Glass City Jungle

In the order in which they were received via e-mail from elected officials and the Ohio Democratic Party; Senator Teresa Fedor, Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party Chris Redfern, 4:30 p.m. update, Representative Barbara Sears, Representative Edna Brown, 5:57 p.m. update, Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Matthew A. Szollosi:

State Senator Teresa Fedor applauds Governor Ted Strickland’s vision for a stronger economy:

Columbus, OH – “I, too, believe in Ohio. While we are facing historic economic challenges, Governor Strickland has positioned us for a promising future.

“Our focus must continue to be on creating jobs and assisting those who have lost their livelihoods, while envisioning long-term sustainability in new technologies. Northwest Ohio is well-positioned for recovery with jobs related to advanced energy and bio-medical fields.

“We have made significant progress in the face of tremendous adversity and reduced revenue. The State has helped over 140,000 Ohioans receive job training since 2007. Additionally, this administration created 21,000 construction jobs funded by stimulus money.

“Further, landmark education reform will create a world class education system that will allow all Ohio’s children to develop to their full potential. His reforms will stabilize funding for Ohio’s Schools—something other Governors failed to do. Under his leadership, the state also expanded health coverage for children and young adults, preserved funding for essential social services and created the University System of Ohio.

“Our foundation is strong for a recovery that will put Ohioans back to work.”

Speaker Calls Governor’s Address an “Energizing Agenda” for Ohio

Credits Governor with exciting proposals for putting Ohioans back to work

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) today applauded Gov. Ted Strickland’s State of the State Address for providing an “energizing agenda for Ohio during a difficult time.” The Governor delivered his message to a joint session of the Ohio House and Senate in the House Chambers this afternoon.

“The Governor offered exciting proposals for putting Ohioans back to work,” said Speaker Budish. “By investing in education and new advanced energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, Ohio will be positioned for success as the national recession ends.”

Speaker Budish said he was especially encouraged by the Governor’s proposed Advanced Energy Gateway to streamline public investments and bring additional private sector investments into advanced energy industries. “Ohio is a national leader in advanced energy and the proposals outlined today will create jobs, strengthen our economy and ensure that we continue to lead the country and the world in this growing industry,” said Budish.

The Speaker also noted the Governor’s proposal for a groundbreaking partnership between P & G and the University Systems of Ohio. “This exciting plan gives the best and the brightest Ohio college students the ability to turn their ideas into reality. And it ensures that a good idea stays in Ohio, succeeds in Ohio and becomes a lasting economic success in Ohio.”

Gov. Strickland also proposed to provide small businesses with access to credit which will help create jobs. Speaker Budish noted this effectively builds on job creation programs already approved by the Ohio House, including New Markets Tax Credit, the Technology Investment Tax Credit, the Job Creation and Job Retention Tax Credit, and the Film Tax Credit.

Speaker Budish and the House Leadership team responded to the Governor’s Address with reporters in the Speaker’s Statehouse office following the speech.

“There is no doubt these are tough times, but we have been laying the foundation for steady economic progress,” said Speaker Budish. “We have a balanced budget, a competitive tax structure, an improving school system, affordable college tuition and we are a national leader in advanced energy.”

Chairman Chris Redfern Statement on Governor Strickland’s State of the State Address

COLUMBUS- Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement in response to Governor Ted Strickland’s State of the State Address:

“I commend Governor Strickland for his continued outstanding leadership for Ohio, as demonstrated in his State of the State Address today. During this Wall Street recession, Gov. Strickland has provided steadfast leadership to invest in alternative energy, reform education, and keep tuition low, while holding the line on taxes and fostering a government that lives within its means. He laid out numerous initiatives today that, if implemented, will put Ohio at the forefront of recovery. Under our great Governor, Ohio will rise again.”

Strickland’s Address Leaves Many With Questions

House Republicans fill in the blanks of the governor’s State of the State address

Columbus—Following Gov. Strickland’s State of the State address, Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) delivered the following remarks:

“After three years of this governor and numerous last-minute budget reconfigurations under his leadership, how many questions did we really get answered today? We still have looming budget issues, and what has been done to correct them? Our citizens are still struggling to make ends meet – how has the governor helped them? Our government has yet to be scaled back in size or financial requirements – has there been much effort on this issue either? Many of the ideas offered by the governor today have been offered before when it was time-appropriate. Instead of recognizing the changes that need to be made, a speech was delivered that ultimately sounded more like a campaign speech than a plan for recovery.”

Statement of Rep. Edna Brown on Governor’s State of the State Address

State Representative Edna Brown (D-Toledo) released the following statement this afternoon in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address:

“Governor Strickland’s support of renewable and advanced energy will benefit not only the 48th District, but Northwest Ohio as a whole with the recently announced funding for further development of solar technology by a Toledo company. Xunlight Corporation is slated to receive $1 million dollars through the Third Frontier Program to develop next generation technologies for selected, high-impact areas of its module manufacturing lines. The Governor is exactly right in saying that Ohio is already realizing the benefits of Ohio’s ‘commitment to advanced energy’ as jobs are created in research and development by companies such as Xunlight.”

Statement of Speaker Pro Tempore Matthew A. Szollosi on Governor’s State of the State Address

Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Matthew A. Szollosi (D-Toledo) released the following statement this afternoon in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address:

“Today, Governor Strickland exhibited the strength and leadership Ohioans need as our economic recovery takes place. Also, he renewed his commitment to Toledo in the areas of alternative and renewable energy.

In particular, the governor’s continued focus on developing Ohio’s leadership in renewable energy is greatly encouraging. With northwest Ohio leading the way nationally in development of solar cells, the Energy Gateway Fund initiative will help to further the region’s progress and stabilize its economy. This proposal, along with tax credits recently approved by the legislature and the governor’s desire to provide more small business loans, will pay wonderful dividends to both the Toledo area and the State of Ohio as a whole. Businesses will continue to grow and prosper and Ohioans will be put back to work.

Despite facing our nation’s worst economic crisis in generations, the Ohio legislature, with the leadership of Governor Strickland, has been able to provide the state with a balanced budget, a competitive tax structure, one of the nation’s most highly ranked school systems, affordable colleges and universities, and leadership in the growing market of new energy technologies. The governor’s address today recalled these successes and laid out a path for future prosperity in Ohio.”