Ron's Journal
Strengthening our region
12/28/2011
photo source: ABJ
Last week State Rep. Ron Amstutz had a conversation with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic after they both made comments at an announcement of a new round of state historic preservation tax credits in downtown Akron.
Read the Full Story10 things the legislature did in 2011 toward strengthening Ohio
11/11/2011
What actions have been taken in Columbus this year to help Ohio? Here are ten things that have been enacted in 2011 by this session of the Ohio General Assembly. Every one of them is being implemented and requires a lot of work and oversight.
1. Restored structural balance to our state's budget (HB 153)
2. Focused on more sensible regulation of our job providing private sector (SB 2)
3. Revitalized Ohio's economic development strategies (HB 1)
4. Promoted more effective and accountable approaches to delivering state and local government services: Local Government Innovation Program (HB 153)
5. Expanded performance audits to improve government services (SB 4)
6. Reformed our criminal justice system by sentencing more non-violent felons to community sanctions, rather than to state prisons (HB 86)
7. Targeted prescription drug abuse (HB 93)
8. Encouraged more college students to return to Ohio: In-state tuition rates (HB 153)
9. Moved to keeping more retirees in Ohio: Repeal the estate tax in 2013 (HB 153)
10. Laid groundwork to get a better handle on Medicaid programs that pay for delivering health care services to many citizens with few financial resources (HB 153)
Read the Full StoryA quick summation of State Issue 2
11/4/2011
Some may have seen my letter to the editor in Friday's Daily Record. It was followed by a letter opposing the issue that contained very wrong information. Perhaps the most off-based was this: "...public employees are prohibited from bargaining for salary, benefits, etc." It's not wonder that many citizens are really wondering what to believe. Many of the things being said or implied are actually the opposite of the truth.
I prepared the following summation of the key policies contained in State Issue 2, which The Ohio General Assembly adopted earlier this year with my support . . .
Read the Full StoryPaid for by Citizens For Amstutz, Matthew Hochstetler Treasurer, 4456 Woodlake Trail, Wooster, OH 44691