Press Releases
- Rep. Harris Hears from Experts on Alternative Energy in Ohio
Release Date: 07/22/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 22, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide, (614) 466-4748Rep. Harris Hears from Experts on Alternative Energy in Ohio
House Committee holds hearing to discuss “green economy”COLUMBUS- State Rep. Marian Harris (D-Columbus) and the Ohio House Alternative Energy Committee traveled to the Hocking College Energy Institute in Logan for a hearing on how the green economy is helping create jobs in Ohio. Rep. Harris and the committee members heard from area business leaders and local educators about the growth and successes of the alternative energy field in Appalachia.
“I was very impressed with the amount of innovative technology that was demonstrated on this visit. I am constantly amazed at the entrepreneurship demonstrated by businesses and inventors not only in SW Ohio but all over our great state,” said Rep. Harris.
Before the hearing, members of the Alternative Energy committee had the opportunity to hear from several innovative alternative energy companies based in Southeast Ohio regarding industry innovations and the growth their companies have experienced. The industry showcase contained presentations of innovations in the geothermal energy industry, electrochemical technologies, biomass and bio-agriculture fields.
The field hearing itself consisted of testimony from four experts in the alternative energy field. The panelists gave presentations to the committee outlining business opportunities afforded by the high-growth industry. Panelists also educated legislators on the ways in which state incentives, such as Ohio Third Frontier grants, helped them grow their businesses and provided suggestions for ways the state could support other alternative energy industry entrepreneurs. One panelist spoke of the importance of educating the next generation of workers in the skills needed to promote the high-tech alternative energy industry.
Following the hearing, House committee members were given a tour of the Hocking College Energy Institute by Dr. Jerry Hutton. The tour highlighted the numerous innovations spurred by the Institute and their impact on Southeast Ohio. On the grounds were several forms of windmills, solar panels and a very green, 700 pound car prototype that gets 80 miles to the gallon.
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- Rep. Harris Joins Westerville Fire Fighters Check Presentation
Release Date: 07/22/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 22, 2010 DRAFT
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide, (614) 466-4847Rep. Harris Joins Westerville Fire Fighters Check Presentation
COLUMBUS - Representative Marian Harris (D-Columbus) recently helped in a check presentation for the Westerville Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Barbara Gizzo, a member of the Westerville Chamber of Commerce, received a letter from a fifth grader asking for a donation for their service project - the Westerville Firefighters' Memorial Scholarship Fund. She decided to have a special fundraising sale of her Mary Kay products and invited Harris as a special guest. In an hour she raised $100. She and Rep. Harris presented the check to the Memorial's Director, Tom Ullmon.
The Memorial will serve as a tribute to fallen fire fighter David Theisen. It will also provide all fire fighters, as well as the public, with an inspirational and healing setting in which to celebrate the achievements and contemplate the losses experienced by this dedicated group. The memorial will also stand as a monument to all the courageous men and women who serve, or have served, their communities with honor. In addition additional money will be raised to assist children of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist firefighters in receiving special training.
Photo ID: l-r Barbara Gizzo, Tom Ullmon, Rep. Marian Harris.
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- Rep. Harris to Help Deliver Donation for Westerville Fire Fighters Memorial
Release Date: 07/19/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 19, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide, (614) 466-4847
***Media Advisory***
Rep. Harris to Help Deliver Donation for Westerville Fire Fighters Memorial
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Marian Harris will help deliver a donation from the Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise for the Westerville Fire Fighters’ Memorial on Wednesday July 21st at 2p.m.
Westerville Fire Fighters’ Memorial (WFFM), Inc. is raising money to build and install The Crossing, a memorial design by Cincinnati artists Steve R. Geddes and Bob L. Moore. The memorial will still serve as a tribute to fallen fire fighter David Theisen, and provide all fire fighters, as well as the public, with an inspirational and healing setting in which to celebrate the achievements and contemplate the losses experienced by this dedicated group. Furthermore, such a memorial will also stand as a monument to all the courageous men and women who serve, or have served, their communities with honor.
What:
Westerville Firefighters Memorial
Who:
State Representative Marian Harris
Barb Gizzo, Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise
When:
Wednesday, July 21st - 2:00pm
Where:
Westerville Fire Department
400 West Main Street
Westerville, Ohio 43081
Why:
To present donation to honor fallen firefighters and those who serve the public good.
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- Rep. Marian Harris to Host District Meeting on Ohio's Veterans Programs
Release Date: 07/15/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 15, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide, (614) 466-4847
***Media Advisory***
Rep. Marian Harris to Host District Meeting on Ohio’s Veterans Programs
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Marian Harris will host a town hall meeting in Westerville on July 27th to discuss Ohio’s veterans programs with special guest Angela Dyer, the Family Assistance Center Coordinator for the Ohio National Guard.
What:
19th House District Town Hall Meeting
Who:
State Representative Marian Harris
Special Guest: Angela Dyer (Family Assistance Center Coordinator for the Ohio National Guard)
When:
Tuesday, July 27th
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where:
Westerville Public Library
126 S. State Street
Westerville, 43081
Why:
For constituents of the 19th Ohio House District to learn about current policy initiatives and to discuss issues, concerns, or questions important to them with Rep. Harris.
-30- - Rep. Harris Tours, Discusses Education at ITT-Tech in Columbus
Release Date: 06/29/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 29, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide to Rep. Harris (614) 466-4847
Rep. Harris Tours, Discusses Education at ITT-Tech in Columbus
COLUMBUS – State Representative Marian Harris (D-Columbus) recently toured the ITT-Technical Institute off Hilton Corporate Drive in Columbus. She met with staff and students to discuss college access and higher education.
Rep. Harris believes an important component of improving the economic climate in Ohio is to increase the rates of Ohioans going to college and being trained for quality, high-paying jobs. Rep. Harris is a member of the College Access and Economic Opportunity Caucus, a bipartisan effort to create a venue for discussing a variety of issues related to college access and the need for economic opportunity for Ohioans of all ages.
Attached is a photo of Rep. Harris with staff members. Left to right:
Ken Lazar (Managing Director at Manpower Professional), Margaret Brownley (Community Relations Specialist), Jeff Daris (Director of Career Services), Rep. Marian Harris, Jennifer Walters (Director), Blake Reynolds (Director of Recruitment), Mark Lanning (Instructor), Alex Murray (Chair, School of Drafting & Design).
- Rep. Harris Announces State Grants to Create Local Jobs
Release Date: 06/14/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 14, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide to Rep. Harris (614) 466-4847
Rep. Harris Announces State Grants to Create Local Jobs
Nearly 700 jobs created or saved as state helps Eddie Bauer expand
COLUMBUS – State Representative Marian Harris (D-Columbus) this afternoon announced a series of state grants that will create jobs and spur economic development in central Ohio. A $75,000 grant will help Eddie Bauer add 325 new full time jobs in Groveport while retaining 352 jobs that were at risk.
“This is a major step in central Ohio economic development, and reaffirms our state’s commitment to creating jobs and job opportunities,” said Rep. Harris. “Eddie Bauer’s expansion will mean creating or retaining 675 jobs. Winning this project for Ohio proves the state is taking the right steps toward prosperity.”
Ohio won in the effort to secure the expansion project for Groveport over bids by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. These states have existing operations where the company could have expanded instead.
The grant will help Eddie Bauer buy industrial, high-speed digital printers and related equipment as part of an expansion project.
In addition to the machinery and equipment project, Eddie Bauer will renovate and continue the lease of its existing 2.2 million square foot facility on Alum Creek Drive in Groveport to house warehousing and distribution operations. Eddie Bauer will make an investment of at least $21 million for the proposed project.
Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer established in 1920 in Seattle, Washington. The company specializes in outerwear, apparel, and accessories for an active outdoor lifestyle. All merchandise is processed through its 2,200,000 square foot distribution center located in the Village of Groveport. Eddie Bauer products are available at 371 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalogue sales and online.
Also today Rep. Harris announced two additional state grants for roadway projects in New Albany that will lead to new jobs and economic development.
The state will spend $250,000 in New Albany to support the TJX Companies, Inc. expansion. The money will be used for an extension of Souder Road and related projects. That extension is critical for the development of the New Albany Research and Information District. The TRX expansion will mean 28 new full time jobs.
Rep. Harris also announced a $2 million grant to complete roadwork improvements for the Innovation Campus IV project in New Albany. Beech Road will be widened and construction of an internal roadway within Innovation Campus IV will be built. That area will be developed as the Personal Care and Beauty Innovation Campus as a supply chain hub for beauty and cosmetic-oriented retailers, and mean more than 1,100 jobs.
-30- - Reps. Harris and Garland Announce Program to Promote Kid's Health
Release Date: 06/14/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 14, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide to Rep. Harris (614) 466-4847
Jennifer Dillard, Legislative Aide to Rep. Garland (614) 644-6002
Reps. Harris and Garland Announce Program to Promote Kid’s Health
State helps organize summer and afterschool programs to promote exercise
Columbus - State Representatives Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) and Marian Harris (D-Columbus) today announced that the state will spend federal dollars for a special program to help Ohio kids exercise and eat a healthy diet. The state grant will create a number of summer and after-school programs, and Franklin County is eligible to be included.
“The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children bill was a great first step in helping our kids become healthier and this training will be a nice compliment to it,” said Rep. Harris. “I worked with the superintendents and school boards in my district, and together we helped the bill’s sponsors craft legislation that will truly benefit Ohio’s children. Promoting exercise and healthy food while they’re young will help them grow into strong, healthy adults.”
“I think this is a good step forward and builds on what was included in the Health Kids legislation that the legislature passed last week,” said Rep. Garland. “We need to get kids off the couch playing video games and involved in physical activity if we are going to curb the obesity problem we have in the country and in Ohio.”
The goal is to increase the level of physical activity in young people in an afterschool setting. Funding will be available for up to 60 training programs. The exact sites for the program have not yet been decided. But Franklin County has been designated as eligible based on higher levels of chronic disease and poverty as well as higher youth body mass index that many other Ohio counties.
The state will set aside $60,000 in federal stimulus dollars for the programs. An evidence based curriculum developed by CATCH, Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health will be used. CATCH is recognized by groups such as the National Institute of Medicine and the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition for their work in this field.
Young people involved in the program will increase their cardiovascular endurance and thus reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
-30- - Rep. Harris Welcomes Clergyman to Ohio House Floor
Release Date: 06/03/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 3, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide (614) 466-4847
Rep. Harris Welcomes Clergyman to Ohio House Floor
Rev. James Meacham leads House in prayer
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Marian Harris (D-Columbus) welcomed Reverend James Meacham to lead the Ohio House of Representatives in prayer prior to a recent House session. Rev. Meacham serves the Grace Chapel Community Church in Westerville.
“I was so honored to welcome Rev. Meacham to the Ohio House,” said Rep. Harris. “His extensive involvement with both the church and the chaplain corps. of the local police make him a truly great Ohioan. The message he shared with my fellow Representatives and me was both motivating and inspirational.”
Rev. Meacham approached the local police and offered to re-start a chaplain corps. In less than six months, he recruited eight clergymen to accompany officers on death notifications, ride with police when asked and provide moral and spiritual support as needed.
He also works with the police to help transients - people who need a helping hand - to provide temporary food and shelter.
He has received the gold medal from Volunteers in Police Service for volunteering more than 500 hours a year for the past 5 years.
-30- - Rep. Harris' Consumer Protection Bill Moves to Ohio House Floor
Release Date: 06/03/2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 3, 2010
Contact: Kelsey Woolard, Legislative Aide to Rep. Harris, (614) 466-4847
Rep. Harris’ Consumer Protection Bill Moves to Ohio House Floor
Legislation to protect customers from excessive water rate hikes passes committee
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House Public Utilities Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Representative Marian Harris (D-Columbus) that would protect consumers from excessive water and sewer rate increases. House Bill 344 received strong bipartisan support.
“Protecting consumers from unreasonable utility rate increases is important, especially in a difficult economy,” said Rep. Harris. “After hearing the displeasure from the community on the proposed Ohio American Water rate increases, it became apparent that a common-sense solution that works for both customers and the company was needed. My bill provides that solution.”
Ohio American Water proposed a four year, sixty-percent increase earlier this year. Customers immediately expressed concerns on the amount and frequency of rate increases, the impact of higher rates on low to moderate income households, the potential negative effect on property values and a variety of service quality issues. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) ruled on May 5, 2010 to limit OAW to a one year 7.1 percent overall rate increase.
HB 344 would limit the amount of rate case expenses to fifty percent that private water and sewer utilities serving more than 15,000 people may recover from customers.
The Senate companion bill (SB 228) was introduced in February 2010.
HB 344 will now goes to the House floor for a vote.
-30- - Ohio House Approve Bill to Protect Ohio's Children, Keep Them Safe at School
Release Date: 05/29/2010 -
State Representative
Marian Harris
Rep. Harris, Ohio House Approve Bill to Protect Ohio's Children, Keep Them Safe on School Grounds
Legislation keeps dangerous sex offenders off school property, away from children
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Marian Harris (D-Columbus) and the Ohio House today approved legislation to protect Ohio's children by banning the most serious sex offenders from setting foot in schools, pre-schools or any other child day-care centers. House Bill 13, sponsored by Rep. Harris passed with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 94 to 1.
"Our goal is to protect our children," Harris said, "This bill will go a long way to keeping them safe while in school and allow them to focus on learning the skills they will need to be successful in life."
House Bill 13 prohibits tier III sex offenders from knowingly entering school grounds. Under the bill, Tier III sex offenders who have been found guilty of assaulting or committing other sexually-specified offenses against children under the age of 16 may not knowingly set foot on school property.
Under existing law, sex offenders must register with the country in which they reside. The bill calls for county sheriffs to inform registered sex offenders that they are not allowed on school property.
The bill allows biological or adopted parents or legal guardians who are classified Tier III sex offenders on school property in the case of a few, very narrowly defined situations. Such situations include a scheduled parent-teacher meeting or conference with a school administrator or to pick-up and drop-off their child, including when the child is sick.
The bill will now go to the Ohio Senate for its consideration.
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