Ohio

15 October 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Representative Steve Driehaus today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) of a $1,885,000 award through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), helps communities improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and invest in green jobs.

“This is great news for Butler County and another example of the Recovery Act bringing critical resources into our community. Efficiency projects help to reduce energy costs and cut down on harmful emissions while creating the new, clean energy jobs that will help carry our economy forward,” said Rep. Driehaus.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce the Reducing Emergency Department Utilization through Coordination and Empowerment (REDUCE) Act (S. 1781), which would address Emergency Room (ER) overuse, improve quality of care, and save taxpayers' money. The legislation would establish pilot programs to better coordinate care for frequent ER users.    » read more »

Bill Will Extend County of Origin Labeling to Dairy Products

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chair of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food, Nutrition, and Family Farms, joined U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to introduce the Dairy Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Act, which would extend mandatory country of origin labeling to dairy products.

“Ohioans and all Americans have a right to know where their food was produced,” Brown said. “This bill supports both families and farmers by requiring country of origin labeling on all dairy products. With increasing dairy imports, country of origin labeling provides critical information as households decide how to feed their families.”    » read more »

Thousands of Jobs Created or Retained

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Office of Budget and Management Director Pari Sabety today announced that Ohio has met the first federal reporting requirement for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) loans, grants and contracts spending data.

Of the more than $8.5 billion that the state is expected to receive during this multi-year program, approximately $1.6 billion has been expended – only $335.6 million of which falls within the requirements to be reported during this period, the first of quarterly reporting periods (through September 30).    » read more »

10/13/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Zack Space (OH-18) today marked the beginning of construction on Phase II and III of the Nelsonville Bypass, which received $150 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The project – ODOT’s single largest ARRA-funded project in the state – is estimated to create over 4,800 jobs [Source: Ohio Department of Transportation].    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food, Nutrition, and Family Farms, announced that Agriculture Appropriations Act of 2010 includes $350 million in emergency support for our nation’s dairy industry.

“The dairy sector plays a key role in the economic vitality and success of Ohio’s small towns and rural communities,” Brown said. “It’s imperative Ohio dairy farmers have the support they need to withstand this time of high production costs and plummeting farm-level prices.”    » read more »

Washington, Oct 7 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today sent a letter requesting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct an investigation of the potentially unfair and anti-competitive forced sale of light bulbs by FirstEnergy to their customers in Northern Ohio. Kucinich also requested the FTC examine the issue of FirstEnergy’s plan to charge a fee for the energy that was not used by the consumer because they installed the light bulbs.

The full text of the letter follows:

October 7, 2009

Mr. Jon Leibowitz
Chairman
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580

Re: The need for an FTC investigation of FirstEnergy’s unfair and anti- competitive forced sale of 3.75 million light bulbs at excessive prices    » read more »

Brown Releases County by County Analysis Showing How Many Ohioans Will Run out of Unemployment Insurance This Month if Senate Does Not Pass Benefits Extension

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. –More than 158,000 Ohio adults lost their health coverage because of job loss in 2009 according to a new report released today by Families USA. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) discussed this report on health care and job loss entitled “One-Two Punch: Unemployed and Uninsured.” He also outlined efforts to pass meaningful health reform and to extend unemployment insurance for workers in hard-hit states like Ohio.    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced Ohio will receive $4.7 million in brownfield redevelopment grants. The federal funds, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and allocated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are specifically designated for remediation and development of brownfield sites around Ohio.

“Ohio’s brownfield sites can be opportunities for redevelopment and new growth,” Brown said. “These funds will help support clean-up and de-contamination efforts critical for the safety and economic success of communities across the state.”

More information about projects receiving EPA funds is included below:

City of Barberton- $200,000 for Petroleum Assessments    » read more »

Members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation Write to DOT Urging Economic Recovery Funds for Ohio’s High Speed Rail Application

October 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) in support of Ohio’s application for economic recovery funds for high speed rail. In addition to Brown, the letter urging support for passenger rail connecting Ohio’s largest cities was signed by U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Steve LaTourette, Dennis Kucinich, Tim Ryan, Michael Turner, Zack Space, Betty Sutton, Charlie Wilson, Marcia Fudge, John Boccieri, Steve Driehaus, and Mary Jo Kilroy.    » read more »

More than 1.7 Million May be Uninsured by 2019 if Congress Fails to Act

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that failure to pass health insurance reform could lead to 1.7 million uninsured Ohioans in the next ten years, with health costs in the state increasing by nearly 59 percent. In response to this report, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement:

“Inaction on health insurance reform is not an option. Ohio insurance premiums have almost doubled in the past nine years, far outpacing wages. Today’s report tells us that health costs will increase by another 59 percent in the next ten years, leaving up to 1.7 million Ohioans uninsured.    » read more »

National Emergency Grant Will Provide Needed Funds to Ohio for Continued Efforts in Response to 2007 Flood Devastation

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service (ODJFS) will receive $1,507,168 in national emergency grant (NEG) funding for clean-up and recovery efforts still necessary after the 2007 flooding in Northwest Ohio.

“Although this flooding occurred more than two years ago, Ohioans are still reminded of the damage it caused,” Brown said. “These funds will support efforts to help Northwest Ohio communities recover and rebuild.”    » read more »

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s decision to place tariffs on tires made in China.

“I applaud President Obama for taking swift action to ensure that trade laws are being enforced so that American companies, workers and consumers are protected. I have long been an opponent of unfair trade practices. As both a congressman and governor, I have advocated that the U.S. government use the tools at its disposal to ensure that trade laws are strongly and fairly enforced.    » read more »

WINTERSVILLE, Ohio, August 31, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited with Jefferson County officials to highlight plans for a $10 million infrastructure project that will eliminate runoff from failing septic tanks and improve local water quality. USDA Rural Development is providing a $5 million loan and $4.4 million grant for the project made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Jefferson County, which will benefit 350 users in Wayne and Cross Creek townships.    » read more »

Recovery Act Grant Will Improve Water Infrastructure to Create Jobs, Boost Development in Fremont

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today to announce the release of a $2.96 million recovery grant for the city of Fremont, Ohio. The federal funds, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be administered through an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to invest in critical wastewater infrastructure improvements to serve local businesses and create new jobs.    » read more »