the manufacturers of Ohio. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Ted Strickland Lee Fisher Governor, State of Ohio Lt. Governor

Friday, September 24, 2010

For Immediate Release: Contact: Amanda Wurst Tuesday, September 21, 2010 614 644-0957/614 832-7512 Amanda.Wurst@governor.ohio.gov Governor Sends Letter to U.S. Trade Rep. Regarding Ban on Outsourcing Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to defend his commitment to insourcing jobs when the State of Ohio purchases services. Several government officials and trade association leaders in India have objected to Strickland’s ban on the expenditure of public funds for services provided offshore. Indian government officials have pledged to raise their objections to Ohio’s outsourcing ban during meetings with Ambassador Kirk this week. “Several government officials in India have objected to my commitment to insource jobs when the State of Ohio purchases services. They have every right to try to wrestle even more American jobs away from us. But I’ll tell you this, we have every right to say no,” Strickland said. “In fact, we have an obligation to say no. Because I believe that when you ask American taxpayers to fund economic development, every single dollar and every single job should stay in America. Indian officials call that protectionism. I call it common sense. And let me ask those crying foul where they spend their economic development dollars? They surely don’t send them over here.” Full text of the governor’s letter to Ambassador Kirk is below: September 21, 2010 The Honorable Ron Kirk Office of the United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Kirk: I write today because I understand that this week at the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum in Washington, Indian officials intend to object to my actions to insource jobs when the State of Ohio purchases services. The issue may also come up when India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao sits down this week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in advance of President Obama’s November visit to India. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to very clearly state the nature and purpose of Ohio’s policy. My Executive Order prohibits any State of Ohio cabinet agency, board, or commission from signing a contract that uses funds it controls to purchase services outsourced to other countries. Quite frankly, in my view, there is no need to go across the globe to buy services that can be readily provided in Ohio or in the United States. While they have objected to my actions, Indian officials have admitted they do not have a case in the World Trade Organization because my Executive Order does not violate any trade agreement with them. We make things in Ohio. So we are very well aware of the importance of trade and we highly value our trading partners. After suffering the full brunt of the global recession, Ohio now leads the 50 states in manufacturing job growth and has the sixth-fastest growing economy in the U.S. Of course, exports have helped fuel that growth. Ohio firms sold $381 million in goods, principally machinery, aircraft, and medical equipment, to Indian markets last year. We have also successfully worked with Indian firms to grow their businesses within the United States. In fact, Tata Consultancy Services built its North American headquarters right here in Ohio. Ohio is open for business. We believe in fair trade here, and we know that both our countries benefit from it. But let me say this as well -- no one in India, or anywhere else, is going to tell the citizens of Ohio where we can create jobs or how we can spend our resources. I hope this statement of our position is helpful to you as you talk with Indian officials this week. Respectfully, Ted Strickland

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Governor Identifies $1.6 Million in State Assistance, Announces Emergency Declaration for Athens, Meigs and Perry Counties Asks for Federal SBA Declaration for Residents, Businesses Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today declared a disaster for Athens, Meigs and Perry counties and has identified up to $1.6 million in state assistance to help residents with their recovery from the severe storms that struck Ohio Thursday. The state assistance will require Controlling Board approval. Strickland also asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to issue a disaster declaration for Athens County residents, so that disaster loan assistance is made available to help recovery efforts. If Athens County is approved for SBA assistance, then contiguous counties will also qualify. “I saw firsthand Friday the damage suffered by residents in Southeastern Ohio, and I want to let these Ohioans know that we will do everything in our power to provide the support they need to recover from these storms,” Strickland said. “Because these counties did not qualify for FEMA assistance does not mean we are giving up. We continue to stand by those affected and believe these resources will help families get back on their feet. I am also urging the federal SBA to issue a disaster declaration so residents can also make use of loan assistance to start rebuilding their homes, businesses and churches.” The SBA must conduct a survey of damage in the area in order for Athens County to receive a disaster declaration. The State and SBA will work to establish a disaster recovery center for these counties as soon as possible pending SBA approval of Ohio’s request.

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Governor Designates Federal Medicaid Funding to Protect Health Care Jobs, Services Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today announced initial designations of dollars made available as a result of increased federal reimbursement for Medicaid. Investments will be made in hospitals, mental health services, and Ohio’s HIV/AIDS assistance program to protect health care jobs and critical health services for Ohioans. “As Ohioans are fighting our way out of the Wall Street recession, this additional support could not have come at a more critical time for our hospitals and mental health system. These investments will protect Ohio jobs and help us provide health services for Ohioans in need,” Strickland said. “I want to thank President Obama and Ohio’s Congressional leaders for supporting Ohio jobs and services.” Medicaid is a state and federal partnership with shared financial responsibility. Medicaid expenses are partially reimbursed by the federal government. In the Recovery Act, the federal government increased its share of the financial responsibility for Medicaid, also known as FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentages), providing economic relief to states. This enhanced FMAP was set to expire on December 31, 2010 but was extended for six months at a reduced rate by federal legislation passed in August. Ohio’s enhanced FMAP reimbursement allocation is projected to be $518.6 million. As designated by federal law, approximately $73.3 million will be distributed through the following state agencies, and in many cases passed through to local partners, in proportion to their financial contribution to the Medicaid program: · Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services: $2.4 million · Ohio Department of Education: $845,801 · Ohio Department of Aging: $12.6 million · Ohio Department of Mental Health: $15.6 million · Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities: $41.7 million Also designated by federal law is the distribution of approximately $24.7 million for Medicare Part D and $13.3 million for IV-E, which supports foster care and adoption services provided through county agencies. The remainder, approximately $407.2 million, flows through the main Medicaid funding line item (the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Medicaid 525 line) and associated Medicaid Non-GRF lines. Strickland today designated less than half of these enhanced reimbursements for the following investments: Ohio hospitals will benefit from $150 million in relief from the hospital assessment to protect health care jobs and critical services for patients. The additional resources will help benefit every hospital throughout the state to retain or add jobs. (The state budget impact of the reduced hospital assessment will only be $118 million, after accounting for the net effect of other factors related to hospitals in the Medicaid budget. Those factors include better than estimated performance of the hospital assessment and reduced spending in the Upper Payment Limit program.) Ohio’s mental health system will receive $32.6 million to help provide critical treatment for adults and children with mental illness and preserve jobs in the mental health system. Approximately $30.6 million will be distributed to county boards on a per capita basis to help fund services and protect jobs; the remaining $2 million will be used to fund programs that specifically benefit children with mental health issues. · Ohio’s Ryan White Part B/Ohio Drug Assistance Program, which provides assistance to eligible Ohioans living with HIV/AIDS, will receive $12.8 million. The program implemented cost containment measures in July because of a combination of decreasing resources, increasing enrollment, and rising costs of health insurance premiums and medications. This assistance will sustain the program at its current levels through the remainder of the fiscal year. Strickland said he would like to gather input and information from the legislature and stakeholders before designating the balance of the state’s allocation, which is approximately $243.8 million. “It is important to exercise fiscal restraint and look beyond our immediate priorities so we are positioned to address needs that may arise in the coming months. That is how we will maximize these resources and help the greatest number of Ohioans,” Strickland said. “Just because the state has received additional federal resources does not mean all of those resources must be spent immediately.”

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Governor’s Statement Regarding Clemency Application of Kevin Keith Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the pending clemency application of Kevin Keith: “Kevin Keith was convicted, by a jury, of callously murdering three people - including a four-year old child - and shooting three others, including two young children. Since the time of his arrest more than 16 years ago, Mr. Keith has maintained his innocence, insisting that someone else committed the murders. “Mr. Keith’s conviction has been repeatedly reviewed and upheld by Ohio and federal courts at the trial and appellate level. The Ohio Parole Board recommended against clemency in this case. There is evidence which links him to the crimes that, while circumstantial, is not otherwise well explained. It is my view, after a thorough review of the information and evidence available to me at this time, that it is far more likely that Mr. Keith committed these murders than it is likely that he did not. “Yet, despite the evidence supporting his guilt and the substantial legal review of Mr. Keith’s conviction, many legitimate questions have been raised regarding the evidence in support of the conviction and the investigation which led to it. In particular, Mr. Keith’s conviction relied upon the linking of certain eyewitness testimony with certain forensic evidence about which important questions have been raised. I also find the absence of a full investigation of other credible suspects troubling. “Clearly, the careful exercise of a governor’s executive clemency authority is appropriate in a case like this one, given the real and unanswered questions surrounding the murders for which Mr. Keith was convicted. Mr. Keith still has appellate legal proceedings pending which, in theory, could ultimately result in his conviction being overturned altogether. But the pending legal proceedings may never result in a full reexamination of his case, including an investigation of alternate suspects, by law enforcement authorities and/or the courts. That would be unfortunate – this case is clearly one in which a full, fair analysis of all of the unanswered questions should be considered by a court. Under these circumstances, I cannot allow Mr. Keith to be executed. I have decided, at this time, to commute Mr. Keith’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Should further evidence justify my doing so, I am prepared to review this matter again for possible further action.”

Monday, August 09, 2010

Governor’s Statement Regarding Parole Board Recommendation Concerning Roderick Davie Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation against executive clemency for Roderick Davie: “As a result of his convictions for aggravated murder, Mr. Roderick Davie is scheduled to be executed on August 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted.” “In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Davie’s case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Davie’s convictions, and arguments presented against clemency at the Parole Board hearing. Mr. Davie did not submit an application for executive clemency or present any arguments on his own behalf, either directly or through counsel. We have also reviewed institutional records, letters, the exhibits presented at the Parole Board hearing and the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on July 22, 2010.” “Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter.”

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Ohio Hardest-Hit Fund Plan Approved by U.S. Department of Treasury $172 million to assist Ohio homeowners facing foreclosure Columbus, OH – The U.S. Department of Treasury today announced the approval of the Ohio Hardest-Hit Fund plan. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency will use the allocation of $172 million in federal foreclosure prevention funding to help families struggling to pay their mortgages. “Ohio families have felt the effects of the national housing crisis harder than most. Through this partnership with the Obama Administration, the Ohio Hardest-Hit Fund will keep more Ohio families out of foreclosure while adding stability to the housing market,” Governor Ted Strickland said. “The Ohio Hardest-Hit Fund will be another tool for homeowners to stay in their homes, along with ongoing state initiatives like Save the Dream and the Foreclosure Compact that bring homeowners and lenders together to avoid home foreclosure.” Ohio has received the third largest allocation of Hardest-Hit funds to date as part of the U.S. Treasury’s second round of funding. Governor Strickland, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Commerce and the Save the Dream Ohio partners have worked together to develop a comprehensive, statewide strategy. The plan aims to assist 18,500 unemployed and underemployed homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship and are at-risk of mortgage loan default or foreclosure. “Governor Strickland and other state leaders have worked tirelessly to address foreclosures in Ohio,” said Kimberly Zurz, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce and Ohio Housing Finance Agency Board Chairperson. “With these federal dollars in place, we can build on the success of Save the Dream Ohio to continue helping families struggling to maintain homeownership.” Ohio’s program will assist homeowners with financial hardships who have been unable to qualify for existing loan modification and foreclosure prevention programs. Available programs will include: Rescue Payment Assistance, Partial Mortgage Payment Assistance, Modification Assistance with Principal Reduction and Transitional Assistance. “Through this plan, we will provide resources that were previously unavailable to struggling borrowers,” said Doug Garver, Executive Director for the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. “I am pleased that OHFA will play an active role in this initiative, coordinating a statewide network of partnerships to deliver help quickly to those who need it most. “ "Families worried about losing their homes due to job loss will find hope in this announcement. This aid is not smoke and mirrors, it's real change," said Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge. (OH-11) "Before the foreclosure crisis made national news, Ohio's families were suffering. The state's mandatory mediation program has had a positive impact on reducing foreclosures, but that effort alone cannot cure all. I’ve long advocated for targeted funding to the hardest hit states, and was proud when the Hardest Hit Fund was established. The President's multi-pronged approach will help families keep their dreams, even in the midst of this recession.” The Ohio Hardest-Hit Fund plan will launch September 27, 2010 but borrowers who are in need of immediate assistance should visit the Save the Dream Ohio website at http://savethedream.ohio.gov/ or call the hotline at (888) 404-4674 to get free assistance and speak directly with a housing counselor. Visit www.ohiohome.org to read Ohio’s Hardest-Hit Fund proposal submitted to U.S. Treasury in its entirety.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Governor, State Leaders Announce Job Ready Site Grants to Develop Commercial Sites Across Ohio Dayton, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced $29.9 million in Job Ready Site program grants and $4.6 million in other state infrastructure grants for projects at 14 commercial and industrial sites aimed at spurring job creation throughout Ohio. He made the announcement today at the University of Dayton Research Institute in Dayton. “The Job Ready Site program is about taking locations that have been left behind and transforming them into work sites that are ready for business, new jobs and new opportunities for Ohioans,” Strickland said. “These investments reinforce our message to companies across the nation considering expansion or relocation projects that there is no better place to build your business than Ohio and no better workforce to make your product than Ohioans.” "The University is proud to host today's Job Ready Site awards announcement at a site that's primed for economic development and innovation,” University of Dayton President Dan Curran said. “In partnership with the State of Ohio, we will work together to transform the former NCR World Headquarters into a research-and-technology catalyst to benefit the State and the Dayton region.” The Ohio Job Ready Site Program, authorized by Ohio’s voters under Issue One in 2005, was created to bolster the State of Ohio’s inventory of available facility locations served by utility and transportation infrastructure. Sites that are improved under the Job Ready Site Program are kept ready for future business prospects seeking locations for new or expanded operations. Administration officials also announced grants at locations across Ohio: Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher announced a $3.5 million grant for the MidTown Tech Park in Cleveland; Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel announced a $3.5 million grant for Pickaway Progress Park in Circleville; Ohio Department of Commerce Director Kim Zurz announced three projects totaling more than $7 million in Canton; and Ohio Department of Development Assistant Director Mark Barbash announced a $3.4 million grant for the CASTLO Manufacturing Site in Struthers. Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia Director Chris Shaffer announced a $750,000 grant for the Ingenuity Center in Marietta Township. “Companies look to operate in places that offer the most opportunity for a successful work-life balance,” Patt-McDaniel said. “The State’s investments in certified Job Ready Site help to accelerate investment decisions and maximize the development potential in Ohio’s communities.” Properties in this program are strategically evaluated and then awarded for their ability to provide optimal infrastructure capabilities and attract economy-shifting investment. Since its inception in 2005, the program has awarded approximately $135 million in grants, leveraging nearly $198 million in private investments. These funds are designed to offset costs associated with speculative development to accelerate and maximize property development potential. The following is a list of awarded projects: · University of Dayton Research Institute and Innovation Center, located in the City of Dayton (Montgomery County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to renovate 60,000 square feet of the Former NCR World Headquarters building. Within that facility, 16,000 square feet will be collaborative innovation space and 44,000 square feet will be undesignated research space. · Beck Industrial Commerce Park, located in the City of Louisville (Stark County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to develop a 230-acre industrial site.. Work to be completed at the project site includes construction of an access road and bridge as well as extensions of utilities and rail siding. · Canton Corrugated Paper Center, located in the City of Canton (Stark County), has been awarded $750,000 from the Job Ready Site program to assist in creating a pilot corrugating plant. The project involves building demolition to accommodate a 20,000 square foot building to support manufacturing, testing, and demonstration of the corrugated paper industry. This project will result in the creation of 50 jobs over a five-year period at the plant. · CASTLO Manufacturing Site, located in the City of Struthers (Mahoning County), has been awarded $3,491,000 from the Job Ready Site program to demolish a 312,000 square foot building to redevelop 66 acres within the CASTLO Industrial Park. Work to be completed at the site includes demolition of Building I, environmental remediation, and extension of roadway and utilities into the site. · D.O. Hall Business Center, located in the City of Cambridge (Guernsey County), has been awarded $750,000 from the Job Ready Site program to construct an access road that will open 121 acres of land for development, and extend water and sewer lines to the industrial site. · Eastern Ohio Regional Industrial Park, located in the Village of Barnesville (Belmont County), has been awarded $750,000 from the Job Ready Site program to extend water lines to the 200-acre industrial park. · MidTown Tech Park, located on Euclid Avenue in the City of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to construction a technical research center. Work to be completed at the site includes land acquisition, site remediation, and constructing an 112,000 square foot building to attract biomedical related industries. · Ingenuity Center, located in Marietta Township (Washington County), has been awarded $750,000 from the Job Ready Site program to construct a building to assist in attracting companies in the temperature controlled cabinet industry specific to the research and medical fields. Work to be completed at the site includes acquiring 5 acres of land within the Seven North Commerce Park and constructing a pre-engineered 35,000 square foot building. · Iron Highway Industrial Park, located in the Village of Leipsic (Putnam County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to create a 244-acre industrial site served by three rail providers. Work to be completed at the site includes land acquisition, extension of water and gas lines, and installation of a rail switch. · MATC Technical and Research Complex, located in the City of Miamisburg (Montgomery County), has been awarded $1,217,000 from the Job Ready Site program and $2,283,000 from the Roadwork Development (629) program to construct a roadway for enhanced access to the 64-acre technical research park. Work to be completed at the Superfund site includes road and utility extensions, site remediation, improvements to the PerkinElmer building, and demolition of buildings for parking lot construction. · Miami Heritage Technology Park, located in the City of Oxford (Butler County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to construct a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified technical research center. Work to be completed at the site includes land acquisition, construction of a data center facility, road construction, and utility extensions. · Pickaway Progress Park, located along U.S. 23 in the City of Circleville (Pickaway County), has been awarded $3.5 million from the Job Ready Site program to redevelop a 226-acre site to accommodate 2.5 million square feet of industrial and manufacturing facilities and 400,000 square feet of mixed use facilities. Work to be completed at the former Thomson Consumer Electronics site includes constructing an access road and extending utilities through the park. · PrimeOhio II Corporate Park, located along Interstate 70 in the City of Springfield (Clark County), has been awarded $150,000 from the Job Ready Site program to extend road access and improve gas line capacity to the project site. · Prospect Industrial Park, located in the Village of Navarre and Perry Township (Stark County), has been awarded $1.1 million from the Job Ready Site program and $2.4 million from the Roadwork Development (629) program to develop a 340-acre industrial site. The project site sits adjacent to the 26-acre intermodal Wheeling and Lake Erie rail yard. Work to be completed at the site includes road and utility extensions, construction of a bridge, site grading, and construction of a water tower.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Governor Statement on FEMA's Refusal to Assist Victims of NW Ohio Tornadoes Columbus, Ohio--Late this evening, the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Ohio Governor Ted Strickland that the agency denied Ohio's appeal for individual and public assistance for Fulton, Ottawa and Wood counties. Governor Strickland declared a state of emergency for these three counties in Northwest Ohio after tornadoes swept through the region on June 5 and 6, causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, and resulting in the deaths of six people. Statement by Governor Strickland: "I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that FEMA has again rejected Ohio's request for federal support for the victims of last month’s tornadoes and severe storms in Northwest Ohio. The rationale given for denying our request, that the magnitude of devastation wasn’t severe enough for federal assistance because recovery could be handled by state and local governments and volunteer organizations, is, quite frankly, unconscionable. The need in these communities could not be greater, and state and local resources are already stretched too thin,” Strickland said. “Those who have suffered from the storm in Northwest Ohio will do what Ohioans do best – work hard and work together to rebuild their communities. The State will continue to assist as a partner with the region. We will be working closely with local leaders to determine how best to allocate approximately $673,000 that we identified for disaster relief and emergency aid to help those most in need.”

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Ohio Chosen as Race to the Top Round 2 Finalist, Invited to Present Application in Washington Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle today released the following statement regarding Ohio’s selection as a Race to the Top Round 2 finalist. Today, the U.S. DOE announced that 19 states have been selected as finalists to make a presentation to a panel of reviewers selected by the U.S. DOE during the week of Aug. 9, 2010. Following these interviews and presentations, the recipients of Race to the Top funds for the second round are expected to be announced in Washington, D.C. by Sept. 1, 2010. In June, Ohio was one of 35 states plus Washington, D.C. that submitted an application for the Race to the Top grant program to the U.S. Department of Education.. Ohio was selected as one of 16 finalists during Round 1 of Race to the Top. Delaware and Tennessee were the only states to receive funding during the first round. At that time, Ohio’s application ranked 10th out of 40 total applications in Round 1. Statement from Governor Strickland and Superintendent Delisle: “We are very pleased to hear Ohio is, again, a Race to the Top finalist, and we are very proud of the work accomplished by numerous individuals and organizations who helped craft Ohio’s Round 2 application. Our application was carefully constructed, based on the feedback from the federal reviewers that we received during the first round of the competition, and with the help of more than 100 participants in a series of meetings hosted by KidsOhio and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum. “The Ohio Department of Education has already begun preparing for the presentation to the U.S. Department of Education. One of Ohio’s strengths in this process is our commitment to education and to a system of education that ensures every Ohio child will receive a high quality education. We are grateful for the hard work of our team at the Ohio Department of Education, as well as the State Board of Education and the Ohio General Assembly, for demonstrating that Ohio’s support for its students is not only our mutual responsibility but also our highest priority. “Through the more than 530 school districts and community schools that agreed to be part of our Race to the Top efforts by signing a memorandum of understanding, more than half of Ohio’s students will be participants in our efforts should Ohio receive funding. The participating districts and community schools have demonstrated their commitment to Ohio’s education system and our students, believing that we can improve educational opportunities, even in tough financial times. Of those students participating, the award will impact 81.5 percent of African-American students, 73 percent of Hispanic students, and 66.3 percent of economically disadvantaged students statewide. “We will continue to work together to ensure all students graduate from high school well prepared for higher education and Ohio’s 21st century economy.”

Friday, July 23, 2010

Strickland Sends Final Letter of Appeal For Northwest Ohio Tornado Assistance Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today sent the second and final letter of appeal to President Obama for federal disaster assistance for tornado-damaged Northwest Ohio. This includes appeals for both public and individual assistance. “Residents of Northwest Ohio are still struggling to recover from the tornadoes that destroyed their communities and resulted in the loss of six lives during the first weekend in June,” said Strickland. “We have worked together for nearly two months to assist as much as possible in the recovery efforts, but we know that the financial assistance required to deal with the impact of these storms is beyond what the state alone can provide.” While an initial appeal letter focusing on individual assistance was sent on July 7, both the individual assistance appeal and the public assistance appeal are contained in the package sent today to demonstrate the total impact of the devastation in Northwest Ohio. Governor Strickland declared a state of emergency for three counties in Northwest Ohio after tornadoes swept through the region on June 5 and 6, causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, and resulting in the deaths of six people. Because of the severity of the storms’ impact, Strickland requested federal disaster assistance, which FEMA denied on June 24. Today’s appeal is in response to that denial. To view the letter in its entirety, visit the Ohio Emergency Management Agency website at www.ema.ohio.gov

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Grand Lake St. Marys Receives $1 Million from USDA to Improve Water Quality Lewis Center, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown today announced the availability of $1 million for producers in the Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed to apply conservation measures that will benefit water quality in Grand Lake St. Marys. The funding will be provided to agricultural producers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “Grand Lake St. Marys is a key to the economic engine of this region. We are committed to Grand Lake St. Marys’ recovery so tourists can return which will provide a big boost to area businesses,” Strickland said. “I’m thankful for Secretary Vilsack’s leadership and for his quick response to our requests for assistance in restoring the lake. I also want to thank Senator Brown for his persistent efforts to secure these cleanup funds and ensuring the lake is a priority of the federal government.” In the past two years, $2.5 million has been allocated through EQIP for producers in the watershed to implement conservation measures that reduce soil erosion and the amount of nutrients potentially entering waterways. Governor Strickland and Senator Brown have fought to secure funding for three years to improve the water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys, which encompasses 59,160 acres across Mercer and Auglaize counties. Not only is it a popular recreational lake, but Grand Lake St. Marys serves as a community drinking water resource. “The health of Grand Lake St. Marys is at risk and today’s announcement of cleanup funds is welcome news for western Ohio. These new federal dollars will build upon our long-term strategy of reducing runoff and improving the water quality,” Brown said. “Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans rely upon Grand Lake St Marys for recreation, for drinking water, and for their jobs—its cleanup is a priority and I will continue to work with Secretary Vilsack and Governor Strickland until the job is done.” “Our nation’s prosperity – and particularly the prosperity of our rural communities – is closely linked to the health of our lands and natural resources,” said Vilsack. “The conservation measures supported by the funding announced today, including filter strips, manure management, and cover crops, will help sediment and nutrients stay on the land, improving water and soil quality for communities throughout the area.” On July 2, Governor Strickland sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting economic and environmental assistance for the Grand Lake St. Marys area. This special EQIP sign-up will focus on providing winter cover on agricultural land receiving manure in the fall of 2010 and also for land with low crop residue to reduce soil erosion. The NRCS field offices in Mercer and Auglaize Counties will be taking applications immediately and continue taking applications until the funding is exhausted. In addition to the EQIP funds for producers, a second monitoring station will be placed in the watershed. Data collected from the two stations in the watershed will provide benchmark data and track long-term improvements resulting from the improved conservation measures being implemented by producers.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Strickland Announces Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub of Innovation and Opportunity Akron, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the designation of an Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity in Akron to assist Ohio’s biomaterials industry. The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub will bring together the Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron, the University of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron General Medical Center, Akron Children’s Hospital, the Akron Global Business Accelerator, Summit County and the City of Akron. “Hubs are one piece of a larger strategy to strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our state,” Strickland said. “In recent months we’ve seen job growth in Ohio again because in recent years we’ve been investing in Ohio’s advantages. I believe in Ohio because we’ve never given up. I believe in Ohio because of the great strengths of our cities and regions, including this biomaterials hub here in Akron.” The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub will focus on orthopedics and wound-healing applications, and will be established in the existing Akron Biomedical Corridor. The Hub will assist the city with becoming a globally-recognized leader in the commercialization of innovative biomaterials technologies, products and services. The Hub will also attract and provide assistance to international biomaterials companies as they enter the U.S. market. A state investment of $250,000, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, will support the Hub. The plan for the Biomaterials Commercialization Hub is to help the Akron region unify its healthcare assets into a single planning district that will guide the city’s future development, expanding on Mayor Don Plusquellic’s 2006 strategy that created the Akron Biomedical Corridor. “This further capitalizes on Akron’s world-class biomaterials expertise,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Since we announced the Akron Biomedical Corridor in 2006, there has been a steady progression linking our global reputation in polymers and materials science to our nationally-recognized leadership in medical research.” "Governor Strickland's designation of Akron as a Hub of Innovation and Opportunity for biomaterials, orthopedic and wound care is an important step in solidifying this industry and creating future job growth for our County and region," said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. Ohio’s Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity are supported by the Ohio Department of Development and work to leverage a region’s resources and investments to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers, and help to create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio’s key industries. “With the existence of three nationally recognized hospitals in the area, Akron is a perfect location for the newest Ohio Hub,” said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The research and top talent in the biomaterials industry will continue to be an asset to the state and attract future opportunities for the people of this region.” Strickland Announces Support for Austen BioInnovation Institute as a Hub Anchor Governor Strickland also announced the State’s commitment to provide a research and development loan in the amount of $2.5 million to the Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron’s future headquarters at the site of today’s press conference, directly as a result of the location of the facility in the Hub of Innovation and Opportunity. The ABIA center will be a state-of-the-art healthcare training facility that will offer novel team-based, patient-centered simulation programs. "The new facility represents a significant investment by ABIA, the County and the City and reaffirms our founding partners’ commitment to making Akron a global center of biomedical innovation, discovery and entrepreneurship through high-profile, cutting-edge programs," said Dr. Frank Douglas, ABIA president and CEO. "We are creating more than just office space; we are building a 21st century hub allowing us to recruit great talent, and to provide an environment that will push discovery and commercialization forward." Ohio Hubs Today’s announcement is the fifth Ohio Hub designation, following the Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation announcement in Cincinnati on July 9, the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Innovation Hub announcement in Toledo in June, the Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor Hub announcement in June and the Ohio Aerospace Hub announcement in Dayton last September. The Ohio Hubs program develops a unique, concentrated environment that spurs innovation, company growth, employment, capital investment, product sales and community development in designated areas. To be designated an Ohio Hub, a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban revitalization. The designation consists of a commitment from both the state and the region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Lt. Governor Urges Equal Pension Benefits for Retired Delphi Workers Canfield, Ohio – Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today urged full and fair pension benefits for thousands of retired Delphi workers at a U.S. congressional field hearing on the subject in Canfield. “The very people that helped build General Motors through their labor are losing the retirement they earned over a lifetime of service,” Lt. Governor Fisher said. “When Delphi spun off from General Motors, most had no choice but to go work for this new company and continue their careers—now they are being denied the full pension benefits that their colleagues at General Motors will receive. At its core, this is an issue of fairness. We owe it to the men and women who played by the rules and worked hard to get the retirement they have earned.” The hearing, hosted by the U.S. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, was aimed at addressing challenges Delphi retirees have faced since the company declared bankruptcy in 2005 and how the financial crisis directly impacted them and the auto industry in Ohio. Governor Strickland was invited to testify but could not attend because of scheduling conflicts today. He separately sent a letter of support to the subcommittee. Click here to download a full copy of the Lt. Governor’s testimony. Click here to download a copy of the governor’s letter.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Governor’s Statement on Parole Board Recommendation Regarding William Garner Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation against executive clemency for William Garner: “As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. William Garner is scheduled to be executed on July 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted.” “In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Garner’s case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Garner’s conviction, and arguments presented for and against clemency at the Parole Board hearing regarding his application for executive clemency. We have also reviewed institutional records, letters, the exhibits presented at the Parole Board hearing and the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on June 22, 2010.” “Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter.”

Monday, July 05, 2010

Ohio Receives $30 Million Broadband Recovery Act Award Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that an Ohio public private partnership was awarded a $30 million award from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to extend broadband access throughout 28 western Ohio counties and create more than 300 jobs. "A strong technology backbone is essential for our rural communities to be competitive in business and for our students to take advantage of digital learning," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. "As we move to a technology-driven 21st century economy, it is crucial that no Ohio community is left behind, and I would like to thank President Obama and our congressional leadership for this investment that helps us move toward that goal. Chancellor Fingerhut also deserves credit for leading Ohio’s successful effort to compete for these resources.” Funding from the award will support the construction of more than 700 miles of high-capacity fiber and plans to directly link rural and underserved communities, including K-12 schools, state and local government offices, health care facilities, community colleges and universities. Ohio's successful application for the grant was coordinated by the Ohio Middle Mile Consortium (OMMC); formed with the support of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Governor Strickland and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut. The consortium forged a coordinated and collaborative approach to expand broadband infrastructure needs across Ohio. “This is a great day for Ohio. Comprehensive broadband services for the state are vital to enhancing education, retraining our displaced workforce and preparing our future workforce to drive Ohio economic development,” Fingerhut said. Ohio Middle Mile Consortium is a public-private partnership of broadband providers facilitated by the Ohio Academic Resources Network, the technology infrastructure arm of the University System of Ohio, to create a collaborative and sustainable statewide broadband network. OMMC members include ComNet, OneCommunity and Horizon Telecom.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Governor, Agricultural Leaders and Humane Society Announce Agreement to Remove HSUS Ballot Initiative, Enhance Animal Welfare and Care Standards Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, the major organizations representing livestock producers and other agricultural interests and the Humane Society of the United States today announced a joint agreement which will result in the Humane Society not pursuing a ballot initiative this fall and enhance animal welfare and animal care standards. “This agreement represents a joint effort to find common ground. As a result, Ohio agriculture will remain strong and animals will be treated better,” Strickland said. “Instead of expending tens of millions of dollars and unproductive energy fighting an acrimonious campaign through the fall, both sides will be able to continue investing in our agricultural base and taking care of animals. I’d like to thank Jack Fisher, Wayne Pacelle and others representing Ohio agriculture for committing to a good faith discussion, which paved the way for this strong agreement that appropriately balances animal welfare and economic concerns.” The agreement preserves the integrity of the Ohio Livestock Animal Care Standards Board and provides meaningful recommendations on animal welfare and animal care standards. It has the support of Ohioans for Livestock Care Steering Committee, which is made up of poultry, pork, dairy, beef, corn and soybean associations and the Ohio Farm Bureau. “This agreement allows the Ohioans for Livestock Care Board to carry out its mission as approved by the voters last fall,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Jack Fisher. “It allows Ohio farmers to continue producing safe, local, affordable food for Ohio consumers.” In comparison to other states where the Humane Society has negotiated a settlement with agricultural interests and state leaders, this agreement is unique in that it addresses more than just livestock care issues. The agreement also addresses regulations on dog breeding kennels, cockfighting and dangerous and exotic animals. “This agreement provides a pathway for the enactment of a series of eight major animal welfare reforms, representing an historic advance on animal welfare issues,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful, in particular, for the Governor for helping negotiate this deal, and to agricultural leaders who sat down in good faith on these issues.” Today, June 30, is the final date for petition signatures to be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office for consideration of a November ballot initiative.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Strickland Announces Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub In Toledo Toledo, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the designation of the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub as an Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity to strengthen and create job opportunities in Ohio’s solar industry. The Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, economic development and commercialization in the solar industry by bringing together top solar researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, education institutions, trade associations and training providers. “By pairing Northwest Ohio’s glass manufacturing legacy with its innovative research and university strengths, this hub will help accelerate the growth of Ohio’s solar industry,” Strickland said. “The hub designation is an important part of our economic and urban revitalization plan to create good jobs while establishing Ohio as a leading supplier of clean energy.” The hub partners include The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, Penta Career Center, Terra Community College and Northwest State Community College into a hub of educational institutions dedicated to helping the solar industry of Ohio continue to grow and prosper. Hubs are designed to leverage a region’s resources and investments to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers and help to create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio’s key industries. A $250,000 state grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, will help support the hub. “We are excited about the collaboration with the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub of Innovation. I know that this will be a great asset to the City of Toledo,” said Mayor Michael P. Bell. This is the third Ohio Hub, following the Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor Hub announcement in Cleveland on June 3, and the Ohio Aerospace Hub announcement in Dayton on September 8, 2009. The Ohio Hubs program develops a unique, concentrated environment that spurs innovation, company growth, employment, capital investment, product sales and community development in designated areas. “The Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub builds upon key solar industry assets in the region,” said Mark Barbash, Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “This hub complements our economic development strategy to help foster a concentration of companies and research that helps to grow jobs in Ohio’s driver industries.” To be designated an Ohio Hub a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban revitalization. The designation consists of a commitment from both the state and region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths. “The University of Toledo has been a proud partner with Governor Strickland and the Ohio Department of Development, and has been a solar industry leader in Northwest Ohio for decades,” Lloyd Jacobs, President of The University of Toledo. “As UT’s photovoltaic reputation continues to expand nationally and internationally, the designation of the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Innovation Hub will help draw further attention to the great work and economic opportunities in the region.” “BGSU looks forward to strengthening its partnerships with The University of Toledo, as well as with leaders in business, the Ohio Department of Development and economic and community development organizations, to create new high-tech jobs and companies for our region,” said Dr. Carol Cartwright, President of Bowling Green State University. “This initiative is the next step in expanding Northwest Ohio’s role as a national leader in solar and advanced alternative energy.”

Monday, July 05, 2010

Governor Calls on U.S. Senate to Pass Jobless Benefits Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland issued the following statement today in light of media reports that indicate the U.S. Senate needs only one additional Republican vote to pass an extension of unemployment benefits. “Tens of thousands of men and women in Ohio, and millions throughout the country, were laid off through no fault of their own. Now, many of those same individuals are losing unemployment benefits because some Washington politicians have been more interested in winning political arguments than doing what is right by the people. The Senate is apparently within one vote of passing this important extension, possibly as early as today. I ask the Senate to take swift action to advance this bill so that the House can concur and Ohio families will continue to receive these important benefits. “Ohio, like many states, is beginning to recover. Congressional inaction would undercut our steady progress by pulling the rug out from under those who have been hardest hit by the Wall Street recession.”

Monday, July 05, 2010

Governor, Agricultural Leaders and Humane Society Announce Agreement to Remove HSUS Ballot Initiative, Enhance Animal Welfare and Care Standards Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, the major organizations representing livestock producers and other agricultural interests and the Humane Society of the United States today announced a joint agreement which will result in the Humane Society not pursuing a ballot initiative this fall and enhance animal welfare and animal care standards. “This agreement represents a joint effort to find common ground. As a result, Ohio agriculture will remain strong and animals will be treated better,” Strickland said. “Instead of expending tens of millions of dollars and unproductive energy fighting an acrimonious campaign through the fall, both sides will be able to continue investing in our agricultural base and taking care of animals. I’d like to thank Jack Fisher, Wayne Pacelle and others representing Ohio agriculture for committing to a good faith discussion, which paved the way for this strong agreement that appropriately balances animal welfare and economic concerns.” The agreement preserves the integrity of the Ohio Livestock Animal Care Standards Board and provides meaningful recommendations on animal welfare and animal care standards. It has the support of Ohioans for Livestock Care Steering Committee, which is made up of poultry, pork, dairy, beef, corn and soybean associations and the Ohio Farm Bureau. “This agreement allows the Ohioans for Livestock Care Board to carry out its mission as approved by the voters last fall,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Jack Fisher. “It allows Ohio farmers to continue producing safe, local, affordable food for Ohio consumers.” In comparison to other states where the Humane Society has negotiated a settlement with agricultural interests and state leaders, this agreement is unique in that it addresses more than just livestock care issues. The agreement also addresses regulations on dog breeding kennels, cockfighting and dangerous and exotic animals. “This agreement provides a pathway for the enactment of a series of eight major animal welfare reforms, representing an historic advance on animal welfare issues,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful, in particular, for the Governor for helping negotiate this deal, and to agricultural leaders who sat down in good faith on these issues.” Today, June 30, is the final date for petition signatures to be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office for consideration of a November ballot initiative.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

ALLIANCE URGING LOCKED DOORS June 29, 2010 Press release from Alliance Ohio Police: "We have had 8 burglaries last week in the area north/south from Glamorgan to tate St and east /west from Parkway to ernwood. 5 occurred overnight, 2 in the vening and 1 during the day. Please lock our doors and windows and DO NOT leave arage door openers in cars outside. Thank you and stay safe."

Friday, June 18, 2010

Governor Signs ‘Healthy Choices for Children’ Act To Sign Other Legislation Later This Afternoon Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed Senate Bill 210, the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children’s Act. Later this afternoon, the governor will sign Senate Bills 58 and 110, and House Bills 338, 393 and 449. Senate Bill 210 State Senators Kevin Coughlin and Eric Kearney sponsored SB 210, requiring the boards of education of each school district, community school, chartered nonpublic school, and STEM school, to adopt a policy for all K-12 students to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day, aside from recess, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. The bill allows school districts, due to an undue financial hardship, to apply for a waiver of the physical activity requirement. It also revises nutritional requirements for food sold at schools and extends them to beverages, and it creates the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Council. “One in three children born in Ohio is overweight by the third grade, and overweight children are at risk for an array of chronic and preventable conditions. Clearly we have a duty to combat this problem, and today we take a vital first step,” Strickland said. “This bipartisan legislation will help parents, children and schools come together to create healthier habits for our youngest Ohioans. What’s more, helping to teach our children to lead healthy, active lifestyles has profound implications for their health today and in the decades ahead.” Senate Bill 58 State Senator Jim Hughes sponsored SB 58, which prohibits a person from knowingly collecting any blood, urine, tissue, or other bodily substance of another person without privilege or consent to collect such an item. The bill also permits an emergency medical technician or a paramedic to withdraw blood for the purpose of the watercraft or vehicle OVI law or the commercial motor vehicle law and generally provides a qualified immunity to the technician, the health care facility at which the technician withdraws blood, and the emergency medical service organization that employs the technician. Senate Bill 110 State Senator Tom Niehaus sponsored SB 110, which requires the Public Health Council to adopt new rules governing sewage treatment systems to create a uniform set of septic-system standards for Ohio homeowners. The bill outlines rules governing the installation, operation, and alteration of systems, septic site evaluations, design of systems, the issuance of permits, inspections of systems, and registration fee for installers, service providers, and septage haulers. House Bill 338 State Representatives Todd Book and Joseph Uecker sponsored HB 338, which streamlines the adjudication process for resolving litigation of drivers’ licenses; increases the penalty for operating a motor vehicle without a license for those previously convicted of the same offense to a first-degree misdemeanor; and allows a judge to grant early releases for certain misdemeanor offenders. The bill also consolidates two part-time judicial positions into one full-time position in Putnam County. House Bill 393 State Representatives Ronald Gerberry and Louis Blessing sponsored HB 393, which revises the notice requirements given by a board of township trustees to a landowner and any lienholders for the abatement, control, or removal of vegetation, garbage, refuse, or other debris that is on the owner's land if a prior nuisance determination was made within 12 consecutive months for the same parcel of land. The bill also shortens from seven to four days the time period within which the landowner must abate the nuisance before the board of township trustees provides for the abatement. This bill makes the spotted salamander the state’s official amphibian and the bullfrog the state’s official frog. House Bill 449 State Representative Peter Ujvagi sponsored HB 449, which permits the use of the federal “Record of Emergency Data From,” to satisfy the written declaration requirements for designating a person who is authorized to direct disposition of a person’s remains. The bill also establishes criteria for determining military leave pay for publicly employed firefighters and emergency medical technicians with nontraditional work schedules and adds a member of the Military Officers Association of America to the Veterans Advisory Committee.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Governor Signed Telecommunications Modernization Act, Other Legislation Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bills 162, 181 and 270, and House Bills 215 and 292 late yesterday. Senate Bill 162 Senator Steve Buehrer sponsored SB 162, which modernizes telecommunications regulation, maintaining important consumer protections and the tools necessary to redress market failures, while also providing more competitive parity for the traditional local phone companies competing against unregulated providers of wireless, cable and internet voice services. Governor Strickland issued the following statement regarding SB 162: “This bill is common sense regulatory reform. It modernizes Ohio’s telecommunications laws, even removing more than 50 references to the ‘telegraph’ in the Ohio Revised Code. By reducing archaic red tape, we are making the state more competitive and sending a clear message to telecommunication businesses that we welcome your investments in Ohio.” Senate Bill 181 State Senator Jimmy Stewart sponsored SB 181, an appropriations bill that provides funding for chartered non-public schools, dam safety and coal permitting, and workforce development initiatives. Among other provisions, the bill also ensures that K-12 schools continue to receive federal stimulus resources. The bill adds new sporting events, such as NASCAR races, to the list of qualifying events hosted by local governments that qualify for state grants. The governor exercised his line-item veto authority on a provision that would require a supermajority of the Controlling Board to approve a new workforce development pilot project. The governor’s veto statement: This provision would require a supermajority vote of the legislative Controlling Board to approve the pilot rural and urban workforce development program, which will be implemented by the Ohio Board of Regents. In doing so, this provision needlessly infringes upon executive decision-making. It is unnecessary to require a supermajority vote of the Controlling Board for this particular program as this legislative body makes thousands of decisions each year with a simple majority vote. Therefore, this veto is in the public interest. Senate Bill 270 State Senators Jim Hughes and Ray Miller sponsored SB 270, which creates a pilot program in central Ohio for dam construction that reduces the bonding amount required prior to issuing a construction permit. The bill also eliminates the permit filing fee cap and permits the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to hold the surety bond until the first filing of the reservoir is completed.. House Bill 215 State Representatives Tom Letson and Robert Mecklenborg sponsored HB 215, which modifies the process the Ohio State Dental Board uses to investigate and discipline dentists, dental hygienists, and dental x-ray machine operators by creating a new supervisory investigative panel. The bill requires that the State Dental Board appoint four supervisory investigative panels and develop a roster of a least 10 examiners to oversee disciplinary hearings and makes each examiner’s name a public record. HB 215 also increases the number of continuing education course hours a dental hygienist must take every two years from 12 hours to 24 hours. House Bill 292 State Representatives Tom Letson and W. Scott Oelslager sponsored HB 292, which limits the uses of “transfer fee covenants;” provides for an alternative way to dispose of an estate if no one opts to take it; and brings the statutes regarding the conservatorship and liquidation of a state-chartered savings institution, such as a savings and loan or savings bank, in line with those laws governing state-chartered banks.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Governor Announces State Aid for Tornado Impacted Counties in Northwest Ohio State Controlling Board approves $673,873 to support Wood, Fulton and Ottawa Counties Columbus, Ohio---Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced $673,873 in state aid to assist Wood, Fulton and Ottawa counties in costs associated with disaster relief and emergency situation aid resulting from the tornadoes, severe storm, and high wind disaster that occurred on June 5-6, 2010. The funds were approved at today’s State Controlling Board meeting. “We can all be proud of Ohioans’ heroic response to this disaster,” Strickland said. “These funds will help support our local communities and families as they begin to recover and rebuild their lives.” The tornadoes caused damage to local public infrastructure and impacted local emergency protective measures. Due to extraordinary damages, a state of emergency was declared for Wood and Fulton counties on June 6 and Ottawa county on June 7, 2010 by Governor Strickland. After visiting the tornado-impacted areas last week, Governor Strickland also sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a federal disaster declaration to allow the area to receive additional federal assistance and resources

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Governor Statement on Forum Health, Ardent Health Services Agreement Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement on the agreement between Forum Health in Youngstown and Nashville-based Ardent Health Services to sell Forum’s hospitals and other assets to Ardent. This allows Forum Health to begin the process to exit bankruptcy. “This agreement is an important step forward because, if approved, it will assure that Ohioans continue to receive consistent, quality health care and that hundreds will be able to keep their jobs. I am pleased this will result in additional investment in the region, as well. My hope is that this agreement will ultimately be approved by the bankruptcy court, giving tri-county residents the health and financial stability they deserve. The State of Ohio will continue working as a partner to reach our shared goals.” The agreement includes a proposed sale of Northside Medical Center, Trumbull Memorial Hospital, and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Governor Signs Casino Implementation Legislation, Other Bills Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 519, the implementing language for the casino constitutional amendment that won voter approval last November. The governor also signed House Bill 5 and Senate Bills 204, 187 and 183 today.. House Bill 519 State Representatives Kenny Yuko and Todd Book sponsored House Bill 519, which creates the Ohio Casino Control Commission and establishes casino gaming laws under the recently-passed amendment to the Ohio Constitution. The governor released the following statement on the legislation: “This legislation establishes a regulatory structure to protect the interests of Ohioans and make sure that casinos are operated with high levels of integrity, while maintaining local control and decision-making authority. I believe it will facilitate the creation of Ohio jobs and economic opportunity in our communities. As we implement the provisions in this bill, ensuring the inclusion of minority businesses and workers must be a priority if Ohio is to take full advantage of the economic benefits of this new industry. “However, I am disappointed that this bill also creates a new income tax deduction for gambling losses on bets placed at casinos, horse races, bingo halls and other forums, both in state and out of state. This new tax deduction represents a policy shift for the state of Ohio, which has never before used its income tax laws to subsidize losses incurred from gambling. The Ohio Department of Taxation estimates that this tax deduction will reduce the state budget by $60 million to $80 million per budget cycle starting in fiscal year 2014. “At a time of economic challenge, it is deeply irresponsible to deprive our state of needed resources that could be used to help meet the many needs which exist within our communities. I question the judgment of those who promoted this special interest legislation. If I had the authority to exercise a line-item veto on this provision of the bill, I would have. I will be working diligently to reverse this fiscally irresponsible and misguided decision in budget discussions next year. Subsidizing gambling losses is not a wise use of our taxpayer’s limited resources.” House Bill 5 State Representatives Dan Dodd and Mark Okey sponsored HB 5, which allows individuals elected or appointed to an elective office to establish a transition fund to receive donations and to pay costs incurred for transition activities and inaugural celebrations. The bill sets forth guidelines for how transition funds may be used and regulates who may contribute to an elected or appointed official’s transition fund. The bill also permits boards of election that are conducting a Congressional special election on or before August 4, 2010 to use a limited number of polling places, and declares an emergency due to the high cost of special election. Senate Bill 204 State Senator Mark Wagoner sponsored SB 204, which updates Ohio’s motor vehicle dealership laws by providing termination assistance to dealers in the event a manufacturer ceases to operate, discontinues a product line or otherwise acts in a way that results in the franchise being devalued in both non-bankruptcy and bankruptcy scenarios. The bill also grants flexibility to dealers to efficiently utilize their facilities and prohibits unreasonable facility requirements or upgrades in addition to requiring timely reimbursements to dealers for sales incentives and warranty-related payments made by the dealer. Senate Bill 183 State Senator Tim Shaffer sponsored SB 183, which makes changes to the laws regulating ownership of architecture firms by narrowing the grandfather exemption in Ohio’s Architects Law. Senate Bill 187 State Senator Bill Seitz sponsored SB 187, which establishes requirements that govern the formation and operation of “planned communities.” The bill also defines what comprises a “planned community” and requires it to be administered by an owners’ association through a board of directors while establishing rules for board of directors meetings.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to the following state boards and commissions. The Asian Advisory Council was created to realize the benefits of connecting Ohio's diverse populations to the state's resources. Pratima Bekal, of Cincinnati, has served as the secretary for the Asian Community Alliance since 2008 and as a board member for the Seven Hills School since 2007. She previously served as a board member for the SuperSaturday Program and as a staff accountant for the Manufacturers Hanover Bank. Bekal received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1989. Michael Byun, of Akron, currently serves as the deputy director of Asian Services In Action. He previously served as a member of the steering committee for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and as a member of the advisory committee for the National Institute of Health. Byun also serves as a member of the steering committee for the Ohio Health Disparities Collaborative and as the chair of the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition. He received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Washington in 1997 and 2002, respectively. Charles Castro, of Dayton, currently serves as the chairman of the Asian-American Pacific Islander Project at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and as the president of the Filipino-American Political Association. Castro also serves as a member of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations and as the president of the Philippine American Association of Greater Dayton. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Paul’s College in 1960. Vi Huyuh, of Richmond Heights, currently serves as the operations manager for clinical investigations for the Heart & Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He also serves as a member of MotivAsians of Cleveland and as a member of the United Way’s Community Health Investment Committee. Huyuh received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Ronald Katsuyama, of Dayton, currently serves as an associate professor of psychology at the University of Dayton and as the chair of the Federation Against Intolerance and Racism. He previously served as the president of the Asian Advisory Council in Dayton. Katsuyama received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Yung-Chen Lu, of Upper Arlington, currently serves as the chair of the Ohio Asian American Health Coalition and is the founder of the Asian Festival. He also serves as a board member for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Cora Munoz, of Worthington, currently serves as a professor of nursing at Capital University. She previously served as a professor at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing and at Ohio Wesleyan University. Munoz serves as a national trainer for health care professionals in transcultural nursing. She received a bachelor’s degree from St. Paul’s University and a master’s degree from Columbia University. Stephen Ong, of Copley, has served as the vice president in the Supervision and Regulation Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland since 2001. He has served in a variety of roles for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland since 1988. Ong is active in MotivAsians of Cleveland and serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Federation for Community Planning. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron. Ramesh Srivastava, of Dayton, currently serves as the manager of evaluations systems at the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. He also currently serves as the president of the Asian Advisory Council of Dayton. Jonathan Telentino, of Cincinnati, currently serves as a pediatrician at the University of Cincinnati Hospital and at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He received a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. The Bureau of Workers Compensation Board of Directors establishes overall administrative policy at the BWC and submits reports to the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker. William J. (Bill) Lhota, of Worthington, has been reappointed as the chair and the representative for self-insuring companies. Lhota has been president and CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) since 2004.. Lhota previously spent 37 years at American Electric Power, where he served in various management positions. Lhota also created and managed AEP's corporate compliance program in the early 1990s and served as chief compliance officer until his retirement in 2001. Lhota received a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in 1964 and earned a master’s degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978. Alison L. Falls, of Port Clinton, has been reappointed as one of two investment and security experts. Falls operates a practice in Port Clinton that serves financial services institutions, mid-cap corporations and non-profits. She previously served as a managing director for Banc of America Securities, Inc. from 1994-2002. Falls is a former board chair for the United Way of Greater Toledo. She earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Binghamton in 1970 and a master's degree in economics from The Ohio State University in 1972. James W. Harris, of Gahanna, has been reappointed as the representative of employee organizations. Harris currently works part-time for the United Auto Workers on workers’ compensation legislation. He retired in 2003 after more than 20 years on UAW’s international staff. Harris also served as the director of the Ohio Department of Industrial Relations from 1983-1991. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1980. Charles A. Bryan, of Columbus, has been reappointed as the actuary. Bryan has 35 years of experience as a casualty actuary. His actuarial career spans several companies including Nationwide Insurance, Ernst and Young, United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and Allstate Insurance. He is the founder and current president of CAB Consulting, a property-casualty insurance consulting company. Bryan serves on the boards of Medical Mutual of Ohio, Safe Auto and Tower Insurance Group. He earned a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University in 1968, a master's degree in mathematics from Purdue University in 1969 and an MBA from Golden Gate University in 1976.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Governor Signs House Bills 190, 398 Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bills 190 and 398. House Bill 190 State Representative Loraine Fende sponsored House Bill 190, which amends the Ohio Dental Practice Act.. The bill increases the required amount of continuing education hours for dental hygienists, revises guidelines regarding oral health supervision and allows the Ohio Department of Health Fluoride Mouthrinse Program in schools to continue. The bill also changes procedures for reinstatement of suspended dentist licenses and establishes procedures for dental hygienists to temporarily retire their licenses. House Bill 398 State Representatives Deborah Newcomb and Peggy Lehner sponsored House Bill 398, which expands the current Home First provisions in Ohio law. HB 398 will allow Ohioans in “imminent risk” of entering a nursing facility to have access to Home and Community Based Services without having to spend 24 hours in a nursing home facility. With this change in law, Ohioans currently in nursing homes or in imminent risk of entering one, will have priority on waitlists for HCBS programs, such as PASSPORT, Choices, Assisted Living and PACE. Governor Strickland recently signed an executive order eliminating the waiting lists for these programs.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Governor Announces Ohio Partnership to Develop North America’s First Fresh Water Offshore Wind Farm in Lake Erie Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced a partnership between GE and the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation to harness the wind power of Lake Erie and develop the first fresh water offshore wind farm in North America. Strickland made the announcement at the American Wind Energy Association’s annual WINDPOWER Conference in Dallas. “Ohio's greatest potential for creating wind energy is offshore in Lake Erie, and this partnership marks a significant step forward,” Strickland said. “In Ohio, we have all the right assets to make offshore wind energy successful, including an innovative workforce and the manufacturing strengths that would allow us to build all the component parts for wind turbines. This partnership will not only advance offshore wind technologies, it will also advance Ohio’s economy. We are eager to continue the state’s strong collaboration with GE and LEEDCo as we pursue this exciting, first-of-its-kind initiative for Lake Erie.” The partnership and project is a significant step towards accelerating the deployment of offshore wind in the Great Lakes. GE has committed to providing offshore wind turbines and maintenance services for an initial 20-megawatt wind farm. Upon its completion, targeted for late 2012, this project would be located off the shores of Lake Erie, near Cleveland.. This would be followed by subsequent projects with a long-term goal of 1,000 megawatts in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie by 2020. These activities will support a shared vision of making the Great Lakes a major economic engine for Northern Ohio, capitalizing on the region’s skilled workforce and expertise in advanced manufacturing. The LEEDCo – GE partnership builds on the momentum of a four-year effort by The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force and other Ohio partners to establish an offshore wind industry on Lake Erie, leveraging the region’s strong manufacturing base. In addition to collaborating on the initial 20-megawatt project, GE and LEEDCo will create a strategic plan to identify opportunities to make offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes economically viable, and also work jointly on advocacy and public policy issues to increase support for offshore wind energy. “Offshore wind has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Ohio and become a major source of economic growth. Working with LEEDCo we have made significant progress to make offshore wind in Lake Erie a reality,” said Vic Abate, Vice President of GE’s Renewable Energy business, and also President of AWEA’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to installing our next generation offshore, direct drive wind technology in Lake Erie. GE is committed to working with LEEDCo to achieve its vision of creating an offshore wind sector in Northern Ohio and the Great Lakes region.” “LEEDCo is pleased to be working with GE and we value the equipment efficiency, product innovation, and commercial acumen they bring to the partnership,” said Dr. Lorry Wagner, President of LEEDCo. “Together, we aim to develop a cost-effective approach for installing and maintaining offshore wind turbines with the highest possible availability. We are confident that as the GE product line develops and our methodologies mature, the combination will promote a self-sustaining and growing market for offshore wind, in Lake Erie and the Great Lakes – providing economic opportunity and emissions-free energy for Northern Ohio.” GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that's built to meet essential world needs. With 60,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. The Cleveland-based Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) is a regional nonprofit economic development corporation, leading efforts to build, install, and deploy an offshore wind farm on Lake Erie while spurring economic development in Northern Ohio’s wind energy industry. LEEDCo’s founding partners include the Cleveland Foundation, the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Lorain County and NorTech. NorTech Energy Enterprise, an initiative of NorTech, led the effort to launch LEEDCo, which was incorporated in late 2009. For more information about LEEDCo go to www.leedco.org **************************** Any Comments? WRN .........

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wall Street Journal Reports Ohio Added Largest Number of Jobs for April Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland released the following statement today regarding Ohio’s April employment: “As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Ohio’s addition of 37,300 jobs in April is the most compared to other states for the month. “This news, coming on the heels of the recent passage of Ohio Third Frontier and the ongoing research being generated by our great universities, should give us all hope that Ohio is well-positioned for recovery. Ohioans are working hard to rebuild our economy. “We have a long way to go, but Ohio is making steady progress in the right direction.” ****************************************************************** WRN - REALLY? IN WHICH CORNER OF OHIO ARE ALL THESE NEW JOBS GOVERNOR STRICKLAND? - WRN

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Governor's Statement Regarding Parole Board Recommendation Concerning Michael Beuke Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation against executive clemency for Michael Beuke: “As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. Michael Beuke is scheduled to be executed on May 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted. “In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Beuke’s case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Beuke’s conviction, and arguments presented for and against clemency at the Parole Board hearing regarding his application for executive clemency. We have also reviewed institutional records, letters, and a video received in the Governor’s Office regarding this matter, the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on April 19, 2010, the exhibits presented at the Parole Board’s hearing, and letters received by the Parole Board regarding Mr. Beuke’s case. In addition, we have reviewed the materials submitted by Mr. Beuke’s counsel after the Parole Board made its recommendation, including the ‘Supplement to Application for Executive Clemency’ provided to my office earlier this week. “Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter.”

Friday, April 30, 2010

Governor Kicks off ConAgra Foods Expansion to Create 190 Jobs Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today joined ConAgra Foods representatives and local officials to kick-off the company’s expansion at a ground-breaking ceremony at its Troy facility. The expansion is creating 190 jobs in Ohio. “Food production is an important part of Ohio’s economy and is a fast-growing industry. By investing in ConAgra Foods, we are investing in Ohio’s historic strengths, our skilled workforce, and an innovative company committed to future growth,” Strickland said. “I want to thank our partners at the City of Troy, the Troy Development Council and the Miami County Commissioners for their hard work in helping bring these jobs to West Central Ohio.” ConAgra Foods is expanding their current facility in Troy to accommodate the second phase of the Slim Jim product line addition at this facility. This phase of the Slim Jim project is a $59 million investment by the company that will include renovations and the addition of more product lines with new machinery and equipment. The State of Ohio provided an incentives package to assist the expansion. ConAgra Foods has been a dedicated partner with the State of Ohio. The company committed to creating 50 new jobs last year in its first project in Troy, and to date ConAgra Foods has created more than 110 jobs. The company currently employs 371 people and will add 190 in Troy through the addition of the Slim Jim product. ConAgra Foods is one of North America’s leading food companies, with brands including Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim. ConAgra Foods also supplies potato, vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Governor, YSU Cut Ribbon on Ohio Third Frontier Research Lab Youngstown, OH—Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Youngstown State University President David C. Sweet cut the ribbon today on YSU’s new $2.1 million Center for Advanced Materials Analysis, an Ohio Third Frontier research facility designed to assist local companies develop new products and create new jobs. “Third Frontier is helping to keep our young people here in Ohio where they can build their careers,” Strickland said. “And, by helping to put scientists in the labs, researchers at the design tables, and manufacturing workers on the assembly lines creating advanced technology products, Third Frontier is creating new opportunities for Ohioans who have already built their lives here.” The center features two new electron microscopes, one with the capability to magnify materials by 1.5 million times their original size, allowing researchers to analyze the internal chemical structures of advanced materials. “This center represents a new era in scientific research at YSU and a bold step forward in transforming Youngstown into a hotspot of advanced materials research and production,” YSU President David C. Sweet said. “Combined with other research activities now underway in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, this center positions YSU as a driving force across Northeast Ohio in linking research with business to create new products and spark economic development.” The center is funded through the Ohio Third Frontier’s Wright Centers of Innovation Program, designed to support large-scale, world-class research and technology development platforms to accelerate the pace of Ohio commercialization. “This center is yet another example of the widespread success of the Ohio Third Frontier program, both here in the Mahoning Valley and across the state,” Sweet said. The Ohio Third Frontier initiative is aimed at re-energizing Ohio's economy by investing in emerging technologies and building new and existing companies. Since 2005, the program has sparked $6.6 billion in economic activity, $2.4 billion in wages and more than 48,000 jobs and helped launch more than 571 new companies statewide. In addition to funding for the YSU Center for Advanced Materials Analysis, Ohio Third Frontier has placed 163 YSU students in 42 different companies across the region through the Third Frontier Internship Program. Issue 1 on the May 4 ballot renews and continues the Ohio Third Frontier program. The initiative has broad-based support, including legislators on both sides of the aisle, business, labor and newspapers across the state. The YSU Board of Trustees approved a resolution of support last month. “YSU recognizes that the Third Frontier is an important activity not only for us as a university but for the entire community,” said Martin Abraham, dean of YSU’s STEM college. Tim Wagner, YSU chemistry professor and director of the new YSU Center for Advanced Materials Analysis, said equipment in the lab provides analysis capabilities that few, if any, predominantly undergraduate universities in the nation have. “A world-class laboratory of this caliber provides an array of new opportunities for research for our faculty and the community,” he said. “Also, our undergraduate students will get hands on experience working on equipment that, at other universities, only graduate or Ph.D.-level students would be exposed.” The center, located in YSU’s Chemistry Department on the fifth floor of Ward Beecher Hall, is a joint project between researchers in the STEM college and at Fireline TCON Inc. (FTi), a subsidiary of the Youngstown-based parent company Fireline Inc. The new center will analyze the chemical structures of materials produced by FTi in order to improve the performance of the materials. For instance, FTi is working with YSU to develop lightweight brake rotors that would improve the fuel efficiency of automobiles, buses and trucks, Wagner said. The company also is pursuing improved materials for survivability and force protection systems for soldiers and military vehicles. Mark Peters, general manager of FTi and co-investigator on the Ohio Third Frontier grant, said that an anticipated outcome of the overall project is the creation of new high tech jobs at FTi. “This new center will help us shorten the time it takes to develop new products and get them into the markets,” he said. “By the time we achieve full commercialization of our TCON ceramic-metallic composites, we expect to have hired many new employees.” In support of the center, YSU’s STEM college has hired a tenure-track faculty member, Virgil Solomon, an expert in electron microscopy techniques who spent five years performing electron microscopy research at Arizona State University as a postdoctoral research fellow. The college is also in the process of hiring an electron microscopy technician to support day-to-day maintenance and operation of the research lab.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Governor Calls for Aggressive Response to Wall Street Excesses Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today sent a letter to members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation pressing for the need to adopt legislation that will rein in Wall Street practices that led to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Full text of the letter is below. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Dear Members of the Ohio Delegation: I write to encourage the adoption of legislation that will rein in the Wall Street practices which resulted in the worst economic recession in 80 years. The House of Representatives has acted boldly to pass a bill. I am hopeful that the Senate will conclude months of deliberation this week. I urge both chambers to move swiftly to reconcile the best provisions of each chamber's work and deliver to the President a bill that will protect Ohioans from the Wall Street greed and excesses that collapsed the American financial system. Ohioans know that Wall Street values are not Ohio values. Wall Street executives were engaged in deceptive schemes that harmed Ohio families while they amassed indefensible levels of personal wealth with no regard for the consequences of their actions. Their actions were shameful and they were wrong. As a result, thousands of hard-working Ohioans have lost their jobs, their homes and their retirement savings. Last week we learned that Ohio's public pension funds took a $480 million hit to investments managed by Lehman Brothers in the time leading up to the bank's collapse. Those were real dollars that have vanished from the retirement funds of public servants including police officers, fire fighters, and teachers. More recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Goldman Sachs with fraud for its deceptive practices. Yesterday, the media reported on emails between top Goldman Sachs executives boasting about the profits they were making off the crumbling housing market. It is clear that Wall Street executives have not learned their lesson. But Ohioans have learned the hard way that allowing firms to grow so large that they are "too big to fail" is unacceptable. Taxpayers cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of future bailouts, nor can we allow a firm's collapse to threaten the stability of the entire American economy. It is time for the federal government to step in and strengthen regulation, keeping in mind the strength of the regulatory framework at the state level, while still enabling the financial services sector to help grow our economy. I urge the House and Senate to come together to pass legislation that will prevent the need for future bank bailouts, protect consumers, and improve regulation of derivatives. Thank you and please let me know if I can be of assistance. Ted Strickland Governor, State of Ohi

Friday, April 23, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions. The Board of Regents advises and assists the governor, the General Assembly, the state universities and the state agencies concerned with higher education on matters of long range financing and development of the state’s higher education facilities. Patricia Ackerman, of Richmond Heights, currently serves as the executive director of the Chalkdust Education Foundation. She is a retired public school educator who served as a teacher, principal and K-12 curriculum administrator. Ackerman also serves as a member of the Ohio University Foundation Board and previously served as the president of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University and a doctorate from Kent State University. The Miami University Board of Trustees hires, fixes compensation of, and removes employees of the university as it deems necessary for the good of the institution. It does all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation and maintenance of the university. Jagdish Bhati, of Cincinnati, currently serves as the president of Optimum Management. He previously served as the chief operating officer and a partner with McGrath Group Management and as a program director of network systems technical support operations for Lucent Technology USA. Bhati has also served as a member of the Lucent Support Services Employee Reward and Recognition Program, Lucent Saudi Arabia Team Excellence Award Program and the EMEA Kenan/CSG Systems Professional Service Group Leadership Team. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Jodhpur and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees hires, fixes compensation of, and removes employees of the university as it deems necessary for the good of the institution. It does all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation and maintenance of the university. Leonard Schiavone, of Youngstown, currently serves as a partner for the law firm of Friedman & Rummell and as the president of Metro Land Title since 1999. He also serves as a member of the North Side Citizens Coalition for Community Development and previously served as a board member for the Youngstown City Health Department. Schiavone received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1970 and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1977. The NEOUCOM Board of Trustees hires, fixes compensation of, and removes employees of the university as it deems necessary for the good of the institution. It does all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation and maintenance of the university. Daisy Alford-Smith, of Aurora, has served as the chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio since 2007. She previously served as the chief operating officer of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and the International commission on Health Care Professions from 2004-2006 and as the director of the Summit County Department of Job & Family Services from 1998-2004. Alford-Smith currently serves as member of the Health Systems Agency of North Central Ohio Trustee Board. She received a bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College Albany, a master’s degree from the University of Akron, and a doctorate from Cleveland State University. The Ohio Tuition Trust Authority administers the state’s 529 college savings plan, CollegeAdvantage. The Ohio Tuition Trust Authority makes the final determination on the price of a tuition credit or tuition unit, the designation of bonds as college saving bonds, and the selection and approval of investment agents for the authority’s various college savings programs. Barbara Gellman-Danley, of Rio Grande, has served as the president of the University of Rio Grande since 2009. She previously served as the vice chancellor for academic affairs and system integration at the Ohio Board of Regents from 2008-2009 and as the president of Antioch University McGregor from 1999-2008. Gellman-Danley also currently serves as a member of the National Community College Advisory Council. She received a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1974, a master’s degree from Simmons College in 1975, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1986. The Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission studies the existing criminal statutes and Ohio Laws, sentencing patterns throughout the state and the available correctional resources. The results of this study shall be used to develop and recommend to the General Assembly a comprehensive criminal sentencing structure. Kathleen Hamm, of Toledo, has served as the chief public defender in the Wood County Public Defender’s Office since 1990. She previously served as the assistant public defender in the Wood County Public Defender’s Office from 1984-1990. Hamm received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 and a law degree from the University of Toledo in 1983. The State Medical Board receives applications and conducts examinations for certificates of persons desiring to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state of Ohio. The board also may revoke existing licenses or certificates of doctors and surgeons in Ohio. Krishnamurthi Ramprasad, of Cincinnati, has served as a physician for the Greater Cincinnati Gastroenterology Associates since 1991. He also serves as a gastroenterology instructor at the VA Hospital in Cincinnati. Ramprasad received the 2007 Best Doctor Award by the Western Hills Mercy Hospital. He received a medical degree from Madras Medical College in 1975. The Ohio Public Defender Commission appoints the state public defender and establishes rules for the conduct of county public defenders and county appointed counsel systems across the state. In addition, the commission advises the governor, General Assembly and Ohio Supreme Court on the operation of the State Public Defender’s Office and county public defenders and counsel systems. Mary Donovan, of Cincinnati, has served as the managing attorney for Donovan Law since 2001. She previously served as the president of the Indiana Right-of-Way Company from 2001-2004. Donovan also served as police officer for the City of Cincinnati from 1987-1990 and as the president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in 2009. She received a bachelor’s degree from Mt. St. Joseph in 1998 and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. Ben Espy, of Columbus, previously served as the executive assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio from 2007-2008. He also served as an attorney in private practice from 1977-2007 and as a state senator from 1992-2002. Espy also serves as a board member for the Columbus Medical Association Foundation and the Central Benefits USA Health Care Foundation. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1965 and a law degree from Howard University in 1968. Samuel Porter, of Columbus, has served as a partner for the law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur since 1953. He also serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Adena Regional Medical Center as well as numerous other civic and community organizations. Porter received a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a law degree from the Ohio State University. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency offers affordable housing opportunities for Ohioans from rental assistance to homeownership. OHFA provides access to financial resources for the development and management of affordable, safe and sanitary housing. The agency's programs serve first-time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens and other populations with special needs who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing. William Martin, of Concord, has served as the president and owner of Barrington Homes since 1975. He is also currently serving as a presidential advisor and executive committee member for the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland. Martin studied accounting and finance at the Ohio State University and Lake Erie College. The Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council is responsible for conducting an examination of existing federal and Ohio laws that currently affect the production and consumption of Ohio steel, problems that the Ohio steel industry currently faces, including foreign competition and the economic climate for the Ohio steel industry, and other matters relevant to the future of the steel industry in this state. The Council also submits an annual report to legislative leaders and advises local and state government officials. Brenda Schulz, of Powell, has served as a controller for Nucor Steel in Marion since 2008. She previously served as the controller for Nucor Cold Finish in Wisconsin from 2005-2008. Schulz received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Wayne State College in 2001 and 2005, respectively. David McCall, of Reynoldsburg, currently works for the United Steelworkers. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1974 and completed the Harvard Trade Union Program in 1990. The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Committee coordinates investigations of organized criminal activity and cooperates with the departments and officers of the U.S. government in the suppression of criminal activity. Victor Vigluicci, of Rootstown, has served as a prosecuting attorney for Portage County since 1994. He previously served as an attorney in private practice from 1977-1994. Vigluccil also serves as a member of the National District Attorneys Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Walsh College in 1974 and a master’s degree from University of Akron in 1977. The Waterways Safety Council reports to the chief of the Division of Watercraft on plans and programs for the construction, maintenance and operation of refuge harbors and coordination with shore erosion projects. It also submits to the governor recommendations for amendments to Ohio laws relating to refuge and light craft vessel harbor. Douglas McLarnan, of Gambier, previously served as a social work supervisor for the Knox County Children’s Services Department before retiring. He also served as a firefighter and EMT for the College Township Fire Department. McLarnan was appointed as the first commissioner of the Knox County Park District in 1995 and became the district’s operations manager in 2003. He was elected as a trustee of College Township in 2000. The Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology adopts rules to ensure ethical standards of practice by licensed speech pathologists and audiologists, determines the nature and scope of examinations to be administered to applicants and evaluates the qualifications of all applicants, and supervises the examination of applicants and determines by rule the minimum examination score for licensure. Amy Thorpe, of Maumee, has worked at the Toledo Hospital/Toledo Children’s Hospital since 1996. She was previously employed by the Northwest Ohio Speech Language Rehabilitation Services from 1995-1996. Thorpe is currently performing research at the Toledo Children’s Hospital. She serves as a member of Toledo Children’s Hospital Feeding Team and a member of the Fetal Alcohol Diagnostic Clinic of Northwest Ohio. Thorpe received a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University in 1990.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Governor Announces University System of Ohio, Procter & Gamble Statewide Collaboration Agreement Advances Ohio’s 10-Year Strategic Plan for Higher Education; Simplifies Negotiations for Faster Research, Advancement Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel, today joined Procter & Gamble Vice President of Global Business Development Jeff Weedman to announce an agreement between the University System of Ohio’s 14 universities and Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble. This agreement simplifies the legal process that companies and universities use to negotiate research projects, allowing innovative ideas to come to fruition faster. “For the first time, with just one agreement, we are unleashing the collective power of Ohio’s universities to help turn ideas into products, and products into jobs,” Strickland said. “This agreement generates positive impacts for everyone involved – P&G is able to take advantage of Ohio’s most creative research minds, and our universities get to collaborate with P&G on new products. This is exactly the kind of public-private partnership that will build a stronger Ohio, because our universities and businesses both are committed to driving Ohio’s economic growth.” Governor Strickland proposed this agreement in his 2010 State of the State address. The project will increase industry-financed research spending – a key goal of Ohio’s 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, and a clear signal that universities are working with businesses to grow industry in Ohio. The Chancellor’s Office and Attorney General's Office negotiated the agreement in coordination with Ohio's public universities and Procter & Gamble. When considering a specific project, the parties will start with this contract framework in place and will only need to negotiate the project’s unique terms, such as scope of work and financial issues. This helps enable faster collaboration, 12–18 months ahead of similarly-positioned universities in other states. ”We will continue to do everything possible to streamline the legal process in the service of innovation,” said Attorney General Cordray, whose office facilitated the negotiation between P&G and the universities. “Getting things right matters, but simplicity and speed are just as important, particularly when it means creating jobs and rebuilding our state's economy. This agreement also reflects a continued commitment our office has made to work closely with Ohio’s public universities and the Chancellor to promote the research investments and technology commercialization that will grow Ohio’s economy.” The agreement will govern terms and conditions that are standard in research projects between industry sponsors like P&G and Ohio’s public universities, such as the treatment of intellectual property and confidential information. The agreement creates opportunities for similar agreements between the University System of Ohio and other companies. “We're excited to be the first business to collaborate on such an agreement with the University System of Ohio. With P&G’s Connect + Develop program we focus on partnering externally on innovation collaboration around the world. This agreement has the added benefit of externally partnering close to home,” said Jeff Weedman, vice president, Global Business Development for P&G. “Innovation is our lifeblood and it is both global and competitive. The standard agreement creates a unique new, more efficient business model that works for companies and universities alike. For P&G, we want to reach more consumers, in more parts of the world, more completely. Speed to market is key and so accelerating innovation and collaboration is critical. For Ohio universities, having a smart business model makes them more attractive as partners and more competitive with universities globally. This also helps promote co-ops, internships, and postdoctoral fellowships through new research projects.” This agreement will increase the competitiveness of the University System of Ohio as a source of innovation for P&G and ultimately helps pave the way to open negotiations with other businesses. “As one of the nation’s top 10 research systems, the University System of Ohio is accelerating its commitment to help companies innovate and compete globally,” said Chancellor Fingerhut. “Meeting the needs of industry is a top priority of higher education in Ohio, and we now have a process that gives businesses quicker access to the expertise and resources they need.” The progressive agreement was modeled after a breakthrough structure that the University of Cincinnati and P&G pioneered in 2005. As a result of the UC-P&G agreement, P&G named UC as their “University Partner of the Year” in 2009. All 14 universities within the University System of Ohio will sign the new agreement within the next few weeks. “The University of Cincinnati is proud of our working relationship with business partners such as Procter & Gamble,” said UC President Gregory H. Williams. “We have been fortunate over the past five years of our agreement with P&G to work with them in areas of mutual interest, and we are excited that this relationship will continue. We are also pleased that all of Ohio’s public universities will now enjoy such a relationship. This agreement represents a great step forward in university collaboration with business. Congratulations to the Governor and his state leadership team for getting this done.” This agreement also aligns with the Ohio Third Frontier Program, which is aimed at fostering collaboration between universities and businesses on research projects to strengthen the state’s economy and establish Ohio as a leader in innovation, while creating jobs. “This partnership is critical to the continued growth and success of Ohio’s businesses and research institutions,” said Patt-McDaniel. “This collaboration between the state, the University System of Ohio, and P&G will open more doors of opportunity for Ohio students and ensure that our talented workforce will continue to produce outstanding results.”

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Governor Appoints Franklin County Probate Court Judge Eric Brown to Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today selected Franklin County Probate Court Judge Eric Brown to fill the chief justice vacancy created by the untimely death of the late Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer. Brown will join the Ohio Supreme Court on Monday, May 3. “It is with great sadness that we face a vacancy on Ohio’s high court after the death of a friend and extraordinary public servant," Strickland said. "But I believe that Eric is now the best person to serve as chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. Eric’s 30 years of public service combined with his management experience and legal knowledge and expertise, inside and outside of government, make him uniquely qualified to lead the court.” As judge of the Franklin County Probate Court, the largest single-judge probate court in Ohio, Brown oversees a staff of 50 employees, including seven magistrates. While serving on the probate court, he was appointed to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure. He was elected to the Probate Court in 2008. He also currently serves as an appointed board member of the Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board, a board that provides oversight for criminal and juvenile programs funded through the county. Prior to election to the Probate Court, Brown, 56, served as a magistrate on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas for two years (2003-2005) before he was elected to a judgeship on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division in 2004. As a Common Pleas judge, he presided over more than 5,000 cases, of which nearly 3,000 were civil cases and more than 2,100 were criminal cases. “The late Chief Justice Moyer left a tremendous legacy of professionalism, collaboration and respect for justice, and I am humbled to succeed him as Ohio’s chief justice,” Brown said. From 1992-2002, Eric served as an assistant attorney general for Ohio Attorneys General Lee Fisher and Betty Montgomery. He served as the tobacco litigation counsel from 1996-2002. His work on that case included preparing and filing the lawsuit; managing the team of assistant attorneys general and special counsels working on the case; participating in negotiations; and implementing and enforcing the settlement in Ohio. During his time in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, he also served as the assistant chief of the consumer protection section. There, Brown supervised a staff of 65, including lawyers, investigators and a consumer complaint unit to investigate and resolve consumer disputes. “Nearly 10 weeks ago I made it clear that I thought Eric should be the next chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, and my selection of him to fill this unfortunate vacancy on the court is a reflection of my continued belief that he has the skills and life experiences to be an effective chief justice,” Strickland said. Brown began his law career in Cleveland in private practice handling a wide array of legal issues, including legal services for the elderly and their families to criminal and civil litigation and business and real estate transactions. Brown was an elected member of the Mayfield City School District Board of Education from 1978-1992. Before joining the legal profession, he was a small business owner in Cleveland. He established and operated the American Pool Supply and Service Company, a residential and commercial swimming pool service business, and sold the company in 1979. As chief justice, Brown’s salary will be $150,850. Brown received a bachelor’s degree in history from Cleveland State University in 1975 and a law degree from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 1979. He’s been married for more than 36 years to Marilyn Brown, currently a Franklin County commissioner. They have two daughters: Beryl, a lawyer with the Ohio Industrial Commission, and Daryn, a stage manager and event planner in New York City. Eric and Marilyn have three grandsons: Vincent, 6, Max, 3, and Alex, 6 weeks. The Browns are members of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus. A photo of Brown can be downloaded at: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=H7nKdke68I8%3d&tabid=1595 Brown’s appointment will create a vacancy on the Franklin County Probate Court. The governor will ask the Ohio Judicial Application Review Panel to make three recommendations to him to fill that vacancy. An announcement regarding the application timeline for filling that vacancy will be forthcoming before the end of this week.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Governor Announces $26.8 Million for Regional Partners to Help Implement Ohio’s Health Information Technology Strategy Seven Regional Entities Selected to Assist with Implementation of Ohio’s Electronic Health Records Systems Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today announced that seven regional sites across Ohio will receive a total of $26.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) resources to assist in the implementation of the state’s health information technology initiative. These resources are a portion of Ohio’s total $43 million ARRA award for the Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP), the non-profit entity designated by Strickland to lead the implementation of health information technology in Ohio. OHIP will work with the selected regional partners to help more than 6,000 primary care providers install electronic health record (EHR) systems and connect to a statewide, secure health information exchange. “Establishing a health information technology system in Ohio is a critical step in lowering cost and improving the quality of care. However, our success is dependent on the widespread adoption of electronic health records,” Strickland said. “Providers who participate in this valuable initiative will help to lower costs, improve quality, and save lives.” OHIP solicited and reviewed letters of intent from entities across the state and selected those that would reach the largest number of physicians in their regions. Regional Partners Announced Today: Akron Regional Hospital Association will receive $3,928,500 to assist 873 primary care physicians. Case Western Reserve University will receive $7,942,500 to assist 1,765 primary care physicians. Central Ohio Health Information Exchange (COHIE) will receive $6,084,000 to assist 1,352 primary care physicians. Greater Dayton Area Health Information Network (GDAHA) will receive $2,898,000 to assist 644 primary care physicians. Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio will receive $2,875,500 to assist 639 primary care physicians. Northeast Ohio (NEO) HealthForce will receive $1,453,500 to assist 323 primary care physicians. Ohio University will receive $1,818,000 to assist 404 primary care physicians. In addition, Cincinnati-based Healthbridge also received a federal grant to support 11 counties in the Cincinnati region. OHIP works closely with Healthbridge, an established health information exchange in the Greater Cincinnati area, to ensure coordinated support to Ohio physicians.. Healthbridge’s work will tie in with the overall health IT exchange.. The OHIP regional extension center (REC) partners will conduct an assessment of each doctor’s office in their area, and then help select and implement an EHR system for their practice. Regional partners will also train office staff to get the greatest benefit from the EHR software. OHIP regional partners will then work with providers to get their systems connected to the secure statewide health information exchange. Through this exchange, physicians will be able to share information, if the patient has given permission to do so, with other providers such as hospitals, specialists, and laboratories. This will result in better coordination of care, reduced duplicative testing and safer prescribing. Representatives from the Akron Regional Hospital Association and Case Western Reserve University, two regional partners, attended today’s announcement at the Cleveland Clinic. “We are looking forward to working with all the health care providers and others in our regional extension center, and to sharing collaborative relationships with Case Western Reserve University and Northeast Ohio HealthForce regional extension centers to ensure a smooth transition in sharing patient information which will enhance the excellent care already provided throughout our Northeast Ohio regional community,” said Marianne G. Lorini, president and CEO of the Akron Regional Hospital Association. “We are honored to have been chosen as one of the regional partners for this important initiative," said Pamela B. Davis, MD, PhD, dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at Case Western Reserve University. “The School of Medicine is committed to improving the health of our communities. We believe that HIT is a key tool in enhancing health care for patients and we look forward to partnering with independent healthcare providers to encourage quick adoption of health IT." Dr. C. Martin Harris, of the Cleveland Clinic, represented the OHIP board at the event. The Cleveland Clinic will work with Case Western on helping providers adopt health IT. “Improved technology is necessary to integrate electronic medical records among hospitals and physician offices. The ultimate goal, though, is not better technology, but rather better patient care,” said Harris, chief information officer at the Cleveland Clinic. “It’s time to change our thinking about how and where health care should be delivered, while empowering patients to proactively manage their health care and connecting physicians across Ohio to improve access to patient data and information.” About the Ohio Health Information Partnership: In 2009, Strickland designated OHIP as the non-profit entity that will support and lead the implementation of health information technology in Ohio. The selected regional sites will join OHIP in helping physicians implement an electronic health records system. The OHIP board includes representation from BioOhio, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Osteopathic Association, state government, health care payers, the business community, behavioral health providers, community health centers, and consumers. In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designated a total of $36 billion for Health Information Technology (HIT) that states could apply for. To draw down a portion of these federal funds, Ohio appropriated an initial $8 million in non-GRF funds to Ohio Department of Insurance for development of health information technology. OHIP submitted Ohio’s application in October 2009. In February 2010, OHIP was officially awarded $14.9 million to establish a health information exchange and $28.5 million for the regional extension centers ($26.8 million for seven partners and $1.75 million for core services that OHIP provides to assist the regional extension centers.) Ohio was awarded more HIT stimulus funding than any other state in the country. OHIP has $51.4 million in state and federal funds to build and support a statewide health information exchange and to support the widespread adoption of electronic health records. Click here to read more about OHIP and here to read the press release announcing the initiative.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Governor Urges Senate to Pass Unemployment Compensation Legislation Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today urged the U.S. Senate to vote to end debate and pass HR 4851, the Continuing Extension Act of 2010. HR 4851 temporarily extends unemployment compensation benefits through May. The 30-day extension has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate took up the measure two weeks ago, but its passage is currently being blocked. As a result of this impasse, unemployed Ohioans receiving regular and extended benefits began losing their unemployment compensation benefits last week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed cloture March 25, and the vote to end debate is scheduled for today. Governor’s Statement: “Because of failure to act on the part of a few, more than 27,000 Ohioans are estimated to have lost their unemployment compensation benefits since extensions ended on April 3. If this is not addressed immediately, an additional 73,000 Ohioans could unnecessarily lose benefits by the end of April at a time when there are still six unemployed persons for each available job. Each dollar of unemployment compensation leverages $2.10 of additional financial benefits to struggling communities in Ohio, as well as provides support to unemployed Ohioans struggling to retain their homes and provide for their families. “There is no justification for refusing to pass an emergency, short-term extension to prevent unneeded hardship for Ohio families when both the Senate and House have already separately agreed to finalize measures extending benefits through the end of 2010. “Many Ohioans and people across the country are suffering financially because of the recession by no fault of their own. It is important that we continue to support them as they search for jobs. The decision to extend benefits should not be political or partisan – it is simply the right thing to do to help Americans weather the recession. “These temporary, short-term extensions are helping Ohioans make ends meet, but they do not provide the stability that Ohio families need right now. It is my hope that Congress will work quickly toward a bipartisan, long-term resolution to this issue.”

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Ohio Receives Over $3.2 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Smart Grid Workforce Training and Development Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today applauded the Obama Administration’s announcement of more than $3.2 million in Recovery Act funds for smart grid workforce training and development projects at Cuyahoga Community College District and the Ohio State University. The two projects were announced by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a $100 million investment for 54 smart grid workforce training programs across the nation. “These important investments will help rebuild Ohio’s economy and give workers new skills,” Strickland said. “I applaud Secretary Chu’s support for the training of Ohio workers to revamp and modernize our electricity grid.” Information on Ohio’s two projects from the U.S. Department of Energy: Cuyahoga Community College in District: Increasing the Competitiveness of the Electric Power Sector through Responsive Workforce Training Strategies - Develop (in collaboration with Cleveland Public Power) curriculum to meet the electric sector workforce needs, specifically to build knowledge of Smart Grid, address skill shortages, and fill workforce vacancies. The project will develop and offer classroom, lab, work-site, and online instruction methods to train about 200 individuals, including existing workers to maintain jobs and future workers for new jobs. The Ohio State University: I-SMART: Integrated Curriculum for Smart Power Engineering-Develop an interdisciplinary curriculum for electric power engineers (I-SMART curriculum) that includes a hardware-in-the-loop based Virtual Smart Grid Test Platform, which will simulate the functions of a real Smart Grid in an integrative environment, and a comprehensive distance learning system. The project will also train high school teachers through hands-on summer workshops and provide materials for the classroom. Go here read the full news release from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Governor Signs Land Banks Legislation to Advance Urban Agenda Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 313, which permits Ohio counties to organize land banks to address foreclosed and abandoned properties in an effort to revitalize our urban communities. State Rep. Peter Ujvagi sponsored HB 313. In February 2009, Strickland signed Senate Bill 353 to permit a pilot land banks program in Cuyahoga County. In his January 2010 State of the State address, the governor called on the legislature to expand Cuyahoga County's successful pilot land banks program by allowing additional local and state governments to take ownership of vacant land parcels in order to make them available for future productive use. “With this bill, we are giving dozens of Ohio counties a vital new tool to proactively acquire abandoned properties. In the hands of local government, these homes can be rehabbed, redeveloped, or if they’re too far gone, demolished with the land held for future development,” Strickland said. “We’ve seen the success of such programs across the country, including our state’s own pilot project in Cuyahoga County. Land banks have been credited with increasing real estate equity, improving the local economy, and strengthening neighborhood stability. I thank Rep. Ujvagi and our local elected officials from across the state for their work and attention to this issue.”

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Governor Announces Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. In addition to the Governor’s 10 appointments, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs serves on the 13-member board, as well a selection from both the House Speaker and Senate President. The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is charged with establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio. The board will strive to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families. Tony Forshey, of Columbus, currently serves as the state veterinarian for the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He also serves as the co-chairman of the Swine Update Program in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ohio State University and chairman of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Swine Sub-Committee to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Forshey has been recognized by his peers for his work on swine committees and has received numerous awards, including the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association’s Meritorious Award. He received a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University. Leon Weaver, of Montpelier, serves as the owner and operator of Bridgewater Dairy. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Ohio Livestock Coalition and the Ohio Dairy Industry Forum. He previously served as the president of the Ohio Dairy Industry Forum and as a professor at the University of California’s Veterinarian Medicine School. Weaver received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College in 1968 and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971. Jeff Wuebker, of Versailles, has served as the co-owner of Wuebker Farms since 2001. He also serves as the president of the Ohio Soybean Association and is a member of the Ohio Corn Growers Association and the Ohio Cattleman’s Association. Wuebker was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Ohio Farm Bureau in 2005. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1993. Bobby Moser, of Dublin, has served as the vice president for agricultural administration and the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at the Ohio State University since 1991. He previously served as the associate dean of agriculture and extension program director at the University of Missouri from 1986-1988 and as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska. Moser received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He also received a doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1972. Jeffrey LeJeune, of Wooster, has served as an associate professor for Food and Animal Health at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at the Ohio State University since 2007 and previously served as an assistant professor at the Ohio State University from 2001-2007. LeJeune also currently serves as the chair of the Agriculture Animal Care and Use Committee at the Ohio State University and received the 2009 OARDC Distinguished Research Award in 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Universite de Moncton and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Prince Edward Island. LeJeune also received a Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2000. Harold Dates, of Cincinnati, has served as the president and CEO of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Cincinnati since 1986, previously serving as the assistant general manager from 1975-1986. Dates also previously served as the community center director for the City of Cincinnati from 1971-1973. He received the Glenn Summerlin Award from the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators in 2009. Dates received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1969. Jerry Lahmers, of Newcomerstown, currently owns and operates a family farm that includes a cow/calf feedlot and grain operations. He previously served as a veterinarian who treated and cared for animals in Tuscarawas County for 29 years. Lahmers also serves as the president of the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau and Tuscarawas County Parks Department. He also served as a member of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing board from 2000-2005. Lahmers received a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University. Lisa M. Hamler-Fugitt, of Reynoldsburg, currently serves as the executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and as the legislative liaison for the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. She previously served as the public policy director and the statewide food and nutrition program coordinator for the Ohio Hunger Task Force. Hamler-Fugitt has researched, written, and secured over $200 million in grants to support various anti-hunger programs. She received an associate’s degree from South Oklahoma Junior College. Robert Cole, of Gahanna, served in various roles for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for over 33 years, including serving as the executive director of the USDA’s Franklin County Office and as acting state director in 2003. He retired from the U.S Department of Agriculture in 2003. Cole continues to help manage his family’s farm in Mississippi and is currently pursuing a Ph..D. at the University of Dayton. He received a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn A&M College in 1970. Stacey Atherton, of Newark, has served as the co-owner for Shipley Farms since 2009. She previously served as a manager for Shipley Farms from 2006-2009. Atherton has also served as a 4-H club advisor for the Licking County Jersey Club since 2006 and is a member of the Ohio Dairy Producers and the Ohio Farm Bureau. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 2006.

Monday, April 05, 2010

Governor Signs Senate Bill 77 Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed Senate Bill 77. State Senator David Goodman sponsored SB 77, which expands DNA testing for certain convicted felons, eliminates DNA testing for felons who pleaded guilty or no contest, preserves biological evidence in criminal proceeding and improves eyewitness identification procedures. “This bill updates Ohio’s DNA law and will play a significant role in the modernization of Ohio’s system of criminal justice,” Strickland said. “The new procedures will help improve criminal investigations and save lives.”

Friday, April 02, 2010

Governor’s Statement on the Passing of Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement on the passing of Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and Ohio’s Chief Justice, Thomas Moyer. I was honored when Tom swore me in as governor. That was the beginning of a warm and close working relationship – the kind of mutually respectful relationship you always envision leaders of different branches of government having. But that was Tom: dignified, respectful, thoughtful and always concerned for the well-being of others. It was never about him. Tom unselfishly served the people of Ohio for so many years. I know he was very much looking forward to his retirement, but he loved what he did. In recent years, he was a leader and a partner in Ohio’s bipartisan efforts to fight foreclosure and to take a serious and comprehensive look at corrections reform. He spoke passionately and convincingly for reducing the influence of money in judicial elections. “This is a sad time for Tom’s family and the people of Ohio. Frances and I offer our deepest condolences to his wife Mary, their family, his colleagues and the many Ohioans he served during his distinguished tenure as the longest-serving chief justice in the United States.”

Friday, April 02, 2010

Governor Signs House Bill 48, Senate Bill 147 Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 48 and Senate Bill 147. “I am proud to sign bipartisan legislation that further strengthens our state’s unwavering support for our veterans, active military members, and their families,” Strickland said. House Bill 48 State Representative Peter Ujvagi sponsored HB 48, which requires employers to allow two weeks of leave for spouses and parents of a member of the uniformed services who is called to active duty or is injured, wounded, or hospitalized while serving in active duty. Senate Bill 147 State Senator Jim Hughes sponsored SB 147, which gives the right of disposal to the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding abandoned or unclaimed remains of persons who identified as veterans and are entitled to be buried in a national cemetery.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Governor Expands State’s Work to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed an executive order that expands the state’s role and establishes a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to combating prescription drug abuse across Ohio. Strickland expressed his support for the licensure of pain clinics, and called on all doctors and pharmacists to check the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System – a prescription tracking database – every time they prescribe or dispense pain medication. He announced that the state has set aside $250,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that local law enforcement can apply for to expand or improve their efforts. “Pain medication, when abused, ceases to treat pain and instead causes it,” Strickland said. “Too many lives have been lost and too many people have become lost chasing these pills. Prescription drug abuse is a menace that must be fought with every available tool. So today we are creating a new tool to help us take on this public health emergency.” Prescription drug abuse has been identified as a rising public health problem on the national level and has reached an epidemic in Ohio. Ohio’s death rate due to unintentional drug poisoning has increased more than 300 percent from 1999 to 2007, and is now the leading cause of injury death in Ohio. “Prescription drug abuse is made possible by several different actors,” Strickland said. “Much of this abuse is fed by pill mills – where prescriptions and pills are dispensed in exchange for cash. And so to all the pill mills out there making a profit by selling a poison, let me be clear. We’re coming for you. What you do is illegal and immoral, and we will fight you with everything we have. “Pain management is a legitimate medical concern and in no way will we interfere with necessary medical responses to chronic pain. But there is no place for physicians or pharmacists who are not meeting any acceptable standard of care and are apparently dispensing prescriptions not as a means to help a patient but as a means to enrich themselves.” Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force The executive order establishes a task force that will help unite the ongoing efforts at the federal, state and local levels, and build on their work to address this rising problem. The Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (OPDATF) will be charged with researching the issue and identifying public health, law enforcement, legislative and additional strategies to reduce the danger of prescription drug abuse in Ohio. The task force will include officials from public safety and public health, from medical and pharmacy backgrounds, and from local, state and federal government. It will regularly report its findings and recommendations to the governor and to the leaders of the Ohio General Assembly. Strickland designated Ohio Department of Public Safety Assistant Director George Maier as chair of the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force and Ohio Department of Health Director Alvin Jackson as the task force’s vice chair. "As prescription drug abuse has become a growing epidemic in communities across Ohio, law enforcement has been challenged in its efforts to combat this problem with limited tools and resources,” said Maier. “Under the governor's leadership, Ohio is taking the necessary steps to curb this problem with the establishment of this task force and development of an action plan to aid Ohio's communities in this fight." “Prescription drug abuse is harming Ohioans at an epidemic level,” said Dr. Jackson. “I look forward to working on the task force with my colleagues to address this critical public health issue.” Additional State Efforts In addition to establishing the task force, Strickland called on all doctors and pharmacists to check the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) – a prescription tracking database – every time they prescribe or dispense an opioid or opioid derivative (pain medication). Today, all pharmacists report into this system, but only one in five use the system when filling prescriptions. Strickland charged the task force with pursuing additional strategies to increase use of OARRS by doctors and pharmacists.. Strickland also announced that the state has set aside $250,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that local law enforcement can apply for to expand or improve their efforts. The Ohio Department of Health has launched a Web site with additional details on prescription drug abuse and prevention efforts at www.odh.ohio.gov/drugoverdose. Federal Efforts Strickland credited the efforts of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, who has been tackling the prescription drug abuse issue on the federal level. On March 25, Brown’s office convened a first-of-its-kind roundtable that brought together federal officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and state officials from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Health, and Department of Jobs and Family Services. Local law enforcement and judicial representatives also attended the meeting to share their first-hand experiences with this issue. The meeting was held at the PACAAR Medical Center at the Adena Hospital System in Chillicothe. “As I’ve said from the beginning, we need to treat this problem like the dangerous epidemic it is. That means cooperation on a federal, state, and local level,” Brown said. “I applaud Governor Strickland for addressing this dangerous prescription drug abuse that threatens the health of Ohioans and the fabric of our communities. Earlier this month, I held a first-of-its kind roundtable that convened the federal and state agencies that need to work together to tackle this problem. If we are going to root out the drug dealers and pill mills and prevent addiction, then it will take neighbors and local leaders organizing their communities and pushing their government to fight back.” On March 1, Brown wrote to President Barack Obama offering his support for the President’s proposals to combat prescription drug fraud and Medicaid abuse. Brown asked for the President’s help in stamping out prescription drug fraud in Ohio, by addressing substance abuse problems and ending the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Governor Announces Elimination of PASSPORT & Other Home and Community-Based Service Waitlists Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that the waitlists for home and community-based services funded through the Department of Aging, including PASSPORT, Assisted Living, Choices, and PACE, have been eliminated. “Older Ohioans should have access to a spectrum of choices when deciding where they would like to receive medical and personal care services,” Strickland said. “I appreciate the collaboration and hard work of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Doug Lumpkin and Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara Riley. Because of their efforts, Ohio senior citizens who prefer to remain in home or community care settings are no longer relegated to waitlists.” On February 22, Strickland has called for the transfer of resources from ODJFS to the Department of Aging to pay for the elimination of the PASSPORT, Assisted Living and PACE program waiting lists. At the time, 592 Ohioans were on waitlists; today, those waitlists are clear..

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Governor Signs Bills Passed in 128th General Assembly Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed several bills recently passed in the 128th General Assembly. House Bill 414 State Representative Allan Sayre sponsored HB 414, which creates the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board and establishes the terms of office for the 13 members of the board. The bill requires the board to adopt rules governing the care and well-being of livestock in Ohio, including best management practices, and establishes the amount of civil penalties to be assessed against people who violate the rules. The bill also requires the Director of Agriculture to assist the board by helping perform the necessary duties to administer and enforce the bill. House Bill 102 State Representative Todd Book sponsored HB 102, which requires the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to make available printable publications that contain standardized, objective information about umbilical cord blood banking. The information will be housed on the ODH Web site. The bill also requires ODH to encourage health care professionals who provide health care services directly related to a woman's pregnancy to provide the printable publications to a pregnant woman before her third trimester. Senate Bill 165 State Senator Tom Niehaus sponsored SB 165, which makes a variety of changes to the Oil and Gas Law that affects the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Mineral Resources Management. The new fees and changes to existing fees proposed in the bill are intended to reduce the division's reliance on the GRF and provide a dedicated source of funding for oil and gas regulatory and administrative activities. The bill also makes several additional changes to the Oil and Gas Law, including changes to the terms and conditions of an oil or gas permit; changes to mandatory pooling requirements; changes to required setback distances for drilling in urbanized areas; new notification requirements for permittees, local governments, and landlords; and adjustments in the requirements for well construction. Senate Bill 155 State Senator John Carey and State Senator Dale Miller sponsored SB 155, which charges each agency with handling the cost of required biennial audits for their agency. The bill also alters the distribution of the replacement tire fee to fund the Soil and Water Conservation District Assistance Fund.. It also authorizes the Tax Commissioner to permit taxpayers who are electronically filing personal income tax returns to directly deposit income tax refunds into CollegeAdvantage accounts. Senate Bill 85 State Senator Jimmy Stewart sponsored SB 85, which authorizes certain political subdivisions to award multi-year, professional service contracts through direct negotiation or requests for proposals or qualifications in lieu of competitive bidding, for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of water storage tank facilities.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Governor Appoints David Branstool to Licking County Common Pleas Court Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of David Branstool to the Licking County Common Pleas Court. Judge David Branstool, 43, of Johnstown, has been named by Governor Strickland to fill the Licking County Common Pleas Court seat vacated due to the retirement of Judge Jon R. Spahr. “David not only brings judicial experience to the Licking Common Pleas Court but also a proven commitment to serving the citizens of his community through civic organizations and his distinguished legal career,” Strickland said. "I know he will be a compassionate, thoughtful addition to the bench." Branstool will take the bench on March 31, 2010. To retain the seat, he must run in the November 2010 general election. “I am deeply honored by the governor’s announcement and I intend to live up to the confidence he has placed in me,” Branstool said. “Serving on the Licking County Municipal Court has been a rewarding experience, and I think it has been excellent training for serving on the Common Pleas Court. I am looking forward to continuing some of the initiatives I started in Municipal Court such as the mental health and drug and alcohol docket. We’ve been able to help a lot of people get the treatment they need and, hopefully, we can continue to do good work in Common Pleas Court.” Branstool has served as judge for the Licking County Municipal Court since he was elected by Licking County voters in 2003. Branstool was selected by his fellow municipal court judges to serve as a trustee for the Association of Municipal and County Court Judge of Ohio, and also serves on the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee for the Ohio Judicial Conference. Prior to being elected judge, Branstool was in private practice in Newark for nearly ten years and also served as an assistant public defender for the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio. Branstool is an active member of the Licking County community. He served as a board member for the Licking County Educational Service Center, the Licking County Education Career and Technical Education Center, and the United Way of Licking County. Branstool is an active member of the American, Ohio State and the Licking County Bar Associations. Branstool received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1989 and a law degree from Capital University in 1994.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Governor Announces Ohio’s Center of Excellence in Agriculture, Food Production and Bioproducts Center enhances Ohio’s leadership position in manufacturing key food and agricultural products Columbus, OH — Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut today announced Ohio’s Center of Excellence in Agriculture, Food Production and Bioproducts at a press conference at The Ohio State University’s Food Industry Center in Columbus. “Ohio’s farmers are not only feeding our families, they are fueling our vehicles and providing new sustainable product alternatives,” Strickland said. “This Center of Excellence will accelerate the research and technology development to strengthen our agriculture industry and create good jobs for Ohioans.” The Food Production, Supply, and Safety Center of Excellence at The Ohio State University was named to focus its academic and research activities on improving the quality of life through research, learning, policy development, and outreach to ensure access to safe, health-promoting foods, as the state’s only Center of Excellence in Agriculture, Food Production and Bioproducts. Ohio's agriculture industry already plays a critical role in the health of the state’s economy, contributing more than $98 billion each year. The food and beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually, allowing Ohio to supply the world with food. Currently, one out of every seven Ohioans is employed in the agriculture and food industries. Of that, more than 60,000 workers are employed at more than 1,100 production plants around the state. The Centers of Excellence, as outlined in Ohio’s 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, will position the University System of Ohio as a magnet for talent and a leader in innovation and entrepreneurial activity by developing distinct missions for each institution that are recognized by students, faculty and business leaders, while eliminating unnecessary competition for resources, students and faculty within the state. “The Ohio State University is continuing its leadership as one of the nation’s preeminent land-grant institutions,” said Chancellor Fingerhut. “Agriculture remains one of Ohio’s primary economic strengths, and the innovations created by this Center of Excellence will bolster our state’s global leadership within the industry.” Ohio already ranks 8th in the nation with its 75,000 farms that cover more than 14 million acres, or nearly 55 percent of the total land area. The state’s strategic location between the grain belt and Eastern markets brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies Ohio’s strength in food processing. Although responsible for only 2 percent of the nation’s crop and livestock production, Ohio ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. A leading manufacturer of key food and agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, Swiss cheese and eggs, Ohio is home to food industry leaders such as Kroger, J.M. Smucker, Honeybaked Foods Inc., Chiquita Brands International and Bob Evans Farms. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry. Today’s announcement is the third announcement of university Centers of Excellence that align with the state’s targeted industries and focus on talent recruitment. In October 2009, the Governor and Chancellor announced Ohio’s Centers of Excellence in Advanced Energy at eight of the state’s universities. Ohio’s Centers of Excellence in Biomedicine and Health care at 14 universities were announced last month. The first four categories are specific to Ohio’s growth industries – advanced energy, biomedicine and health care, advanced transportation and aerospace, and agriculture, food production and bioproducts. The fifth category focuses on technologies that cross-cut Ohio’s growth industries such as advanced materials and sensors. The sixth group is focused on enhancing the quality of life around the state through additional programs that are essential in building communities and attracting the best and brightest to Ohio.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Governor Signs Capital Reappropriations Bill Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 462, the capital reappropriations bill for fiscal years 2011-2012. House Bill 462 State Rep. Vernon Sykes sponsored HB 462, which appropriates capital funds to the School Facilities Commission and the Public Works Commission and reappropriates capital funds for fiscal years 2011-2012. “The capital reappropriations bill marks a bipartisan commitment to important investments in Ohio’s infrastructure,” Strickland said. “The bill maintains our commitment to providing Ohio students with modern and sustainable learning environments”

Monday, March 29, 2010

Sen. Brown, Gov. Strickland Outline Plans to Advance Offshore Wind Turbine Projects Governor Discusses State Efforts; Calls Again on Legislature to Eliminate TPP for Wind, Solar Generation Cleveland, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Governor Ted Strickland joined Cleveland leaders today to outline plans to advance offshore wind energy projects. Brown unveiled new legislation aimed at advancing the installation of offshore wind turbines in freshwater bodies like Lake Erie. Strickland gave an update on state efforts to advance wind energy and called again on the state legislature to eliminate the tangible personal property tax on generation equipment for wind and solar. “Lake Erie is ready to be home to the first offshore wind turbines in fresh water,” Brown said. “The Lake is shallow enough to support offshore wind turbines and is also surrounded on land by Ohio’s rich industrial base. With the right priorities in Washington, Columbus, and Cuyahoga County, we will not only make this project a reality, but we’ll also revitalize Ohio’s manufacturing base and create new jobs. Wind energy will not only lower costs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will also create new demand for components produced by Ohio’s supply chain.” “Ohio’s greatest potential for creating wind energy is offshore in Lake Erie. Offshore wind, in particular, offers opportunities for our manufacturing sector and for Ohio shipyards. Ohio can build the installation vessels needed in all the Great Lakes; Ohio can build the towers; Ohio can build the turbines and the blades; Ohio can build all the component parts,” Strickland said. “Senator Brown’s legislation will strengthen the federal government’s partnership with Great Lakes states as we make sure the wind energy industry grows in Ohio. This legislation will also provide grants to our universities that are already focusing innovative research on solving the unique challenges of offshore wind in fresh water..” Federal Efforts Brown’s new legislation, The Program for Offshore Wind Energy Research and Development (POWERED) Act of 2010, would spur research on potential offshore wind projects, expand incentives for offshore wind development, and require the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the deployment of offshore wind. Brown is also the original cosponsor of S. 3062, legislation which would provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending production and investment tax credits for offshore wind until 2020. These provisions are vital because of the long lead times required to permit and construct wind turbines offshore, compared to onshore wind energy. Brown’s POWERED Act has been endorsed by The University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio, Case Western Reserve University, The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, The Ohio State University, The Great Lakes Wind Network, and by wind developers like NRG Bluewater Wind. State Efforts Ohio is moving forward with several wind projects in the next year, and Governor Strickland has called on the Ohio legislature to eliminate the tangible personal property tax on generation equipment for wind and solar. The state has also mapped Lake Erie into square mile grids and color coded them to identify the best places for turbines. The map is being regularly updated and is now adding information about the make-up of the lake bed. Working with Case Western Reserve University, a designated “Ohio Center of Excellence” in advanced energy, the state is working to solve the unique challenges of offshore wind in fresh water—something that has yet to be done anywhere in the world. The state is also reviewing existing Ohio laws and regulations to give wind developers the site control they need while still protecting Lake Erie. The State of Ohio continues to work with developers and manufacturers to create responsible state incentive packages to make sure this industry grows in Ohio. An offshore wind team made up of state agencies meets every week to discuss wind development in Ohio. Regional Efforts Formed in 2006, the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force, chaired by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, has investigated the potential for offshore wind in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. Recently, several of the core members of the Task Force formed a nonprofit economic development corporation called the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo). This development corporation now has the mission to accelerate progress toward putting wind turbines in Lake Erie off the coast of northeast Ohio, with the goal of creating a regional offshore wind industry and stimulating increased economic activity in Ohio. As a project of NorTech Energy Enterprise, Richard Stuebi is leading the effort to formally launch LEEDCo, including the development of a business plan and governing structure. Today, LEEDCo announced a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) for a wind farm developer to provide assistance on an initial offshore wind project planned at 20 megawatts offshore downtown Cleveland. “The Task Force’s vision five years ago of putting wind turbines in Lake Erie is inching ever closer to reality,” said Bill Mason, Chair of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force. “Tapping into this vast potential of off-shore wind will create thousands of new jobs and remake Cleveland as the Green City by the Blue Lake.” ”The work of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force has solidly established Ohio in the emerging North American offshore wind sector,” said Stuebi, who is serving as Interim President of LEEDCo during its launch phase. “It is LEEDCo’s goal to build off of this work and bring more focused resources to the pursuit of offshore wind in Lake Erie, so that we can convert our currently favorable position into true industry leadership – and more importantly, increased economic activity and jobs in Ohio.” Brown and Strickland were joined today by Barbara Snyder, President of Case Western Reserve University. Brown’s POWERED Act would establish the Offshore Wind Power Research and Development Program at the Department of Energy. The program would assist and coordinate offshore wind power analysis and implementation efforts by giving grants to states, institutions of higher education, and industry-academic consortia to conduct wind power analysis in such critical areas as: 1) development of state policies for use of offshore wind power in state power planning, including incentives for development; 2) development of plans for integration of wind resources into the electric grid including transmission, storage, and responsive load; 3) research on potential wildlife and ecological impacts; and 4) research on technologies that would improve the reliability and reduce the cost of offshore turbines. “History demonstrates that our nation makes its greatest gains when higher education, government and industry collaborate,” said Barbara Snyder, President of Case Western Reserve University.. “This proposal encourages all of us to come together to provide solutions for one of the most pressing issues of our time.” Brown’s POWERED Act would expand incentives for offshore wind development by increasing the allowance of renewable energy tax credits for offshore wind under a national renewable energy standard. This provision is aimed at addressing the higher up-front capital costs of developing offshore wind resources, as well as the strength of wind resources found offshore. Drew Murphy, President of NRG’s Northeast Region attended today’s news conference on behalf of NRG Bluewater Wind, the company’s offshore wind development subsidiary that is actively exploring project opportunities in Ohio. In a project in Delaware, NRG has estimated it will create 500 jobs during construction and between 60-80 jobs for operation and maintenance throughout the life of the project. “NRG Energy applauds Senator Brown for his strong leadership in supporting the development of offshore wind. His efforts on this bill, along with Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, show that he and Governor Strickland recognize renewable energy’s potential and its value to the region in providing clean power at stable prices and creating many new jobs,” said Drew Murphy, President of NRG’s Northeast Region.” Offshore wind offers enormous potential for producing domestic sources of clean energy and good-paying jobs in areas located close to large coastal population centers

Monday, March 29, 2010

Governor, Superintendent Statement on Today’s Race to the Top Announcement Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that Tennessee and Delaware were selected to receive funding during Phase I of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top (RttT) grant. Statement from the Governor and Superintendent: “Ohio put forth bold initiatives and high expectations in our Race to the Top application. While it was an honor for Ohio to be selected as one of 16 finalists for Phase I of Race to the Top, we are disappointed that we were not selected to receive funding at this time. We congratulate Tennessee and Delaware, the first round winners, on the work they are doing to advance education in their states. “We thank the numerous individuals who helped compile our application and the dozens of groups that supported our efforts by providing input during the creation of our application. Even though we were not selected for Phase I funding, we will begin work immediately on reviewing the comments from the U.S. Department of Education and redesigning our application for Phase II of Race to the Top. “Our students deserve our best efforts to transform education and to build on the tremendous progress that we are making in Ohio.” In January, Ohio was one of 41 states to submit applications to the U.S. Department of Education for Phase I of RttT funding. Ohio’s application requested $409 million to implement reforms around four specific areas prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education: standards and assessments; data systems to support instruction; great teachers and leaders; and turning around the lowest-achieving schools. With today’s announcement of states selected for Phase I funding, Ohio is now eligible to begin work on applying for Phase II RttT funding. Applications for Phase II are due to the U.S. Department of Education by June 1. Districts and community schools that did not submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during Phase I of RttT will have an opportunity to do so during Phase II. Currently, the details of the Phase II MOU are being developed. As more information becomes available, all eligible school districts and community schools will be notified.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Governor Appoints Rosemary Grdina Gold to Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of Rosemary Grdina Gold to the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. Rosemary Grdina Gold, 61, of Pepper Pike, fills the seat vacated due to the retirement of Judge Timothy M. Flanagan. “Rosemary brings extensive working knowledge and experience to the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court as she has handled hundreds of cases in this court during her 27 years of practicing law,” Strickland said. "I'm confident her leadership, professionalism and experience will make her an excellent addition to the court." Gold will take the bench on April 5. To retain the seat, she must run in the November 2010 general election. "I'm grateful to Governor Strickland for this opportunity to serve Cuyahoga County families as I take the seasoning and experience gained as a domestic relations attorney to the bench," Gold said. Gold has served as a sole practioner at the Law Office of Rosemary Grdina Gold specializing in family law since 2002. She previously served as a partner and shareholder for the law firm of Buckley King where she maintained an active case load of family matters, including divorce and child custody cases from 1986-2002. She also served as a domestic relations associate for the law firm of Parks, Eisele, Bates & Wilsman from 1982-1986. Gold is also an active member of her community. She served as a member of the board of directors for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio Affiliate and also served as the chair of the Advocacy Committee. Gold also serves on the advisory council for the Ursuline College Paralegal Studies. She served as a member of the board of trustees for Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio from 2003-2006 and she was active in Traditional Housing, Inc. from 1987-2000. Gold received a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College of Ohio in 1979 and a law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of law in 1982.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Ohio Receives $172 Million in Federal Funds for Housing Assistance HFA Hardest Hit Fund Expanded to Ohio to Aid Families in Economically Distressed Areas Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today applauded the U.S. Treasury announcement that Ohio will receive $172 million for housing assistance through the second round of federal Housing Finance Agency Hardest Hit Funds. “Too many Ohio homeowners have struggled to keep their homes as a result of the economic recession. I thank the Obama administration for recognizing the economy’s impact on Ohio and providing these resources, which will allow many families to maintain homeownership. These resources will also build on the work of Save the Dream Ohio, a state partnership that is helping Ohio families avoid foreclosures.” Save the Dream Ohio will work with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) in administering the $172 million to help homeowners. Ohio is one of the five additional states to receive a total of $600 million from the federal government’s Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This second round of the Hardest Hit Fund is targeting states with high concentrations of people living in economically distressed areas in which the unemployment rate exceeded 12 percent in 2009. Less than 15 percent of the U.S. population lives in such high unemployment rate counties. Such high levels of unemployment, coupled with price declines, mean that many working and middle-class families in these areas are facing serious challenges. The Obama Administration had previously awarded $1.5 billion through the Hardest Hit Fund to Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Ohio Receives $132 Million in Federal School Improvement Funds Resources to Help Struggling Schools Improve Academic Performance Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has approved Ohio’s application for $132 million in School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds. These resources are aimed at helping struggling schools improve academic performance. The $132 million award is part of the $3.5 billion that will be made available to states this spring from money set aside in the 2009 federal budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “We’re grateful for these federal resources, which will greatly improve the ability of our lowest-performing schools to develop a strategy for improvement that fits their unique circumstances,” Strickland said. “We need to do our part to help struggling schools meet their administrative and academic challenges and ensure a quality learning environment for the students in those districts.” As part of the SIG application process, the Ohio Department of Education was required to identify the lowest achieving five percent of schools in two categories – Title I schools in school improvement and Title I eligible secondary schools – using criteria outlined in guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. “We are very pleased that Ohio has been approved for this source of funding. These funds will help schools take necessary steps to dramatically improve student achievement,” Delisle said. “Once eligible schools have been funded, ODE will begin working closely with them to ensure that their goals focus on enhancing the achievement of their students and to strengthen the teaching and learning process.” Detailed information on SIG grants: The federal guidance requires states to put all eligible schools into the following three Tiers: · Tier I Schools – lowest achieving five percent of Title I schools in school improvement status or Title I secondary schools with a five year graduation rate less than 60 percent. · Tier II Schools – lowest achieving five percent of Title I eligible secondary schools or Title I eligible secondary schools with a five year graduation rate less than 60 percent. · Tier III Schools – All Title 1 schools in school improvement status that are not in Tier I are put into Tier III for the purpose of using SIG funds. With the SIG grant, schools identified as Tier I, Tier II or Tier III are eligible to apply for competitive grants of $50,000 to $500,000 over three years. Tier I and Tier II schools will receive priority for funding and will be required to implement one of four intervention models: · The Turnaround Model, which replaces the principal and rehires no more than 50 percent of the staff. The new principal is given operational flexibility in staffing, school calendar and budgeting to implement a comprehensive approach to improving student outcomes. · The Restart Model, which converts a school or closes and reopens a school under a charter school operator, a charter management organization or educational management organization that has been selected through a review process. · The School Closure Model, which closes the school and reassigns students to higher-achieving schools within the district. · The Transformation Model, which implements each of the following strategies: o Replace the principal and work to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; o Institute comprehensive instructional reforms; o Increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and o Provide operational flexibility and sustained support. Tier III schools will be eligible for funding once Tier I and Tier II schools have been funded. Tier III schools will not be required to implement one of the intervention models; however, they will be required to implement school improvement strategies based on student needs. Ohio’s application for the SIG grants is available at http://www2.ed..gov/programs/sif/summary/ohapp.pdf Schools must submit applications for the SIG to ODE by April 30. To learn more about the SIG grant, visit the ODE ARRA Stimulus Updates Web site and click on “School Improvement Funds.”

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Strickland, Patt-McDaniel Announce Launch of JumpStart Initiative in Northeast Ohio Pilot Project will Assist High-Potential, Minority-Owned Businesses Cleveland, OH – Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel and JumpStart Chief Economic Inclusion Officer Darrin Redus today announced the launch of Cleveland’s highly successful JumpStart Program to 21 northeast Ohio counties. “JumpStart Launch100” is a pilot project established by the Ohio Department of Development’s Minority Business Enterprise Division and JumpStart, Inc., aimed at assisting high-growth minority-owned businesses and high-potential firms based within Ohio’s urban areas. The initiative will begin in 21 counties of northeast Ohio and be evaluated for statewide expansion after 18 months. The goal is to impact 100 high-potential minority and urban-based businesses across Ohio over the next five years. “JumpStart Launch100 will undoubtedly be a critical component of the economic revitalization plans for northeast Ohio,” Strickland said. “This program is designed to support the growth of minority businesses that have the potential to not only expand operations in the state, but also create good-paying jobs for Ohioans.” The JumpStart Launch100 initiative will identify promising early-stage companies across a broad spectrum of industries that demonstrate significant growth potential and sustainable job creation. The program is designed to attract a greater share of the capital, talent, federal resources and other economic advantages associated with being a national best practice. “This initiative will enhance the existing programs the state uses to link the underserved minority and inner-city populations of our state with the resources needed to succeed,” Patt-McDaniel said. “JumpStart Launch100 will help us address the challenges facing businesses in northeast Ohio to allow underserved businesses grow even faster as the economy rebounds.” This pilot program will also be used to capture critical data related to the creation and development of high-growth minority ventures, and leverage this data to potentially inform statewide and federal policy in support of minority entrepreneurship. “The Launch100 Initiative is significant in that it directly connects over 16 regional business assistance organizations who will now come together in an extraordinary collaborative effort to identify, advise and secure capital for some of the region’s most promising early-stage minority and inner-city based businesses,” said Redus, who also serves as president of JumpStart Inclusion Advisors. This new initiative will not only identify early-stage companies, but will assist in the development of business plans and strategies, prepare and connect entrepreneurs to venture capital, as well as connect them to significant client opportunities to rapidly accelerate these firms. The initiative will cover a broad array of industries, but will target firms that have unique and compelling value propositions, or highly differentiated strategies.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Governor’s Statement on U.S. House Passage of Historic Health Care Reform Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of historic health care reform on Sunday night. “As a result of yesterday’s historic House vote, nearly one million uninsured Ohioans will, for the first time, have a pathway to affordable health insurance. No longer will insurance companies decide who gets quality health care in this country and who does not. Children with pre-existing conditions will immediately be protected from being denied health care. Young college graduates can remain on their parents’ policy while searching for their first job. Senior citizens will have access to continuous drug coverage, without the gap that happens with the existing prescription drug donut hole. I applaud Congress for standing up for Ohioans’ right to affordable, quality health care. And I admire President Obama for his leadership in achieving comprehensive health care reform.”

Monday, March 15, 2010

Governor Joins Ohio Race to the Top Team To Present State’s Application Tuesday in Washington, DC Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will join Ohio’s Race to the Top (RttT) team and present the state’s plan for accelerating education reform to the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Ohio was one of 16 finalists selected by the U.S. Department of Education to answer questions about the state’s RttT proposal. Strickland will be joined by: Deborah S. Delisle, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ohio Department of Education Marilyn B. Troyer, Deputy Superintendent, Ohio Department of Education Jim Mahoney, Executive Director, Battelle for Kids Gene T. Harris, Superintendent, Columbus City Schools “I would like to thank the more than 20 organizations, associations, and stakeholder groups that provided input and feedback as we developed our Race to the Top proposal and the dozens of organizations and individuals who provided letters of support for our effort to improve education throughout our state,” Strickland said. “I believe that we have a very strong case to make to federal education officials based on the comprehensive and innovative education reform plan that we are already implementing in Ohio. These grants will allow us to further strengthen our schools and prepare our students for success in the 21st century economy.” In January, Ohio was one of 41 applicants to submit a proposal for funding under the first phase of the RttT grant program. Ohio’s application requests $409 million to accelerate and enhance many of the education reform initiatives included in House Bill 1, the state’s biennial budget. “Ohio has crafted a strong application. I am proud to represent our state before the U.S. Department of Education,” Delisle said. “Our plan contains bold initiatives for improving our educational system, which was recently ranked 5th in the nation.” The RttT grant program is a competitive effort designed to encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform and achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, including making substantial gains in student achievement, closing achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and ensuring student preparation for success in college and careers. In total, RttT will provide $4.35 billion for these initiatives. The recipients of funds during the first round of RttT are expected to be announced in Washington, D.C., on April 1. The U.S. Department of Education has indicated that during this first round of funding, no more than $2 billion will be awarded. States which are not selected for funding at that time will have an opportunity to reapply by June 1.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions. The Education Commission of the States helps states develop effective policy and practice for public education by providing data, research, analysis and leadership; and by facilitating collaboration, the exchange of ideas among the states and long-range strategic thinking. Deborah Delisle, of Columbus, has served as the 35th state superintendent of public instruction for Ohio since 2008. She previously served as a school district superintendent, principal, curriculum director, classroom teacher of language arts and gifted education, as well as a college instructor. She is a current member of the board of the Minority Student Achievement Network and co-authored Growing Good Kids with her husband, receiving a Parents’ Choice Award for her work. She received a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College and a master’s degree in special education at Kent State University. Patricia Frost-Brooks, of Cleveland Heights, currently serves as the president of the Ohio Education Association. She previously served as the vice president of the OEA Board of Directors. Frost-Brooks also serves as a member of the board for the Ohio Appalachian Mountain Education and the New Teacher Project. She received a bachelor’s degree from Capital University and a master’s degree from Ashland University. Marevina Bosley, served as the deputy superintendent of academic achievement for the Columbus City Schools before retiring. She is a trained curriculum management auditor and began a city-wide distribution of textbooks for students. Bosley received a bachelor’s degree from Urbana University in 1974, and a graduate degree and a doctorate from Antioch College. Linda B. Schneider, of Pepper Pike, currently serves as a board member for the Citizen’s Academy, the Fairhill Partners (formerly the Fairhill Center on Aging) and the Center for Families and Children. She has also served as a member of the United Way, the Cleveland Foundation and the Suburban Temple Kol-Ami. The Columbus State Community College Board of Trustees sets the tuition and fees of the college, hires and fixes the compensation of the school’s employees and does all that is necessary to ensure the successful operation of the college. Anne Lopez-Walton, of Columbus, has served as a financial analyst for the Rumpke Consolidated Companies since 1999. She previously served as an accountant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers from 1998-1999. Lopez-Walton also currently serves as a committee member for Relay for Life in Upper Arlington. Lopez-Walton received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Franklin University in 1998 and 2008, respectively. Richard Rosen, of Upper Arlington, currently serves as the corporate vice president of education and philanthropy partnerships for the Battelle Memorial Institute. He previously served as a research scientist for the Battelle Memorial Institute. Rosen also serves as the executive director of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kettering University and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University. The Central Ohio Technical College Board of Trustees has the power to establish and operate a technical college within a designated district and is responsible for setting the school’s tuition, fees and employee salaries. Jill Griesse, of Granville, previously served as the vice president of promotions and advertising for Bry-Air, until she retired. She previously served as a U.S.A. Olympic swimming coach from 1961-1981 and also served as a member of the United States International Olympic Committee. Griesse has also served on the board of directors for the Robbins Hunter Museum since 2007. She received a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in 1963. The Hocking Technical College Board of Trustees sets the tuition and fees of the college, hires and fixes the compensation of the school’s employees and does all that is necessary to ensure the successful operation of the college. Gary Starner, of Logan, currently serves as a commissioner for Hocking County and owns and operates Starner Farms. He previously served as an owner and general contractor of Starner Construction Company for 28 years. He also currently serves as a member of the board for Buckeye Hills Economic Development and Tri-County Community Action. The James A. Rhodes State College Board of Trustees sets the tuition and fees of the college, hires and fixes the compensation of the school’s employees and does all that is necessary to ensure the successful operation of the college. Jane Krites, of Lima, has served as the executive vice president of the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio since 2008. She previously served as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge from 1991-2007. Krites also currently serves as a member of the board of directors for St. Rita’s Medical Center. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Defiance College. The Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is charged with gathering and disseminating information and conducting hearings, conferences, investigations, and special studies on problems and programs concerning Spanish-speaking people. It also secures appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of Spanish-speaking people to the state. Isabel Framer, of Copley, has served as a national expert for law enforcement policy development law and program design for the Language Access Consultants since 1998. She is also a certified Spanish/English Interpreter in the Oregon and Tennessee court systems. Framer served on the Asian and Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Institute Roundtable in 2006. She received a bachelor’s degree from Los Angeles City College. The Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board oversees the grading of examinations of individuals applying to be professional counselors, social workers, or independent social workers and determines if an applicant is qualified for practice. Steven Polovick, of Westerville, has served as a national seminar presenter and a social work program consultant for Cross Country Education since 2006. He previously served as a program manager for the Ohio Department of Education from 2004-2008. Polovick is a licensed social worker and volunteers for People In Need, the American Red Cross and Open Shelter. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University in 1994 and a master’s degree from Franklin University in 2002. Mary Venrick, of Springfield, has served as a therapist for the Family Service Agency since 1990. She previously served as a therapist at the Mercycrest Counseling Associates from 1988 to 1990. Venrick received a bachelor’s degree from Urbana University in 1982 and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Wright State University in 1987. The Dentist Loan Repayment Advisory Board is required to determine the amounts that will be paid as loan repayments on behalf of the participants in the Dentist Loan Repayment Program. Darrel Scott, of Loudonville, has served as a dentist for the Scott Dental Group since 1980. He previously served as a dentist for the United States Air Force from 1977-1980. Scott currently volunteers for Give Kids A Smile! Day Program and also serves as a board member for the Ohio State Dental School Alumni Society. Scott received a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1974 and a doctoral degree from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1977. Nanette Tertel, of Toledo, has served as a dentist in private practice since 1988. She previously served as lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry from 1988-1992. Tertel also currently serves as a member of the Toledo Dental Society and the Ohio Dental Association. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo in 1984 and a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1988. The Motor Vehicles Dealers Board implements and enforces rules and regulations necessary to conduct hearings on the issuance, suspension or revocation of motor vehicle dealer licenses. Additionally, the board hears appeals on refusal to issue licenses for dealers and/or salesmen. Jason McDonald, of Marion, has served as a major in the investigations bureau for the City of Marion Police Department. He previously served as a lieutenant for the City of Marion Police Department from 2000-2007. McDonald currently serves as the secretary and legislative agent for the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio. Brian Younkin, of Galena, has served as the vice president of sales for the Greenlawn Companies since 1992. Younkin also currently serves as the secretary of the Ohio Manufactured Homes Association (OMHA) and as the vice president of the Mid Ohio Chapter of OMHA. Younkin received a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University in 1995. The Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board licenses practitioners of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training, either through examination or reciprocity and investigates complaints and concerns relative to alleged violations of Chapter 4755 of the Ohio Revised Code, which can result in the suspension or revocation of a license, or the refusal to issue or renew a license. Karen Holtgrefe, of Cincinnati, has served as an assistant professor of physical therapy at the College of Mount St. Joseph since 2002. She previously served as a regional coordinator of rehabilitation education at Mercy Hospital in Fairfield. Holtgrefe also currently serves as a guest lecturer at Miami University. She received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1982, a master’s degree at the University of Indianapolis in 1998 and a doctorate at the University of Indianapolis in 2006.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Governor Announces Commitment to Enroll All Uninsured Children Eligible for Medicaid SCHIP Ohio Becomes First State to Join the “Secretary’s Challenge” to Cover All Eligible Children in the Next Five Years Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that Ohio is joining a national challenge to enroll the 77,000 uninsured Ohio children who are eligible for Medicaid under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), but not enrolled. “The Secretary’s Challenge: Connecting Kids to Coverage” is a five-year long campaign launched by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on February 4 that challenges federal officials, governors, mayors, community organizations, tribal leaders and faith-based organizations to cover nearly five million children across the country who are eligible for, but not enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Under SCHIP, Ohio currently covers children with a family income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. “Ohio is very serious about cutting red tape for the 77,000 children who are eligible for SCHIP but are still not enrolled,” Strickland said. “We are committed to a healthy start for all children, so we are making Ohio the first state to answer Secretary Sebelius’ challenge with a commitment to have all of our eligible children covered in the next five years.” Nationally, the Challenge will build on the accomplishments of 2009, when an additional 2.6 million children across the country gained Medicaid or CHIP coverage following CHIP reauthorization and the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “Health care coverage for our children and families is not a debate about abstract ideas or gray areas. SCHIP and other efforts to expand coverage make our children healthier and our families more secure,” Strickland said. “Uninsured children miss more school and are more likely to go without necessary medical care or a prescribed medication. Our children and families deserve the unwavering support for coverage that protects their health and well-being, because a child’s life can be turned based on health care.” Secretary Sebelius issued the challenge on February 4, 2010 – exactly one year after President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act into law. The state will develop a multi-year plan to identify and reach the 77,000 eligible children not currently enrolled in the SCHIP program. Existing strategies such as Presumptive Eligibility for Children and Pregnant Women, 12 Months Continuous Eligibility, and Express Lane Eligibility will also be adopted in Ohio to simplify the enrollment process. These programs identify children and families who are already receiving state services and meet income eligibility, but have not enrolled in SCHIP.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Governor’s Statement Regarding Executive Clemency Application of Lawrence Reynolds and Issuance of Seven-Day Temporary Reprieve Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation against executive clemency for Lawrence Reynolds and issued a temporary reprieve to postpone the execution until next Tuesday, March 16 due to the inmate’s medical condition and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s capability to carry out the sentence. “As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. Lawrence Reynolds is scheduled to be executed on March 9, 2010 at 10 a.m. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted. “In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Reynolds’ case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Reynolds’ conviction, and arguments presented for and against clemency at the Parole Board hearing regarding his application for executive clemency. We have also reviewed institutional records and letters received in the Governor’s Office regarding this matter. And we have reviewed the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on September 17, 2009, along with the exhibits presented at the Parole Board’s hearing, letters received by the Parole Board regarding Mr. Reynolds’ case, and a supplemental brief submitted to the Governor by Mr. Reynolds’ counsel after the Parole Board made its recommendation. “Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation.” Although the governor denied Mr. Reynolds’ application for a commutation of his death sentence, Mr. Reynolds’ current medical condition has made it impossible to proceed with the scheduled execution tomorrow. Based on Reynolds’ medical condition and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Ernie L. Moore’s recommendation, the governor has issued a seven-day reprieve, postponing Mr. Reynold’s execution until Tuesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. Below is a copy of the warrant of reprieve: 1. Lawrence R. Reynolds is currently in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, has been sentenced to death, and is scheduled to be executed on March 9, 2010. 2. Mr. Reynolds’ medical condition at the time of this reprieve has made it impossible to proceed with his execution tomorrow. 3. Ohio Revised Code Section 2967.08 provides that the Governor may grant a reprieve for a definite time to a person under sentence of death, with or without notices or application. 4. Accordingly, I direct that the sentence of death for Lawrence R. Reynolds be reprieved until March 16, 2010. 5. Mr. Reynolds should remain incarcerated in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The Department should carry out Mr. Reynolds’ sentence on that day. 6. I signed this Warrant of Reprieve on March 8, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio ____________________ Ted Strickland, Governor

Monday, March 08, 2010

Governor Establishes Ohio Council on Women and Girls To Sign Executive Order This Afternoon at Momentum 2010 Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will sign an executive order establishing the Ohio Council on Women and Girls today at Momentum 2010 – the Ohio Women’s Summit. The council will work to advance the status of women and girls particularly in the areas of economic development, education, and health care. “I am pleased to announce the creation of this council, which will bring together voices from across state government to help develop a coordinated policy response to issues that affect women and girls,” Strickland said. “Over the past decades, women have carved out opportunities in politics, business and society that will impact women and girls for generations to come, but we still have work to do. This council will play a vital role in helping engage individuals, organizations, and communities across the state to further strengthen the role of women in our society.” The council will meet quarterly and include representatives from across state government, who will work on a policy that responds to issues that have a distinct impact on the lives of women and girls. The Ohio Council on Women and Girls will make recommendations to the governor on legislation and other policies affecting women and girls; support public outreach efforts; and work in partnership with non-profit organizations, local governments, and others. Hundreds of Ohio women and girls gathered over the past two days to promote their status in the areas of education, economics, and health. Momentum 2010 included opportunities for girls and women to network, learn, foster collaborations, and come together on women’s policy priorities. Momentum 2010 included a host of speakers including Governor Strickland, First Lady Frances Strickland, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett, Pulitzer Prize winning writer and Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz, and diversity and inclusion expert Audra Bohannon. Additional information on Momentum 2010 is available at OhioWomen2010.org.

Friday, March 05, 2010

March 4, 2010 – State Releases List of Top Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities for Resident Satisfaction Survey Results Can Help Consumers Make Informed Decisions Columbus, Ohio – Ohio nursing home and residential care facility residents are generally satisfied with the care they receive, according to the results of the 2009 Long-term Care Resident Satisfaction Survey, released by the Ohio Department of Aging. The average nursing home satisfaction score statewide was 85.85 (out of a possible 100). Of 955 participating nursing homes, 506 scored above the statewide average of 85.85, making them eligible for an additional "quality point" in a reimbursement formula used by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services as a way to reward quality in nursing homes. This was the second time the state has conducted a resident satisfaction survey of residential care facilities, better known as assisted living facilities. Ohio's survey is the only statewide consumer satisfaction survey in assisted living facilities conducted in the nation. Of 558 participating assisted living facilities, 317 scored above the statewide average of 92.07. "There is nobody better qualified to rate the quality of care facilities than those who live there and receive services," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Department of Aging. "Nursing homes and residential care facilities are an integral part of the long-term care system in Ohio and we are pleased that many continue to show a commitment to quality care and quality of life for their residents." The survey was conducted between August, 2009 and January, 2010 by Vital Research, LLC. Staff from Vital Research, Scripps Gerontology Center of Miami University and the Blenkner Institute trained interviewers, who met face-to-face with a sample of residents at each facility to fill out the survey, which was developed by Scripps and the Blenkner Institute. "We appreciate the time and input from the residents who participated in the survey," said Beverley Laubert, the State Long-term Care Ombudsman, whose office oversaw the survey. "We also appreciate the participation of the facilities and their staff who made such an effort possible. Working together - facilities, residents, families and advocates - we can achieve excellence." Residents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the facility's environment, activities, administration, direct care/nursing assistants, laundry, meals and dining, social services, therapy, laundry and general satisfaction with the facility. Researchers identified two key questions for residents to consider: "Overall, do you like this facility?" and "Would you recommend this facility to a family member or friend?" Sixteen nursing homes and 26 assisted living facilities received a score of 100 on both questions. The full survey results are available on the Ohio Long-term Care Consumer Guide Web site. In 2010, family members of Ohio nursing facilities will be surveyed about their satisfaction with the facilities. Residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be surveyed again in 2011. Top 25 Ohio Nursing Homes for Resident Satisfaction 2009 Facility Name Overall Satisfaction Score* City County Summa Barberton Hospital Transitional Care Services Unit 98.21 Barberton Summit Salem Community Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility 98.15 Salem Columbiana Saint Angela Center 97.45 Pepper Pike Cuyahoga Rest Haven Nursing Home 96.86 Mcdermott Scioto Sunset House 96.84 Toledo Lucas Southwest General Orthopedic Joint and Spine Skilled 96.76 Middleburg Heights Cuyahoga Adams County Manor 96.63 West Union Adams Little Sisters of the Poor 96.51 Oregon Lucas St. John West Shore Hosp. Skilled Nursing Unit 96.42 Westlake Cuyahoga Belmont Manor 96.36 St. Clairsville Belmont Holly Hill Nursing Home 96.27 Newbury Geauga Avalon by Otterbein at Atrium 96.19 Franklin Warren Mount Notre Dame Health Center 95.95 Cincinnati Hamilton Enniscourt Nursing Care 95.74 Lakewood Cuyahoga Main Street Care Center 95.74 Avon Lake Lorain Rosary Care Center 95.74 Sylvania Lucas Otterbein North Shore 95.64 Lakeside Ottawa Genoa Care Center 95.34 Genoa Ottawa Summit Transitional Care Unit 95.28 Akron Summit Archbishop Leibold Home 95.24 Cincinnati Hamilton Kendal at Granville 95.18 Granville Licking Ursuline Center 95.01 Toledo Lucas Blossom Hill Care Center 94.84 Huntsburg Geauga St. Mary of the Woods 94.63 Avon Lorain Humility House 94.62 Austintown Mahoning Top 25 Residential Care Facilities for Resident Satisfaction 2009 Facility Name Overall Satisfaction Score* City County Clark Memorial Home 99.27 Springfield Clark Holly Hill 99.27 Newbury Geauga Princeton Place 98.96 Huntsburg Geauga Sanctuary of Geneva Limited Partnership 98.93 Geneva Ashtabula Residence of Chardon 98.82 Chardon Geauga Maple Crest of Mennonite Memorial Home 98.67 Bluffton Allen Sacred Heart Home 98.42 Oregon Lucas Browning Masonic Community, Inc. 98.08 Waterville Lucas Briarcliff Manor 98.07 Middlefield Geauga Crown Center at Laurel Lake 98.04 Hudson Summit Windsorwood Place 98.01 Coshocton Coshocton The Laurels of Massillon 97.81 Massillon Stark Waterford at Richmond Heights 97.78 Cleveland Cuyahoga Kendal at Oberlin 97.61 Oberlin Lorain Plum Creek Assisted Living Llc. 97.59 Brunswick Medina The Greenbriar Nursing Center 97.53 Eaton Preble Golden Years Assisted Living 97.46 Hamilton Butler Arden Courts Westlake 97.45 Westlake Cuyahoga Putnam Heritage 97.36 Ottawa Putnam Manor House Assisted Living 97.31 Antwerp Paulding Carriage Court of Lancaster 97.24 Lancaster Fairfield Meadows at Friendship Village 97.19 Dublin Franklin Orrvilla Maple Terrace 97.11 Orrville Wayne Burton's Ridge 97.07 Lima Allen Crossroads at Beaver Creek, Inc. 97.07 East Liverpool Columbiana *Overall Satisfaction Score is the average score reported for all survey items.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Ohio Chosen as Race to the Top Finalist, to Present Application in Washington Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle today released the following statement regarding Ohio’s selection as a Race to the Top Phase I finalist. In January, Ohio was one of 40 states that submitted an application for the Race to the Top grant program to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Today, the Department announced that 16 states have been selected to make a presentation to a panel of judges from the U.S. DOE in the coming weeks. The recipients of funds during the first round of Race to the Top funding are expected to be announced in Washington, D.C., on April 1. Statement from Governor Strickland and Superintendent Delisle: “This is an exciting day for education in Ohio. The Race to the Top process has been and will continue to be extremely competitive, but Ohio crafted a strong application of which we can all be proud. “We’ve made a major commitment to Ohio schools, because we believe that providing every Ohio child with high-quality educational opportunities will better prepare them for jobs and for life. Our selection as a finalist moves Ohio one step closer to receiving Race to the Top funds. It also confirms the progress Ohio is making through our transformational education reform plan. “Our Ohio team has already begun preparing for the presentation to the U.S.. Department of Education. We know that many of the states we are competing with will demonstrate bipartisan support for their Race to the Top plans. So we are grateful for the hard work of our team at the Ohio Department of Education as well as the State Board of Education and the Ohio General Assembly for demonstrating that Ohio’s commitment to its students is not only our common responsibility but also our highest priority. Following the presentation, states will be judged and will receive notification of Phase I awards in early April. “We would like to thank each member of the Ohio team for helping create a bold framework of reforms and a strong Race to the Top Application. We would also like to thank the school districts and community schools that agreed to be part of our Race to the Top efforts by signing a memorandum of understanding. They’ve showed the strength of our education system and the opportunities that lie ahead for our students and schools. “We will continue to work together to ensure all students graduate from high school with the skills necessary for college and careers.”

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Ohio Leads the Nation in New and Expanded Business Facility Investment Cities of Dayton, Wooster, Ashtabula, and Findlay and the Cincinnati/Middletown Metro Area Highly Ranked by “the industry scoreboard” Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel today joined members of Ohio’s business and economic development communities to announce that the State of Ohio has been awarded Site Selection magazine’s fourth consecutive Governor’s Cup Award for leading the nation in new and expanded facilities in 2009. The March edition of the magazine highlights the award, Ohio’s economic accomplishments, and the numerous Ohio cities around the state as the best in the country in their respective categories. “One of the reasons I believe in Ohio is that companies know Ohio is a great place to do business,” Strickland said. “We have reduced taxes and regulations, we have increased the skills and education of our workforce, and we have been recognized once again by setting the pace for the nation in new and expanded capital investments.” “Economic achievement only thrives when commitment and collaboration at the federal, state, and local level is attained on a daily basis,” Fisher said. “This award is shared with the Ohio economic development community and the people of Ohio, because only their ideas and talents help build and create a lasting positive change in Ohio. Let us use this momentum to continue building and growing Ohio's economy with innovation and creative solutions.” This year marks the eighth time Ohio has been awarded the Governor’s Cup, receiving the award in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008. The occasion marks the fourth win in a row for Ohio and our state’s fifth in seven years. The award is based on corporate location projects that meet at least one of three criteria: (a) involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, (b) create at least 50 new jobs or (c) add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. “This award belongs to the Ohio economic development communities, which are leading Ohio’s efforts to bring prosperity to the people and businesses of our state,” Patt-McDaniel said. “We as a state are working with our local communities to give Ohioans a State of Perfect Balance between business pursuits and quality of life.” Governor Strickland attributes Ohio’s fourth consecutive Governor’s Cup win to our state’s manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce and competitive business environment. The City of Dayton played an outstanding role again this year, ranking number one in their category for the second year in a row in mid-sized metropolitan areas with populations between 200,000 and one million. Cincinnati/Middletown ranked 6th among metros cities with a population over 1 million, which marks the eighth-consecutive time the city has been ranked in the Top 10 nationally (2002-2009). Wooster, Ashtabula, and Findlay ranked 2nd, 6th and 10th respectively among micropolitan cities of 10,000 to 50,000 in population. This award indicates the diligent efforts of elected officials, economic development professionals and private sector leaders as they work together to retain and attract capital investment in our state. Their efforts to stimulate economic growth have put Ohio on the top for the fourth consecutive year. “The collaboration between business and state make for an ideal location for Alcoa,” said William F. Christopher, Alcoa Executive Vice President and President of Alcoa Engineered Products and Solutions. “Our revitalized press capacity will allow the continued presence of manufacturing operations in Cuyahoga County and provide continued growth and good jobs for years to come at Cleveland Works.” Conway Data, Site Selection’s publisher, has annually recognized the U.S. state with the most new and expanded corporate facilities since 1978 as tracked by its New Plant database. “It is a privilege to be the bearer of good news in the economic development arena, particularly during challenging economic times,” said Mark Arend, Editor in Chief of Site Selection. “Ohio fought hard in 2009 to win new projects and to expand existing operations in the state. Its 381 projects and fourth consecutive Governor’s Cup are proof that many companies are investing and growing in Ohio because they want to be there.” The magazine’s yearly analyses are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as “the industry scoreboard.” Ohio won the award with 381 projects; Texas placed second with 374 projects, followed by Michigan (371), Pennsylvania (333) and Tennessee (234) to round out the top five. In addition, several cities ranked in the top 10 metropolitan and micropolitan categories for new and expanded corporate facilities. “The Ohio Economic Development Association is honored to participate in today’s announcement,” said Mike Jacoby, President of OEDA. “Our members are often the front line of Ohio’s economic development efforts, and we work in close partnership with the talented professionals at the Ohio Department of Development. Ohio’s receipt of the Site Selection Governor’s Cup for the fourth year in a row is validation that Ohio continues to be viewed as a good location for investment by corporate America.” Additional information about the Governor’s Cup is available at the Site Selection magazine Web site. Go here to download a copy of highlights of 2009 Ohio Investment Projects

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Governor Announces Host Universities and School Districts for Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships Ohio is One of Three States to Participate in Program that Prepares Math and Science Teachers for Hard-to-Staff Schools Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the four universities and school districts that will serve as hosts for the Woodrow Wilson Ohio Teaching Fellowship program: The University of Akron and Akron Public School District; University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Public School District; John Carroll University and Cleveland Metropolitan School District; and The Ohio State University and Columbus City School District. “It’s clear that we must engage more students in the STEM fields to meet the demands of the new Ohio economy,” Strickland said. “These teaching fellowships will build on Ohio’s ongoing STEM efforts and especially impact these four communities. This partnership will help engage more teachers in the STEM disciplines and inspire Ohio’s students to pursue career opportunities in these growing fields. The Obama administration’s selection of Ohio is testament to our commitment to quality teaching and innovation in the classroom, and we are grateful for their support.” Today’s news follows last month’s White House announcement by President Barack Obama that Ohio, Michigan and Indiana have been selected to participate in the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship as part of the “Educate to Innovate” campaign. The fellowship program is designed to transform teacher preparation programs and bring new talent into classrooms to address significant shortages of mathematics and science teachers. The objective is to educate Ohioans for STEM teaching roles in high-need rural and urban public schools. Dr. Arthur Levine, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation; Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut of Ohio Board of Regents; and representatives of the four universities and four school districts joined Strickland at today’s announcement, at the close of the Ohio STEM Conference. “America’s schools of education are being asked to rise to the challenge of preparing a new generation of teachers -- educators who can teach the most diverse population of students in the nation's history to meet the highest standards ever demanded by our schools,” said Dr. Levine. “This Fellowship not only recruits accomplished people to meet that challenge, but also engages the host universities in rethinking how to help them do it.” In Ohio, the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is being launched as part of the Choose Ohio First scholarship program, the state’s premier model for recruiting and retaining talented Ohio residents in STEM and STEM-education fields. Participating colleges and school districts are chosen by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Altogether, the institutions will host 80 fellows each year. Fellows will be provided with $30,000 in stipends as prospective teachers who agree to spend a year in exemplary teacher education programs and teach for three years in low-income rural and urban secondary schools. Participating institutions will also receive additional funding to fundamentally rethink their approach to teacher preparation. “STEM education is crucial to creating an innovative workforce,” said Chancellor Fingerhut.. “The Woodrow Wilson Fellowship program will give Ohio’s teachers the ability to provide an unparalleled education to students in subjects that are critical to our state’s and nation’s future.” In Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, over the course of their three-year programs, the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship will prepare more than 700 math and science teachers at 14 institutions, with a total of nearly $40 million in public and private funding and a lifelong impact on the math and science achievement of an estimated 87,500 students who will learn from the fellows each year. Ohio’s program is supported through the state’s Choose Ohio First funds, with additional commitments from six Ohio funders, including The Cleveland Foundation; George Gund Foundation; Martha Holden Jennings Foundation; GAR Foundation; Battelle Memorial Institute; and The Battelle Fund at the Columbus Foundation, as well as matching funds provided by the campuses. Approximately $9 million will be provided through Choose Ohio First, while $2.4 million will come from foundation support. The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships attract talented people, career changers as well as new graduates, to the education field, with a particular focus on transforming teacher education. Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellows hold baccalaureate degrees in math or science and are high achievers, academically and professionally. They complete an intensive, field-based master’s program in teacher education at a participating university, overseen by both the university’s STEM faculty and its education faculty in cooperation with partner school districts. For more information, visit www.uso.edu and www.woodrow.org. About the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation identifies and develops the best minds for the nation’s most important challenges. In these areas of challenge, the Foundation awards fellowships to enrich human resources, works to improve public policy, and assists organizations and institutions in enhancing practice in the U.S. and abroad. About the University System of Ohio The University System of Ohio is the largest comprehensive public system of higher education in the nation, offering options for every student, from GEDs to Ph.D.s. Consisting of 14 universities, 24 university branch campuses, 23 community colleges, and over 120 adult education program sites, the University System of Ohio ensures that all Ohioans have access to a high-quality, affordable higher education within 30 miles of their home. For more information, visit www.uso.edu.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Ohio Receives $11.7 Million to Expand Broadband Access to 14,000 Ohioans Project to Focus on Connecting Disadvantaged Ohioans in Northeast, Appalachia Regions Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that the Ohio non-profit OneCommunity has been awarded $11.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources to expand broadband adoption by more than 14,000 disconnected Ohioans in Cleveland, Akron and several Appalachian counties. “Connect Your Community” will create 58 direct new jobs in Ohio. OneCommunity has received a total of $18.5 million in ARRA resources for the “Connect Your Community” program, which will also facilitate projects in Florida, Michigan, Mississippi and Kentucky. “In this increasingly technologically-driven economy, we are committed to expanding broadband access to all Ohioans and eliminating the digital divide,” Strickland said. “Broadband creates educational opportunities for disadvantaged Ohioans in urban, suburban and rural areas. I applaud the work of OneCommunity and its partners for their dedication to accelerating broadband adoption across Ohio.” OneCommunity is a non-profit that is committed to accelerating the adoption of information technology to drive economic development. OneCommunity connects more than 1,000 public and non-profit institutions via its regional fiber-optic broadband network, one of the fastest in the world. OneCommunity and its partners in Akron, Cleveland and Zanesville will lead the implementation of “Connect Your Community” in Ohio. The organization collaborates with public and private sector partners to lead innovative 21st-century programs in health care, education, government and economic development. OneCommunity applied for the ARRA resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program supports OneCommunity’s intensive two-year effort to: · Fund partnering agencies’ capacity and ability to hire and train local residents to serve as a coordinated Connected Community Corps; · Engage, train, equip and support thousands of disconnected community residents to become sustainable broadband adopters; · Collectively develop and share effective broadband adoption and use strategies to serve as a national model. In 2008, the Strickland Administration created Connect Ohio, a plan to compile and map broadband availability in Ohio, including location, available speed and type of technology delivering the service. In December last year, the State of Ohio was awarded a $1.8 million federal grant from NTIA to help gather broadband availability data to support the development of a National Broadband Map. “Connect Your Community” project summaries for Ohio: Cleveland The Cleveland Housing Network will work with Cuyahoga Community College, the Famicos Foundation, Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation and Esperanza Inc. These agencies will plan and implement the deployment of 18 Connected Community Corps members as well as significant investment in new training center capacity and capabilities to directly assist more than 5,000 neighborhood residents. OneCommunity will provide free wireless Internet access for a large share of these new broadband adopters. Akron The Akron Urban League will serve as an outreach and education center and is a partner with the city of Akron and OneCommunity for wireless and community broadband efforts. Appalachian Ohio Zanesville-based ACCEL will lead the effort in Appalachian Ohio. ACCEL covers a broad area with outreach, training and connection assistance efforts including Muskingum County, Coshocton County and least eight other counties.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Governor Signs Bill Extending COBRA Health Care Coverage Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed House Bill 300 late yesterday, extending Ohio continuation (mini-COBRA) coverage from 12 months to 15 months so Ohioans who lose their jobs are able take full advantage of the federal subsidies available to help pay for the cost of mini-COBRA. “I’m grateful that we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to assist Ohio’s unemployed workers and enhance licensing and oversight of insurance agencies,” Strickland said. “This extension helps Ohioans who are struggling with the effects of this recession to continue receiving the health care they need to maintain healthy and productive lives.” The bill, sponsored by Representatives Stephen Dyer and Jay Hottinger also brings Ohio into uniformity with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) standards adopted by 46 other states related to insurance agent licensing and oversight. Changes to agent license standards include: · A mandatory federal background check for licensure. · 24 hours of Continuing Education, including three hours of ethics education, will be required for all major lines of authority. · The collection of licensure fees after applicant has passed exam instead of before. · The inactivation of an agent license if the agent does not apply for renewal and meet the requirements by the end of the renewal period or 30-day late filing period. Waiving of pre-license education requirements if an individual applicant has earned a professional designation approved by the superintendent. “This law will enhance Ohio’s insurance licensing standards, while at the same time, increasing consumer protection for Ohioans who purchase insurance products,” said Director Hudson. “The mini-COBRA changes will also temporarily allow those who lose their job to maintain their health insurance for a little while longer.” The complete version of HB 300 can be found on the Ohio Department of Insurance Web site, www.insurance.ohio.gov. Ohioans with questions about the new law can call the Department’s consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Strickland Calls for Restoration of All-Electric Home Discount; PUCO to Move to Restore Rates Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Alan Schriber informed his office that the PUCO will move to restore the all-electric homeowner rate discount at its commission meeting next week. “Many Ohioans are still reeling from the impact of the global recession and I am concerned that Ohio’s all-electric homeowners are unable to absorb excessive rate increases due to the elimination of the discount that has, until recently, been in effect for decades. “While First Energy was looking out for its own bottom line, the PUCO acknowledged this issue didn’t get the attention it deserved among other considerations and, until yesterday, the Consumers’ Counsel failed to stand up for these homeowners. I am deeply disappointed that the system failed Ohio’s all-electric homeowners. “What happened here is completely contradictory to what we have been able to accomplish in Ohio by passing an electricity reform bill to keep electricity rates from exploding like they have in other states. “Last week I called on the PUCO to fix this thing and I’ve made it clear that I believe First Energy should immediately restore all-electric homeowners to the rates they have been paying. “I appreciate that Chairman Schriber has agreed to work to have First Energy reinstate the original rates in time for these homeowners’ next billing cycle. The next step is for all parties to work together to determine the long-term solution to this problem.”

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Governor, GM Announce Creation of 1,200 Jobs at Lordstown Plant New third shift will support production of 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Lordstown, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined General Motors North America President Mark Reuss and other state and regional leaders today to announce the creation of 1,200 jobs through the addition of a third shift at GM’s Lordstown plant to support the production of the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. “I’m proud to celebrate the creation of 1,200 new Ohio jobs and the resilience of the working men and women of the Mahoning Valley. The chips were down but we never gave up,” Strickland said. “That grit and steely determination is why I love this valley and why I believe in Ohio. “The economic impact of GM’s investment will benefit the people of this region and communities throughout Ohio: GM’s Defiance Foundry will build engine blocks for the Cruze. GM’s Parma Metal Center will stamp dozens of components for the Cruze. GM’s Toledo Powertrain Center will produce transmissions and numerous suppliers in the Mahoning Valley and across the state will contribute parts for the Cruze,” Strickland said. “Born in Ohio, built by Ohioans, the Cruze will become synonymous with Ohio. And that’s fitting because it reflects the innovation and resilience of the people of Ohio. “It’s a great day in Ohio. Because GM is making a little automotive history in Ohio today. And Ohioans are going to be making a new kind of car for years and years to come,” Strickland said. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with GM and the Lordstown community to keep auto manufacturing strong in Ohio.” U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan also released the following statement: "President Obama and Congress made the unpopular but necessary decision to take partial ownership of General Motors and guide it through bankruptcy. This bold step may have saved manufacturing in the United States from being wiped out,” Ryan said. “As a result of that leadership, not only were the Mahoning Valley and Northeast Ohio community spared an economic catastrophe, we now stand to reap the benefits of those tough decisions. I commend the workers at the GM Lordstown plant for their leadership and maturity. Without their skills, talents and positive attitude, this day would have never come. “I would like to thank Governor Strickland for his constant attention to the Mahoning Valley and the 17th Congressional District. His input and guidance have been instrumental in not only this project, but in every one of our economic successes over the past few weeks. “I would also like to commend Senator Sherrod Brown for his powerful voice on behalf of our domestic manufacturing base. The American auto-industry has no better friend in the Senate. “It's clear that our local economic development strategy is working: another 1,100 high-paying jobs in Lordstown, corporate investment of $650 million and 350 permanent jobs at V&M Star, 500 more jobs expected at VXI in downtown Youngstown, a San Francisco technology company bringing up to 100 jobs to the Youngstown Business Incubator in the next two years, and Severstal Steel returning to work in Warren. I believe that this is the beginning of the Miracle on the Mahoning,” Ryan said. Ohio and GM are continuing to move forward on important investments for our state. Last week Governor Strickland joined GM officials at the Powertrain Plant in Defiance to announce a $59 million investment that will support the production of the next generation fuel efficient Ecotec engine while creating about 80 new jobs. And, on Feb. 8, the governor announced that the Defiance plant was awarded a $518,232 industry efficiency grant through Ohio's State Energy Program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The award will help fund new equipment that will save energy, reduce raw material consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and allow the facility to be more competitive by reducing its overall annual costs by $515,013. -30-

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Strickland Named Chair of Midwestern Governors Association, Co-Chair of Council of Great Lakes Governors Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland today was officially named chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) and the Council of Great Lakes Governors, during meetings in Washington, D.C., for the National Governors’ Association. Midwestern Governors Association Strickland was named chair at MGA’s winter meeting, and will serve in this role until February 2011. Strickland's agenda, Midwest Jobs: Training Workers and Investing in Businesses for the New Energy Economy, will build on the previous regional efforts to foster economic growth and opportunities for the Midwest in the new energy economy. He replaces Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who focused her agenda on Creating and Retaining Jobs in the New Energy Economy. "As a region, the Midwest must determine how to best open up credit markets for mid-sized and smaller advanced energy companies," Strickland said. "As we cast off our reputation as the 'Rust Belt,' we must capitalize on the entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic of Midwesterners to expand our energy economy. Our region has the resources and potential to move this nation forward." Strickland will focus his agenda on two objectives. The first will be increasing investment capital opportunities for Midwestern businesses. The Midwest has enormous energy resources to lead the nation in the new energy economy, as well as a strong manufacturing and agribusiness base. To fully realize this potential, substantial efforts must be taken to identify and create new opportunities to bring funding to the region. The second objective of Strickland's agenda is to ensure the region's workers have the necessary skills for advanced energy jobs. Building a skilled workforce is an essential component of any state or regional effort to attract capital and businesses to the region, and Strickland will work to identify areas in which states can collaborate on a regional basis in order to meet workforce demands. The Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings together the governors of Midwestern states to work cooperatively on public policy issues of significance to the region. In addition to Strickland, the current members of the MGA are Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. More information is available at http://www.midwesterngovernors.org/ Council of Great Lakes Governors Strickland was also elected as co-chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, joining Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. His role as co-chair will be spearheading the Council’s efforts to protect the Great Lakes and invigorate the region’s economy. “I am eager to roll up my sleeves and help lead the Council with Governor Doyle,” Strickland said. “Our work together has never been more important – creating jobs in the Great Lakes states and protecting the most important freshwater resource on the planet.” In the coming months the co-chairs will help lead the Great Lakes governors’ collective efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes, including combating Asian Carp and invasive species, and maintaining the exports and regional tourism of the lakes. At the Council of Great Lakes Governors’ meeting today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson released an Action Plan to guide the Obama Administration’s historic efforts to restore the Great Lakes. The Action Plan lays out the most urgent threats facing the Great Lakes and sets out goals, objectives and key actions over the next five years to help restore the Lakes. “The Great Lakes are one of our country’s greatest natural resources and economic assets,” Strickland said. “We must protect and preserve our lakes for our families and outdoors enthusiasts, as well as the industries that rely on the waterways to transport their goods around the world. I look forward to working with my fellow governors and the Obama Administration to continue tackling the challenges facing the Great Lakes now and in the future.” Strickland has made preventing the spread of Asian carp and the introduction of new invasive species a top priority. He has called for the reintroduction of federal ballast water legislation that would protect the Great Lakes and prevent the introduction of new invasive species. While Asian carp are an immediate threat, a majority of aquatic invasive species that cost millions to control and eradicate are introduced through ballast water exchanges of oceangoing vessels that enter the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. “The recent focus on the threat that Asian carp poses to the Great Lakes underscores the problem of invasive species, and their devastating impacts to our ecosystems, economies and natural resources,” said Strickland. “Ballast water management is not something that states can handle alone. Strong federal action, which is both immediate and effective, is needed to prevent the devastating effects of invasive species.” Strickland has stressed that the debate on state preemption be set aside in the interest of Congress swiftly enacting a federal standard on ballast water exchanges. Two years ago, federal legislation on ballast water came close to being passed, however, a compromise could not be reached regarding state preemption, which would allow states to have different regulations for ballast water exchanges. Established in 1983, the Council of Great Lakes Governors is a non-partisan partnership of Governors from each of the eight Great Lakes States - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In recent years, the Premiers of Ontario and Québec have partnered with the Council to advance the environmental health and high performance economy of the entire region. More information on the Council is available at www.cglg.org.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Governor Announces Ohio’s Centers of Excellence in Biomedicine and Health Care at 14 Universities Centers support state’s work in creating and growing technology-based companies in the biomedical and health care field Cleveland, OH — Governor Ted Strickland, together with Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut, today announced Ohio’s Centers of Excellence in Biomedicine and Health Care at a press conference at BioEnterprise, a Cleveland-based organization designed to grow health care companies and commercialize bioscience technologies. The Centers at 14 universities throughout the state are committed to focusing their academic and research activities on biomedical and health care to create jobs in Ohio and further strengthen Ohio’s international reputation as a leader in bioscience research and development. Ohio is already home to 775 bioscience-related companies, including the headquarters to two Fortune 500 companies – Cardinal Health and Procter & Gamble. “Aligning Ohio universities with Ohio’s growing biomedical and health care industries will generate economic growth and new, hard-to-outsource jobs,” Strickland said. “Biomedicine and Health Care in Ohio create high wage jobs, investments in facilities, research and development, and production. But much more than that, these industries bring forth medical breakthroughs that benefit citizens of Ohio and citizens of the world.” The Centers are located at the following universities: · The University of Akron/NEOUCOM: The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron · Bowling Green State University: Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan · Case Western Reserve University: Translating Technology and Research into Better Health: Case Center for Imaging Research, National Center for Regenerative Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center · University of Cincinnati: Transforming Health care in the 21st Century: Neurosciences, Environmental Health and Cancer, Pediatrics, and Diabetes and Obesity · Cleveland State University: Center for 21st Century Health Professionals and Researchers · University of Dayton: Tissue Regeneration and Engineering · Kent State University: Health of Individuals and Communities · Miami University: Structural Biology and Metabonomics · NEOUCOM: Institute for Neurobehavioral Health · The Ohio State University: Health and Well Being, Human Behavior, and Bioinformatics · Ohio University: Health and Wellness: From Translational Research to Best Practices for Rural/Underserved Populations · The University of Toledo: Translational Health and Bioscience · Wright State University: BioHealth Innovation: Wright State University & Premier Health Partners Neuroscience Institute, National Center for Medical Readiness, and Knowledge-Enabled and Human-Centered Computing · Youngstown State University: Understanding Disease and Other Disorders: Applied Chemical Biology and Study of Autism The Centers of Excellence, as outlined in Ohio’s 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, will position the University System of Ohio to be a magnet for talent and a leader in innovation and entrepreneurial activity by developing distinct missions for each institution that are recognized by students, faculty and business leaders, while eliminating unnecessary competition for resources, students and faculty within the state. “The Biomedical and Health Care sectors are two of the fastest growing industries in the country,” said Chancellor Fingerhut. “Each Center of Excellence brings unique approaches that, together, will drive economic growth and establish Ohio as the national leader in biomedicine and health care.” Ohio has already received high rankings in biomedicine and health care. In U.S. News & World Report's 2008 “America's Best Hospitals" list, 14 Ohio hospitals were ranked among the nation's top 220 hospitals in a variety of specialties, ranking Ohio among the top five states. Of those Ohio hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic's Heart Center was named the best in the nation for cardiac care -- a title it has held for 14 years in a row. Ohio’s research medical centers either directly or indirectly employ 252,195 Ohioans, according to BioOhio, a non-profit organization designed to build and accelerate bioscience industry, research, and education in Ohio. Today’s announcement is the second of five announcements of university Centers of Excellence that align with the state’s targeted industries and focus on talent recruitment. In October 2009, the governor and Chancellor Fingerhut announced Ohio’s nine Centers of Excellence in Advanced Energy at eight of the state’s universities. The first four categories are specific to Ohio’s growth industries – advanced energy, biomedical and health care, transportation and logistics, and agriculture and food production. The fifth group is focused on attracting and retaining talent to the state through additional programs that are essential in building communities and attracting the best and brightest to Ohio. For more information, see: Ohio Centers of Excellence: www.uso.edu/centersofexcellence 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education: http://uso.edu/strategicplan/ Go here to learn more about Ohio’s efforts to grow the biomedical and health care industries: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Biomedical.aspx http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Healthcare.aspx

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Governor, GM Announce Investment, New Jobs at Powertrain Plant in Defiance Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today joined GM officials at the Powertrain Plant in Defiance to announce a $59 million investment that will support the production of the next generation fuel efficient Ecotec engine while creating about 80 new jobs. “This announcement represents the triumph of cooperative efforts between the UAW and GM to unite Ohio’s incomparable workforce with the next generation of automotive manufacturing technology,” Strickland said. “Ohio may have been knocked down, but we’ve never been out and we’re going to keep fighting for the jobs that will rebuild Ohio’s middle-class. GM’s significant investment in Defiance will create good jobs for Ohioans who are ready to meet the demands of the 21st century economy.” Ohio and GM are partnering on additional investments in energy efficient technologies. Earlier this month, Governor Strickland announced that the Defiance plant was awarded a $518,232 industry efficiency grant through Ohio’s State Energy Program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The award will help GM install dehumidification equipment on a cupola furnace that produces molten gray cast iron to make automotive engine cylinder blocks and cylinder heads. The project will save energy, reduce raw material consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and allow the facility to be more competitive by reducing its overall annual costs by $515,013.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Strickland, Bridgestone Americas Break Ground On World-Class Technical Center $100 million state-of-the-art facility to be built in company’s birthplace AKRON, Ohio – Almost 110 years ago, Harvey S. Firestone founded the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron. Today, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the Akron community celebrated a new chapter in the legendary Firestone legacy: Bridgestone Americas broke ground on the company’s $100 million state-of-the-art Technical Center. The investment will keep hundreds of jobs in the community. “Bridgestone Americas is an iconic Ohio company that helped shape Akron’s history of innovation and manufacturing and will be a vital partner in strengthening Northeast Ohio’s economic future,” Strickland said. “I believe in Ohio because of great companies like Bridgestone Americas that are innovating and creating jobs while demonstrating pride and passion for their work and their community.” In July 2008 the company announced it would build the center in Akron during a celebration of the 1988 alliance of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company with Bridgestone Corporation that transformed the companies’ combined operations into the world’s largest tire and rubber company. The new facility is expected to be complete at the end of 2011. “By breaking ground on its new technical center, Bridgestone Americas is again recommitting itself to Ohio – where businesses continue to find a preferred location for capital investment, a highly skilled workforce, and a perfect balance between business pursuits and quality of life,” said Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher. “There is no doubt that the history of this legendary company in Ohio is impressive and now with the advent of this tremendous investment its future looks even brighter and I could not be more proud to be a part of this historic day.” In 2007 and 2008, Strickland and Fisher were committed to keeping Bridgestone in Akron and worked consistently with Bridgestone representatives in a year-long process to craft an agreement that addressed the company’s specific business needs. The Strickland Administration collaborated closely with the City of Akron, Summit County and regional partners to create an incentives package for the company’s transformational project. “From the first non-skid tread to the Firestone balloon tire, some of the world’s most creative, innovative concepts in the tire industry have come from behind these doors and down the street at our Technical Center,” said Mark A. Emkes, Chairman, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. “There is no better place to continue our proud tradition of innovation than right here in Akron.” Emkes helped to break ground on the new Technical Center in front of the legendary Harvey Firestone Memorial Statue. He was joined by Governor Strickland; Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher; U.S. Representatives Tim Ryan and Betty Sutton of Ohio; Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic; Summit County Executive Russ Pry; Asahiko Nishiyama, Chairman, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO); Yasutaka Enoki, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, BATO; Bob Handlos, Vice President of Product Development, BATO; Christine Karbowiak, Executive Vice President of Community and Corporate Relations, BSAM; and other regional leaders. “Bridgestone’s new, state-of-the-art Tire Tech Center will attract and keep employees right here in Akron,” said Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH). “Today’s groundbreaking will result in immediate and much-needed construction jobs, will allow Bridgestone to create and retain 1,000 jobs, and will position Northeast Ohio to continue to lead in innovation, and research and development for years to come.” “This exciting investment in the Bridgestone technical center will facilitate the good-paying jobs that will keep our kids in Northeast Ohio,” noted Congressman Ryan. “Today’s groundbreaking is the result of an unprecedented level of public and private cooperation on local, state, and federal levels. These many partners came together to support the continued investments of a company with historic ties to the city of Akron – all to ensure that Bridgestone is provided with the necessary resources to refine their product and continue to serve national and international markets.” “Everyone here today shares a common bond; we all care about the city of Akron,” said Handlos. “Today, we break ground on a first-class facility that will be home to the next generation of innovation. Around the world, people will ride on tires that were designed and engineered right here by our teammates in Akron, Ohio.”

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Ohio Receives $30 Million in Federal Funding for Multi-State National Gateway Project Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority Also Receives $20 Million in TIGER Funding to Improve Transit Opportunities in Northeast Ohio Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that Ohio has been awarded $30 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants for the CSX National Gateway project. The National Gateway is an $842 million, multi-state infrastructure freight project aimed at reducing congestion on roads and highways, lowering emissions, and conserving energy. The TIGER Discretionary Grant program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “The National Gateway will improve the movement of freight and give Ohio even more opportunities to deliver goods to markets across our region and country,” Strickland said. A total of $98 million was awarded in TIGER grants today to cover the federal portion of National Gateway clearance projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Ohio served as the lead sponsor of the National Gateway TIGER application. The State of Ohio has already committed $20 million in targeted ARRA resources from the Federal Highway Administration to the National Gateway project and $5 million from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for safety improvements around the new CSX terminal in North Baltimore. An additional $10 million in logistics and distribution funding from the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan is pending Development Financing Advisory Council and Controlling Board approval. The National Gateway project will create a highly efficient double-stack rail corridor between East Coast sea ports and consumption centers and Midwest distribution centers, improving the nation’s economy and environment. “This award is a validation of the benefits of freight rail and the prominent role that railroads play in growing our economy and protecting our environment,” said Strickland. “With anticipated freight growth of 70 percent over the next two decades, the National Gateway is a timely and critical investment in our transportation infrastructure.” In August 2009, Strickland broke ground on the new CSX intermodal terminal in North Baltimore, near Toledo, as part of the National Gateway Project. The facility will support the efficient and environmentally beneficial movement of containers between rail and truck. “Ohio has made investments in a vast multi-modal transportation network for the movement of goods, and this project will further position our state as a national leader in logistics and distribution. Through this announcement and last month’s passenger rail awards, President Obama and Transportation Secretary LaHood have signaled their commitment to freight rail, passenger rail and multi-modal transportation opportunities that will move our state and country into the future.” The Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority in Kent was awarded a $20 million grant that will assist in the construction of a building with a commercial space, parking garage, bus bays and bicycle storage to improve transit accessibility in Kent and linkages to Cleveland and Akron. “This investment in transit will help maximize transportation opportunities for people in Northeast Ohio,” Strickland said.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Governor, Lt. Governor's Statement on V&M Star's Expansion in Youngstown Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Lieutentant Governor Lee Fisher today applauded V&M Star’s decision to expand in Youngstown, a $650 million company investment that is projected to create more than 350 new full-time jobs, and retain more than 400 jobs for Ohioans. Strickland and Fisher both participated in a press conference in Youngstown this afternoon announcing the expansion. V&M Star, a leading producer of seamless Oil Country Tubular Goods, Line & Standard Pipe, Coupling Stock and Mechanical Tube headquartered in Houston, Texas, confirmed today that it will build a new state-of-the-art rolling mill expansion project in Youngstown in both Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The state has been working with V&M Star over the past year to make this investment possible. Strickland met with V&M officials in Youngstown earlier today to discuss the company's plans moving forward. “We commend V&M Star and its parent company, Vallourec, for their continued commitment to grow here in Ohio, an affirmation of Ohio’s strengths in manufacturing, our dedicated workforce and the state’s extensive logistics network. We also congratulate and thank the leadership in both Trumbull and Mahoning counties for their collaborative work in meeting the goals of the company, especially Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Girard Mayor James Melfi, and Congressman Tim Ryan for their diligent efforts and support of V&M’s continued investment in northeast Ohio. The state of Ohio’s early commitment of $20 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for road improvements and the relocation of rail lines near the current property of the V&M Star Steel Pipe Production Facility helped significantly to make these new jobs for Ohioans possible. This expansion is a great example of how federal stimulus dollars were effectively targeted to help to put Ohioans to work and grow business in Ohio."

Friday, February 12, 2010

Strickland Announces Ohio Health Information Partnership Wins $43 Million to Develop Health Information Exchange Ohio Receives Total of $72 Million in Recovery Act Grants for Health IT, Health Care Job Training Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that the Ohio Health Information Partnership, the non-profit entity he designated to lead the implementation of Ohio’s health information technology efforts, competed for and won $43 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the development and implementation of a health information exchange. In addition, five Ohio entities will receive approximately $29 million for the adoption of health IT and to train workers for health care jobs. Ohio Health Information Partnership to Develop Health Information Exchange A total of more than $43 million in ARRA funding was awarded to the Ohio Health Information Partnership, which was designated by Governor Strickland as the non-profit entity that will lead the implementation and support of health IT throughout Ohio. On September 9, 2009, Strickland announced that the Department of Insurance would work together with OHIP to make the strongest application possible for health IT resources through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. OHIP will use $14.87 million in funding to develop and implement a statewide health information exchange (HIE), which will allow access to a patient’s health information by any authorized providers regardless of the care setting. The additional $28.5 million will support the adoption of electronic medical records and help physicians and hospitals connect to the health information exchange. “This award is the result of Ohio’s commitment to developing a statewide infrastructure for our health care system,” Strickland said. “I’d like to thank Ohio’s Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson for leading this effort in partnership with the Ohio Health Information Partnership. The health information exchange will give providers an opportunity to lower costs and improve quality for patients across the state.” Statewide Awards for Health IT, Health Care Job Training Five Ohio entities were included in awards announced today by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis totaling nearly $1 billion. The resources will make health IT available to more than 100,000 hospitals and primary care physicians nationwide by 2010 and train thousands of people for careers in health career and information technology. “Ohio is a nationwide leader in the health care industry, and we need trained, experienced workers to continue our progress in this field, which is advancing every day,” Strickland said. “The awards announced today will help us train more Ohioans for the health care jobs of the future while also streamlining our health IT operations to improve the quality of care, save costs and administer services more efficiently.” The awards to Ohio are outlined below. Health Information Exchange (HIE) Award: Ohio Health Information Partnership: $14.87 million Regional Extension Centers (RECs) Awards: Greater Cincinnati HealthBridge (Ohio-Kentucky): $9.7 million Ohio Health Information Partnership: $28.5 million Job Training Awards: Berea Children’s Home: $4.9 million BioOhio: $5 million Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: $4.9 million Columbus State Community College: $4.6 million The press release from the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor is available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/02/20100212a.html More information about the Ohio Health Information Partnership can be found here: http://www.ohiponline.org/ Governor Strickland’s September 2009 press release announcing Ohio’s health IT efforts can be read here: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1222

Thursday, February 11, 2010

State Agency General Operations Spending Reduced by $366 Million Compared to Same Period Last Year Ohio’s Budget and Administrative Services Directors Report Success of Cost Reduction Strategies Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s “austerity” executive order has been effective in reducing state agency, board and commission spending by $366 million on contracts, maintenance and equipment for the first six months of fiscal year 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal year 2009. The results were outlined in a quarterly report submitted to the governor today by Ohio Budget and Management Director Pari Sabety and Department of Administrative Services Director Hugh Quill. The report illustrates how state agencies, boards and commissions have utilized the governor’s recommended strategies for agencies to cut costs and more efficiently manage their limited FY 2010-2011 budget appropriations. Governor Strickland’s April 22, 2009 executive order outlined strategies to control government expenditures by reducing spending in equipment, maintenance and personal services contracts. The anticipated savings from these belt-tightening efforts were ultimately included in House Bill 1, the FY 2010-11 biennial budget bill. Report data indicates overall expense spending is down by $366 million (27.2 percent) in the first two quarters of FY 2010 as compared to FY 2009 for equipment, maintenance and personal services contracts: · Spending on state contracts for goods and services is down $247.6 million (40.6 percent) · Maintenance costs are down $114.1 million (15.9 percent) · Equipment purchases are down $4.9 million (25.9 percent) “The governor has challenged state government to tighten its belt,” Quill said. “From a management perspective it’s been great to see state employees from department directors on down take cutting our costs so seriously.” Strickland’s April 2009 order established quarterly reporting requirements by DAS and OBM on the effectiveness of the cost reduction measures. The Ohio General Assembly also requires biannual reports on progress from the agencies.. The report also includes the results of a survey conducted in October 2009 where agencies, boards and commissions were asked to gauge the effectiveness of these and other spending control strategies. Additional examples of how state government has achieved savings and efficiencies include: · Centralized mail metering program: Since the issuance of the executive order, 21 new agencies have joined the centralized mail metering program, a 39.6 percent increase from 53 agencies using the service previously. Agencies that have transitioned their mail processing to DAS have reported savings of $73,894 in equipment and supply costs. · Renegotiation of computer prices: Using market price benchmarks for desktop and notebook computers, DAS renegotiated all contract prices for standard client computer hardware. The impact was a 7 percent reduction in the average price paid by state agencies for standard desktop and notebook computers plus essential accessories in FY09. · Vehicle fuel savings: The state used 4 percent less vehicle fuel in FY09, even with more miles driven, attributable to the state’s shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. With less fuel used and an 11 percent drop in average fuel costs, the state spent $5.2 million less in fuel costs, a drop of 15 percent in FY09 compared to FY08. · Savings on Food and Related Services in Institutions: The state saved $2.5 million through more aggressive purchasing practices on food service purchasing in FY09. Vendor savings guaranteed through January 2011 will lead to a further $10 million in savings in FY10-11. The full report is available here. Sabety stressed that fiscal caution did not begin and does not end with these measures. "This report shows that we are making steady progress on reducing the size of state government and lowering the burden on Ohio's taxpayers,” Sabety said. Under the governor’s leadership, state government has: · Reduced State Spending and Maintained Investments for the Future: o After passing the lowest growth budget in 42 years while still prioritizing investments in primary and secondary and higher education, health care, school construction, jobs programs and property tax relief, the nation experienced a great economic collapse. To live within our means, the overall cost of government was reduced by $1.529 billion in general revenue funds in fiscal years 2008 and 2009. o General revenue appropriations in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are $1.9 billion less than actual spending in the previous biennium with continued priority investments in jobs, education and health care. · Reduced the Workforce to its Reagan-era Size: There are 5,021 fewer employees since the beginning of the Administration – a 7..9 percent drop. View state employment trends here. · Additional information about the Strickland Administration’s efforts to create a lean and efficient state government can be found here.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Governor Launches Ohio Energy Gateway Fund Innovative Strategy to Accelerate Advanced Energy Investment and Job Creation in Ohio Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today launched the Ohio Energy Gateway Fund, a public-private partnership that will expand access to capital to grow and sustain the fuel cell, solar, wind, and energy storage industries in Ohio. The fund, established through a partnership between Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel and Mark Shanahan, energy adviser to Governor Strickland and executive director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, includes a $40 million commitment of advanced energy funds from the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan and federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program. The $40 million in state and federal resources is expected to leverage at least $40 million in additional funding through partnership with private capital resources. “Access to capital continues to be the most pressing need for businesses in Ohio and across our nation,” Strickland said. “This public-private partnership will connect advanced energy companies with the resources they need to make long-term investments in Ohio and expand job opportunities for working people.” The goal of the Ohio Energy Gateway Fund is to drive job creation and growth in both the primary and supplier network of Ohio’s advanced energy sector. The Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority today released the Request for Proposals to solicit Ohio and national energy investment managers to partner with the State of Ohio and bring additional private resources to the table. The fund will be initiated once an investment manager is selected. “The Ohio Energy Gateway Fund combines federal and state stimulus dollars to leverage significant private investment,” Shanahan said. “This partnership supports our broader strategy to lay a foundation for Ohio’s long-term economic growth by investing in high-growth potential advanced energy companies.” By supporting transformational projects that will create jobs, the Ohio Energy Gateway Fund will accelerate projects in a range of areas, including wind, solar, geothermal, solid waste, energy efficiency, hydroelectric, electric batteries and fuel cells, energy storage, advanced solid waste, and generation III nuclear. “The Ohio Energy Gateway Fund will create and keep good jobs in Ohio by expanding the state’s efforts to attract and assist advanced energy companies,” Patt-McDaniel said. “With this fund, we’ll have increased opportunities to utilize Ohio’s manufacturing strengths to supply the advanced energy market across our state, and mobilize Ohio workers who are ready to innovate and lead in this new energy economy.” Projects will involve already commercialized technology that can be moved quickly to production or utilization with an emphasis on the development of the advanced energy supply chain and the manufacturing sectors. Information on the RFP, including the application process, is available at: http://www.development.ohio.gov/OhioEnergyGatewayFund/ Proposals must be received by the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Energy Resources Division no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on February 24, 2010. They must be sent to the following address: Ohio Department of Development Ohio Energy Resources Division Attention: Energy Gateway Fund Request for Proposals 77 South High Street, 26th Floor P.O. Box 1001 Columbus, Ohio 43216-1001

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Governor Appoints Robert D. Rinfret to Holmes County Common Pleas Court Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of Robert D. Rinfret to the Holmes County Common Pleas Court. Robert D. Rinfret, 63, of Millersburg, fills the seat vacated by the retirement of Judge Thomas White. “Robert brings to the bench a notable legal career and a deep commitment to serving his community,” Strickland said. “The high standard of professionalism he has demonstrated while serving in the Holmes County Prosecutor’s Office and as a private practitioner will be a great asset to his judicial service.” Rinfret will take the bench on February 15. To retain the seat, he must run in the November 2010 general election. Rinfret has served as the assistant prosecutor for the Holmes County Prosecutor’s Office since 2004 and as a private-practicing attorney for Rinfret Law Office since 1973. He previously served as the prosecuting attorney for Holmes County from 1984-2004, and as a professor of law at the University of Akron, Wayne College Branch. Rinfret is also an active member of his community. He currently serves as a volunteer coach for the West Holmes High School track team and is a founding member of the Holmes County Junior Olympic Track Club. Rinfret has also been involved in the Holmes County Rail to Trails Coalition, is a former Holmes County Park District board member, a Holmes County volunteer basketball coach for East and West Holmes elementary school districts, and is a former advisor for the Holmes County Mock Trial Teams. “I am humbled and honored by this appointment. I’m thankful to Governor Strickland for this opportunity and look forward to continue serving Holmes County with vigor and compassion.” Rinfret received a bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in 1969 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1972. He is married to West Holmes Middle School teacher Rosanne Parrot-Rinfret and has three daughters.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Governor Appoints Steven Lesser as PUCO Commissioner Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today appointed Steven Lesser as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a five-year term beginning April 11, 2010 and expiring April 10, 2015. Lesser, of Bexley, is currently the chief of staff at the PUCO, a position he has held since September 2007. In this role, he directs the daily operations of the agency and advises agency staff on policies to follow in cases, rulemaking and enforcement action. “Steven has served the PUCO in numerous capacities for the past 30 years. He is well-regarded by his colleagues and he understands the issues facing utilities and customers in Ohio,” Strickland said. “Steven’s deep knowledge will continue to be an asset to the PUCO in his new role as commissioner.” As chief of staff, Lesser has also been critically involved in the implementation of the new electric regulation bill, smart grid initiatives, and the implementation of “green” rules, which includes means for encouraging the development of alternative energy businesses in Ohio. Lesser has served PUCO in numerous roles since 1979, including attorney examiner/administration law judge from 1979-1986, deputy director of the transportation department from 1986-1998, and assistant director of the legal department from 1998-2007. In these roles, Lesser has supervised field staff and established a civil forfeiture and enforcement section at the PUCO. Additionally, he has worked on consumer protection and safety legislation in the transportation division, developed national standards for hazardous material safety, created natural gas conservation programs, established minimum standards for the water industry and mediated both consumer and industrial complaints. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work within several areas at the PUCO during my three decades at the commission,” Lesser said. “I look forward to building on these experiences and continuing my work in this new capacity.” Lesser received a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1975 and a law degree from Capital University in 1978.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Governor, Lt. Governor Call for Vigilance, Collaborative Action to Protect Lake Erie from Invasive Species Asian Carp Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today sent the following letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to press the need for a coordinated response to the Asian carp threat on Lake Erie and all the Great Lakes. Also today, Lt. Governor Fisher is participating by phone in a meeting with Administrator Jackson and Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, as well as several Great Lakes governors to discuss a joint federal/state partnership to address Asian carp. Fisher was scheduled to attend the meeting as the governor’s designee but was unable to secure a flight due to weather. Later this week, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan will meet with officials from the U.S. EPA and other Great Lakes states to help develop a framework for the Asian Carp Control Strategy. Additionally, Logan will participate in Great Lakes Days in Washington D.C. February 22– 24, when he will meet with Ohio’s congressional delegation to discuss a number of important issues concerning the Great Lakes. He specifically will work to advance the reintroduction of federal ballast water legislation, which will help protect Lake Erie from invasive species. Full text letter from Governor Strickland and Lt.. Governor Fisher to U.S. EPA Administrator Jackson is pasted below: Monday, February 8, 2010 Lisa Jackson Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460 Dear Administrator Jackson: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the threat of Asian carp to the Great Lakes, and specifically to Lake Erie, with you in Washington on February 3rd. I look forward to our continued dialogue and am pleased that you are taking the lead on formulating an Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee. Ohio stands ready to protect the Great Lakes. But there is no question that a collaborative approach between the federal and state governments, provinces and tribes and our private and public sector partners is the only way to accomplish the universal goal of keeping Asian carp and other invasive species out of our waters. As you are aware, Asian carp have been present in the Mississippi River drainage for several years, and have caused serious ecological harm by displacing native fish species. The Asian carp have spread north into the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers, and recently were detected in the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal (CSSC), which puts them on the doorstep to Lake Michigan. If they enter Lake Michigan, they have unimpeded access to all of the Great Lakes, including Ohio’s precious natural resource Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the 13th largest lake in the world and produces more fish than all other Great Lakes combined. It is the source of tremendous recreational opportunities as well as an important economic driver for Ohio. Recreational fishing on Lake Erie, which is at serious risk if Asian carp invade, generates $801 million dollars in economic activity for the state. Specifically, recreational fishing on Lake Erie generates $480 million in retail sales, supports 10,000 jobs, and provides $52 million in state and local tax revenues annually. Lake Erie also supports a diversity of aquatic and terrestrial species that could be negatively impacted if Asian carp become abundant. Changes to the Lake Erie ecosystem brought about by Asian carp could affect everything from plankton and mollusks to fish and birds. Following from our conversation last week, Lt. Governor Fisher and I have three specific requests for your consideration: First, U.S. EPA has indicated that the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee will hold additional meetings in the near future elsewhere in the Great Lakes basin. We request that one of those future meetings take place in Ohio. Second, it is my understanding that the Asian Carp Rapid Response Committee has been identified as the existing entity through which regional action will be executed. While there is already a Great Lakes Commission designee on this committee, we request that each Governor have representation there as well. Lastly, as the Asian Carp Rapid Response Committee moves forward, I would request that the following be considered: Permanent Ecological Separation: The permanent hydrological and ecological separation of Lake Michigan from the Chicago Waterways System (CWS) is the only 100% guaranteed method to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes system. Once established breeding populations are present in Lake Michigan, the spread of the species to other Great Lakes becomes highly likely. Continued monitoring will allow for rapid response measures but cannot be relied upon to stop Asian carp from spreading. Biological Separation: Beyond a physical closure of the canal, a reliable prevention method would be a biological closure. Chicago disposes of wastewater (sewage treatment plant effluent) into the canal. If the wastewater water-quality standards were to be relaxed to some degree, an environment could be created in the canal that would not support aquatic life. This might be an option for creating a biological closure that would keep out the carp, but allow the canal to remain physically open for commerce. Dumping some amount of essentially raw sewage in the canal poses its own risk factors, such as the impacts downstream to water quality, that need the examination of EPA and sanitation engineers. But no protective measure should be ruled out without due consideration. Alteration of Infrastructure: Engineering and design of an alternative way to transport cargo over land that currently travels through the CSSC waterway would be a significant up-front capital investment and, in conjunction with the permanent hydrological and ecological separation of the bodies of water, would be an effective long-term strategy to prevent the spread of Asian carp. I understand the alternative infrastructure would need to contemplate the multiple demands on the CWS as well as adjacent transportation availability such as roads and railways. Ballast Water Plan and Enforceable Standards: The Asian carp issue has heightened Ohio’s desire to see the introduction and swift enactment of a strong federal law that would regulate ballast water exchanges of oceangoing freighters that enter the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. While the threat of Asian carp entering Lake Michigan did not manifest itself through a ballast water release of an oceangoing vessel, the threat of this aggressive species has highlighted the need for federal leadership in addressing the overall issue of the introduction of harmful invasive species into the Great Lakes. Thank you again for your leadership on this issue. We know that you understand well the need for vigilance and constructive action to successfully protect America’s Great Lakes. We look forward to working together collaboratively toward this shared goal. Sincerely, Ted Strickland Lee Fisher

Monday, February 08, 2010

Strickland Announces Ohio Industry Energy Efficiency Awards Projects Strengthen Ohio’s Leadership Position in the New Energy Economy Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Mark Shanahan, energy advisor to Governor Strickland, today announced that 18 Ohio projects will receive more than $11.8 million in industry efficiency grant awards funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Energy Program. The awards were announced today at Kovatch Castings, which will receive a $1 million grant for its project. “We continue to make strategic Recovery Act investments in the industries that will grow Ohio’s economy,” Strickland said. “Ohio has made a commitment to leading the new energy economy and we are seeing results by empowering companies to make smart, responsible investments that create jobs and drive down energy costs.” These industry efficiency awards are funded through Ohio’s $96 million State Energy Program, which was accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy on June 26th. Private companies that are part of Ohio’s targeted industries, such as advanced energy, aerospace and aviation, agriculture and food processing, bioscience and bio-products, instruments, controls and electronics, motor vehicles and parts manufacturing, and polymers and advanced materials, will use the funds for energy efficiency improvements in their manufacturing facilities. “The State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Development are committed to using every available resource to strengthen Ohio companies,” Patt-McDaniel said. “Our industry efficiency initiative of the State Energy Program enables manufacturers and industrial producers to realize significant energy savings and operate more efficiently, thereby making them more competitive.” Proposals for the Targeting Industry Efficiency component of the program were accepted beginning September 14, 2009. Projects submitted were selected through a competitive review process based on several criteria: project readiness and ability to be complete within 12 months, a matching investment of at least 50 percent, and direct economic impacts in Ohio to create and retain jobs. “Renewable and advanced energy strategies are positioning Ohio for sustainable, long-term, and efficient growth,” Shanahan said. “Utilizing these Recovery Act resources to build upon Ohio’s industry strengths will help our state’s businesses conserve energy while creating jobs.” Awarded projects exemplify the goals of the Recovery Act’s State Energy Program to sustain Ohio’s industry by saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to create or preserve jobs. “Today’s announcement about industrial, energy-efficiency grants for our manufacturers in Northeast Ohio and across the state is great news," said Rep. Betty Sutton (OH-13). "These grants will improve energy efficiency within our manufacturing sector -- an industry that our country heavily relies upon for jobs. They will create jobs for laborers who install the new equipment, as well as jobs for those who will make the new, more-efficient products. Improving energy efficiency within the industrial industry will lower energy costs for manufacturers and allow them to hire additional workers and recover from this recession with new tools to compete. And according to the Alliance of American Manufacturing, for every manufacturing job that is created, an additional four jobs are created down the line. With today’s announcement, our manufacturing base will become stronger, our work force will be larger, and our economic future will be brighter." "Today’s announcement for the Timken Company, Shearer’s Foods and Republic Storage Systems proves a strong national energy policy can create jobs that cannot be outsourced and make our manufacturers more energy efficient at the same time,” said Congressman John Boccieri (OH-16). “We know the cheapest energy is the energy we never use. These stimulus dollars invest in our local manufacturers by helping them save jobs and save money by becoming energy efficient." The recipients include: American Trim (Lima, Allen County) - $994,000 for the installation of a state-of-the-art coating line that applies a protective film on steel substrates for the advanced energy, automotive and appliance industries. The project will create 39 full-time manufacturing jobs and an energy savings of 16,800 million British Thermal Units (a BTU is a measure of energy output) per year. Clow Water Systems (Coshocton, Coshocton County) - $515,844 for the installation of regenerative burners in the high heat zone of their anneal oven. By preheating the combustion air, the project will result in a 30 percent reduction in natural gas use. The company expects to create or retain 40 jobs and lower its operating costs to be more competitive in the global economy. Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC (Warren, Trumbull County) - $979,000 for converting their boilers from steam heating to gas fired heating and replace four tube fired boilers with three steam generators that are more energy efficient. The total annual energy savings is estimated at $388,378. Edge Plastics, Inc (Mansfield, Richland County) - $651,540 to install two injection molding machines used to manufacture large plastic household storage containers. The project will result in an energy savings of 35 percent and create and retain 44 jobs. Empire Die Casting Company, Inc (Macedonia, Summit County) - $835,000 to implement a highly advanced aluminum melting, distribution and holding system that operates at a higher level of thermal efficiency and lower melt loss at its foundry. The project will result in eight new jobs and help to retain 157 existing jobs at the facility. General Motors (Defiance, Defiance County) - $518,232 to install desiccant-based dehumidification equipment on a cupola furnace that produces molten gray cast iron that is cast by their foundry to make automotive engine cylinder blocks and cylinder heads. The project will save energy, reduce raw material consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and allow the facility to be more competitive by reducing its overall annual costs by $515,013. Green Bay Packaging, Inc (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) - $911,936 to switch to an isothermal process for manufacturing corrugated boxes used in shipping goods and materials. The project will save energy by 40 percent, reduce raw material consumption, and create 30 new construction jobs and retain 59 existing jobs. Kovatch Castings, Inc (Uniontown, Summit County) - $1 million to replace three inefficient ovens with two energy-efficient gas ovens at their foundry and produce components for the aerospace, aviation and military industries. The project will reduce gas use by 47 percent and create 45 new jobs. Mansfield Plumbing Products, LLC (Perrysville, Ashland County) – $732,589 to install energy-efficient lighting, modify and optimize the compressed air systems, and replace conveyor casting technology with modern capillary casting benches. The project is expected to save more than 2.67 megawatt-hours of electricity per year. New Horizons Baking Company (Norwalk, Huron County) - $1 million to install new efficient bake ovens that produce bread for fast food restaurants in seven states. The project will increase energy efficiency at the facility by 25 percent and help to retain the 161 existing jobs. Orlando Baking Company (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County) - $486,807 to install energy efficient lighting and variable frequency drives on large equipment, and replace old steam boilers with more efficient, modular boilers and improve the steam distribution system throughout the facility. The project will result in an annual energy savings of 837 megawatt-hours and 5,995 million BTUs along with the creation and retention of 10 jobs. Republic Storage Systems, LLC (Canton, Stark County) - $550,000 to replace its central boiler with a combination of gas fired boiler units for production process heating and direct fired air handling units for space heating. The project will create six new jobs. Shearer’s Foods, Inc (Brewster, Stark County) - $291,879 to install waste heat recovery equipment and controls in the manufacturing process of snack foods. The project will save $540,483 and create or retain 26 jobs. SMART Papers Holdings, LLC (Hamilton, Butler County) - $439,600 to install a reverse osmosis boiler feed water treatment system. The project will result in energy and water savings and reduce operating costs to retain 210 existing jobs. Thaler Machine Company (Springboro, Warren County) - $348,756 to install energy efficient lighting and upgrade the HVAC equipment throughout the office, manufacturing and warehouse facilities. The project will reduce the operating costs of the company to be more competitive for manufacturing precision parts for the defense, aerospace and automotive industries and create and retain 109 jobs. Timken Company (Canton, Stark County) - $1,175,000 to install a new waste heat boiler, replace gas burners with regenerative style burners. The project will save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. WEK Industries, Inc (Jefferson, Ashtabula County) - $250,000 to install variable frequency drives on motors and water pumps, install capacitors to improve power factor, and replace inefficient lighting. The project will save 4,992 million BTUs and create 31 new full-time jobs. Wyandot, Inc (Marion, Marion County) - $175,000 to install exhaust heat recovery equipment on tortilla oven stacks on two processing lines and an integrated waste heat utilization in oil fryer heat exchangers. The project will save $110,000 per year and retain 10 full-time jobs. For more information about the State Energy Program and project details, please visit: http://www.development.ohio.gov/recovery/StateEnergyProgram.htm

Friday, February 05, 2010

Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions. The Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring, fixing compensation of, and removing employees of the college as deemed necessary. It should do all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation of the college. Kathi Welsh, of Boardman, has served as the chief deputy clerk of the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Office since 1994. She previously served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office from 1989-1994. Welsh also currently serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Mahoning County Bar Association and previously served as the president. She received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1982 and a law degree from the University of Akron in 1985. Molly Seals, of Canfield, has served as the senior vice president of human resources and learning for the Eastern Division of the Catholic Healthcare Partners. She has over 20 years of human resources and employee development experience. Seals previously served as the president of the American Society of Healthcare Human Resources in 2007. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of the State of New York and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Marilyn Montes, of Youngstown, has served as the director of human resources for the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County since April 2009. She previously served as a recruiter for the Humility of Mary Health Partners from 2008-2009. Montes is also the founder of Latinas United Networking Association. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. William Mullane, of Warren, has served as the supervisor of school improvement and public relations for the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center and the Jefferson Area Local Schools since 2006. He previously served as the principal for Warren G. Harding High School from 1997-2006. Mullane is currently a member of the Warren Redevelopment and Planning Corporation and of the board of directors for the Trumbull Art Galley. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1978 and a master’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1989. Dorothy Blaner, of Toronto, has served as the executive secretary for the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School District since 1978. She has also served as an adult education business teacher for the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School since 1987. Blaner previously served as the council president for the City of Toronto in 2005. She received a bachelor’s degree from Wheeling Jesuit College in 1987 and a master’s degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1996. John Gilmore, of Steubenville, has served as a sanitary engineer for the Jefferson County Ohio Water and Sewer District since 2001. He previously served as the vice president of operations for the Insul Corporation from 1998-2001. Gilmore also serves as a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Waterworks Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1962 and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990. Donald Crane, of Salem, has served as the business manager for the Youngstown/Steubenville and Vicinity Regional Council since 2007. He also serves as the president of the Western Reserve Building and Construction Trades since 2003. He received an associate’s degree from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. Patricia McNicholas, of Youngstown, has served as the executive director of the Beatitude House since 2001. She previously served as the director of Beatitude House’s Potter’s Wheel Program from 1996-2001. McNicholas currently serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. She received a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1965 and a master’s degrees from the Catholic University of America in 1976 and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1988. McNicholas also received a doctorate from the United Theological Seminary in 1992. Dante Zambrini, of Canfield, has served as the superintendent of the Canfield Local Schools since 2002. He previously served as the assistant superintendent for the Canfield Local Schools from 2001-2002. Zambrini currently serves as a member of the Canfield Local Schools’ Local Professional Development Committee as well as the Mahoning County Education Service Center’s District Curriculum Council. He received a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1976 and a master’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1980. Patricia Fletcher, of Steubenville, has served as a member of the Jefferson Community College Board of Trustees since 1990. She spent 34 years working for the Steubenville City Schools, 19 of which she served as the principal of Garfield Elementary. Fletcher has also served as a member of the Steubenville Fair Housing Commission and as a member of the board of trustees for the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She received a bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Pressley Gillespie, of Youngstown, currently serves as the executive director and of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. He previously served as a vice president at the Key Bank Corporation. Gillespie currently serves as a member of the Governor’s Minority Business Advisory Board and the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership. He received a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University. The Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities cooperates with all employers both public and private in locating or developing employment opportunities for the disabled and assisting in the creation of committees at the community level. Connie O’Brien, of Xenia, previously served as the director of customer service and resource development for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. She previously served as the manager of the employer services unit for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission from 2000-2006. O’Brien received a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton. Matthew Sauer, of Cincinnati, has served as the accommodation coordinator for the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Disability Services since 2001. He previously served as a consultant for the Mayerson Foundation. Sauer has also served as a guest lecturer for various organizations since 1981. He received a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 1981, a master’s degree from Wright State in 1983 and a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in 1995. Scott Lissner, of Columbus, has served as the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for the Ohio State University since 2000. He previously served as the director of disability support services for Longwood College from 1988-2000. He also serves as a lecturer for the Knowlton College of Architecture and the Moritz College of Law. Lissner received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 1978, a master’s degree from the City University of New York in 1982, and a doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1988. Ashley Lemons, of Bryan, has served as the director of the housing resource center for the Defiance Satellite Office of the Ability Center of Greater Toledo since 2008. She previously served as the regional accessibility specialist and disability rights advocate for the Ability Center of Greater Toledo from 2002 to 2008. Lemons received an associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force in 1998 and a bachelor’s degree from the University of the State of New York in 1999. Marshall Kimmel, of Bidwell, has served as the director of the department of accessibility at the University of Rio Grande since 1995. He has also served as the secretary for the Jackson Rotary since 1992. Kimmel served in various roles for the Ohio Rehabilitation Commission from 1968 to 1992. He received a bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande College in 1967. Linda Oda, of Springboro, has served as the director of communications for the Ohio Association of County Boards of Development Disabilities since 2008. She has also served as a fiscal officer for Clearcreek Township since 2008. Oda previously served as the director of public information for the Springboro Community Schools from 2002-2007. She received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 1987. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency provides access to financial resources for the development and management of quality, affordable housing. The agency's programs serve first-time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens and other populations with special needs who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing. William Martin, of Concord, has served as the president and owner of Barrington Homes since 1975. Martin also serves as the chair of the Western Reserve Community Development Corporation. He has also served as a trustee for the Ohio Home Builders Association since 1996. The Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council is responsible for conducting an examination of existing federal and Ohio laws that currently affect the production and consumption of Ohio steel, problems that the Ohio steel industry currently faces, including foreign competition and the economic climate for the Ohio steel industry, and other matters relevant to the future of the steel industry in this state. The Council also submits an annual report to legislative leaders and advises local and state government officials. Terry Fedor, of Chagrin Falls, has served as a general manager of Mittal Steel since 2005. He previously served as a senior division manager for Mittal Steel from 2004-2005. He serves as a member of the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland. Fedor received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from John Carroll University in 1988 and 1993, respectively. The Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council may request that the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services or any employees subject to this chapter appear before it to testify relative to the functioning of relevant matters. The commission may conduct research of its own, make and publish reports, and recommend to the Administrator, the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, the Governor, or the General Assembly needed changes in Chapter 4141 of the Ohio Revised Code. Donald Blatt, of Centerburg, has worked for the United Steelworkers since 2001. He was previously employed by Ormet Aluminum from 1979-2001. Blatt also currently serves as the rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers. He attended the Harvard University Trade Union Program in 2009 and attended the United Steelworkers Leadership Scholarship Program. The State Independent Living Council works with the Rehabilitation Services Commission to increase the ability for disabled Ohioans to live independently. The council helps these individuals through improved transportation, housing, peer counseling, employment and education opportunities and the promotion of self-advocacy for people with disabilities. Edward Hoff, of Delaware, currently serves as the president of the board for Delaware Creative Housing. He previously served as the director of operations for Delaware Creative Housing from 2003 before retiring in 2006. Hoff also currently volunteers at Riverside Methodist Hospital in the Acute Rehabilitation Unit. The State Board of Career Colleges and Schools establishes minimum standards for the registration and operation of schools, and for certificate diploma and degree programs offered by schools. Jerome Brockway, of Jefferson, serves as the superintendent of the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School since 1989. He previously served as the superintendent of Gallia-Jackson-Vinton Joint Vocational School from 1981-1986. Brockway serves as a member of the American Vocational Association as well as the American Association of School Administrators. Brockway received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a doctorate from the Ohio State University. The State Auctioneers Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Department of Agriculture on the area of auctioneer licensure. This includes the qualifications and examination for licensure, and the issuance and revocation of licenses. Gary Cain, of East Springfield, has served as a licensed real estate agent since 1963. He previously served as the president of the Steubenville Board of Realtors. Cain received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Association of Realtors in 1999. The Motor Vehicles Dealers Board implements and enforces rules and regulations necessary to conduct hearings on the issuance, suspension or revocation of motor vehicle dealer licenses. Additionally, the board hears appeals on refusal to issue licenses for dealers and/or salesmen. George Byers, of London, currently serves as the chairman of the board of Geo Byers and Sons. He also serves as a member of the Columbus Foundation and the Columbus Sports Corporation. Byers founded the Byers Foundation to benefit the United Way, Children’s Hospital, Mid Ohio Food Bank and several animal shelters. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. Louis Carson, of Lancaster, has served for 12 years as a board member of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Dealer Board. He has also served as a board member of the Lancaster Corporation of the Salvation Army for 20 years as well as a member and president of Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis for 27 years. He attained the rank of sergeant with the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1968. The Commission on Fatherhood organizes a state summit on fatherhood every four years and prepares a report each year that identifies resources available to fund fatherhood-related programs. Kevin Conwell, of Cleveland, has served as a councilman for the City of Cleveland since 2001. He previously served as the operations manager for the Fathers and Families Together Program at the Center for Families and Children. Conwell also serves as a member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1986. The Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services meets quarterly to review the development of statewide plans for alcohol and other drug prevention, treatment and recovery services and to act as an advisory body to the director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. Donna Conley, of Westerville, has served as the CEO for the Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention and Treatment since 2000. She previously served as a staff technical analyst for Dynamics Research Corporation from 1998-2000 and as the executive director for the Madison County Prevention Assistance Coalition Team from 1994-1998. Conley received a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a master’s degree from Franklin University. The State Board of Pharmacy provides for the examining and licensing of pharmacists. It may set requirements that must be met before an applicant can be registered and may revoke licenses when deemed necessary.. Edward Cain, of Granville, has served as the director of public affairs and communications for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants since 2002. He previously served as a general manager for Jo-Ann Fabric Stores from 2000-2002 and as the director of distribution for Value City Furniture from 1993-1999. The Commission on Minority Health was established to promote health and the prevention of disease among members of minority groups. Each year the commission distributes grants from available funds to community-based health groups to be used to promote health and the prevention of disease among members of minority groups. Walter T. Bowers, II, of Cincinnati, is currently a private practicing physician. He previously served as a contract physician for the Mount Auburn Health Center and Lincoln Heights Health Center. He has served as the president, secretary and program chair of the Cincinnati Medical Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Tuskegee Institute in 1967 and a medical degree in from the University of Michigan in 1975. The Ohio Fair Plan Underwriting Association Board of Governors provides for economical, fair, and non-discriminatory administration of a program for the equitable appointment of the basic property insurance which may be afforded in urban areas to applicants whose property is insurable in accordance with the underwriting standards but, are unable to obtain insurance through normal channels. W. Ted Briggs, of Columbus, is currently the CEO of Briggs Insurance Agency. Briggs also serves as a board member for the Give a Kid a Toy Foundation. He received a bachelor’s degree from Central State University in 1986. The State Board of Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics adopts rules to carry out the form and manner of filing licensure applications and renewals and the standards for evaluating licensure examinations. David DeLuccia, of Columbus, has served as the director of orthotics and prosthetics for American Orthopedics since 2002. He previously served as an orthotist and prosthetist for Hanger Orthopedics from 2000-2002. He also serves as an instructor for the Ohio State University and as a consultant for the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. He received a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College in 1998. The State Board of Nursing provides for the examination, regulation, licensing, and registration of nurses, nursing school curriculum standards and inspection of the schools. Tracy Ruegg, of Powell, has served as a nurse practitioner for the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute since 1998. She previously served as a nurse practitioner for the Ohio State University family practice from 1997-1998. She serves as a member of the executive board for the Ohio Partners for Cancer Control since 2006. Ruegg received a bachelor’s degree from Worcester State College in 1990 and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1994. Maryam Lyon, of Sidney, has served as a clinical nurse manager for the Dayton Regional Dialysis since 1986. She has also served as a legal nurse consultant since 2007. She also currently serves as a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association. Lyon received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Roberta Stokes, of Chagrin Falls, has served as an adult nurse practitioner for the Marymount Hospital since 2005. She previously served as a nursing supervisor for the Montefiore Home from 2001-2007. Stokes also serves as a member of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She received a bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College Center for Nursing in 1983 and a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1987.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Governor Lowers Flags in Honor of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement and a proclamation lowering flags to half-staff in honor of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge. “Frances and I ask all Ohioans to join us in keeping Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Baldridge and his family in their thoughts and prayers. I had the opportunity to hear Trooper Baldridge speak at the recent cadet graduation, which was a tremendous honor bestowed upon him by his classmates. I was deeply impressed by his sincerity and thoughtfulness. This is a terrible tragedy and we offer our sincerest condolences to all those whose lives were touched by this young man.” The complete proclamation is below: On behalf of the people of Ohio I would like to offer my sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the Baldridge family, and all those whose lives were touched by Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Every day, throughout the State of Ohio, our dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow citizens safe. We remember the courageous men and women who have lost their lives protecting us, and we honor all those who wear the badge and keep the peace

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Governor’s Statement Regarding Executive Clemency Application of Mark A. Brown Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the pending application for executive clemency of Mark A. Brown: “As a result of his conviction for aggravated murder, Mr. Mark A. Brown is scheduled to be executed on February 4, 2010 at 10 a.m. I have completed a review of the circumstances surrounding his case to determine if executive clemency is warranted. “In conducting this evaluation, my staff and I reviewed the record of proceedings and the evidence presented in Mr. Brown’s case, the judicial decisions regarding Mr. Brown’s conviction, and arguments presented for and against clemency at the Parole Board hearing regarding Mr. Brown’s application for executive clemency. We have also reviewed institutional records, letters and other communications received in the Governor’s Office regarding this matter, and the unanimous recommendation against clemency forwarded to me by the Ohio Parole Board on January 13, 2010, along with the exhibits presented at the Parole Board’s hearing and letters received by the Parole Board regarding Mr. Brown’s case. “Based on this review, I concur with the Parole Board recommendation on this matter.”

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Governor Supports Obama Administration’s Strategies for a Clean Energy Economy Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland released the following statement after meeting with President Barack Obama in the White House today. The Obama Administration announced comprehensive steps to reduce America’s reliance on foreign fuels and build a foundation for a new clean energy economy. “Increasing America’s energy independence is the right thing to do for our economy, our environment, and our national security. President Obama’s comprehensive strategy to increase biofuels production and deploy clean coal technologies is a step in the right direction. We are already seeing the results of strategic investments in advanced energy industries in Ohio, where we are helping those industries create jobs and positioning Ohio as a leader in new energy technologies and production.” The U.S. Department of Energy’s press release announcing the strategies is below. NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (202) 586-4940 Wednesday, February 03, 2010 Obama Announces Steps to Boost Biofuels, Clean Coal WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama today announced a series of steps his Administration is taking as part of its comprehensive strategy to enhance American energy independence while building a foundation for a new clean energy economy, and its promise of new industries and millions of jobs. At a meeting with a bipartisan group of governors from around the country, the President laid out three measures that will work in concert to boost biofuels production and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to implement the long-term renewable fuels standard of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) that would provide financing to increase the conversion of biomass to bioenergy. The President’s Biofuels Interagency Working Group released its first report – Growing America’s Fuel.. The report, authored by group co-chairs, Secretaries Vilsack and Chu, and Administrator Jackson, lays out a strategy to advance the development and commercialization of a sustainable biofuels industry to meet or exceed the nation’s biofuels targets. In addition, President Obama announced a Presidential Memorandum (linked below) creating an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage to develop a comprehensive and coordinated federal strategy to speed the development and deployment of clean coal technologies. Our nation’s economy will continue to rely on the availability and affordability of domestic coal for decades to meet its energy needs, and these advances are necessary to reduce pollution in the meantime. The President calls for five to ten commercial demonstration projects to be up and running by 2016. President Obama said, “Now, I happen to believe that we should pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill. It will make clean energy the profitable kind of energy, and the decision by other nations to do this is already giving their businesses a leg up on developing clean energy jobs and technologies. But even if you disagree on the threat posed by climate change, investing in clean energy jobs and businesses is still the right thing to do for our economy. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is still the right thing to do for our security. We can’t afford to spin our wheels while the rest of the world speeds ahead.” “Advancing biomass and biofuel production holds the potential to create green jobs, which is one of the many ways the Obama Administration is working to rebuild and revitalize rural America,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Facilities that produce renewable fuel from biomass have to be designed, built and operated. Additionally, BCAP will stimulate biomass production and that will benefit producers and provide the materials necessary to generate clean energy and reduce carbon pollution.” “President Obama and this Administration are strongly committed to the development of carbon capture and storage technology as a key part of the clean energy economy. We can and should lead the world in this technology and the jobs it can create,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The actions President Obama has taken today will create jobs, slash greenhouse gas emissions and increase our energy security while helping to put America at the leading edge of the new energy economy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The renewable fuel standards will help bring new economic opportunity to millions of Americans, particularly in rural America. EPA is proud to be a part of the President’s effort to combat climate change and put Americans back to work – both through the new renewable fuel standards and through our co-chairmanship with the Department of Energy of the Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage.” Background on today’s announcements: Renewable Fuels Standard. EPA has finalized a rule implementing the long-term renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The Renewable Fuels Standard requires biofuels production to grow from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons in 2022, with 21 billion gallons to come from advanced biofuels. Increasing renewable fuels will reduce dependence on oil by more than 328 million barrels a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons a year when fully phased in by 2022. For the first time, some renewable fuels must achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions - compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace – in order to be counted towards compliance with volume standards. To read the full rule, please click HERE. Biomass Crop Assistance Program. USDA has proposed a rule for Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) to convert biomass to bioenergy and bio-based products. USDA provides grants and loans and other financial support to help biofuels and renewable energy commercialization. BCAP has already begun to provide matching payments to folks delivering biomass for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass to eligible biomass conversion facilities. To read the full rule, please click HERE. Biofuels Working Group: In May, President Obama established the Biofuels Interagency Working Group – co-chaired by USDA, DOE, and EPA, and with input from many others – to develop a comprehensive approach to accelerating the investment in and production of American biofuels and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Today the Working Group released its first report: Growing America’s Fuel – a new U.S. Government strategy for meeting or beating the country’s biofuel targets. The report is focused on short term solid government solutions supporting the existing biofuels industry, as well as accelerating the commercial establishment of advanced biofuels and a viable long-term market by transforming how the U.S. Government does business across Departments and using strategic public-private partnerships. To read the full report, please click HERE. Presidential Memorandum for a Comprehensive Federal Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage: Charting the path toward clean coal is essential to achieving the Administration’s clean energy goals, supporting American jobs and reducing emissions of carbon pollution. Rapid development and deployment of clean coal technologies, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS), will help position the U.S. as a leader in the global clean energy race. The President’s memorandum establishes an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage to develop a comprehensive and coordinated federal strategy to speed the development and deployment of clean coal technologies. The Task Force will be co-chaired by representatives of from DOE and EPA and include participants from at least 9 different agencies and offices. The Task Force shall develop within 180 days a plan to overcome the barriers to the deployment of widespread affordable CCS within 10 years, with a goal of bringing five to ten commercial demonstration projects on line by 2016. The plan should address incentives for CCS adoption and any financial, economic, technological, legal, institutional, or other barriers to deployment. The Task Force should consider how best to coordinate existing federal authorities and programs, as well as identify areas where additional federal authority may be necessary. The Task Force shall report progress periodically to the President, through the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. To read the full memorandum

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Governor’s Statement on Bipartisan Renewal of Third Frontier Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement regarding the Ohio legislature’s bipartisan support for a renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier program. The $700 million renewal will be placed on the May 2010 ballot for voter approval. “All sides can be proud of this bipartisan agreement to place a renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier before voters in May. Third Frontier was created with the support of Ohioans in 2002 and has since created more than 48,000 jobs through its investments in high-growth industries. “The overwhelming bipartisan support from the legislature is a strong validation of the most successful economic development and job-creating program in Ohio. I appreciate Ohio’s business, higher education and labor leaders for supporting Third Frontier and for their unwavering belief in Ohio. They know that our best days are ahead of us, not behind us. Renewing Third Frontier is a central part of Ohio’s plan to build a foundation for long-term economic progress. I will encourage Ohioans to support this proven program at every opportunity.”

Friday, January 29, 2010

Ohio Meets Second Federal ARRA Reporting Deadline Data to be Posted on Federal Recovery Act Site Saturday Columbus, Ohio – Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Pari Sabety today announced that Ohio has met its second federal reporting deadline for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) loans, grants and contracts spending information. The data submitted to the federal government reflects more than $887 million in total ARRA spending in 61 programs through December 31, 2009 that is required to be reported under Section 1512(a) of the Act. Additionally, the data shows that 20,672 direct, full-time equivalent positions were created or retained in Ohio between October 31 and December 31, 2009 with stimulus dollars administered by the State of Ohio. The data from all prime ARRA recipients is expected to be released to the public Saturday through the federal Recovery.gov Web site. “We’ve made transparency and accountability a priority when spending and reporting stimulus resources in Ohio,” Sabety said. “These federally-required benchmarks are giving states an opportunity to keep taxpayers posted on our progress throughout the Recovery Act.” Section 1512 ARRA Reporting Process · OBM submitted data to the FederalReporting.gov Web site from all state agencies that have received ARRA funds and are required to report under Section 1512(a) of the Act. · Ohio cities, villages, townships, counties and non-profit organizations that also received direct Recovery Act awards from the federal government also had to report 1512 information and financial data independently of the state of Ohio. Jobs were reported using two different methodologies, as a result of new guidance from the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 18. The OMB guidance can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_2010/m10-08.pdf New guidance required prime recipients to count actual hours worked, paid for or reimbursed by ARRA dollars, and converted to fulltime equivalent jobs. This is different from first quarter reporting guidance, in which prime recipients were instructed to report employment activity that would not have occurred without the enactment of the Recovery Act. As a result of the December OMB guidance, prime recipients were also given to the end of the quarter to fully implement the new job calculation methodology. “Given the late date of the federal guidance, the holidays, and the fact that schools were closed in December, some Ohio agencies will continue working with their subrecipients to convert to the new job calculations over the course of this quarter,” Sabety said. “Some agencies were able to use the new methodology with their subrecipients immediately, but most need to work with sub-recipients on the conversion calculation.” This data does not reflect indirect jobs (jobs created by suppliers) or induced jobs (jobs created in the community as a result of a federal stimulus project). The draft data only reflects programs that must report under Section 1512(a) of the Recovery Act. It does not reflect tax relief from ARRA to roughly 95 percent of Americans; Medicaid spending; child support initiatives, foster care and adoption assistance; unemployment compensation; supplemental security income; COBRA, Tax Credit Assistant Program (TCAP); Food Assistance Administration; and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund. Additional information about the 1512 reporting process is available at recovery.ohio.gov.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 ******************************* Governor Statement on the Passage of SJR8, the Columbus Casino Address Change Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today made the following statement on the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 8, the resolution allowing Columbus to change its casino site on the May ballot: “The Ohio Legislature’s strong bipartisan support for this ballot proposal speaks volumes. Those who have studied this proposal agree it is a common sense solution that works for the City of Columbus and in no way changes or harms the casino development already approved by voters for the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo. “While this initiative asks Ohioans to support a simple address change for the planned Columbus casino development, it will in fact mean the revitalization of a former GM Delphi auto-parts plant that has been vacant for years on Columbus’ West Side. It is my hope that Ohioans will support this proposal slated for the ballot in May.”

Thursday, January 21, 2010

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 21, 2010 *********************************************** Governor Appoints Tyrone K. Yates to Hamilton County Municipal Court Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of State Rep. Tyrone K. Yates to the Hamilton County Municipal Court. Tyrone K. Yates, 55, of Cincinnati, fills the seat vacated by the appointment of Judge Nadine Allen to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. “I have seen first-hand Tyrone’s dedication to serving the people of Hamilton County,” Strickland said. “We have worked closely together on important legislative initiatives. I’ve always admired Tyrone for his deep knowledge of Ohio’s justice system and his commitment to tough but fair justice.” Yates will take the bench on January 29. To retain the seat, he must run in the November 2011 municipal election. Yates has served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives since 2003. He is the chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice and the Correctional Institutions Inspection Committee. He also serves on the Civil and Commercial Law and Finance and Appropriations committees. He previously served as a trial counsel for the Hamilton County Public Defenders’ Office from 2000-2003 and as the vice mayor of the City Cincinnati from 1993-1997. Yates also served as a council member for the City of Cincinnati from 1990-1999. Yates is an active member of his community. He currently serves as the honorary co-chair of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History’s 94th Annual National Convention and as a board member for the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education. He also serves as a silver life member for NAACP and as a life member for Navy League of the United States. “I’m humbled by Governor Strickland’s appointment and look forward to serving the Hamilton County Municipal Court with a deep commitment to fairness,” Yates said. Yates received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1978 and a law degree from the University of Toledo in 1981.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 Ohio Wins $6 Million in ARRA Grants for Green Job Training in Auto-Impacted Communities Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded Ohio $6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants for green job training, with a special emphasis on auto-impacted communities in Ohio. Fifty percent (44 of 88) of Ohio’s counties are included on the U.S. DOL list of counties impacted by restructuring related to the auto industry, and 85 to 90 percent of the funds will be utilized in those counties. “With a growing green energy industry and a strong job training infrastructure in place, Ohio is in an ideal position to maximize the impact of these resources,” Strickland said. “Targeting the grants toward areas that have been impacted by the auto industry will build on the historic strengths of Ohio workers and our communities. These ARRA grants will create opportunities for out-of-work Ohioans and help transition our manufacturing centers to take advantage of the growing new energy economy.” "These funds will help Ohio workers train for good-paying jobs in our state’s growing clean energy industry,” Brown said. “Communities across our state have been hard-hit by the economic downturn. By ensuring that our state’s already skilled workforce is prepared for high-growth industries, we will bring the jobs of the 21st century to Ohio.” The Governor’s Workforce Policy Advisory Board applied for the State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) and Training Grants in October. Grant awards ranged from $2 million to $6 million; Ohio received the maximum amount. Earlier this month, Sen. Brown wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in support of Ohio’s grant application. The grants will make it possible to enroll 1,600 Ohioans in training, with a focus on dislocated workers, veterans, women, minorities and Appalachian residents. A projected 1,275 participants will earn industry-recognized certificates for residential energy auditing, building operator and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ohio’s already-existing job training and education infrastructure will be utilized in administering these grants. The grants will be used to: · Create an integrated system of education, training and supportive services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway development for low-income, low- skilled workers leading to employment in green industries. · Support states in implementing a statewide energy sector strategy including governors’ overall workforce visions, state energy policies and training activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors. · Build and strengthen partnerships dedicated to building a skilled clean energy workforce. · Develop new partnerships with other agencies receiving Recovery Act funds to support strategic planning and implementation efforts. The State Energy Training Partnership grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative — totaling $500 million — to fund workforce development projects that promote economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency industries. Additional information and today’s DOL press release can be found at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100078.htm

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 State Leaders Announce Initiative to Analyze Corrections System and Enhance Public Safety Efforts Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer and state House and Senate leaders today announced the launch of an effort by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and the State of Ohio to develop a data-driven strategy to reduce spending on corrections while improving public safety in Ohio. The Justice Reinvestment Initiative is the result of a 2008 request by state leaders, including then-House Speaker Jon Husted, to the Council of State Governments, Pew Center on the States, and the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for help in developing a statewide policy framework for the corrections system. “Our Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has already made major strides toward reducing spending, and we stand committed to successful offender reentry and safer communities across Ohio. The Council of State Governments’ data-driven approach will help augment and advance Ohio’s current efforts,” Governor Strickland said. “We are undertaking this work to identify long-term strategies to reduce corrections costs so that we can better invest limited taxpayer resources to meet our public safety priorities.” A bipartisan work group including state agency directors, legislative leaders, top officials from the court system, and other public sector representatives, has been established to guide the intensive technical assistance provided by the CSG Justice Center. Recently, criminal justice stakeholders across Ohio have been asked to participate in the Council of State Governments’ efforts. “Ohio will be a safer place to live and raise a family because of the collaborative efforts to manage the growth of the prison population and to reinvest this public safety dividend,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “I remain committed to providing the appropriate assistance to ensure that we make effective use of the state’s resources.” Over the life of the project, stakeholders will be engaged through focus groups, interviews and roundtable discussions. State Sen. Bill Seitz and State Rep. Mike Moran have been designated as co-chairs of the work group. “This bipartisan committee will work with local officials to ensure that potential legislative options are based on quantitative data and the expertise of the men and women who are on the frontlines of Ohio’s criminal justice system,” House Speaker Armond Budish said. “This process provides us the opportunity to build consensus across the state around the strategies that will enable Ohio to cut crime and carefully manage corrections spending.” From 1998 to 2004, Ohio’s prison population declined. In the last three years, however, the population has climbed 14 percent, from 44,270 in 2005 to a new all-time high of 51,273 in 2008. In 2009, the population went down slightly to 51,250. The Justice Reinvestment Initiative will provide Ohio policymakers with an in-depth analysis of criminal justice data to determine why the prison population is increasing and where opportunities exist to increase public safety. “Prison overcrowding and corrections costs are among the greatest challenges facing our state,” Senate President Bill Harris said. “There are actions the General Assembly can take now to alleviate the burden, while this group of experts, led by the CSG Justice Center, begins its work to provide policymakers with information and recommendations to make further reforms in the future.” In nine other states, the Justice Center has provided policymakers with analysis and policy options that have been implemented to avert hundreds of millions in corrections costs and reinvest in public safety priorities that strengthen communities. “I am very pleased that we will be examining this subject,” said House Minority Leader William Batchelder. “As a former judge I saw serious problems in this area and look forward to cooperating in any way the co-chairman would ask.” “We look forward to reviewing the data so we can develop policies that control costs while also protecting our citizens,” Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro said. If existing policies remain unchanged, the prison population in Ohio will continue to grow. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction projects that its incarcerated population will increase 11 percent over the next 10 years.. Additionally, DRC has estimated that increasing system capacity to accommodate the projected increase will cost $925 million, including $424 million in construction costs and $501 million in additional operating costs. "Our work across the country has shown that states can cut both crime and incarceration rates at the same time," said Adam Gelb, director of the Public Safety Performance Project of the Pew Center on the States.. "We see a solid commitment from leaders in Ohio to roll up their sleeves, look at the data and research, and figure out how to get taxpayers a better return on their corrections dollars." To incorporate perspectives and recommendations from across the criminal justice system, the Justice Center will consult stakeholders, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, advocates for victims and survivors, and others. The technical assistance is made possible through funding support provided by the Public Safety Performance Project of the Pew Center on the States, and the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. The State of Ohio is providing $100,000 through a federal grant fund. The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. It provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies—informed by available evidence—to increase public safety and strengthen communities. To learn more about the justice reinvestment strategy in Ohio and other states, please visit www.justicereinvestment.org. The Pew Center on the States is a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts that identifies and advances effective solutions to critical issues facing states. Pew is a nonprofit organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life. More information is available at www.pewcenteronthestates.org.

Monday, January 18, 2010

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 18, 2010 614 *************************************************** Strickland Announces more than 500 Jobs Created, Retained at DuPont Advanced Energy Manufacturing Plant in Circleville Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced the creation of 70 jobs and retention of 444 jobs in advanced energy manufacturing at DuPont’s Circleville plant. DuPont will expand its next line of films used on photovoltaic solar panels, an investment that strengthens DuPont and Ohio as a leader in the advanced energy economy. “Two years ago, DuPont company officials told us they could not justify expansion or new investment in Ohio due to electric service cost and reliability concerns,” Strickland said. “But we fought for an energy plan that is addressing those concerns and today DuPont is making a major commitment that will create and save hundreds of good Ohio jobs. DuPont is an invaluable and innovative partner, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to growing right here in Ohio.” The announcement was made at a press conference at the company’s Circleville plant, where the company is investing $175 million to expand production of its high-performance DuPont Tedlar® PV2001 series oriented film. Tedlar® is a critical component on the back of solar panels, providing long-term durability and performance. The new production line, scheduled to start in the fall of 2011, is expected to help meet the increasing need for energy and environmental sustainability. The expansion will also provide 230 temporary construction jobs over the course of the project. "The decision to expand the Tedlar® film production line at our site is great news for our employees and the Circleville community," said Tony Eichstadt, DuPont Circleville plant manager. "It shows that our site continues to be viewed favorably by the company as a place to invest, and underscores our commitment to maintaining our leadership in the photovoltaic industry." Ohio is committed to creating a business-friendly climate for new and existing companies in the state. Ohio’s landmark energy reform bill, signed in 2008, improved the State's ability to control electricity prices and helped create demand for clean energy in Ohio with the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard, which calls for electric utilities to supply 25 percent of their retail sales from advanced energy sources by the year 2025. “This announcement is not only vital to furthering Ohio’s role as a leader in solar technology, it is also creating hundreds of solid employment opportunities that will put the good people of Pickaway County back to work,” Patt-McDaniel said. Over the years, the State of Ohio has supported the work of DuPont by offering business incentives, such as training grants, to help the company continue to grow. Currently, the State is offering incentives that could total up to $6.1 million, including loans, grants and workforce assistance. These incentives are pending State approval. DuPont and the Ohio Department of Development anticipate that the photovoltaic market will grow rapidly over the next several years, driving the demand for Tedlar® and other new materials that increase the lifetime and efficiency of solar cells and modules.

Friday, January 15, 2010

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 15,2010 ****************************************************** Strickland Urges U.S. Treasury to Help Free Up Credit for Manufacturers, Small Businesses Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging quick federal action to help manufacturers and small businesses get access to much-needed credit, allowing them to stabilize their businesses and protect jobs. The letter was sent jointly with Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. “We know that if Ohio’s entrepreneurs and small business men and women are on an even playing field, they can compete with anyone in the world,” Strickland said. “But the collapse on Wall Street has led to a freeze in credit markets that is restricting our ability to rebuild Ohio’s economy from the ground up. Manufacturers and small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Making credit more accessible for these sectors will put more Ohioans back to work.” The governor has proposed making federal funds available to leverage private loans for businesses from financial institutions. Through a partnership with states, financial institutions would be able to identify manufacturers or small businesses they would like to be in business with, perform the appropriate underwriting and due diligence, and then access needed resources from state-level intermediaries. This would mitigate risk and increase lending, helping preserve and create jobs in manufacturing and small business. “We’ve come together to propose to Secretary Geithner a public-private partnership that will help free up credit for our small businesses and manufacturers to grow and diversify. These efforts will help us maintain a competitive advantage in this international economy and preserve jobs across our states and country,” Strickland said. The governors have asked Secretary Geithner to schedule a conference call or meeting to discuss their specific proposal, as well as other options. The full text of the letter, which was sent to Secretary Geithner today, is below: Dear Secretary Geithner: We write today regarding an important issue affecting the citizens and economies of our states. Despite the progress being made as the economy recovers, too many businesses in our states are still having trouble accessing credit, particularly manufacturers in hard hit sectors looking to diversify into new industries. To avoid further job loss, and to prevent foreign countries from gaining a competitive advantage in emerging manufacturing sectors, we urge you to take quick action to resolve this access to credit issue. In an economic downturn, certainly individual businesses and entire sectors of the economy must streamline and consolidate. However, it remains critical that entrepreneurs and businesses that want to diversify can find access to capital so they can continue to employ American workers. Unfortunately, companies are experiencing reduced cash flows and undervalued collateral, and are simply unable to obtain credit through normal avenues. To address this access to credit problem, we propose that the Department of the Treasury make use of available federal funding to develop innovative partnerships with states and financial institutions to increase credit access to our small businesses and manufacturers. In the attached white paper, you will find a summary of a proposal, which uses public resources to leverage private loans from financial institutions. This partnership would allow financial institutions to identify manufacturing companies they would like to be in business with, perform the appropriate underwriting and due diligence, and then access needed resources from state-level intermediaries. Using federal funds for this purpose will mitigate risk and increase lending, thus preserving jobs and an American manufacturing base that will help lead our economic recovery and subsequent growth. Mr. Secretary, your efforts to stabilize our nation's economy are much appreciated, and it is clear that while recovery will not happen overnight, we as a nation are coming back from the brink of disaster. But we cannot fully recover if manufacturing does not regain its place in the U.S. economy as the employer of the great American middle class. The United States cannot fall behind as other countries who invest in manufacturing gain an advantage in critical emerging sectors like energy systems and medical device manufacturing. To ensure the long-term strength of this vital, job-providing sector of our economy and to prevent further job loss, we strongly urge that we work together to identify innovative ways to solve the credit access issues our manufacturers currently face. We would like to schedule a phone call or meeting with you soon to discuss this proposal, as well as other possible options. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm Illinois Governor Pat Quinn North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle

Thursday, January 14, 2010

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Western Reserve News

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For Immediate Release: Friday, January 8, 2010 ************************************************************* Governor Announces Appointments Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions. The Ethics Commission enforces the Ohio Ethics Law. The Ethics Law, enacted in 1973, established conflict of interest provisions to ensure that state employees do not profit from their position as a public official. The Ethics Commissions receives, and may initiate, complaints concerning alleged violations of this law. Angelita Cruz Bridges, of Toledo, has served as the director of operations for the Lucas County Auditor’s Office since 2007. She previously served as a staff attorney for Student Legal Services in Bowling Green from 2004-2007. Bridges also currently serves as a part-time faculty member at the University of Toledo, College of Health and Human Studies. She also serves as a member of the Toledo Women’s Bar Association and previously served as a member of the Latino Advisory Committee at the University of Toledo. Bridges received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Toledo in 1997 and 2000, respectively. The Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services meets quarterly to review the development of statewide plans for alcohol and other drug prevention, treatment and recovery services and to act as an advisory body to the director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. Carlos Ramos, of Westlake, has served as the executive director of the Hispanic Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Outreach Program since 2005. He has also served as a member of the Treatment Workforce Development Task Force since 2006. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico in 1984 and a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Utah in 1989 and 1991, respectively. Margo Spence, of Cincinnati, has served as the executive director of First Step Home since 2001. She previously served as the director of women’s treatment and corrections for the Talbert House from 1987-2001. Spence also serves as the president of the Ohio Women’s Network of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Programs and previously served as the president of Recovery Link. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1975 and a master’s degree from Xavier University in 1981. Donna Conley, of Westerville, has served as the CEO of the Ohio Citizen Advocates for Chemical Dependency Prevention and Treatment since 2000. She previously served as a staff technical analyst for Dynamics Research Corporation from 1998-2000 and as the executive director of the Madison County Prevention Assistance Coalition Team from 1994-1998. Conley received a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. The Medical Quality Foundation Board funds activities to improve the quality of medical care rendered to the public. Marian Kennedy Schuda, of Dublin, has served as the associate medical director for the John J. Gerlach Center for Senior Health since 1994. She previously served as the medical director for employee health for Riverside Methodist Hospital from 1987-1999. Schuda also serves as the chairperson for the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, Diocese of Columbus and serves as a board member for the Pontifical College Josephium. She received a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree from the Ohio State University in 1976 and 1979, respectively. Richard Weiner, of New Albany, has served as a podiatrist for the Grant Medical Center since 1991. He has also served as a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons since 1992 and founded the Ohio Podiatry Institute in 2005. Weiner also serves as an assistant professor of podiatry at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1983 and a medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. The Ohio Geology Advisory Council advises the chief of the Division of Geological Survey and recommends policy and legislation. Peter MacKenzie, of Worthington, has served as the president of MacKenzie Land & Exploration since 2003. He previously served as a partner for Triana Energy from 2006-2008 and as the vice president of CGAS Exploration from 1993-2003. MacKenzie also serves as a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1994. The Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs is charged with gathering and disseminating information and conducting hearings, conferences, investigations, and special studies on problems and programs concerning Spanish-speaking people. It also secures appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of Spanish-speaking people to the state. Michael Florez, of Cincinnati, serves as an attorney in the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office where he represents Hamilton County in civil litigation. He previously served as a private-practicing attorney. Florez received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1982. Vestal Anthony Simms-Howell, of Cincinnati, has served as the owner of Vash Services since 1988. He previously served as a senior systems analyst for the New York City Health & Hospital Corporation. Simms-Howell also serves as the treasurer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Union Institute & University. The Barber Board prescribes sanitary regulations for barber shops and barber schools, subject to approval by the Department of Health. The board also provides barbering permits, examinations, registration and certification. Concepcion Skaggs, of Columbus, has served as the owner and operator of the Huntington Center Barber and Beauty Salon since 1997. She previously served as a barber for the Huntington Center Barber Salon from 1990-1997. Skaggs also serves as a conference delegate for the National Barber Boards of America. She graduated from the Ohio State College of Cosmetology in 1986. The Ohio Health Care Coverage & Quality Council advises the governor, General Assembly, entities in the public and private sectors, and consumers on strategies to expand affordable health insurance coverage to more individuals and to improve the cost and quality of the state's health insurance system and health care system. J. Craig Strafford, of Gallipolis, has served as a practicing obstetrics and gynecology physician for the past thirty-four years. He previously served as the president of the Holzer Clinic from 1990-2005 and as the medical director for AdvaCare from 1985-1990. Strafford also serves as a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and has served in various leadership roles for the American Medical Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a medical degree from the Ohio State University. Aristotle Hutras, of Columbus, has served as the director of the Ohio Retirement Study Council since 1990. He previously served as the executive secretary for the Ohio House of Representatives. Hutras also serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Hickory Chase Community Authority. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University. Marjorie Eilerman, of Fort Laramie, has served as the director of nursing for the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department since 1991. She previously served as the medical director of the Brownlee Medical Center from 1988-1991. Eilerman also serves as a board member for the Child Fatality Review and as a member of the Infant Hearing Screening Subcommittee. She received a nursing degree from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1974. The State Fire Commission may recommend courses of action to be taken by the fire marshal in carrying out his duties. James Hilz, of Columbus, has served as the executive director for the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio since 2003. He previously served as the director of governmental affairs for the Ohio Association of Realtors. Hilz received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University. The Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities is designed to work with the governor and the legislature to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities within Ohio. Diana Pollock, of Lancaster, previously served as the assistant dean for development at Ohio University-Lancaster from 2002-2003. She also served as a lecturer at the Ohio State University. Pollock received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University. The State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors examines applicants for engineers’ and surveyors’ licenses, issues licenses, and revokes licenses. James Mawhorr, of Mansfield, currently serves as the vice president for transportation at K.E. McCartney and Associates. He previously served as a district highway management administrator for the Ohio Department of Transportation from 1983-2001. Mawhorr received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission carries out its duties under the Ohio River Sanitation Compact. This compact is concerned with the pollution of the river, specifically, in the area of sewage disposal. Paul Tomes, of Cincinnati, has served as the chief engineer for RA Consultants since 2006. He previously served as a senior member of the Greater Cincinnati Water Works. Tomes serves as a member of the American Water Works Association and the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and is a registered engineer in the State of Ohio. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission advises the Attorney General on the standards and the curriculum of police schools for all level of government. Thomas Maurer, of Wooster, has served as the sheriff for Wayne County since 1997. He previously served as a senior adult probation officer for the Common Pleas Court of Wayne County from 1986-1996. Maurer also serves as a board member for Adult Basic Education for Wayne County and as the chairman of the Wayne County Community Corrections Board. The Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund Advisory Council advises the State Racing Commission on how best to administer the Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund to achieve the goals of the State Racing Commission. Stephen Montemarano, has served as the executive equine specialist for Intervet since 2007. He previously served as an equine regional territory manager for Merial Animal Health from 2003-2007. Montemarano also previously served as a sales and marketing manager for AT&T/Lucent Bell Laboratories. He received a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in 1981 and a master’s degree from Monmouth University 1987. The State Board of Sanitarian Registration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring registered sanitarians possess and maintain specialized knowledge and skills in the field of environmental health. James Adams, of Massillon, currently serves as the health commissioner for the City of Canton. He previously served as the director of environmental health at the Canton City Board of Health, and as a district sanitarian for the Ohio Department of Health. Adams also serves as a member of the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners and the Ohio Environmental Health Association. He received a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. The State Independent Living Council works with the Rehabilitation Services Commission to increase the ability for disabled Ohioans to live independently. The council helps these individuals through improved transportation, housing, peer counseling, employment and education opportunities and the promotion of self-advocacy for people with disabilities. Robert Kyle, of Gahanna, currently serves on many civic organizations including the Sierra Club, Red Cross, and Friends of Big Walnut Creek. He previously served as the digital production artist for Impulse Wear and as a senior graphics technologist for the 3M ADSD Vitrotrim Products before retiring. He attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, the Ohio State University, and Columbus State Community College.

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For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 31, 2009 *************************************************************** Governor’s Statement on 10th District Court of Appeals Ruling on Tobacco Settlement Resources Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement regarding the unanimous decision of the 10th District Court of Appeals that the governor and the Ohio General Assembly have the authority to expend more than $230 million in tobacco settlement funds, reversing an August decision by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. “Today’s unanimous ruling by the 10th District Court of Appeals reaffirms our position that it is within the authority of the governor and general assembly to appropriate and expend state resources in line with the state's funding priorities,” Strickland said. “Among those priorities are providing access to children's health care and critical health services for adult Ohioans. I am hopeful that the courts will work expeditiously to finalize this case so we can utilize these needed funds.” The decision extends a stay issued by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas until a final court decision is rendered.. The current balance in the tobacco account is about $258 million as a result of investment earnings. The final version of House Bill 1, the FY 2010-2011 biennial budget, included the following appropriations of those funds: · Optional Services under the Medicaid program: $130 million · Cover children in families making up to 300 percent of federal poverty level under SCHIP: $30.0 million · Children’s Medicaid buy-in: $2.2 million · Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: $3.4 million · Title XX Child Welfare (county subsidies): $92.0 million · Total: $257.6 million

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 ****************************************************************** Governor’s Statement Regarding International Trade Commission Decision on China Steel Imports Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement regarding the U.S. International Trade Commission’s unanimous ruling that U.S. steelmakers have been damaged by subsidized steel imports from China. As a result of today’s decision, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue new duties for these imports. “With our state’s strong history of steel production, Ohioans and Ohio businesses deserve the chance to compete fairly and work to regain lost jobs in the steel industry,” Strickland said. “I commend the International Trade Commission on its decision today that recognizes the need for relief from unfair trade practices.” Governor Strickland advocated for U.S. and Ohio steelworkers in testimony before the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. His testimony focused on Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) from China and the importance of implementing fair trade policies to offset Chinese government-subsidized steel imports. These subsidies, gone unchecked, would result in Chinese overcapacity that would flood the U.S. market for OCTG, harming Ohio steel producers and endangering more Ohio jobs, Strickland testified.

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For Immediate Release: Monday, December 28, 2009 ****************************************** ****************************************** Governor Signs Bills Passed in 128th General Assembly HB 290 Will Further Strengthen Ohio’s Race to the Top Application Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed HB 19, HB 290, SB 89 and SB 124. House Bill 19 State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood sponsored HB 19, which requires each school district board of education to adopt a policy to prevent and address incidents of dating violence at school, provide staff training on dating violence prevention and include dating prevention education for grades 7-12 within the health education curriculum. In addition, the bill contains provisions that require the State Board of Education to develop a model dating violence prevention policy for curricula. Known as “The Tina Croucher Act,” the bill is named after Tina Croucher, who was shot and killed by an abusive high school boyfriend in 1992. Her parents, Jim and Elsa Croucher, became strong advocates for teen-dating violence awareness. House Bill 290 State Reps. Danny Bubp and Ray Pryor sponsored HB 290, which adds Junior ROTC as an elective within the Ohio Core curriculum and permits school districts to excuse students participating in Junior ROTC for at least two school years from high school physical education courses. The bill also permits the state superintendent and chancellor to create a statewide longitudinal student data system for conducting longitudinal research and evaluation of P-16 education programs, which will significantly strengthen Ohio’s application for federal Race to the Top grants. “The education reforms passed earlier this year uniquely positioned Ohio to be highly competitive for Race to the Top federal grants, which will help provide a world-class education to Ohio students so they can succeed in a global economy,” Strickland said. “The creation of a longitudinal data system will further strengthen Ohio’s application to bring greater investments into Ohio’s education system.” HB 290 also contains a provision that directs the Department of Education to reevaluate each community school that was ordered to close at the end of the 2009-2010 school year for poor academic performance to determine whether the school still meets the closure criteria. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for certain School Facilities Commission projects, and removes certain requirements for the Harmon Commission, which designates classrooms as creative learning environments. Senate Bill 89 State Sen. Sue Morano sponsored SB 89, which authorizes an out-of-state or federally employed advanced practice nurse with the authority to prescribe drugs to obtain that authority in Ohio without completing an externship if the nurse has met other requirements. In addition, the bill includes a provision that requires the Chancellor of the Board of Regents to establish a mechanism within the Ohio Skills Bank to facilitate communication, cooperation, and partnerships to meet regional and statewide nursing education needs. Senate Bill 124 State Sens. Keith Faber and Joe Schiavoni sponsored SB 124, which changes how property may be transferred upon the death of an individual. The bill also contains provisions that make general changes to the Mortgage Loan Law and the Mortgage Brokers Law and lessens the formatting requirements for instruments or documents recorded with a county recorder.

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 23,2009 *********************************** Ohio Awarded $1.8 Million for Broadband Mapping Recovery Act funding to provide consumers and policymakers with improved data on broadband service Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced the State of Ohio was awarded a $1.8 million federal grant to help implement the Strickland Administration’s plan to compile and map broadband availability in Ohio, including location, available speed and type of technology delivering the service. “We created Connect Ohio in 2008 to determine where Ohio’s broadband infrastructure exists – and where it doesn’t exist – to better target the investments that will help us reach our goal of providing broadband access to all Ohioans,” Strickland said. “This grant will accelerate our efforts to expand economic and educational opportunities to more Ohioans.” The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The data will be displayed in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s national broadband map, a tool that will inform policymakers' efforts and provide consumers with improved information on the broadband Internet services available to them. Ohio’s program is administered by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services in collaboration with Connect Ohio, a public-private partnership established to work with telecommunication providers and communities to bring digital inclusion to Ohio residents and businesses. “We are pleased to be working with the Strickland Administration to help create and enhance a comprehensive broadband map in the state of Ohio, and we’re particularly pleased to provide continuing broadband planning efforts to local communities across the state,” said Tom Fritz, executive director of Connect Ohio. “We applaud NTIA for working diligently to create a national broadband map and are honored to continue the work in Ohio to provide tools that will enable economic, social, and educational benefits to residents and businesses across the state.” This grant will assist the State of Ohio to deliver more comprehensive and accurate broadband mapping data identifying coverage to a higher degree of accuracy, develop state and county-level broadband maps, support existing spatial development projects in Ohio, aid in the development and maintenance of a national broadband map, and fund statewide initiatives directed at broadband planning. The Ohio Department of Administrative Services will receive the funds through the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Since 2008, Connect Ohio has benchmarked Ohio’s broadband availability and usage through the use of surveys and data gathered through its relationships with broadband providers across the state. Detailed information is available at a statewide and county level for businesses and residents regarding broadband availability, access, subscribership, barriers to adoption, computer ownership and average subscriber rates.

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