"The benefits of The Ohio GI Promise are far-reaching,"
Rep. DeGeeter said. "Our servicemen and women gain access
to an affordable, world-class education, and Ohio's
economy gains potential employees with skills and work
ethics that any company would want. We can pair this
Promise with the economic stimulus we already passed
to promote Ohio as a premier destination for new investment
and opportunities for businesses. It's a win-win situation."
Back to Top
June 17, 2008
Rep. DeGeeter Announces Funds for Cuyahoga
Community College
Funds to Help Pay for Roof Replacement Costs at Parma
Campus
COLUMBUS – State Representative Timothy Degeeter (D-Parma)
today announced the release of $1,995,630 from the Higher
Education Improvement Fund to Cuyahoga Community College
for improvements to roofs on the Parma Campus.
The commitment of nearly $2 million represents part of
the projected $3 million the state plans to invest in
renovations to the buildings on the Cuyahoga County Community
College campus in Parma.
"Cuyahoga Community College is an important asset to
Parma and our surrounding communities," Rep. DeGeeter
said. "We need to continually support higher education,
its goals and its facilities to provide our young people
with the tools and resources necessary for success. These
renovations will enhance the Parma campus and the facilities
that serve our students."
In 2004, Cuyahoga Community College began a college-wide
Building Rehabilitation project, a multi-phase endeavor
that includes roof replacement on all campuses. The planned
replacement of all roofs on the Eastern and Western Community
College campuses represents Phase Two of the project.
The scope of the work for this project includes removing
all layers of roofing materials (down to the original
roof decking), replacing deteriorating roof decking as
required and installing a new rubber roof membrane. The
Western Campus roof replacement is expected to be completed
in 2010.
Back to Top
June 11, 2008
Two Bills Crafted by Rep. DeGeeter Sent
to Governor to be Signed into Law
One Helps Metropolitan Park Districts, Other Clarifies Reinstatement
Fees for Drivers
(Columbus) – Two pieces of legislation championed
by State Representative Timothy J. DeGeeter (D-Parma) successfully
passed the Ohio House of Representative Tuesday as riders
in other bills.
House Bill 511, which would help Metropolitan
Park Districts generate more revenue by bringing their fines
up-to-date with statewide misdemeanor fines, was folded
into Senate Bill 220 as an amendment and passed.
"The provisions in House Bill 511 represent
a common-sense solution," Rep. DeGeeter said. "The bill
updates an insufficient existing law that hindered the ability
of Metropolitan Park Districts to deter crime and offer
their facilities as safe and fun destinations for families.
With this bill, rule breakers will face tough penalties,
and families will have peace of mind that the Metropolitan
Park Districts are truly able to keep their areas safe."
Rep. DeGeeter has worked with interested parties
around the state since 2006 to make sure the legislation
that was crafted met the needs of the Metropolitan Park
Districts in Ohio.
"I am grateful for Rep. DeGeeter's leadership
on this issue," said Gregory M. Loftus, Chief of Rangers
for Cleveland Metroparks. "His work corrects the fine structure
for every Metropolitan Park District in the state."
The second piece of legislation, House Bill
303, would let drivers pay their license reinstatement fees
in installments or allow courts to order an extension. House
Bill 303's provisions were included in the capital budget
that successfully passed the Ohio House.
"This legislation offers flexibility in the
courts to give drivers ample time to legally get their licenses
back," Rep. DeGeeter said. "It will assist many Ohioans
who cannot afford large reinstatement fees or who need to
obtain legal car insurance."
The need for this legislation was brought
to Rep. DeGeeter's attention by Judge Kenneth Spanagel of
the Parma Municipal Court.
"I thank Rep. DeGeeter for helping me correct
what was an unexpected error by the General Assembly in
House Bill 461," Judge Spanagel said. "This bill will restore
to Ohio judges the ability to help defendants to become
legally-licensed drivers while at the same time addressing
their pending cases, a tool which judges have used extensively
since its inception in 2004."
As a member of the minority party in the Ohio
House of Representative, Rep. DeGeeter has successfully
worked in a bipartisan manner to pass three of his bills
through the 127th General Assembly. Governor Ted Strickland
signed Rep. DeGeeter's House Bill 46 into law last month,
simplifying the process by which Ohio consumers can put
a freeze on their credit scores and protect themselves and
their families from identity thieves.
Senate Bill 220 and the capital bill now head
to the Governor's desk for his consideration and signature.
Back to Top
May 6, 2008
Treasurer Cordray Praises New ID Theft
Protection
(Columbus) – Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray
today applauded the official signing of a new law which
will provide Ohioans with expanded protections to keep their
personal financial information secure.
Substitute House Bill 46, sponsored by State
Representatives Timothy DeGeeter (D-Parma) and Jimmy Stewart
(R-Athens), will allow Ohioans to place a security freeze
on their personal credit report. This action is designed
to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved
in any consumer’s name without their consent. When a consumer
needs access to their credit for a new purchase, a temporary
lift of the freeze will be available with the use of an
assigned password or personal identification number.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s most recent
statistics show that nearly 7,000 Ohioans become victims
of identity theft each year. The measure just signed into
law by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will allow Ohioans who
have been victims of identity theft to institute a security
freeze on their personal credit for free. Other Ohioans
will be able to obtain a freeze for a $5 fee, which is a
reduction from the $10 fee currently charged by the major
consumer credit reporting agencies.
"I’m proud that Ohio has now joined the ranks
of the many other states where consumers have increased
access to tools which keep their credit information safe,"
said Treasurer Cordray. "It is an unfortunate fact in our
technologically advanced age that new methods of ID theft
seem to pop up almost daily. If we must assume that this
kind of crime can happen to any one of us at any time, then
this kind of protection is necessary to ensure our financial
security."
Treasurer Cordray and members of the Ohio
House and Senate announced bipartisan support for credit
security freeze legislation in March, 2007. The bill which
has ultimately been signed into law boasts 53 co-sponsors.
For more information about protecting personal
financial data, log onto www.YourMoneyNOWOnline.org
and click on “Fraud, Theft and Scams”.
Back to Top
