Sunday, February 28, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Ohio Senate Votes to Support Delphi Retirees

Cafaro and Schiavoni Resolution Calls for Fairness in Protecting Pension Benefits

COLUMBUS – State Senators Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield) are pleased the Ohio Senate voted unanimously today to pass SCR 23, a resolution they jointly sponsored to help Delphi retirees who have lost retirement benefits. The resolution calls on the Federal Government to treat all General Motors-Delphi retirees fairly and equitably.

“I am proud this resolution received unanimous bipartisan support in the Ohio Senate,” said Senator Cafaro. “All Delphi retirees deserve to be treated fairly regardless of whether they were salary or hourly employees.”

As a result of bankruptcy proceedings, all Delphi Corporation pension funds were transferred to the Federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. General Motors has agreed to fulfill pension obligations for Delphi hourly retirees represented by the United Auto Workers, IUE-CWA and the United Steel Workers. However, a similar agreement has not been reached for all Delphi retirees. In addition, many Delphi retirees have seen their health care benefits reduced or eliminated.

“Currently thousands of my constituents are without the benefits they were guaranteed and worked hard to secure,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Hopefully this resolution will be helpful in establishing fairness and giving the Delphi retirees what they have rightfully earned.”

SCR 23 now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for further debate.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

House Passes Senator Cafaro’s Biobased Products Bill

Legislation Will Help Ohio Agriculture, Industry and Research Institutions

Columbus – The Ohio House of Representatives voted 92-1 today to approve Senate Bill 131, a bill jointly sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) that encourages the use of biobased products. The legislation had already passed the Senate by a unanimous vote.

“The goal of this legislation is to promote Ohio agriculture and industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “By increasing our use of biobased products we can help Ohio’s farmers and manufacturers expand and create job opportunities.”

SB 131 requires the Director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products as long as the costs are comparable to non-biobased products. The program would apply to supplies purchased by DAS, state agencies and state colleges and universities.

“This legislation also gives a boost to Ohio’s colleges and universities that conduct research into developing biobased products,” said Senator Cafaro.

Biobased 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 biobased products at federal agencies.

The purchasing provisions contained in SB 131 take affect 90 days after Governor Strickland signs the legislation.

To watch floor testimony on SB 131, visit:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=124370&start_time=2811&organization_id=30
(The Ohio Channel)

Kearney Tax Savings Bill Passes the Senate

Bill will help Ohioans save for the future

Columbus – Senate Bill 194, legislation to boost savings rates among Ohioans was passed out of the Senate today in a unanimous vote. The bill enables anyone filing an Ohio income tax return to have their refund deposited directly into a retirement savings account.

“Senate Bill 194 provides Ohioans with the option of having their tax refund directly deposited into their retirement savings account. This makes saving for retirement easier then ever before by speeding the refund process and making retirement savings part of one’s normal saving routine,” said Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati).

The State of Ohio processes about 4 million tax returns each year with an average refund amount of $310. If just one in four of those filing takes advantage of this option Ohio taxpayers will save $310 million.

In addition to making it easier for Ohioans to save, the plan would also save money for the State. Compared with traditional paper checks, the State of Ohio saves approximately $1.50 for every refund filed electronically. Again, if only on in four tax filers use this option the state will save $1.5 million each year.

“The millions in individual savings and the money saved in state expenses more than justify this legislation,” Kearney said. “In times like these we need to take advantage of every opportunity to conserve state resources and promote individual savings. By making these small administrative changes we can do just that.”

The new option would apply to all income tax returns, regardless of whether they are filed on paper, electronically, or telephonically. The Department of Taxation currently offers the option of direct deposit for a checking or savings account, but Senator Kearney’s plan marks the first time that a refund could be deposited directly into a retirement account. Those interested in taking advantage of the retirement savings option would simply provide their account information on their tax return.

Senator Eric H. Kearney represents parts of Cincinnati, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Cleves, Cheviot, Norwood, Golf Manor, Columbia Township, Deer Park, Silverton, Springfield Township, North Bend and Addyston.

Listen to Senator Kearney at the following link:
http://www.box.net/shared/4ph6sho874

To watch floor testimony on SB 194, visit:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=124370&start_time=2396&organization_id=30
(The Ohio Channel)

Monday, February 8, 2010

Senator Cafaro Pleased With Award That Creates Jobs in Ashtabula County


Columbus--Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) applauded Governor Ted Strickland’s announcement today that WEK Industries in Jefferson, Ohio will receive a $250,000 award to increase energy efficiency. The grant from the Ohio State Energy Program will help WEK Industries create 31 new full-time jobs while saving the company nearly 5,000 million BTUs from more efficient motors, pumps and lighting.

“I am happy to see that funds the State of Ohio received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being put to good use to jump start our local economy,” said Senator Cafaro. “By creating jobs and saving energy, this award is a win-win situation for Ashtabula County.”

Governor Strickland announced that 18 Ohio companies will receive more than $11.8 million in efficiency awards. The goal of the awards is to sustain Ohio’s industry by saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating jobs.

WEK Industries, a division of Myers Industries based in Akron, produces parts for the automotive industry including Honda.

Senator Dale Miller Discusses Third Frontier and Economic Development on Ohio in Focus

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Senator Teresa Fedor - Call to Action! Join the Movement against Human Trafficking in Your Area

Join the movement against human trafficking in your area!

To read Senator Teresa Fedor's 'Call to Action!', please visit the following link:

http://www.box.net/shared/t2g8zogugy

This is a Microsoft Word document that will be periodically updated.

Please contact...

Ursula Barrera - ubarrera@maild.sen.state.oh.us or
Andrew Powell - apowell@maild.sen.state.oh.us

... if you have trouble viewing the file.

The Caucus


Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney - Cincinnati - 9th District
Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni - Canfield - 33rd District
Minority Whip Nina Turner - Cleveland - 25th District
Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown - Toledo - 11th District
Senator Tom Sawyer - Akron - 28th District
Senator Charleta B. Tavares - Columbus - 15th District
Senator Shirley Smith - Cleveland - 21st District
Senator Michael J. Skindell - Cleveland - 23rd District
Senator Lou Gentile - Steubenville - 30th District
Senator Capri S. Cafaro - Hubbard - 32nd District

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