Ohio

WASHINGTON - November 08, 2011 - Voters in Ohio have overwhelmingly approved a referendum to repeal Senate Bill 5, a controversial bill signed into law by Gov. John Kasich. The bill was designed to silence the voices and strip away the collective bargaining rights of public workers. Ohioans reacted to the politically motivated attack by taking matters into their own hands. They collected more than a million signatures to trigger a citizen veto process to put a referendum of the unpopular law on the November 8th ballot.

Election night poll shows broad implications for 2012, other state legislatures

(Washington, Nov. 9, 2011)—Yesterday's citizens' veto of Governor John Kasich's SB5 bill attacking collective bargaining for public employees was a resounding victory for common sense fairness and a stinging rebuke to those who blame middle class workers for the jobs crisis and who are pushing an extreme agenda, according to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

Trumka said today that, "victory last night in Ohio is neither a beginning nor an end, but an important landmark in the ongoing struggle for the 99 percent of us who want America to work for everyone."

Elections in Other States Build New Politics for Jobs

Pittsburgh – Nov. 9, 2011 -- The United Steelworkers (USW) declared the 99 percent stood up and fought back with votes against the millions of dollars poured into Ohio by the one percent of Wall Street on Election Day and among other states to declare a turning point in protecting good jobs, working families and workplace rights.

Leo W. Gerard, USW President, said: “Active and retired Steelworkers Union members, joined their neighbors and all working families to reject the anti-worker Issue 2 on the ballot in support of firefighters, teachers, nurses, bus drivers, bridge inspectors, social workers and other public employees.

Ohio Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 11,800 Education Jobs

March 8, 2010 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $483,024,288 is now available for Ohio under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, Ohio has received $2,986,873,388 through the Recovery Act.

The state recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 11,800 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle today released the following statement regarding Ohio's selection as a Race to the Top Phase I finalist.

In January, Ohio was one of 40 states that submitted an application for the Race to the Top grant program to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

Today, the Department announced that 16 states have been selected to make a presentation to a panel of judges from the U.S. DOE in the coming weeks. The recipients of funds during the first round of Race to the Top funding are expected to be announced in Washington, D.C., on April 1.

Statement from Governor Strickland and Superintendent Delisle:

Columbus Homeowner Seeking to Avoid Foreclosure Joins Brown as He Calls for Improvements to Mortgage Modification Program

March 5, 2010 -- COLUMBUS, OHIO - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited Columbus Housing Partnership's housing advisory center today to outline the need for additional federal foreclosure funds for Ohio.

Brown outlined his efforts to bring more foreclosure assistance to Ohio - including efforts to improve the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and ensure that Ohio is included in future awards from the Help for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets (4HM) program.

Nearly 200,000 Ohioans Will Lose Coverage if Unemployment Insurance is Not Extended

February 22, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today urged the extension of unemployment insurance to support Ohio’s dislocated workers and their families through December 31, 2010. Nearly 200,000 Ohioans will lose these emergency benefits if unemployment insurance is not extended by the end of the month.

“Too many middle class families are struggling to get by,” Brown said. “This legislation will help Ohioans and all Americans who worked hard and played by the rules but are still struggling to find jobs. We must extend unemployment insurance while passing critical jobs legislation that will give incentives to businesses that hire unemployed workers.”

Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, state and local officials, and rail supporters from across the state to announce today that Ohio has received $400 million in federal stimulus resources to invest in passenger rail.

With the goal of launching service by 2012, the 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Corridor will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati with daily train service for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The announcement comes as a result of months of far-reaching public and private support among Ohioans for intercity passenger rail.

Expansion Could Create More than 16,000 Jobs; Connect Ohio's Largest Cities

January 28, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Ohio has been awarded $400 million to connect Ohio’s largest cities by passenger rail.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide Recovery Act funds to begin work on passenger rail lines connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. Expanding passenger rail service in Ohio could ultimately create more than 16,000 permanent jobs (in addition to tens of thousands of construction jobs), generate more than $3 billion in development near stations, and create an annual $80 million windfall for the state’s tourism industry.

High-Speed Rail: Ohio

January 27, 2010 -- This new corridor connects four major metropolitan areas in Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. This significant route, named the “3C Corridor,” has a length of 250 miles and will serve communities near Lake Erie, in Central Ohio, and the Tri-State region around Cincinnati. These metropolitan areas are among the largest in the United States that are currently not served by passenger rail.