Timothy J DeGeeter, Ohio State Representative, 15th District

April 02, 2010

THIRD FRONTIER RENEWAL -STATE ISSUE 1 ON MAY 2010 PRIMARY BALLOT

Job creation and retention is currently a number one priority in the legislature. Ohio's Third Frontier Program is one key initiative that, if approved by voters, will continue to create high-tech, good paying jobs for Ohioans.

The Third Frontier is a program within the Ohio Department of Development that was created in 2002 with a 10-year initial life and a $1.6 billion commitment in investments to support technology in fields such as biomedical, advanced and alternative energy.

Just last week, the Ohio Department of Development announced that since the program's inception in 2002, it has helped create 55,000 jobs in Ohio and has assisted in the creation, attraction, and capitalization of more than 600 businesses. According to an independent evaluation, over the past seven years Ohio's Third Frontier created over $2.4 billion in employee wages and benefits. The report also revealed that taxpayers were seeing more than a 10 to one return on their investment. That means from 2003 to 2008, an investment of $681 million of state expenditures resulted in over $6.6 billion of statewide economic impact.

The program was set to expire in 2012. In response, both democrats and republicans, including myself, recently voted with overwhelming support to place a $700 million, four-year renewal of Ohio's Third Frontier Program on the May 4 ballot. If met with voter approval, the program will place Ohio at the forefront of high-tech research and innovation.

Northeast Ohio could especially benefit from this program, since nearly half the amount of total grant money was awarded to Northeast Ohio-based companies and research organizations from 2002-2009. Just recently, here in Parma, it was announced that GrafTech International was awarded a $915,000 grant for an advanced technology project. GrafTech has also garnered a number of awards in past years including: $973,154 n 2008 for a fuel cell program, $7,945,465 in 2007 for a research and commercialization program, and $602,044 in 2005 for a fuel cell program.

I urge you to vote yes on Issue 1 in support of Ohio's Third Frontier Program this May.

March 24, 2010

Speaker Budish Makes New Committee Assignments in Ohio House
New Chairs for Three Committees Announced

COLUMBUS- Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish made several new committee assignments, including three new chairs and assignments for the latest member of House, Rep. Alicia Reece (DCincinnati).

The three new chairs are Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus) for Public Safety and Homeland Security, Allan R. Sayre (D-Dover) for Public Utilities and Rep. Timothy J. DeGeeter (D-Parma) for Criminal Justice. Rep. Reece (D-Cincinnati) has been assigned to the Veterans Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.

“We have a tremendous amount of talent in the Ohio House, and these new assignments reflect our members’ strengths and interests,” said Speaker Budish. “I am extremely happy with the work being done in our House committees now and I’m certain that with these new assignments our members will continue to work diligently on behalf of the interests of the people of Ohio.”

New Public Safety Chair Rep. Heard replaces Rep. Linda Bolon (D-Columbiana), who now becomes a member of the Criminal Justice Committee. Rep. Sayre replaces Rep. Timothy J. DeGeeter (D-Parma) as chair of Public Utilities. Rep. DeGeeter will fill the vacant chairmanship of the Criminal Justice Committee. Rep. Reece replaces Rep. Bolon as a member of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. Jay P. Goyal (D-Mansfield) on Veterans Affairs. Additionally, Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-Dayton) has been appointed to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

“I do appreciate the leadership of our members, particularly Rep. Tim DeGeeter who graciously agreed to fill the vacant chairmanship of the Criminal Justice Committee,” said Budish. His background as a lawyer and former ranking member of this committee will serve this position and the state of Ohio very well.” All assignments are effective immediately.

March 16, 2010

House Approves Measure to Strengthen Ohio’s Telecommunications Industry
Bill updates telecom laws for anticipated job growth, while protecting consumers

COLUMBUS- With bipartisan support, the Ohio House today approved a bill that modernizes Ohio’s telecommunications laws and strengthens the likelihood for industry investments and job growth in our state. The bill also maintains several critical consumer protections for Ohioans. Amended House Bill 276, sponsored by State Rep. Allan Sayre (D-Dover), was voted out of the House unanimously, 93-0.

“This bill provides needed modernization of Ohio telecommunications laws to promote long-term economic growth,” said House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood). “It also ensures that important consumer protections are preserved.”

The bill addresses the regulatory imbalance between traditional phone services and mobile and internetbased phone services, and modifies Ohio’s telecommunications laws to adjust to a rapidly changing market. This bill levels the regulatory playing field between service providers and gives Ohio a competitive advantage to compete for industry investments.

“This bill recognizes the impact that competitive market forces have had and will continue to have in the telecommunications industry,” said State Rep. Allan Sayre (D-Dover) who sponsored the bill. “It also encourages significant investments in Ohio’s infrastructure and makes our state attractive to the telecommunications jobs of the future.”

The bill also maintains all current consumer protections for basic phone service users. And it adds a new phone service option for those that do not have access to phone services such as laid-off workers, veterans, domestic violence victims, homeless, families choosing between heat and phone, foster children and migrant workers.

“It is critically important to protect consumers as we work to update Ohio’s telecommunications laws,” said State Rep. Tim DeGeeter, Chair of the House Public Utilities Commission. “This bill received numerous hearings and had a tremendous amount of input from all sides. I am pleased that we were able to find common ground and pass a bill that balances the need to create jobs with the importance of protecting Ohio consumers.”

January 27, 2010

DEGEETER ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF STATE FUNDS FOR GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL IN PARMA

COLUMBUS- State Representative Timothy J. DeGeeter (D- Parma) announced today that a Parma business, GrafTech International Holdings, Inc., has been awarded a grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program in the amount of $915,000.00. This award will support the Development of Thermal Management Solutions for Lithium-Ion Batteries project.

The State Controlling Board approved the funding request from the Department of Development earlier this week. The Controlling Board has approval authority over various state fiscal activities.

The money will assist GrafTech to develop graphite thermal management products to improve the safety, durability, and performance of lithium ion batteries.

“I am extremely proud of GrafTech’s breakthrough work in this field and we are grateful to have their world headquarters located here in the 15th House District” said Rep. DeGeeter. “This grant is proof that the state of Ohio values its effort to provide the latest technology and innovation to ultimately improve our power supply for generations to come.”

The Ohio Third Frontier is an initiative that was created in 2002 within the Ohio Department of Development in order to place Ohio at the forefront of high-tech research and innovation. The program was created with a 10-year initial life and a $1.6 billion commitment in investments to support technology in fields such as biomedical, advanced and alternative energy.

The program is set to expire in 2012. In response, the House recently passed a resolution to place an issue on the May ballot that would renew the Third Frontier program with the issuance of $950 million in research and development bonds. The Senate adopted its version of the renewal but cut the amount of bonds by nearly half the amount, with a cap of $500 million.

“I am hopeful that a measure similar to the House version passes and is met favorably with voters so that companies and small business such as GrafTech can continue their great work as leaders in advanced technologies and have the ability to take on new high-tech research projects.” said Rep. DeGeeter.

The Third Frontier ballot issue now goes to conference committee for further consideration.

January 15, 2010

REP. DEGEETER SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO ASSIST COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS AND PROMOTE VOLUNTEERISM

COLUMBUS- State Representative Timothy J. DeGeeter introduced legislation, House Bill 403, which permits nonchartered cities and villages to establish a community emergency response team (CERT) within the public safety department of a municipal corporation.

A CERT is a group of volunteers who are trained in the area of disaster preparedness, and taught skills such as light search and rescue, fire safety, and disaster medical operations. Volunteers are educated on what to do in the event of a local disaster or emergency situation, so they can assist those in need when professional responders are not immediately available.

Currently, there are a number of communities and counties that have already created CERTS in Ohio but State law is silent on anything affecting CERTS. Similar to the immunity that protects auxiliary police, this enabling legislation grants governmental immunity to CERTS in order to limit liability and that of its volunteers.

“By granting governmental immunity to CERTs, it will ensure liability protection for CERT volunteers who dedicate their time and energy for the safety of our communities,” said Rep. DeGeeter. “The idea is that by granting liability protection, it will encourage the formation of new CERTS and boost volunteerism, which is so critical in the event of a local disaster.”

The motivation for the legislation was prompted when Parma City Officials expressed potential liability problems relative to Parma’s CERT.

“We are pleased that Representative DeGeeter has introduced this Bill to promote volunteerism in cities by the establishment of a Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT,” said Parma Law Director, Timothy Dobeck. “This will only help the members of the Parma CERT to continue their worthy mission of providing emergency training and assistance to the residents of the City of Parma.”

House Bill 403 has 17 co-sponsors with wide support from both democrats and republicans. The bill was referred to the Local Government and Public Administration Committee and will receive its first hearing next Tuesday, January 19th, at which Representative DeGeeter will offer sponsor testimony.

January 8, 2010

Rep DeGeeter Announces Scholarships Available for Class of 2010
Nearly $1 million in tuition assistance for Ohio Career Colleges

COLUMBUS – Rep DeGeeter (D-Parma) is encouraging high school seniors within the 15th District to apply for over 260 scholarships that are available and worth nearly $1 million in tuition assistance. The scholarships are presented by the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools as part of their 2009-2010 Legislative Scholarship Program.

“With today’s high cost of education, these private scholarships offer an excellent opportunity for students to attend career colleges who otherwise may not have had that option,” Rep. DeGeeter said.

Career colleges and schools fund the program, and no state funds are used. As a part of the program, each applicant must obtain the signature of a member of the Ohio House of Representatives or the Ohio Senate on the Legislative Nomination Form.

The scholarships seek to provide students with the education and training necessary to obtain jobs in a business or industry job within the state. Excellent opportunities for post-secondary training are available in the following fields: Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Computer, Dental Assisting, Early Childhood Development, Medical Assisting, Paralegal, Technology, and more.

These scholarships are available to high school seniors graduating from any Ohio high school in June 2010. Students do not have to demonstrate financial need, but they must have a “C” average or better.

In the past, a student from Normandy High School was nominated for the Criminal Justice Scholarship and a student from Parma High School won $5,000 for the Computer Network System Scholarship at the ITT Technical Institute in Strongsville, Ohio. Scholarships may cover one-half tuition, or a specific dollar amount.

Students from area high schools are encouraged to learn more about the scholarship program by visiting www.ohiocareercolleges.org or contact our Columbus office for an application at (614) 466-3485.

The deadline for the scholarships is April 1, 2010.

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