Fostering Job Creation and Protecting Hard-Working Ohioans

Following the collapse of the financial markets last year, voters elected Democrats to a majority in the Ohio House of Representatives. Ending 14 years of total control by Republican politicians, House Democrats have spent this year working to create jobs now, investing in education to create jobs for tomorrow, restoring fiscal responsibility and government accountability, and protecting middle-class Ohioans during and tough national economy. Despite the national recession and an overdose of partisan posturing by Republicans, House Democrats are helping move Ohio forward.

1. WORKING TO CREATE JOBS NOW

Republicans continually opposed efforts to create jobs for Ohioans while House Democrats ...

• Quickly invested federal dollars into Ohio's economy to create jobs and strengthen our infrastructure.
• Expanded the Venture Capital Fund to encourage investment for new businesses.
• Funded Rapid Outreach Grants for Ohio business development.
• Created the New Markets Tax Credit to bring business and jobs to low income areas.
• Established a Film Tax Credit to bring a new expanding industry to Ohio.
• Developed the Sporting Events Incentive to bring events and jobs to Ohio.
• Created the Technology Investment Tax Credit to create high-tech jobs for Ohioans.
• Expanded the Job Creation and Job Retention Tax Credit to keep and create Ohio jobs and businesses.
• Renewed the Ohio Loan Fund to bolster construction jobs and projects.
• Created Ohio Energy Resource Center to provide 21st-century research and tools for the new economy.
• Passed regulatory reform to foster job creation by helping Ohio businesses thrive.
• Supported energy efficient standards for state buildings to conserve energy and encourage green jobs.
• Helped veterans find job opportunities by streamlining certain training and placement requirements.

2. INVESTING IN EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY FOR TOMORROW

Republicans fought against needed reforms and funding to Ohio's schools while House Democrats ...

• Comprehensively reformed Ohio's schools to prepare our children for a 21st century economy.
• Identified elements of a top-notch education and directed funding there.
• Replaced a broken school-funding system with an evidence-based funding model.
• Improved accountability for school districts and enhanced training for teachers.
• Capped tuition increases at 3.5 percent for Ohio's public colleges and universities.
• Instituted transformative new ways to train Ohio's teachers.
• Adopted distance learning tools to give every child the chance for high-quality classes.

3. RESTORING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Republicans opposed efforts to shrink government and reduce spending while House Democrats ...

• Put forth fiscally responsible budgets by reducing spending by $4.3 billion over the past three years.
• Dramatically reduced the size of government by cutting nearly 5,000 state employees
• Downsized government to its smallest since the days of the Reagan administration.
• Reduced state spending, protected vital services and invested in education and job creation.
• Identified additional revenue to reduce the deficit without raising taxes or making more cuts.
• Enforced accountability for elected officials in the use of transition accounts.
• Increased transparency by creating a website that includes the budget for all Ohioans to access.
• Comprehensively reformed Ohio's election laws to ensure our elections are fair and accountable

4. PROTECTING MIDDLE-CLASS OHIOANS DURING A TOUGH ECONOMY

Republicans rejected numerous efforts to protect hard-working Ohioans while House Democrats ...

• Fought to protect families from losing their homes as a result of the national foreclosure crisis.
• Safeguarded renters who paid their rent but faced foreclosure because the landlord didn't.
• Expanded the use of land banks to help our cities deal with the foreclosure crisis.
• Supported efforts to limit unscrupulous credit card marketing to teens and young adults.
• Closed loopholes in a payday lending law, which voters rejected last year.
• Protected basic and optional Medicaid services for those hard-hit by the tough economy.
• Funded critical services like food banks and county adult/child protective services.
• Extended healthcare coverage for those utilizing COBRA benefits for workers.
• Protected the jobs and care provided by Ohio's hospitals by leveraging federal resources.
• Made health care more accessible and affordable by bringing down costs for open enrollment.
• Expanded Open Enrollment and limited the cost for someone with a pre-existing condition.
• Supported the Unified Long-Term Care budget to allow for in-home care options for seniors.
• Stood up against big insurance to secure coverage for families coping with Autism and Diabetes.
• Fought for adequate pay and benefits for firefighters by allowing them to bargain collectively.
• Protected Ohioans for discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or because they were a victim of domestic violence.