Senator Kearney Discusses Childhood Obesity on "Ohio in Focus"

Senator Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) appeared on Ohio in Focus to discuss his effort to reduce childhood obesity. The Senator has introduced Senate Bill 24 which would ban junk food from vending machines in public schools.

Senator Capri S. Cafaro Co-Chairs Auto Task Force in Trumbull County

Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro co-chaired a meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry at Kent State University's Trumbull campus in Warren.

Ohio in Focus with Senator Joe Schiavoni

In this edition of Ohio in Focus, State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) discusses his role as a State Senator and how he got here.

Senator Cafaro Co-Chairs Automobile Industry Committee in Warren

August 21, 2009

WARREN — Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) co-chaired today the meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. The bi-partisan legislative committee met at Kent State University Trumbull in Warren to discuss the automobile industry as it relates to manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and consumers.

“We heard thoughtful and sometimes emotional testimony from people in the Mahoning Valley who have been directly affected by the challenges facing the auto industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “There is no question the members of the committee learned a great deal that can be incorporated into our report to Governor Strickland and the legislative leaders.”

The automotive industry touches every corner of the state accounting for 20% of all manufacturing activity in Ohio. Automotive related manufacturing businesses can be found in 76 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

The Joint Select Committee, created recently by the Ohio General Assembly, will make recommendations for laws regulating and supporting the automobile industry and submit a report to Governor Ted Strickland by September 30, 2009. The committee’s next meeting is Tuesday, August 25^th, from 1pm to 4pm at Sinclair Community College in Dayton.

Automobile Industry Committee to Visit Kent State University's Trumbull Campus

WARREN — Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) is pleased to welcome to Warren the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. The meeting will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, August 21, at Kent State University Trumbull in Warren. It will take place in Lecture Hall A in the Classroom/Administration Building (Click here for directions and a campus map). The Committee, recently created by the Ohio General Assembly, will study the automobile industry as it relates to manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and consumers. Senator Cafaro will co-chair the Committee in Warren.

“The Auto Industry has always been a cornerstone of the economy in the Mahoning Valley,” said Senator Cafaro. “Committee members look forward to hearing the community’s ideas and concerns. I’m sure this will be a very productive meeting.”

The Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio consists of the following: 2 members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, 1 member of the Senate appointed by the Senate President based on the Minority Leader’s recommendation, 2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, and 1 member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker based on the Minority Leader’s recommendation.

The committee’s study will include automobile franchise laws, consumer protection issues, and warranties. Recommendations will be made by the committee concerning Ohio law regulating and supporting the automobile industry. The Committee will submit its report to the Governor by September 30, 2009.

The Automobile Industry Committee has already met in Toledo and Lorain, and has additional meetings scheduled on the following dates:

• August 25 – Sinclair Community College (Dayton)
• September 8 – North Central State University (Mansfield)
  

All meetings will run from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M.

Senator Cafaro Listens to Concerns from Auto Industry

LORAIN — Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) participated Tuesday, August 18th in a meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. The bi-partisan legislative committee met at Lorain County Community College to discuss the automobile industry as it relates to manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and consumers.

“This hearing provided a variety of perspectives on the auto industry’s role in Ohio’s economy,” said Senator Cafaro. “Dealers, local government officials, educational professionals and others spoke of their needs and concerns. I’m confident the task force members will carry this information back to the General Assembly to make positive and proactive policy decisions to strengthen our local economies across Ohio”

The automotive industry touches every corner of the state accounting for 20% of all manufacturing activity in Ohio. Automotive related manufacturing businesses can be found in 76 of 88 counties.

The Joint Select Committee, created recently by the Ohio General Assembly, will make recommendations for laws regulating and supporting the automobile industry and submit a report to Governor Ted Strickland by September 30, 2009. The committee’s next meeting is Friday, August 21st, from 1pm to 4pm at Kent State’s Trumbull campus.

Senator Smith Appointed to Minority Business Advisory Council

Senator Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) was appointed to the Minority Business Advisory Council for the 128^th General Assembly. The Council, established by executive order by Governor Ted Strickland, will coordinate the state’s efforts to maximize opportunities and growth of minority businesses.

“Minority owned businesses have occupied an important place in Ohio’s economy for a long time,” said Senator Shirley Smith. “With the establishment of the Minority Business Advisory Council, we will work to make Ohio an even more attractive state for minority owned businesses, and to strengthen those businesses that already exist. I am honored to be a part of this Council”

U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2007 show that although there has been an increase in the number of minority-owned firms in Ohio over the past decade, the revenue growth and long-term success of these companies is not matching the businesses’ start-up rates.

“Ohio needs help,” said Senator Smith. “Minority owned businesses have the potential to give jobs to those who desperately need them and give Ohio the economic jump start it needs. This is why I sponsored an amendment in the state’s operating budget to help minority businesses with bonding requirements.”

The Minority Business Advisory Council will be charged with collaborating with the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Department of Administrative Services to carry out responsibilities in the areas of economic development, employment, procurement, training and other matters affecting the economic vitality of the minority business community.

The Council will also advise state entities on diversifying and opening its markets, as well as identifying and promoting opportunities for minority business. Additionally, the Council will provide guidance on current legislation and practices that have an impact on the minority business community.

The Council will consist of a maximum of 40 individuals who are currently involved or have previously been engaged in the development of minority businesses, through private industry, government or scholarly work. The membership should be a diverse representation of regions and ethnic groups in the state of Ohio, and include representatives from state government and the state legislature as well as individuals involved in various aspects of the minority business community.

Senator Smith Announces Progress on Inner Belt Plan, Reopening of Lanes and Ramps into Neighborhoods

Having worked closely with the Ohio Department of Transportation to pursue an aggressive timeline on repairs to Cleveland’s Interstate 90 Innerbelt Bridge, State Senator Shirley Smith and ODOT officials are advancing the latest and most comprehensive phase of the Innerbelt Bridge Safety Plan with plans to reopen closed lanes and ramps as early as the end of November.

"Many neighborhoods have had limited access to I-90 since ODOT restricted traffic on the aging structure in October 2008," said Senator Smith. “This is especially true for Tremont’s W. 14^th Street on-ramp, which was initially scheduled to be reopened in September. Despite delays and other obstacles in the process, I am happy that ODOT has finally received federal approval to get commuters back on the road by November.”

The work announced today is part of the state’s $10 million investment this construction season on the Innerbelt Bridge. When complete, the W. 14th Street ramp to I-90 eastbound and the Ontario Street ramp to I-90 westbound will both be reopened to motorists.

This phase of work was made possible only after an extensive, detailed analysis of the steel members and connections of the main structure. The majority of work on this phase of the Safety Plan will be performed during daytime hours while the bridge remains open for service. ODOT says limited overnight and weekend closures may be necessary as crews work to complete repairs. Work is expected to begin in mid- to late September.

In March, 2009 ODOT announced plans to construct a new $400 million westbound Innerbelt Bridge, utilizing federal transportation stimulus funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction of the new westbound bridge is expected to being in 2011.

Senate Minority Leader Capri S. Cafaro Welcomes Federal Stimulus Money for 32nd District

Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) is pleased to announce today that the 32nd Senate District has received $944,406 in federal stimulus dollars from the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. JAG funds are designed to help state and local governments support a broad range of activities that prevent and control crime.

“These funds will preserve vital protective services in Trumbull and Ashtabula counties,” said Senator Cafaro. “I am hopeful that the federal stimulus money will have a positive impact on improving the safety of our communities and enabling law enforcement agencies to communicate more effectively.”

The following projects have been awarded Justice Assistance Grants:

Ashtabula County
Jefferson Village - MARCS Communications Compliance: $16,497.50
Village of Roaming Shores Police Department - IT Infrastructure Program: $6,868.49
Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake - MARCS II Radio Interoperability: $16,497.50

Trumbull County
North East Ohio Community Alternative Program - Restorative Project: $115,087.10
Someplace Safe, Inc. – Personnel JAG Stimulus: $42,382.93
Warren Police Department -TEAM TROUBLE: $356,465.73
Hubbard Township Police Department - JAG LE Block Grant: $14,669.81
Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority - Trumbull Metro Street Crimes Unit: $122,074.68
Newton Falls Police Department - Newton Falls Technology Enhancement: $80,103.00
Trumbull County Sheriff's Office – North East Ohio Tri-County IJIS: $173,759.88

Senator Schiavoni Congratulates EfficientGovNow Award Winners

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) extended congratulations to the two Mahoning Valley Recipients of the EfficientGovNow Award. The EfficientGovNow program aims to accelerate government collaboration and efficiency by providing as much as $300,000 in funding to as many as three collaborative government projects from throughout Northeast Ohio.

The Mahoning Valley collaboration projects to receive grants from the Fund for Our Economic Future are listed below:

$57,541 will be awarded to Rollin’ on the River: Mahoning Valley River Corridor Redevelopment Project. Nine communities in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are collaborating with Youngstown State University to implement a website to market sites in those locations for economic development. The communities are Youngstown, Warren, Niles, Girard, Struthers, Campbell, Newton Falls, McDonald and Lowellville.

$120,000 will be awarded to Mahoning-Youngstown Regional Information System (MYRIS). With this funding, the Mahoning County auditor’s office, Youngstown, Boardman, Austintown and the city of Canfield will share broadband technology for law enforcement, disaster recovery and general-information technology services.

“I’m extremely impressed with the amount of support the Valley has shown for these two projects and want to thank those who took the initiative to vote,” said Senator Schiavoni.

A total of 13,483 qualified votes were cast by residents of Northeast Ohio in July to determine the three EfficientGovNow collaboration projects that would receive funding.

“I know that many individuals and groups worked diligently to secure votes from residents across the Mahoning Valley and it’s great to see their collaborative efforts paid off,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Both projects will be an asset to the continuing development of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.”

Ohio in Focus with Senator Sue Morano

In this edition of Ohio in Focus, State Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) discusses her role as a State Senator and her passion for the Nursing profession.

To view more videos from the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/OhioSenateDemocrats

Senator Sue Morano Announces BASF to Build Plant in Elyria

Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) announced today that German chemical company BASF will build a chemical processing plant in Elyria. The world’s largest chemical company’s new facility will produce a patented cathode material to be used in advanced Lithium-ion batteries that will power a new line of hybrid cars.

“This facility will bring well-paying jobs to a community that has been battered by the recent economic downturn,” said Senator Morano. “It will improve battery technologies for hybrid and electric cars and will move Ohio closer to environmentally sustainable transportation and will help decrease dependence on foreign oil. This is a great day for Lorain County!”

The announcement came after BASF Corporation received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Advanced Battery and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing grant of $24.6 million to build the plant in Elyria. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and BASF signed a licensing agreement for BASF to mass produce and market Argonne’s cathode material. The Elyria plant is expected to be the largest cathode material production facility in North America.

German chemical company BASF Corporation has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.5 billion in 2008.

To read press on the Elyria BASF facility, click here

Senator Schiavoni Speaks About Foreclosure Crisis in Ohio

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) spoke at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative Housing Summit with Attorney General Rich Cordray at the Ramada Hotel in Columbus on Wednesday, July 29.
The Senator was invited to the event by the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative to discuss House Bill 3, which would place a six month moritorium on foreclosures in Ohio. Senator Schiavoni discussed some of the important points of the Bill and said he will support HB 3 when it reaches to the Senate.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing foreclosure crisis in Ohio. It was part of the weeklong Leadership Training for Change, which was attended by about 35 constituents from the Senator’s district.

Senator Fedor Takes Part in Auto Committee Hearing

State Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) participated Monday, August 3rd, in the first meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Impact of the Changing Automobile Industry in Ohio. The bi-partisan legislative committee met at the University of Toledo to discuss the automobile industry as it relates to manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and consumers.

“We had the opportunity to hear compelling testimony from a wide range of people, including members of the community and experts from the auto industry,” said Senator Fedor. “I think what the committee members took away from this meeting was a clearer understanding of the impact the auto industry’s troubles are having on real people.”

The Joint Select Committee, created recently by the Ohio General Assembly, will make recommendations for laws regulating and supporting the automobile industry and submit a report to Governor Ted Strickland by September 30, 2009. The committee has additional meetings scheduled in Lorain, Warren, Dayton and Mansfield.