Senator Cafaro Speaks at United Nations on International Day of Older Persons

COLUMBUS – Senator Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) delivered a speech today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on the International Day of Older Persons. Senator Cafaro addressed UN ambassadors and their colleagues about advocacy and activism on behalf of older persons.

“As a member of the Ohio General Assembly, I am working hard 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 said to an audience at the UN.

The event, Aging Activism: A Global Tool to Create a Society for All Ages, featured talks by aging activists from around the world and a cross section of the world’s policy makers. The mission of the occasion was to develop strategies to move closer to a global society that “embraces all ages.”

Having participated in United Nations programs as a student, Senator Cafaro said of her visit to the UN Headquarters, “It was an honor to have taken part in this once in a lifetime experience. At the UN, I was privileged to speak about the issues that I am most passionate about as a State legislator, to an audience of global scale.”

Demographics show that 700 million of the world’s population of 6.7 billion people is over the age of 60, and that number is expected to triple within the next few decades. The goal of the International Day of Older Persons is to make certain that attention is paid to ensuring the rights of older persons within the context of global change – economically, technologically, and environmentally.

For more information on Aging Activism, visit:
http://ngocoa-ny.org/events/program_outline.html

Senator Teresa Fedor Discusses Senate Bill 176, the Prevention First Act.

Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) discusses Senate Bill 176, the Prevention First Act.

Senator Schiavoni’s Property Transfer Bill Gains Approval of Civil Justice Committee

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice Committee passed Senate Bill 124 this week. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Schiavoni, will make it easier for Ohioans to transfer property upon death.

Senate Bill 124, co-sponsored by Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina), changes the transfer of death designation instrument from a deed to an affidavit. The bill also allows an individual who owns real property or any interest in real property as a survivorship tenant to execute a transfer on death designation affidavit.

“This bill simplifies a current, complex law,” said Senator Schiavoni. “Plain and simple: it makes it easier for the average person to transfer property upon death.”

This marks the first bill Senator Schiavoni has introduced to pass committee less than 10 months into his tenure as a State Senator. Senator Schiavoni was appointed to the Senate in January, 2009.

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.