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Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Josefina G. Carbonell, and leaders from the Ohio Departments of Aging and Insurance today announced the launch of a public awareness campaign designed to encourage Ohio's baby boomers to begin considering their future long-term care needs and to begin planning early.
The "Own Your Future" long-term care awareness campaign is a joint federal-state initiative to increase awareness among the American public about the importance of long-term care planning.
"According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about nine million men and women over the age of 65 needed long-term care in 2007. Discussions about the long-term care needs of an aging family member can be difficult, and are too often put off until a loved one needs care," Strickland said. "The 'Own Your Future' campaign is a great first step toward helping Ohio families have meaningful discussions and make decisions about long-term care needs before those types of services are needed."
The campaign will stress the importance of healthy lifestyles, will encourage legal and estate planning and will describe and explain various tools and products that could be useful to individuals. An additional goal of this campaign is to highlight for consumers the importance of not only deciding now what types of services they would like to receive and where, but also exploring the best ways to pay for the services they choose.
"Perhaps one of the most important aspects of planning for the future is knowing what resources and assistance are available in your own community," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "Ohio's twelve area agencies on aging can help consumers of any age identify their preferences and needs and develop a plan that is right for them."
Public service announcements are airing on television and radio stations statewide. The Department of Health and Human Services will mail letters to 1.7 million Ohio households with residents between the ages of 45 and 65, encouraging the recipient to request a free, Ohio-specific planning guide for long-term care. Officials expect to distribute more than 100,000 guides.
"Advance planning for long-term care needs can help you and your loved ones in many ways," said Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. "Long-term care planning does not necessarily take the place of having family members care for their loved ones. It helps ensure that individuals and their families have choices when the time comes."
The campaign will include a series of regional forums around the state, coordinated with the area agencies, to give Ohioans a chance to talk with professionals in their communities about long-term care. Residents with an immediate need for long-term care may call their area agency on aging toll-free at 1-866-243-5678 to request a free personal assessment by a professional long-term care planner.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio EPA will oversee a new Ohio law taking effect now requiring recycling of all used lead acid batteries. Battery disposal will be prohibited at solid or hazardous waste disposal facilities. Lead acid batteries are found in motor vehicles, motorcycles, wheelchairs, boats or other motorized sources.
The law requires any person who generates a lead acid battery to recycle it. They can be delivered by individuals to a retailer, wholesaler, secondary lead smelter, automotive repair business, a household hazardous waste collection event, or a recycling entity that accepts lead acid batteries.
In addition, the new law will require retailers and wholesalers of lead acid batteries to take back spent consumer lead acid batteries for recycling. The new law requires retailers and wholesalers to display signs explaining recycling requirements to consumers. It also requires establishments to ensure that spent lead acid batteries received from consumers are delivered to a recycling facility.
The law exempts batteries used in consumer products like computers, electronic games, telephones, radios and similar electronics. Ohio joins a growing list of states and at least one municipality that have adopted mandatory battery recycling requirements in recent years. For more information on the new law, visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dhwm/pdf/LeadAcidBatteryGuidance.pdf PDF.
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Columbus, Ohio – As part of the Ohio Department of Insurance's Auto Insurance Awareness Month, the Department of Insurance and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are teaming up to inform consumers about the state's minimum coverage requirements for automobile insurance.
"Many Ohioans think they can save money by purchasing only the bare minimum requirements," said Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. "While minimum coverage does cost less, Ohioans need to realize that auto insurance minimum requirements don't always provide adequate coverage in the event of an accident."
"Vehicle owners should also realize they need to carry insurance on all vehicles that are registered, including those that are inoperable," said Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Registrar Mike Rankin. "Many people assume they can cancel the policy if the vehicle is not being driven."
Ohio law requires drivers who purchase automobile insurance to demonstrate Financial Responsibility (FR) to have at least $12,500 of Bodily Injury or Death Liability Coverage per person ($25,000 for 2 or more persons), as well as $7,500 of Property Damage Liability Coverage for any one accident. However, many times accidents result in damages that exceed those minimum coverage limits. If the at-fault driver's insurance policy limits are exceeded, then the at-fault driver may be personally responsible to pay the difference not covered by the automobile insurance policy.
If the driver didn't have the funds to pay for the damages, they could face legal action and long-term debts. If the driver's child was driving a car that was underinsured and was in an accident, they too would be held responsible for any damages and could face significant debt. The driver and the driver's family could end up paying for one accident for the rest of their life! The Department of Insurance and Bureau of Motor Vehicles strongly encourage consumers to talk with their insurance agent to discuss the risks of only getting the bare minimum levels of insurance.
The Department's new Auto Insurance On-Line Toolkit, available at www.ohioinsurance.gov, provides guidance on auto insurance needs for different life stages, information on state minimum requirements and a list of frequently asked questions about auto insurance. There are also links to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) web site.
Ohio drivers with questions concerning Financial Responsibility requirements are encouraged to call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 614-752-7500 or visit the Bureau's web site at www.bmv.ohio.gov.
Ohio insurance consumers with questions and concerns about their insurance can call the Department's consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526. Free information can also be obtained at www.ohioinsurance.gov.
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Columbus, Ohio – Legislation signed by Governor Ted Strickland last week means that businesses engaging in delivery sales within Ohio will soon return to the state's traditional way of calculating the sales tax: at the origin of the sale.
An emergency clause in the newly-signed bill – House Bill 429, sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville – allows Ohio businesses now charging sales taxes based on the destination of their Ohio delivery sales to switch back to the traditional "origin" method as soon as the start of next month if they wish. Merchants who moved to destination sourcing of delivery sales have until Jan. 1, 2010 to switch back to the traditional method, according to the new law.
The new law is, in part, a response to small business owners who considered destination sourcing more complex than Ohio's traditional "origin" method. "This law balances the needs of small business owners with the goal of creating a more level playing field for all Ohio businesses when it comes to Ohio's sales tax," Tax Commissioner Richard A. Levin said.
The vast majority of Ohio merchants have always collected and remitted sales tax based on the location of their store. For them, little will change. H.B. 429 also means no change for out-of-state retailers selling into Ohio; they continue to collect sales taxes based on the rate at the destination of the sale, as they do today.
But the new law means big change for a relatively small group of merchants who engage in delivery sales of tangible personal property, such as furniture stores and appliance stores. Since 2006, Ohio had been gradually moving such merchants to "destination sourcing" of the sales tax – charging sales tax based on the destination of the delivery rather than the location of the store.
This transition was part of Ohio's effort to become a full member of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, a multi-state effort to harmonize sales tax rules across state lines and simplify compliance for multistate businesses. For years, the multistate group required states to move to destination sourcing in order to become full members.
As a result, approximately 55 of Ohio's largest delivery sellers were required by Ohio law to move to destination sourcing in 2006. A relatively small number of other delivery sellers – probably under 1,000 – voluntarily switched to destination sourcing in anticipation of a Jan. 1, 2008 deadline.
That deadline never came. Last summer, in response to concerns from small businesses, the General Assembly put the shift to destination sourcing of delivery sales on hold. Later, in December, the Governing Board of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project decided to allow "origin states" to become a full member of the organization starting in 2010 as long as at least four other "origin states" are also ready to become full members.
H.B. 429 is a response that moves Ohio back into the origin camp.
Merchants who switched to the new destination sourcing system and who will now be switching back per H.B. 429 will eventually be eligible for compensation of up to $1,000 (for mandatory switches to destination sourcing) and $600 (for voluntary switches). The compensation won't be available until July 1, 2009 at the earliest; more information will be available later on this subject from the Department of Taxation.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio will focus on cancer screening, preventive care and chronic disease management as it joins eight other states in an effort to improve performance across targeted health care quality indicators.
"Continuous quality improvement in health care leads to a better quality of life for Ohioans," said Cynthia Burnell, director of the Office of Healthy Ohio. "This will allow us to better focus our efforts in screenings, preventive care and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes."
Ohio will focus on two crucial health care indicators: 1) increasing the percentage of Ohioans 50 and older who receive recommended screenings, such as colon cancer screenings, mammograms; and preventive care, such as flu shots, and 2) helping Ohioans with diabetes receive the recommended preventive care to them manage their disease and prevent or delay complications.
Along with Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, Ohio was selected through a competitive process designed to identify states with the "commitment, leadership and resources necessary to build on past successes." States will also implement new quality improvement initiatives geared toward achieving a high performing health care system in the United States, according to AcademyHealth and the Commonwealth Fund, backers of State Quality Improvement Institute.
The Office of Healthy Ohio, created by Strickland in 2007 and housed at the Ohio Department of Health, will play a key role in continuing, developing and implementing programs to address these and other preventive health issues.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio's local property taxes on business machinery, equipment and inventory have long been a source of irritation for Ohio business owners. But, after more than a century and a half, these taxes are about to fade into the history books.
The state's final tangible personal property tax returns are due from businesses on Wednesday, April 30. The returns will cover the 2008 tax year, the last for the tangible personal property tax in Ohio.
The gradual elimination of the personal property tax was a key element of reforms enacted in 2005 by the Ohio General Assembly and embraced by Governor Ted Strickland in his 2008-09 state budget plan. The reforms will mean $3.9 billion in overall annual tax savings by the time they are fully implemented in the 2010 fiscal year, including $1.6 billion annual savings in tangible personal property taxes.
Ohio Tax Commissioner Richard A. Levin said the tax has long been seen as a disincentive to investment. "Every major study of Ohio's tax system has criticized this tax for hurting the state's ability to compete, particularly when it comes to manufacturing," he said. "But this year is the last year for that tax. Next year, it's history."
The tangible personal property tax, Ohio's largest local business tax, can be traced back to 1846, when the Ohio General Assembly enacted a law requiring that all property in Ohio be taxed by uniform rule. Since 1931, state law has limited taxes on tangible personal property to machinery, inventory, furniture, fixtures and other equipment used in the course of conducting business.
The state's assessment rate on tangible personal property is 6.25 percent for the 2008 tax year. Next year, the rate drops to zero – and Ohio will join a select group of nine other states without a general business tax on tangible personal property. Among Ohio's neighbors, all have such a tax except Pennsylvania.
Where business owners file their final personal property tax returns depends on whether the business is located in one county or more than one county. Single-county taxpayers must file with their county auditor; inter-county taxpayers must file with the Department of Taxation. Taxpayers may seek to have the deadline extended to June 15 as long as they make the request by Wednesday.
When taxes are paid also depends upon the location of the business. For a business with property in only one county, the taxpayer can elect to pay half of their tax liability with their April 30 return and the balance by Sept. 20. If a business has property in more than one county, the total tax liability is due by Sept. 20.
The phase out of the tangible personal property tax is part of a larger series of reforms that also include the gradual elimination of the corporation franchise tax and a 21 percent, across-the-board cut in income tax rates. Revenue from a new commercial activity tax (CAT) is being used to compensate schools and local governments for lost personal property tax revenue.
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Columbus, Ohio – The 55 facilities, including three in Central Ohio and seven in Northwest Ohio who voluntarily participate in Ohio EPA's Tox-Minus pollution reduction challenge, will provide significant environmental benefits for Ohio, according to an Earth Week announcement by Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski. The companies' pollution reduction goals are being publicly released for the first time today.
"I am very pleased with the level of interest shown by our Ohio business leaders and the commitment they are making to set aggressive voluntary pollution reduction goals," Korleski said. He again extended his invitation to all companies to participate in the program.
Korleski proposed the Tox-Minus program last fall to encourage Ohio companies to take additional steps to reduce their emissions of chemicals reported under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). He believes that reducing Ohio's TRI emissions will result in a cleaner environment as well as help Ohio attract businesses and workers who value clean land, air and water. Forty-six facilities have submitted facility goals and nine additional facilities have submitted letters of commitment and are working on goals.
Examples of proposed reductions in Central Ohio include:
Examples of proposed reductions in Northwest Ohio include:
Companies submitted their reduction goals last month and some are already being implemented. Participants include some of Ohio's largest manufacturers and a broad range of industries, including auto manufacturers, steel plants and utilities.
The Tox-Minus program has focused on 100 of the top toxic chemical reporters based on 2005 TRI data, but is open to any company that wants to participate. The Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention (OCAPP), a non-regulatory office within Ohio EPA, oversees the program and is available to assist companies in identifying pollution prevention and reduction opportunities. More information about the companies participating, including a statewide list, is available at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/tox-minus.html.
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Reynoldsburg, Ohio – In celebration of Earth Day, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs today joined local farmers and community officials in a round table discussion at the Babcock farm in Wellington. During the event, he honored the Babcock family for their conservation and preservation efforts.
"The Babcock farm is a true testament to the spirit of Earth Day and the many preservation and conservation efforts of the state," said Boggs. "This operation is a shining example of what we are moving toward in Ohio – a productive operation that protects as it produces for the masses. By preserving their nearly 950-acre farm, this family is further showing its support of protecting our earth and sustaining agriculture."
Boggs honored Jarvis Babcock, operator of the Lorain County farm, for his conservation practices, which most recently included preserving its nearly 950 acres through the department's Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program. Other conservation practices adopted over the years include becoming 100 percent no-till to reduce runoff and erosion, using grassed waterways to prevent gully erosion, and employing precision fertilization to increase soil productivity and reduce water pollution. The farm also uses cover crops to naturally increase soil productivity and compliment the no-till efforts by reducing erosion in the winter months. In 1987 and 2007 Babcock received the "Outstanding Conservation Farmer" award from the Lorain County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The Babcock farm, owned by siblings Jarvis Babcock, Alice Bradley (Boulder, Colorado), and Catherine Leary (Chesterland, Ohio), is one of 117 farms totaling more than 23,000 acres that have been preserved through the state's Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program. Current program funding will support one last round of farmland easement purchases valued at $3.1 million for 2008. Governor Strickland and the General Assembly are proposing a $400 million bond proposal to renew this and other Clean Ohio efforts.
Earth Day, which began in 1970 as a grassroots effort, has grown into a nationally-recognized observance each year in April as a time to celebrate the environment and assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet.
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Columbus, Ohio – Older Ohioans have been a staple of volunteer programs throughout the state for decades, but their sheer numbers and drive for civic engagement today position them to be at the center of social change in their communities, the state and the world. The Ohio Department of Aging proudly supports National Volunteer Week, April 27 through May 3, 2008, and encourages Ohioans of all ages, but especially our older neighbors, to become and stay engaged with a variety of volunteer programs. The 2008 national theme is "Volunteer to Change the World."
"Today's seniors are healthier, more active and better educated than ever before, and they expect and want to remain active past traditional retirement age. For some this means staying in the workplace, but for many it means volunteering their time and talents to a worthy cause," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "With an estimated 12,000 residents turning 60 each month, Ohio stands to benefit greatly from the dedication and altruism of this generation."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, older Americans donate more than 350,000 hours of their time each year - this includes the work of an estimated 19,000 older Ohioans. They support education, economic development, health care and senior services in their communities. With an increase in the number of available volunteers, many social programs will be able to expand their reach and benefit more people.
The Department of Aging partners with other state entities to provide two unique opportunities for older volunteers.
The department partners with the Corporation for National and Community Service to provide three additional volunteer programs:
The department also supports the Ohio Citizen Corps, a part of the Ohio Homeland Security Task Force that uses volunteers to support local crime prevention and emergency response systems. Learn about these opportunities and more at the Ohio Department of Aging's Web site: www.goldenbuckeye.com/families/volunteer.html.
Many local senior centers or community action agencies also welcome volunteers for a variety of programs. Contact your area agency on aging for more information about what is available where you live. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community.
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Columbus, Ohio – Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Ohio Department of Development has received $13.6 million in new funds from the U.S. Department of Energy for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program, bringing the State's total 2008 allocation to $36.5 million. These funds are earmarked to assist low-income homeowners and renters in reducing their energy usage.
"Weatherization is a valuable way to help save money and energy. We are pleased that Ohio's efforts are being recognized at the national level with such a significant grant to our State," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "These funds will allow Ohio to assist an additional 6,694 households across Ohio."
The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services administers the Home Weatherization Assistance Program through a statewide network of local community action agencies, non-profit organizations, and units of government across the State. More than 304,000 homes have been weatherized in Ohio since this program began in 1977. The most recent independent evaluation of Ohio's program shows that after weatherization, households that heat with natural gas reduce space heating consumption by an average of 24.7 percent, and electrically heated homes reduce usage by an average of 13 percent.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program services include: insulation of hot water heaters, heating ducts, attics, sidewalls, and floors; reduction of air leakage from major sources; safety inspection and tune-up of heating systems; and in some cases, heating unit replacement. Because home heating maintenance and energy-efficient actions can increase savings, client education is also an integral part of the service.
For more information on the Home Weatherization Assistance Program, including the 2003 program evaluation, visit www.development.ohio.gov/cdd/oee/res_hwap.htm. Individuals wishing to apply for assistance should contact their local community action agency or complete the combined energy assistance programs application online.
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Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland on Wednesday signed an executive order that establishes a policy for state agencies to manage domestic violence and its impact on the workplace.
The Barbara Warner Workplace Domestic Violence Policy will provide guidance to state agencies in addressing and reducing occurrences of domestic violence and its impact on the workplace. Warner, an Ohio Department of Health employee who was a victim of domestic violence, was murdered by her husband in 1997.
"Domestic violence in and outside of the workplace has become increasingly prevalent," Strickland said. "As an employer, the state must foster a safe working environment for all employees and provide the resources necessary to assist a worker who may be the victim of a domestic violence situation."
Studies show that domestic violence occurrences can impact the workplace through increased absenteeism, increased employee turnover, reduced productivity and excessive heath care costs.
"This policy will ensure that state agencies offer the necessary services and flexibility to employees who may be dealing with the physical and emotional distress caused by a domestic violence situation," Strickland said.
In addition, the policy ensures that victims of domestic violence will not face discrimination in employment decisions and that their identity will remain confidential.
All state employees will receive training on the domestic violence policy, which should be implemented by state agencies by July 1, 2009.
The full text of the executive order is below:
Ted Strickland, Governor
ATTEST:
Jennifer Brunner, Secretary of State
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio EPA is celebrating Environmental Education Month in Ohio by sponsoring the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) annual conference and promoting a U.S. EPA challenge to collect unwanted medicine and electronic waste around Earth Day, April 22.
Ohio EPA is celebrating Environmental Education Month in Ohio by sponsoring the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) annual conference and promoting a U.S. EPA challenge to collect unwanted medicine and electronic waste around Earth Day, April 22.
The EECO annual conference will be held on April 24-27 at Mohican State Park. The conference's focus is bringing people back to nature. The conference will have a series of forums on current issues including green building/sustainability and sustainable farming and energy. On Saturday from 8-10 p.m., Environmental Song Writer/Singer Alex Bevan will perform at the Mohican State Park lodge. Bevan's performance will be open to the public.
Ohio EPA is participating in a challenge given by U.S. EPA Region V, which covers the Great Lakes region, to collect at least one million pounds of electronic waste and one million unwanted pills and other medicines.
Ohioans can participate in this challenge by bringing their unwanted medicines and/or electronic waste to the following drop-off sites:
Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District e-Waste: Cuyahoga County residents can drop off their personal computer equipment at more than 45 participating city service departments during April. All equipment collected will be taken to RET3 job corps, a nonprofit computer recycling and refurbishing company based in Cleveland.
Beulah Park e-Waste: The free community Earth Day event will be a fun, safe, entertaining recycling event for everyone to smash, donate or recycle used computers and recyclables.
Keep Perrysburg Beautiful e-Waste: Recycle Roundup is a household hazardous and electronic waste collection and mercury thermometer exchange for the city of Perrysburg, city of Rossford, Perrysburg Township and Middleton Township residents.
Firelands Regional Medical Center Unwanted Medications: Collection of unwanted prescription and nonprescription medications for proper disposal to decrease environmental burden.
Clark County Waste Management District e-Waste: You pick the place, you pick the date! Go online to www.32TRASH.org to register for Keep Clark County Beautiful's Great American Cleanup!
The Toledo Zoo e-Waste: Please see Web site, http://www.toledozoo.org/events/events_partyforplanet.html, for full list of items that will be collected for recycling.
Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District e-Waste.
Ohio EPA will be participating at Earth Day events at Shawnee State University, Cleveland MetroPark Zoo, Huron Citywide Cleanup, Toledo Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Nationwide headquarters in Columbus.
For more information on electronic and pharmaceutical waste collection events, go to www.epa.gov/greatlakes/earthday2008 or www.earth911.org.
More information about the EECO conference can be found at www.eeco-online.org. A list of April environmental education activities around the state can be found at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/April_is_Environmental_Education_Month_in_Ohio.pdf PDF.
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Columbus, Ohio – Last year, due in large part to excellent outreach by state agencies and county auditors throughout Ohio, nearly 97 percent of those believed eligible for the expanded Homestead Property Tax Exemption applied for and received the credit on their 2007 tax bill. These individuals do not need to reapply to receive the credit in 2008.
Eligible Ohioans - senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled adults - who did not apply for the credit in 2007 have until June 2 to do so for this year. The 2008 application includes a box, "Late application for prior year," that taxpayers may check to claim the exemption for the 2007 tax year as well.
"We are grateful to all the individuals throughout the state who have helped spread the word so that most seniors and people with disabilities can benefit from the Homestead Exemption," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "But, we will not rest until all eligible Ohioans are making the most of this valuable tax credit."
Expansion of the homestead exemption was a key component of the two-year state budget bill proposed by Governor Ted Strickland and enacted by the Ohio General Assembly last year. It allows all Ohio citizens age 65 and older, and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans, regardless of income, to exempt $25,000 of the market value of the home they owned and lived in on January 1 from property taxes. Certain surviving spouses of homeowners may also qualify.
Savings will vary from community to community, but are expected to average $400 per homeowner this year. Taxpayers signing up now and applying the credit to 2007 may receive a corrected first half tax bill, have the entire tax savings applied to the second half bill or receive a refund in the form of a check later this year, depending on when they apply.
For more information and to apply for the Homestead Exemption, contact your county auditor's office. A list of county auditor contacts and the application form are available on the Ohio Department of Taxation's Web site (tax.ohio.gov).
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Columbus, Ohio – Inviting all Ohioans to join in a first-of-its-kind "Transportation Conversation" to determine the type of transportation system the state needs for the future, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officially launched the Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force by naming the diverse mix of industry experts and state leaders who will lead the historic endeavor.
"Unlike past statewide planning efforts, the Transportation Priorities Task Force will explore a broader spectrum of issues facing the state," said ODOT Director James Beasley. "We need to prioritize how the state balances the movement of people and freight, promotes safety and reduces congestion, creates jobs and encourages responsible growth, helps to build sustainable communities, and links all modes of transportation - connecting highways to rail, aviation, water ports, and transit."
The task force will also identify the fairest ways to finance Ohio's future transportation system, finding new funding tools for state and local governments, and innovative ways to partner with the private sector.
Leading the task force will be Chairman Ty Marsh, president of the Columbus Chamber, Vice-Chair Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland, and Vice-Chair Deborah Lieberman, commissioner for Montgomery County. The statewide conversations will be led by individual steering committees centered on three key issues: promoting a multi-modal system, maximizing public investment, and generating economic development.
Also serving on working committees will be experts from both private and governmental sectors, with backgrounds ranging from business and industry, shipping and logistics, finance and development, urban planning and agriculture, education and health care, transportation, and state and local government.
In addition to gathering public input and information at a series of open meetings across the state, the task force is encouraging all Ohioans to join the conversation by submitting their ideas and opinions online at TransportationForTomorrow.ohio.gov.
"The opportunity for a statewide dialogue of this scale is rare," added Assistant Director Jolene Molitoris, who expects a final report from the Task Force this Fall. "Through a consensus around these important issues, Ohio can have one voice on it transportation needs as we enter debate on the state's next biennium budget and the authorization of a new federal transportation bill."
Last month, Director Beasley appointed Molitoris to Assistant Director, assigning her to lead several new transportation initiatives at the department, including work with the task force. The task force will also include input by state legislators, serving as ex officio members, and a multi-state agency support team.
The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force will convene its inaugural meeting May 7 at ODOT's Central Office in Columbus. Details about the meeting, the complete list of task force members, and updates on meeting times and locations can also be found at TransportationForTomorrow.ohio.gov.
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Columbus, Ohio – "Justice for Victims, Justice for All," is the theme as the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) joins the national campaign to raise awareness for crime victims' rights with the April 13 – 19 observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Crime affects everyone and can strike anyone. The impact of crime leaves families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and entire communities less secure. ODPS' Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) serves as the lead justice planning and assistance agency for the state. Through research, technology and grants, OCJS serves a wide variety of agencies committed to reducing and preventing crime across Ohio.
"Part of preventing crime is raising awareness for the tragedy it causes for victims and their families," said Henry Guzmán, director of the ODPS. "ODPS is committed to working with communities, service providers, victims' advocates, law enforcement and the judicial system to reduce the number of violent crimes in Ohio."
ODPS is partnering with local and state organizations to raise awareness for five key areas of crime that impact Ohioans: homicide, child abuse, workplace violence, teen dating/intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Each day, ODPS will send a localized news release highlighting a topic and encouraging participation in an event being held to raise awareness for the subject. Information about all of the topics and events is available at: http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/_prod.ocjs/OCVW_home.html.
ODPS is starting the week by focusing on surviving family members and friends of homicide - a killing of one human being by another that can take place in many different forms. In 2006, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program showed that Ohio's homicide rate decreased by 8.7 percent and the national homicide rate increased by .08 percent. This trend is positive for Ohio but more must be done to combat violent crime.
"Until we can eradicate this crime, we will work diligently with our partners to find solutions that fit the crimes happening in our communities and neighborhoods," said Karhlton Moore, executive director of OCJS.
OCJS is working to reduce violence in Ohio's cities through the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium Violence Prevention Initiative. Communities committed to initiative include Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Lorain, Mansfield, Toledo and Youngstown. The consortium focuses on urban settings and is based on the Operation Ceasefire model of violent crime reduction that was first introduced in Boston, Mass. in 1996. For information on Ohio's initiative, visit the ODPS Crime Victims' Rights Week Web site.
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Columbus, Ohio – As Ohioans prepare to begin the vacation season, many of them may be considering purchasing travel insurance to protect them in the event their trip is cancelled. Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson is offering helpful information when it comes to buying travel insurance coverage.
"As we found out with the recent bankruptcy of Skybus Airlines, travel plans can be interrupted at any time and for any reason," said Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. "Travel insurance can provide some peace of mind for those who are concerned about their trip being cancelled. The Department encourages consumers to consult with their insurance agent to see if travel insurance is right for them."
Travel or trip cancellation insurance includes a number of different types of insurance. All of these insurance policies cover potential losses that arise from travel.
Most policies cover the following situations:
You may want to consider trip cancellation insurance when making travel plans. Benefits are typically limited to your actual loss. Trip cancellation insurance typically costs between 4-8% of your trip cost.
There are also more specialized policies that you can purchase to deal with specific potential losses. As always, you have to read the policy to know what you are buying.
Ohio insurance consumers with questions and concerns about their insurance can call the Department's consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526. Free information can also be obtained at www.ohioinsurance.gov.
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Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio State Highway Patrol released the top 10 counties where vehicles are stolen and the top vehicles that are reported stolen in Ohio through the end of March 2008. This information is a part of the Patrol's initiative whereby troopers are encouraged to look beyond the license plate or initial stop to pick up on criminal indicators that might point to a presence of illegal activities, such as vehicle theft.
During just the first three months of this year 2,169 stolen vehicles were entered as stolen into the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS). The Patrol has recovered 188 stolen vehicles in the first three months of 2008. During that time troopers have recovered at least one stolen vehicle in 61 of Ohio's 88 counties.
The charts below list the top 10 counties for stolen vehicles and the top types of vehicles stolen January – March of this year.
Over the last three years troopers have recovered 2,554 stolen vehicles. Of those vehicles, more than one in five were recovered in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Montgomery, Trumbull or Mahoning counties.
"According to the FBI, vehicle theft is the second most profitable crime in the United States, surpassed only by the illegal narcotics trade. The ongoing efforts of law enforcement continue to be a driving force in the overall reduction of auto theft and we are having a significant impact on related crimes across the state." said Colonel Richard H. Collins, Patrol superintendent.
To view the Patrol's Crime Bulletin released today regarding auto theft visit www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara E. Riley will host three free, Web-based meetings to give Ohioans an advance look at the recommendations of the Unified Long-term Care Budget Workgroup appointed by Governor Ted Strickland. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the recommendations. Input from the sessions will help shape the final report of the workgroup, which will be delivered to the Governor and General Assembly on June 1.
"This workgroup has successfully brought together aging network and state agency partners, long-term care service providers, advocates for Ohioans with disabilities and policy makers to create a comprehensive, flexible and transparent budget process that is based on consumer choice and differing levels of need," Riley said. "But our work cannot be called complete until we've heard from the very Ohioans for whom we're doing this. Technology gives us a chance to reach more people and do so in innovative and effective ways."
In order to ensure maximum participation, the meetings will be held on three different days and times:
Each session will be live, cover the same topics and be accessible from virtually any computer connected to the Internet. Interested individuals may register for the session of their choice by visiting www.goldenbuckeye.com/providers/webinars.html. Space is limited and registrations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
In his first biennium budget, Governor Ted Strickland instructed the Department of Aging to lead the charge in determining the steps necessary to establish a unified budget for long-term services and supports, as well as to determine what that budget will look like and how it will be managed. For more information about the Unified Long-term Care Budget planning process, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com/ultcb/.
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Columbus, Ohio – The big Blizzard of '08 is a memory, the birds are singing, the flowers are sprouting and the golf clubs are calling. Now is the time to reserve a room and a round of golf at one of six championship-quality 18-hole courses in Ohio State Parks.
Attractive golf packages are offered this spring through fall at several state park resort lodges, making a golf getaway a tempting treat.
State park golf courses include: Deer Creek in Fayette and Pickaway counties; Hueston Woods in Preble County; Maumee Bay in Lucas County; Punderson in Geauga County, Salt Fork in Guernsey County and Shawnee in Scioto County.
The new PlayNParks Golf Package is available at all six courses and includes one night's stay for two people in a lodge room or standard cottage and 36 holes of golf - ride cart included. PlayNParks Packages are priced from $119, depending on the course. Those interested should check with the individual course or lodge for more information.
Additional golf packages are available at:
Maumee Bay: The regional package (valid May 1 through October 31) includes two nights of lodging in a double room, 36 holes of golf per person with a ride cart, two breakfasts and two dinners. Rate: Sunday through Thursday, $255 per person; Friday/Saturday, $265 per person plus tax. Additional early spring, late fall and senior discount packages available. Call 419-836-1466 for information.
Hueston Woods: The 2008 golf package (valid through October 31) includes one night of lodging Sunday through Thursday for two people and 36 holes of golf for each, including a ride cart. Rate is $129, plus tax. Many other golf packages offered throughout the year.
Shawnee: The spring golf package (valid through September 31) includes one night of stay for two people in a lodge room Monday through Friday, 18 holes of golf, a ride cart and lunch at the course. Total cost for two people is $161, plus tax. A "Three Days Of Golf" package is available Monday through Friday from May 1 to August 14. It includes two nights in a lodge room, 18 holes of golf at the Shawnee course on the first day, 18 holes at the Elks Club course on the second day and 18 holes at the Shawnee course on the third day. Ride cart included. Price is $162 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy.
Salt Fork: The spring package is one night of stay in a lodge room for two people and two 18-hole rounds of golf, with ride cart. Prices start at $139, plus tax. The park is also offering a variety of packages that include lodging, greens fees, carts and other amenities.
Deer Creek: The spring and summer golf package (valid any day through September 1) includes one night's lodge stay for two, 18 holes of golf per person, including ride cart. Multiple nights allowed at package price. Prices start at $69 per person, based on double occupancy, plus tax.
Punderson is offering a variety of spring golf packages that include multiple nights of lodging, cart rentals and greens fees. Most packages available after May 1. Prices start at $55 per person.
To reach a state park golf course call:
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Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that nine mortgage loan servicers agreed to sign a "Compact to Help Ohioans Preserve Homeownership," the first agreement of its kind in the nation.
In a Governor's Office ceremony this morning, executives from six mortgage loan servicers signed a document pledging that they will work with the state in making every possible attempt to prevent default loans and foreclosures in Ohio. Executives from three other companies mailed signed copies.
"Home ownership is the very foundation of the American dream," Strickland said. "I am very encouraged that these loan servicers have stepped forward and pledged to follow the common sense principles we outlined in our compact. These steps will reduce foreclosures in Ohio and bring stability to the families and communities affected by this crisis."
"At the same time I would urge all Ohioans facing possible foreclosure to contact your loan servicer immediately to discuss your financial situation or call the State of Ohio's Save the Dream Hotline. It's a call that can help save your home," Strickland said.
The loan servicers that signed a compact are:
The six principles agreed to by the loan services include a willingness to:
The agreements follow the governor's proposed "Compact to Help Ohioans Preserve Homeownership" announced on October 9, 2007. At that time, the governor asked the servicers to review the proposed compact and submit any comments by October 22, 2007.
On November 9, 2007, after the response to his proposal primarily came from their trade association and not from the individual servicers, the governor announced that the response was inadequate and that nothing meaningful had been offered. He said he was open to talk with the individual servicers.
Kimberly Zurz, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce and chair of the governor's Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, met with many servicers and their trade associations. At that meeting, the representatives discussed the proposed compact and agreed on the six principles, which substantively matched the spirit of the original compact.
After extensive negotiations in recent months, the servicers expanded upon the six principles, which led to today's agreement.
"We are pleased that these servicers have joined in signing a compact," Director Zurz said. "I hope that even more servicers will join their colleagues and the State of Ohio in this good faith effort to help Ohioans stay in their homes."
The Save the Dream hotline number is 1-888-404-4674.
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Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life was taken 40 years ago today.
"Through his actions and his words, Dr. King called our nation to live up to our most deeply held values as Americans. Though he has now been gone from this Earth longer than he was with us, Dr. King's legacy will forever live within all those who seek peace and justice."
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More information on endangered, threatened species in Ohio
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council approved the change in status of three Ohio raptors from endangered to threatened on Wednesday, evidence of the success of statewide restoration and conservation efforts.
The numbers of bald eagles, osprey and peregrine falcons continue to grow in Ohio, thanks to restoration and conservation efforts by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and its partners.
Bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey will continue to be federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The bald eagle will have additional protection under the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Killing any threatened or endangered species can result in a significant criminal charge and fines.
Ohio adopted its first list of endangered wildlife in 1974, listing 71 species. An extensive examination of the list is conducted every five years. Wildlife officials solicited comments from more than 100 research biologists, noted professional and amateur wildlife experts, and academics before proposing the current de-listing.
Ohio's current list includes six categories of classification, encompassing 352 species. The categories are: endangered, 128 species; threatened, 47 species; species of concern, 93 species; special interest, 41 species; extirpated, 34 species; and extinct, 9 species.
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Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted today announced a $1.57 billion jobs stimulus package that aims to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity.
With the exception of the Clean Ohio program, this bipartisan package will not need to go to the ballot in November, allowing the positive benefits to the state's economy to start almost immediately.
"I am thankful to President Harris and Speaker Husted for their leadership and hard work in helping develop a jobs plan that will create thousands of new jobs in our great state," Strickland said. "Together, we have crafted a thoughtful approach to making the investments needed to jumpstart our economy."
"I am pleased to stand in support of a bipartisan jobs package that relies less on debt, that ensures stimulus dollars can be released before the end of the year and which wisely targets investments where they can make the most difference to our overall state economy," Harris said.
"I can support this plan – it invests in people and it creates real jobs because it requires private sector investment in the economy," Husted said. "The plan does not mortgage Ohio's future, it invests in it."
The economic package makes major investments in workforce, infrastructure and new and emerging industries that will spur job creation in Ohio.
The state leaders agreed that while the availability of high-quality jobs is essential to Ohio's future, so too are the investments we must make to link Ohio students and Ohio graduates to those jobs. This package calls for $250 million over the next five years to build a jobs pipeline for students – a resource that will greatly expand internships and co-op programs that place Ohio at the forefront of job creation. Moreover, attracting students and graduates back to Ohio will serve a critical role in this effort.
The proposal's investments of $1.57 billion, which represent approximately $700 million in less debt than the original proposal, will be funded through a combination of bond sales, existing revenue and other sources.
The details of the bipartisan economic package are:
Bio-based Products, $50 million -- will help support and grow an industry that aims to produce polymers, plastics and other crucial modern materials out of Ohio-grown crops.
Biomedical, $100 million -- will help create jobs through spurring a part of Ohio's economy that saves lives and leads to medical advances.
Advanced and Renewable Energy, $150 million -- will create new jobs by making Ohio a powerhouse of renewable and advanced energy production such as wind, solar and clean coal.
Logistics and Distribution, $100 million -- will help spur job creation through investing in infrastructure that can be used to expand and support businesses that move and distribute products. Ohio's central location in the nation makes it a perfect location for a growing logistics and distribution industry.
Local Infrastructure, $400 million -- will be used to help build important local infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, sewers and water systems.
Clean Ohio Conservation, $200 million -- will fund the preservation of farmland and greenspace.
Clean Ohio Revitalization, $200 million --will help revitalize our cities and industrial areas by brownfield clean up and transformation into new residential and business development.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit, $120 million -- will revitalize historically significant buildings that expand the tax base of the local community.
Higher Education Workforce Initiative, $250 million -- aims to keep more college-educated Ohioans in the state by linking them with good internships, cooperative education programs and jobs while they earn their degrees. Matched with private sector investments, this will make Ohio a leader in higher education and job creation efforts.
"This bipartisan jobs stimulus plan will create jobs, make us a leader in emerging industries and establish the foundation for long-term growth and prosperity in Ohio," Strickland said.
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Columbus, Ohio – Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the opening of the Ohio Department of Development's new international office in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The office is managed through the Department's Global Markets Division, formerly the International Trade Division.
"Our new Beijing office complements our existing Shanghai office while reinforcing our commitment to strengthening Ohio's presence overseas," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Our state remains committed to fostering new relationships and growing our economy in collaboration with our new and existing global partners."
The Global Markets Division promotes the export of Ohio products and services to strengthen Ohio's economy, advance its leadership position in the global marketplace, and promote Ohio as a location for foreign direct investment. The new offices bring the total of Ohio's international offices from 11 to 14. Ohio announced in February the opening of new offices in Sydney, Australia, and New Delhi, India.
"Adding to our existing Ohio China Center in Shanghai enables us to more effectively service our Ohio exporters and potential Chinese investors throughout China," said Deborah Scherer, Director of the Ohio Department of Development's Global Markets Division. "Our work through our international offices and Columbus headquarters continues to help Ohio remain the only state in the nation whose exports have increased for each of the past 10 years."
Funding for the new office is $50,000 in total per year and was secured in the biennium budget for Fiscal Years 2008-2009. Ohio's other international trade offices are located in Brussels, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai and Hong Kong, People's Republic of China; Toronto, Canada; Tel Aviv, Israel; Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Global Markets Division promotes the export of Ohio products and services to strengthen Ohio's economy, advance its leadership position in the global marketplace, and promote Ohio as a location for foreign direct investment. The Global Markets Division has 51 people in its Columbus headquarters and worldwide operations.
For more information about Ohio's Global Markets Division go to http://www.development.ohio.gov/itd