Senator Michael Skindell speaks at a news conference to announce a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of JobsOhio.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Senator Tavares Attends 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit
Columbus – State Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D–Columbus) recently attended the National Conference of State Legislators’ (NCSL) 2011 Legislative Summit. Senator Tavares attended the conference as a member of the Health Committee. She was appointed to the committee by Senate President Tom Niehaus earlier this year.
“Serving on a national committee is critical to broadening my perspective on issues that Ohio and other states around the country are experiencing,” said Senator Tavares. “This is an opportunity to develop solutions along with my colleagues from across the nation.”
During the Summit, members of the Health Committee held discussions focusing on Medicaid reform and funding, healthcare workforce development and streamlining financing for Medicare and Medicaid. As a result, Senator Tavares will be working on legislation to address healthcare workforce shortages with our federally qualified heath centers.
Senator Tavares also participated in the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network. Senator Tavares will be working on to address women’s health issues and women serving in the military.
“Women comprise 20 percent of our U.S. Military and they have unique issues and problems,” said Senator Tavares. “Colonel Kimberly Olson of Grace After Fire indicated that targeted resources are needed to ensure that female soldiers and veterans’ needs are addressed. Unfortunately, many times resources are not used to address challenges that these women face.”
The Legislative Summit was held from August 8 through August 10, 2011. The Summit’s primary goal was to provide solutions to pertinent state-level legislative issues. The NCSL Summit included 12 committees, more than 150 sessions, and 36 nationally renowned speakers. The summit has been described as “the largest and most important meeting of the year for legislators and legislative staff”.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Senator Sawyer Announces Funds for University of Akron and Wingfoot Lake
Columbus – Senator Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) is pleased to announce the State Controlling Board today approved the release of $175,000 to the Department of Natural Resources from the Trust for Public Land. The Funds will be used to purchase the final 20 acres at the Goodyear Wingfoot Lake property.
“Goodyear Wingfoot Lake has played an historic role in the lives of many Goodyear employees over the years. Goodyear’s efforts to make the land publicly available to people of northeast Ohio started in 2009,” said Senator Sawyer. “This is the final step in a series of steps that the company began and the state is finishing in making this land a recreational asset for thousands of people in northeast Ohio.”
The property includes shoreline, wood lots and open areas. It also hosts various waterfowl, fish populations and bald eagles. The Department of Natural Resources hopes to protect critical habitats and increase fishing opportunities with the land acquisition. Currently, Summit, Cuyahoga and Stark counties all rank in the top ten counties in Ohio for hunting and fishing license sales.
The State Controlling Board today also approved the release of $1.4 million to the University of Akron. The funds will be used to purchase 2.4 acres from Interstate Brands Corporation for campus development.
“This new land acquisition is essential to the educational development of the University of Akron,” said Senator Sawyer. “Located in the central area of campus, the land will help the university in its long-term development plans.”
The property will house grounds maintenance, vehicle and equipment storage. The land was most recently used for production, distribution and retail of Wonder Bread and Hostess products. The purchase of the land will not increase tuition or scholarship funding for students.
The State Controlling Board provides legislative oversight over certain capital and operating expenditures by state agencies and has approval authority over various other state fiscal activities. Senator Sawyer serves as the only Democratic Senator on the board.
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