Sen. Cafaro's Bio-Based Products Bill Passes Senate

Columbus – The Ohio Senate voted 30-0 to approve SB 131, a bill co-sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) that encourages the use of bio-based products. SB 131 would require the Director of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that ensures supplies composed of bio-based products are purchased by DAS, state colleges and universities and other state agencies when costs are comparable to non bio-based products.

“This legislation is important because Ohio has the ability to be a leader and innovator in bio-based products,” said Senator Cafaro. “We have the opportunity to promote agriculture, revitalize Ohio’s industrial base and take advantage of our outstanding research institutions by producing bio-based products that are truly home grown.”

To view floor speech on SB 131, click here.

Bio-based alternatives utilize renewable resources like corn and soybeans for products that range from lip balm to copy machine toner. SB 131 is similar to a national program that gives purchasing preference to bio-based products at federal agencies.

Ohio Senate Passes Senator Morano's Turfgrass Bill

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Senate voted unanimously to pass SB 51, a bill sponsored by Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) that calls attention to a growing industry in Ohio.
SB 51 designates the last week in May as “Ohio Turfgrass Week.” This is the second bill introduced by Senator Morano that has passed the Senate this year with unanimous bipartisan support.

“It is important for us to recognize and spread awareness about the many economic, educational and environmental benefits of this growing industry in Ohio,” said Senator Morano. “Governor Strickland has urged us to develop legislation that will stimulate job growth in Ohio and SB 51 is a good step forward.”

To view Senator Morano's floor speech on SB 51, click here.

The Turfgrass industry has an economic impact on Ohio’s economy of more than $4 Billion and is responsible for helping create 68,000 jobs. Turfgrass is also a truly ‘green’ product that has many positive environmental effects.

Some examples of the positive aspects of Turfgrass are:

• On a block of eight average homes, front laws with Turfgrass have a cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning.

• Turfgrass absorbs pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide and converts them to oxygen.

• Turfgrass prevents soil erosion through strategic placement in agriculture fields, filters contaminants from rainwater and reduces runoff.

In addition, Ohio has become an international leader in Turfgrass research thanks to work being done at The Ohio State University.

Senator Fedor and Senator Wagoner Hold Bipartisan Bike Safety News Conference

Senator Teresa Fedor and Senator Mark Wagoner held a news conference on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse to discus bipartisan legislation to establish a safe passing distance of three feet when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle.

Senator Joe Schiavoni - New September E-Newsletter Available

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) has made his new September E-Newsletter available for download. To download, click here (Adobe Acrobat Required - to get it, click here)

Senator Joe Schiavoni - All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan (Part 2)

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) was recently a guest on All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan at the Canfield Fair. (Sports Time Ohio)

Senator Joe Schiavoni - All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan (Part 1)

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) was recently a guest on All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan at the Canfield Fair. (Sports Time Ohio)

Senator Nina Turner - Ohio in Focus

We sit down with Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) in this edition of Ohio in Focus.

Senators Sue Morano and Teresa Fedor - Prevention First Press Conference

Senators Sue Morano (D-Lorain) and Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) speak at a Prevention First press conference at the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Senator Tom Sawyer - Ohio in Focus

We talk with Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) in this edition of Ohio in Focus.

Senator Cafaro Honored For Her Work on Behalf of Aging Ohioans

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (OAAAA) has recognized Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) for her commitment to aging Ohioans by presenting the Senate Democratic Leader with the association’s “Elected Official Advocacy Award”.

“I am honored to receive the Elected Official Advocacy Award for 2009,” said Senator Cafaro. “Addressing the issues facing aging Ohioans has been the most important and rewarding aspect of my work. As a member of the General Assembly, I am working to promote public policy that will protect Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens while providing them with the means to maintain their current standards of living.”

Senator Cafaro has a long standing interest in public policy pertaining to health care and the needs of aging adults. She has served on the Trumbull County Senior Services Advisory Council and was a State Policy Liaison for Ohio with the National Patient Advocate Foundation. She previously served as a State Advocate Representative for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and served as a volunteer council with the Medicare Rights Center. Senator Cafaro has also acted as an Economic Policy Associate for Global Action on Aging, an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations.

The OAAAA is a non-profit organization with a statewide network of agencies that provide services for older Ohioans.

Senator Joe Schiavoni - September E-Newsletter

Senator Joe Schiavoni's September E-Newsletter is now available online. To download it, click here. (Adobe Acrobat required - to get it, click here)

Senator Strahorn on Ohio in Focus

Senator Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) discusses education reform, health care, and jobs in this edition of Ohio in Focus.

Senator Morano Announces Decision to Keep Jobs in Lorain

State Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain) is pleased to announce that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will keep its call center in Lorain County. ODJFS had considered moving the call center to another area of the state during a review of the agency’s operations. But, Senator Morano worked extensively to convince ODJFS to keep the jobs in Lorain County. The Senator has issued the following statement regarding the decision:

“The decision to keep the Lorain County Call Center at its current location is wonderful news for Lorain! This move keeps jobs from leaving an area already hard hit by unemployment.

“I have been working closely with Director Lumpkin and various leaders of Lorain County to ensure that this call center stays in the 13th Senate District. The past few months have been full of uncertainty as the closure date came closer. However, it is a sincere pleasure to announce that these hard working employees will not be relocated.”