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Senate Parliamentarian: President Must Sign Health Care Bill Into Law Before Budget Fixes Begin
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Mar 11, 03:32 PM
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Posts in the category Budget Priorities
Why Not Ohio? Because Ted Strickland Has Dropped The Ball When It Comes To Solar Power
The first two paragraph's of Sunday's Toledo Blade Investigative reports on Ohio's lack of success in luring solar power to the Buckeye state says it all:
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Toledo and its northwest Ohio neighbors have missed out on coveted manufacturing jobs in the solar industry because of a failure by state officials to attract companies with tax incentives or create a viable market for solar panels in Ohio, a Blade investigation shows.
Since 2007, thousands of those jobs have gone to states where companies were enticed by a mixture of tax credits, grants, and additional incentives to make solar products there.
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The Blade also reported that:
A public utilities property tax is still on the books and is a hindrance in luring solar companies to Ohio.
Ohio continues to subsidize coal. Of the $150 million set aside to provide grants and loans that typically range between $50,000 and $2 million for advanced energy projects, $66 million was designated for "clean" coal technology. Per the Ohio Constitution, state funding for coal projects can be in the form of grants, but funding for other alternative energy projects, such as solar, must be in the form of loans.
California has 140 solar manufacturers, and Arizona (37), Florida (26), New York (23), New Jersey (21), Massachusetts (21), Colorado (20), Texas (19), New Mexico (18), Illinois (15), Michigan (15), Pennsylvania (14), and Oregon (11) all exceed Ohio's count.
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Why is Ohio lagging behind? The answer is simple, and it comes from Ted Strickland's own mouth:
"Ohio been a passive state for quite a while, and this is just one of them," Mr. Strickland said. "There was just no real[effort] pursuing alternative-energy companies."
Why no effort, Ted? As the leader of this state, should you not be beating the drum for for solar power plants to come into Ohio? Is it because you are a Dirty Coal Governor under the influence of coal lobbyists like the UMW, Duke Energy, and Dayton Power and Light?
Why not Ohio? In the state of Oregon, solar manufacturers get tax credits of up to 50 percent of construction costs. At least four solar companies have moved or placed manufacturing operations there since 2007 totaling about 2,000 permanent jobs.
Why Not Ohio? Michigan offers alternative energy companies credits from the state's business and payroll taxes and in 2008 enacted an incentive up to 25 percent - or $15 million - of the capital investment made specifically for companies that build photovoltaics facilities.
Why not Ohio? Because Ted Strickland is Governor. This has to change come November!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor
Upset the setup! Vote in the Green Party Primary on May 4th!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
For more information, contact 330-503-1407
The first two paragraph's of Sunday's Toledo Blade Investigative reports on Ohio's lack of success in luring solar power to the Buckeye state says it all:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toledo and its northwest Ohio neighbors have missed out on coveted manufacturing jobs in the solar industry because of a failure by state officials to attract companies with tax incentives or create a viable market for solar panels in Ohio, a Blade investigation shows.
Since 2007, thousands of those jobs have gone to states where companies were enticed by a mixture of tax credits, grants, and additional incentives to make solar products there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Blade also reported that:
A public utilities property tax is still on the books and is a hindrance in luring solar companies to Ohio.
Ohio continues to subsidize coal. Of the $150 million set aside to provide grants and loans that typically range between $50,000 and $2 million for advanced energy projects, $66 million was designated for "clean" coal technology. Per the Ohio Constitution, state funding for coal projects can be in the form of grants, but funding for other alternative energy projects, such as solar, must be in the form of loans.
California has 140 solar manufacturers, and Arizona (37), Florida (26), New York (23), New Jersey (21), Massachusetts (21), Colorado (20), Texas (19), New Mexico (18), Illinois (15), Michigan (15), Pennsylvania (14), and Oregon (11) all exceed Ohio's count.
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Why is Ohio lagging behind? The answer is simple, and it comes from Ted Strickland's own mouth:
"Ohio been a passive state for quite a while, and this is just one of them," Mr. Strickland said. "There was just no real[effort] pursuing alternative-energy companies."
Why no effort, Ted? As the leader of this state, should you not be beating the drum for for solar power plants to come into Ohio? Is it because you are a Dirty Coal Governor under the influence of coal lobbyists like the UMW, Duke Energy, and Dayton Power and Light?
Why not Ohio? In the state of Oregon, solar manufacturers get tax credits of up to 50 percent of construction costs. At least four solar companies have moved or placed manufacturing operations there since 2007 totaling about 2,000 permanent jobs.
Why Not Ohio? Michigan offers alternative energy companies credits from the state's business and payroll taxes and in 2008 enacted an incentive up to 25 percent - or $15 million - of the capital investment made specifically for companies that build photovoltaics facilities.
Why not Ohio? Because Ted Strickland is Governor. This has to change come November!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor
Upset the setup! Vote in the Green Party Primary on May 4th!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
For more information, contact 330-503-1407
One only has to look to the Governor's office when one
questions why Ohio is failing: We have a passive Governor In Ted Strickland. Ted's " Turnaround Ohio" plan from 2006 has failed because Ted has not been aggressive in pursuing the goals he promised while on the campaign trail in 2006. He told you what you wanted to hear, and has failed to deliver on any of these campaign pledges because he lacks drive and refuses to push the legislature to go to work on his vision.
Why do we not have the Health Care for All Ohioans Act, because Ted Strickland is passive and supports keeping health insurance companies in place raising premiums on the people.
Why don't we have more Blue-Green jobs and greater employment opportunities in Ohio? Because Ted Strickland is passive in pursuing these jobs and is too close to dity coal lobbyists.
Why don't we have a cleaner enviroment? Because Ted Strickland is passive and rather sit back and build more nuke and dirty coal plants in ohio.
Why don't we have better funding of education? Because
Ted Strickland is passive and let's the legistlature dictate to him how to fund education. Instead of being a leader, he is a pawn of the Senate Republicans.
Until we elect an agressive governor, Ohilo will continue to fail. And we only have Ted Strickland 's
passive inactions to blame for that.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor
Upset the setup! Vote in the Green Party Primary on May 4th!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407.
questions why Ohio is failing: We have a passive Governor In Ted Strickland. Ted's " Turnaround Ohio" plan from 2006 has failed because Ted has not been aggressive in pursuing the goals he promised while on the campaign trail in 2006. He told you what you wanted to hear, and has failed to deliver on any of these campaign pledges because he lacks drive and refuses to push the legislature to go to work on his vision.
Why do we not have the Health Care for All Ohioans Act, because Ted Strickland is passive and supports keeping health insurance companies in place raising premiums on the people.
Why don't we have more Blue-Green jobs and greater employment opportunities in Ohio? Because Ted Strickland is passive in pursuing these jobs and is too close to dity coal lobbyists.
Why don't we have a cleaner enviroment? Because Ted Strickland is passive and rather sit back and build more nuke and dirty coal plants in ohio.
Why don't we have better funding of education? Because
Ted Strickland is passive and let's the legistlature dictate to him how to fund education. Instead of being a leader, he is a pawn of the Senate Republicans.
Until we elect an agressive governor, Ohilo will continue to fail. And we only have Ted Strickland 's
passive inactions to blame for that.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor
Upset the setup! Vote in the Green Party Primary on May 4th!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407.
http://ohio15th.blogspot.com/2010/03/student-aid-and-john-kasich.html
*** Here is a dumb quote from Kasich (Pomeroy Daily Sentinel):There’s one reason why John Kasich, R-Westerville, is running for governor —
“I want this state to be great again.”
Duh! Does he think he is the only person in the state that wants Ohio to be restored to a vibrantstate? Gov. Ted Strickland wants the same thing, but there is one difference in the way thatStrickland will rebuild Ohio--- by repairing the economy of Ohio for all the people, not just thewealthy. Kasich, on the other hand, will give tax breaks for the rich on the backs of budget cutsin agencies that serve the poor and elderly, children in public schools, selling off public land, etc.,etc., etc. An analysis of Kasich's budget by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (5/19/98)had this:...Among the most striking features of the Kasich budget plan are its disproportionate cuts in
programs for low-income families and its focus on reducing support for low-income working families
and individuals and those seeking to leave public assistance for work.
Programs targeted on low-income families and individuals make up only 23 percent of all mandatory program expenditures but would bear 42 percent of the mandatory program reductions outlined in the Kasich budget document.(1) These programs would bear nearly twice their proportionate share of the plan's mandatory program reductions..... Read More »
*** Here is a dumb quote from Kasich (Pomeroy Daily Sentinel):There’s one reason why John Kasich, R-Westerville, is running for governor —
“I want this state to be great again.”
Duh! Does he think he is the only person in the state that wants Ohio to be restored to a vibrantstate? Gov. Ted Strickland wants the same thing, but there is one difference in the way thatStrickland will rebuild Ohio--- by repairing the economy of Ohio for all the people, not just thewealthy. Kasich, on the other hand, will give tax breaks for the rich on the backs of budget cutsin agencies that serve the poor and elderly, children in public schools, selling off public land, etc.,etc., etc. An analysis of Kasich's budget by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (5/19/98)had this:...Among the most striking features of the Kasich budget plan are its disproportionate cuts in
programs for low-income families and its focus on reducing support for low-income working families
and individuals and those seeking to leave public assistance for work.
Programs targeted on low-income families and individuals make up only 23 percent of all mandatory program expenditures but would bear 42 percent of the mandatory program reductions outlined in the Kasich budget document.(1) These programs would bear nearly twice their proportionate share of the plan's mandatory program reductions..... Read More »
Consider three bills -- two of them passed under budget reconciliation, the third heading for budget reconciliation. Each had an effect on the fiscal health of the nation, calculated by the Congressional Budget Office. The first two, the tax cuts pushed by President George W. Bush, blew a hole in the budget.
The third, the Senate's health reform bill? As you can see from the CBO projection, that's a different story.
Today the Department of Education announced that 15 states and the District of Columbia will advance as finalists for phase 1 of the Race to the Top competition.
Race to the Top is the Department's $4.35 billion effort to dramatically re-shape America's educational system to better engage and prepare our students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace.
States competing for Race to the Top funds were asked to document past education reform successes, as well as outline plans to: extend reforms using college and career-ready standards and assessments; build a workforce of highly effective educators; create educational data systems to support student achievement; and turn around their lowest-performing schools.
The phase 1 finalists are:
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
"These states are an example for the country of what is possible when adults come together to do the right thing for children," Secretary Arne Duncan said.
Ohio requested $409 million over four years. Only half of the state school districts opted to participate in the program, in part because the grant guidelines require policy changes.
“We’re obviously happy we’ll get an opportunity to go to Washington to make our pitch,” said Ohio Department of Education spokesman Scott Blake.
Last night Conservative Governor Ted Strickland made his third campaign stop in as many weeks to the Youngstown-Warren metro area. This is a sure sign conservative Teddy is in trouble this November. When a sitting Democrat like Teddy has to make three trips in as many weeks to an area that votes 80% plus democratic in every election, it's a sure sign Teddy has to work extra hard this year trying to rally his so-called base of core voters.
But Teddy can't rally his voters this time around. Not when he opposes health care for all Ohioans and then takes $10,000 in campaign contributions from Medical Mutual. Not when he supports nuclear power plants with his kissing cousin GOPer Jean Schmidt.
Not when his Turnaround Ohio plan has closed more early chidhood education programs, made college less affordable, and failed to keep Ohioans with any type of affordable health care plan.
Teddy Strickland is in trouble-for he knows he is a do-nothing Governor...a conservative Republican in thought and actions, who tries to don populist clothing every election cycle.
Teddy, your dog don't hunt, and you are naked. The people of Ohio see right through your do-nothing administration. It's time to elect a progressive Green Party Governor in Ohio to move Ohio Forward.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor.
Ask for a green party ballot and vote in the green party primary on May 4th!
http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
But Teddy can't rally his voters this time around. Not when he opposes health care for all Ohioans and then takes $10,000 in campaign contributions from Medical Mutual. Not when he supports nuclear power plants with his kissing cousin GOPer Jean Schmidt.
Not when his Turnaround Ohio plan has closed more early chidhood education programs, made college less affordable, and failed to keep Ohioans with any type of affordable health care plan.
Teddy Strickland is in trouble-for he knows he is a do-nothing Governor...a conservative Republican in thought and actions, who tries to don populist clothing every election cycle.
Teddy, your dog don't hunt, and you are naked. The people of Ohio see right through your do-nothing administration. It's time to elect a progressive Green Party Governor in Ohio to move Ohio Forward.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor.
Ask for a green party ballot and vote in the green party primary on May 4th!
http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
A Green Party governor and Social Services
As the father of two sons with autism, and since my wife teaches pre-school multihandicapped children, I am well aware of the financial problems facing social services. Funding of social services would be for me a priority in funding, right up their with public education. Neither of these programs can stand anymore budget cutting. By returning Ohio to the Pre-Bob taft tax cuts, we could raise enough revenue to fund both social services and public education at the proper levels.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Ask for a Green Party primary ballot and vote on May 4, 2010!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407.
As the father of two sons with autism, and since my wife teaches pre-school multihandicapped children, I am well aware of the financial problems facing social services. Funding of social services would be for me a priority in funding, right up their with public education. Neither of these programs can stand anymore budget cutting. By returning Ohio to the Pre-Bob taft tax cuts, we could raise enough revenue to fund both social services and public education at the proper levels.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Ask for a Green Party primary ballot and vote on May 4, 2010!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
for more info: contact 330-503-1407.
A Green Party Governor would Fix Ohio's Problems
What would it mean to elect a Green Party Governor for Ohio? It would mean having a Governor who would work towards every Ohioan having a guaranteed job at a living wage; a single-payer, universal health insurance plan; restoration of workers' rights; an end to corporate abuse of trade; an end to corporate welfare and corporate domination of elections; universal access to quality public education; protection of the environment; "NO" to privatization; and other means designed to provide Ohioans with job security and a decent standard of living.
No longer will we have a government controlled by corporate lobbyists and PACS. It time to move Ohio forward!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Ask for a Green Party Primary Ballot on May 4, 2010!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
For more information contact 330-503-1407.
What would it mean to elect a Green Party Governor for Ohio? It would mean having a Governor who would work towards every Ohioan having a guaranteed job at a living wage; a single-payer, universal health insurance plan; restoration of workers' rights; an end to corporate abuse of trade; an end to corporate welfare and corporate domination of elections; universal access to quality public education; protection of the environment; "NO" to privatization; and other means designed to provide Ohioans with job security and a decent standard of living.
No longer will we have a government controlled by corporate lobbyists and PACS. It time to move Ohio forward!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Ask for a Green Party Primary Ballot on May 4, 2010!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Http://www.dennisspisak.com
For more information contact 330-503-1407.
How a Green Party Governor will Handle Ohio's Public School Funding Crisis
As a school board President and the Green Party Candidate for Governor, I am the only candidate that is wiling to address that Ohio -- along with all its local governments and school districts -- might have to make severe budget cuts or raise taxes or some combination of both to balance budgets beyond 2011.
Governor Strickland's plan to "Turnaround Ohio" has failed when it comes to public education-
school programs continue to be cuts because he has failed to offer leadership and address the serious school funding issue. John Kasich's plan to cut more taxes will "Turnback Ohio" and make problems for public schools even greater.
As a school board President, I am the only candidate who will make sure the funding of public schools a priority and will make sure public education is spared from anymore
budget cuts.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Vote Green in the Ohio Primary-May 4th!
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
As a school board President and the Green Party Candidate for Governor, I am the only candidate that is wiling to address that Ohio -- along with all its local governments and school districts -- might have to make severe budget cuts or raise taxes or some combination of both to balance budgets beyond 2011.
Governor Strickland's plan to "Turnaround Ohio" has failed when it comes to public education-
school programs continue to be cuts because he has failed to offer leadership and address the serious school funding issue. John Kasich's plan to cut more taxes will "Turnback Ohio" and make problems for public schools even greater.
As a school board President, I am the only candidate who will make sure the funding of public schools a priority and will make sure public education is spared from anymore
budget cuts.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Ohio Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Vote Green in the Ohio Primary-May 4th!
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on President Obama to expand his recently-announced foreclosure assistance program to Ohio. Brown pointed to Ohio's record number of foreclosure filings in 2009 and the staggering statistic that nearly 16 percent of Ohio mortgage holders are in or near foreclosure."I agree with President Obama that we should help those states hit hardest by unemployment and the foreclosure crisis," Brown said. "But if Ohio doesn't meet the criteria in the President's plan, the criteria are wrong. Decline in home prices should not be a deciding factor, as that seems to tilt relief to the states with the most speculation. I'm far more concerned about middle-class homeowners than people who gambled on unsustainable growth in real estate prices."
Last week, President Obama announced that he would use $1.5 billion in leftover funds from the TARP program to help states with high unemployment in which the average home price for all homeowners has fallen more than 20 percent from peak. The plan will provide funding to State House Agencies to help struggling homeowners.
According to the most recent figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association, 15.7 percent of all mortgage holders in Ohio are either in foreclosure or thirty days past due. There were a record 89,053 foreclosure filings in the state last year, representing an increase of 3.8 percent over 2008. A county-by-county breakdown of foreclosure rates can be found below.
Ohio continues to rank forty-eighth among the fifty states and the District of Columbia in the number of homeowners who have been able to modify their mortgages for lower payments through Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Only 14.8% of seriously delinquent loans have been modified through HAMP in Ohio, and only 8 percent of trial modifications have been converted into permanent modifications. Earlier this month, Brown wrote to the Obama Administration urging improvements to the HAMP program so that it helps more Ohio families avoid foreclosure by allowing them to refinance their mortgages and achieve lower monthly payments.
"Ohio foreclosures have almost tripled in the last decade," Brown wrote in a letter today to President Obama. "Rather than reflecting the rapid boom and bust created by the housing bubble, foreclosures have increased steadily for fourteen consecutive years. I urge you to expand your program's criteria or expeditiously create an alternative proposal to include states that have suffered prolonged losses due to persistent foreclosure increases. Ohio's decade-long fight to keep working Americans in their homes should be a reason for inclusion, not exclusion, from any federal foreclosure prevention program."
A full copy of Brown's letter can be found below: Read More »
Why Not Ohio? A State-Owned Bank Like The Bank of North Dakota
The AP ran a story last week on the State Bank of North Dakota....
======================================================
(AP) The Bank of North Dakota - the nation's only state-owned bank - might seem to be a relic.
But now officials in other states are wondering if it is helping North Dakota sail through the national recession.
The Bank of North Dakota serves as an economic development agency and "banker's bank" that lessens the loan risks of private banks and helps them finance larger projects. It offers cheap loans to farmers, students and businesses.
The bank had almost $4 billion in assets and a $2.67 billion loan portfolio at the end of last year, according to its most recent quarterly financial report. It made $58.1 million in profits in 2009, setting a record for the sixth straight year. During the last decade, the bank funneled almost $300 million in profits to North Dakota's treasury.
The bank has the advantage of being the repository for most state funds, which can be used for loans and occasional relief for private banks that need a jolt of cash during sluggish credit markets.
The state earns roughly 0.25 percent less interest than state agencies would get from a commercial institution. The bank also pays no state or federal taxes and has no deposit insurance; North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for any losses.
=====================================================
Why not a state bank for Ohio? With a state bank like North Dakota's we could fund new businesses and restore our crumbling infrastructure.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Vote in the May 4th Ohio Green Party Primary!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
For more info, contact 330-503-1407
The AP ran a story last week on the State Bank of North Dakota....
======================================================
(AP) The Bank of North Dakota - the nation's only state-owned bank - might seem to be a relic.
But now officials in other states are wondering if it is helping North Dakota sail through the national recession.
The Bank of North Dakota serves as an economic development agency and "banker's bank" that lessens the loan risks of private banks and helps them finance larger projects. It offers cheap loans to farmers, students and businesses.
The bank had almost $4 billion in assets and a $2.67 billion loan portfolio at the end of last year, according to its most recent quarterly financial report. It made $58.1 million in profits in 2009, setting a record for the sixth straight year. During the last decade, the bank funneled almost $300 million in profits to North Dakota's treasury.
The bank has the advantage of being the repository for most state funds, which can be used for loans and occasional relief for private banks that need a jolt of cash during sluggish credit markets.
The state earns roughly 0.25 percent less interest than state agencies would get from a commercial institution. The bank also pays no state or federal taxes and has no deposit insurance; North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for any losses.
=====================================================
Why not a state bank for Ohio? With a state bank like North Dakota's we could fund new businesses and restore our crumbling infrastructure.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Vote in the May 4th Ohio Green Party Primary!
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
For more info, contact 330-503-1407
The independent, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reports today that President Obama's economic recovery package created up to 2.1 million jobs in the fourth quarter on 2009. Just another little tidbit to consider as part of the larger debate on the efficacy of the stimulus.
The massive stimulus package passed last year to blunt the impact of the worst U.S. recession in 70 years created up to 2.1 million jobs in the last three months of 2009, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said on Tuesday.
The package boosted the economy by up to 3.5 percent and lowered the unemployment rate by up to 2.1 percent during that period, CBO said.
In the report, the CBO noted that economic growth in 2009 was worse than they had predicted at the time that the stimulus was enacted, but that was due to a weaker economy than originally expected, rather than any failings of the stimulus. [...]
The CBO also said that in the fourth quarter the stimulus package increased the number of full-time jobs by between 1.4 and 3 million compared to the number of jobs that would have existed without the package.
Direct purchasing of goods and services by the federal government and states have been the most effective provision of the act, CBO said.
Among the least effective: a tax credit for first-time homebuyers and a tax cut for the wealthy which was demanded by Republicans.
Spisak for Governor: Fixing Problems Facing Everday Ohioans
I am running for Governor because I believe we must send a representative to Columbus who will address the issues facing regular citizens, not Lobbyists or Corporation PACs. My campaign will focus on the issues that Ohioans care about: affordable health care, economic fairness, quality public education, and bringing renewable energy manufacturing jobs to the state. I am not afraid to call for Health Care for All Ohioans, economic justice, and nothing less than a renewal of Ohio's sense of community and promise of equal opportunity for all citizens.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
I am running for Governor because I believe we must send a representative to Columbus who will address the issues facing regular citizens, not Lobbyists or Corporation PACs. My campaign will focus on the issues that Ohioans care about: affordable health care, economic fairness, quality public education, and bringing renewable energy manufacturing jobs to the state. I am not afraid to call for Health Care for All Ohioans, economic justice, and nothing less than a renewal of Ohio's sense of community and promise of equal opportunity for all citizens.
Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
I am very excited about getting Dr. Michael Pryce on the ballot in November 2010 for United States Senate, Ohio. I have petitions to be signed. We need at least 5,000 valid signatures by May 3, 2010 Call me 330-631-5489 for information. You can also stop by Dr. Pryce's office in Kent, Ohio to sign one there. He is usually in the office Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Thank you, Cindy Lohman
How to Strengthen Ohio's Economy
How can we strengthen Ohio's economy? We need a buildup. We need to get back to making stuff, based on real engineering not just financial engineering. We need to launch an E.T.,energy technology, revolution with the same urgency as this bailout. Otherwise, all we will have done is bought ourselves a respite, but not a future. The exciting thing about the energy technology revolution is that it spans the whole economy — from green-collar construction jobs to high-tech solar panel designing jobs. Our No. 1
resource is our people. Let’s put people back to work-
retrofitting and repowering Ohio!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor of Ohio
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
How can we strengthen Ohio's economy? We need a buildup. We need to get back to making stuff, based on real engineering not just financial engineering. We need to launch an E.T.,energy technology, revolution with the same urgency as this bailout. Otherwise, all we will have done is bought ourselves a respite, but not a future. The exciting thing about the energy technology revolution is that it spans the whole economy — from green-collar construction jobs to high-tech solar panel designing jobs. Our No. 1
resource is our people. Let’s put people back to work-
retrofitting and repowering Ohio!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor of Ohio
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
for more info: contact 330-503-1407
Where John Kasich's Tax Cuts Will Take Ohio
Where will John Kasich's Tax Cuts Take Ohio?
David Sirota's description of what's happening to Colorado Springs, Colorado, a conservative stronghold should serve as a cautionary tale.
Thanks to the city’s rejection of tax increases—and, thus, depleted municipal revenues—The Denver Post reports that “more than a third of the streetlights in Colorado Springs will go dark; the city is dumping firefighting jobs, a vice team, burglary investigators, beat cops; water cutbacks mean most parks will be dead ... recreation centers, indoor and outdoor pools [and] museums will close for good; buses no longer run on evenings and weekends; [and] the city won’t pay for any street paving.”
Meanwhile, even with the Colorado Springs Gazette uncovering tent ghettos of newly homeless residents, the city’s social services are being reduced—all as fat cats aim to punish what remains of a middle class. As just one example, rather than initiating a tax discussion, the CEO of The Springs’ most lavish luxury hotel is pushing city leaders to cut public employee salaries to the $24,000-a-year level he pays his own workforce—a level approaching Colorado’s official poverty line for a family of four.
This is what Reaganites have always meant when they’ve talked of a “shining city on a hill.” They envision a dystopia whose anti-tax fires incinerate social fabric faster than James Dobson can say “family values”—a place like Colorado Springs that is starting to reek of economic death.
Well, maybe it isn't a function of government to provide streetlights, municipal water, parks, swimmingpools, fire department, police protection, and paved roads. Or it won't be, anymore. Someday, we'll have to pave our own roads. Scratch that. We'll be free to pave our own roads and hire our own police, etc.
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John Kasich's tax cuts will Turn Ohio Backwards!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
Where will John Kasich's Tax Cuts Take Ohio?
David Sirota's description of what's happening to Colorado Springs, Colorado, a conservative stronghold should serve as a cautionary tale.
Thanks to the city’s rejection of tax increases—and, thus, depleted municipal revenues—The Denver Post reports that “more than a third of the streetlights in Colorado Springs will go dark; the city is dumping firefighting jobs, a vice team, burglary investigators, beat cops; water cutbacks mean most parks will be dead ... recreation centers, indoor and outdoor pools [and] museums will close for good; buses no longer run on evenings and weekends; [and] the city won’t pay for any street paving.”
Meanwhile, even with the Colorado Springs Gazette uncovering tent ghettos of newly homeless residents, the city’s social services are being reduced—all as fat cats aim to punish what remains of a middle class. As just one example, rather than initiating a tax discussion, the CEO of The Springs’ most lavish luxury hotel is pushing city leaders to cut public employee salaries to the $24,000-a-year level he pays his own workforce—a level approaching Colorado’s official poverty line for a family of four.
This is what Reaganites have always meant when they’ve talked of a “shining city on a hill.” They envision a dystopia whose anti-tax fires incinerate social fabric faster than James Dobson can say “family values”—a place like Colorado Springs that is starting to reek of economic death.
Well, maybe it isn't a function of government to provide streetlights, municipal water, parks, swimmingpools, fire department, police protection, and paved roads. Or it won't be, anymore. Someday, we'll have to pave our own roads. Scratch that. We'll be free to pave our own roads and hire our own police, etc.
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John Kasich's tax cuts will Turn Ohio Backwards!
Dennis Spisak-Green Party candidate for Governor
Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/
WASHINGTON – Hours after signing pay-as-you-go legislation into law, President Barack Obama praised this step towards restoring fiscal responsibility and called for both parties to set aside politics and do the hard work of addressing the deficit.
To this end, since the proposed Fiscal Commission was recently blocked in the Senate – by a handful of Republicans who had previously backed the idea -- the President will create this commission by executive order.
The President believes it is time for Washington to once again take responsibility for every dollar it spends.
Watch It:
Transcript of the President's Full Remarks Below:
Read More »
More than $9 million in federal stimulus money is coming to Central Ohio to help train workers in the health-care industry.Columbus-based BioOhio and Columbus State Community College will receive $5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding, said a release from the office of U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, 15th Congressional District of Ohio.
“It’s critical for Ohio to continue creating and keeping jobs in health care and emerging industries,” said Kilroy. “These grants are great for jobs, health care, and for keeping central Ohio at the forefront of new, innovative industries.”
Ohio will receive more than $19 million in stimulus funding to train health-care workers. Other funding recipients are Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, $4.9 million, and Berea Children’s Home in the Cleveland area, $4.9 million.
The training programs will provide a career pathway for workers and result in industry-recognized certificates or degrees, Rep. Kilroy said.
BioOhio will use the money to support its work-force development and deployment efforts. The nonprofit organization has a mission of building and accelerating Ohio’s bioscience industry, research and education.
Columbus State offers a numbers of health-care programs for students, including ones in nursing, medical technology and radiography.
Funds Aimed at Reducing Medical Errors and Health Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced more than $53 million in new federal funds to help Ohio health providers utilize health information technology. The funds, passed through the Recovery Act, are aimed at improving medical care and reducing health costs through health information technology (HIT).
"This is good news for Ohio patients and Ohio medical facilities," Brown said. "Health information technology helps reduce medical errors and improves patient care. By helping doctors and nurses consult with one another through technology, we will improve the quality of medical care offered across our state - particularly in rural areas. And by helping medical facilities adopt new information technologies, we will reduce medical errors and lower health costs."
The Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP) will receive $14,872,199 through the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program. This program helps states develop policies and networks to foster electronic information exchange between Ohio hospitals, doctors groups, and state agencies. Exchanging health information improves patient care by allowing medical providers to consult with one another and retrieve clinical data in safer and more timely manner.
Greater Cincinnati HealthBridge will receive $9,738,000 and the statewide Ohio Health Information Partnership program will receive $28,500,000 through the Health Information Technology Extension Program. This program provides grants to support Regional Health Information Technology Extension Centers that help medical providers utilize cutting-edge information technology.
Earlier today, Brown announced more than $19 million in new federal funds to help train workers for jobs in the health care industry through the Recovery Act's Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grants program. These investments will prepare Ohioans for employment in high-growth industries that require workers to have specialized skill sets and training in technology. The funds are targeted to high-growth industries that are projected to add substantial numbers of new jobs to the economy. These training programs will provide a career pathway and result in employer or industry-recognized certificates or degrees.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced more than $53 million in new federal funds to help Ohio health providers utilize health information technology. The funds, passed through the Recovery Act, are aimed at improving medical care and reducing health costs through health information technology (HIT)."This is good news for Ohio patients and Ohio medical facilities," Brown said. "Health information technology helps reduce medical errors and improves patient care. By helping doctors and nurses consult with one another through technology, we will improve the quality of medical care offered across our state - particularly in rural areas. And by helping medical facilities adopt new information technologies, we will reduce medical errors and lower health costs."
The Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP) will receive $14,872,199 through the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program. This program helps states develop policies and networks to foster electronic information exchange between Ohio hospitals, doctors groups, and state agencies. Exchanging health information improves patient care by allowing medical providers to consult with one another and retrieve clinical data in safer and more timely manner.
Greater Cincinnati HealthBridge will receive $9,738,000 and the statewide Ohio Health Information Partnership program will receive $28,500,000 through the Health Information Technology Extension Program. This program provides grants to support Regional Health Information Technology Extension Centers that help medical providers utilize cutting-edge information technology.
Earlier today, Brown announced more than $19 million in new federal funds to help train workers for jobs in the health care industry through the Recovery Act's Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grants program. These investments will prepare Ohioans for employment in high-growth industries that require workers to have specialized skill sets and training in technology. The funds are targeted to high-growth industries that are projected to add substantial numbers of new jobs to the economy. These training programs will provide a career pathway and result in employer or industry-recognized certificates or degrees.
Vermont's radioactive nightmare
February 10, 2010
Like a decayed flotilla of rickety steamers, at least 27 of America's 104 aging atomic reactors are known to be leaking radioactive tritium, which is linked to cancer if inhaled or ingested through the throat or skin.
The fallout has been fiercest at Vermont Yankee, where a flood of cover-ups has infuriated and terrified near neighbors who say the reactor was never meant to operate more than 30 years, and must now shut.
In 2007 one of Yankee's 22 cooling towers simply collapsed due to rot.
Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has confirmed tritium levels in a monitoring well at Vernon to be 3.5 times the federal safety standard. The leaks apparently came from underground pipes whose very existence was recently denied by VY officials in under-oath testimony at a public hearing. Vermont's pro-nuclear Republican Governor Jim Douglas has termed the event "a breach of trust that cannot be tolerated." Read More »
February 10, 2010
Like a decayed flotilla of rickety steamers, at least 27 of America's 104 aging atomic reactors are known to be leaking radioactive tritium, which is linked to cancer if inhaled or ingested through the throat or skin.
The fallout has been fiercest at Vermont Yankee, where a flood of cover-ups has infuriated and terrified near neighbors who say the reactor was never meant to operate more than 30 years, and must now shut.
In 2007 one of Yankee's 22 cooling towers simply collapsed due to rot.
Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has confirmed tritium levels in a monitoring well at Vernon to be 3.5 times the federal safety standard. The leaks apparently came from underground pipes whose very existence was recently denied by VY officials in under-oath testimony at a public hearing. Vermont's pro-nuclear Republican Governor Jim Douglas has termed the event "a breach of trust that cannot be tolerated." Read More »
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Simple Majority 'Compatible with the Law, Senate Rules and the Framers' Intent'
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Mar 11, 03:09 PM
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By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Mar 11, 03:09 PM
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Broken Immigration is Costing Ohio a Gold Medal Winner and a Mother of Two
By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Mar 11, 02:31 PM
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By: Dave Harding, ProgressOhio
Posted Mar 11, 02:31 PM
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Payday Lenders' Campaign Contributions Carving Out Exemptions in CFPA
By: Ohio Consumer Advocate
Posted Mar 11, 10:26 PM
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By: Ohio Consumer Advocate
Posted Mar 11, 10:26 PM
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DCCC DISCOVERS THE 12th
By: David Lore, Licking County Pro-Active Citizens
Posted Mar 11, 12:19 PM
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By: David Lore, Licking County Pro-Active Citizens
Posted Mar 11, 12:19 PM
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FDIC Chairman on Mortgage Interest Deductions & Consumer Protection
By: Ohio Consumer Advocate
Posted Mar 11, 10:03 AM
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By: Ohio Consumer Advocate
Posted Mar 11, 10:03 AM
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