Competition for grants intensifying as local funds fade

Jan. 29, 2012, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Local governments have been hit hard through the recession, and as a result have delayed construction projects, cut services and laid off public safety officials.

It’s because of dwindling revenue sources. The state has cut aid. Tax collections are down, and voters aren’t passing levies.

Now another funding source has become more difficult to come by: grants. This means competition has become more fierce among governments, said Kent Scarrett, communications director for the Ohio Municipal League.

State to promote teamwork between entities

Jan. 29, 2012, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In western Ottawa County, several local governments share a fire department and they are looking at sharing a law enforcement district.

That’s the kind of collaboration the state wants to see more of, so much so that officials are willing to either give or lend local entities the seed money to get started.

The Local Government Innovation Fund is a new state program with $45 million to offer entities some grants, but mostly loans. To qualify for the funds, governments must find new and innovative ways to work together.

The goal is to create a more-efficient system of local governments that will save taxpayers money.

Study: Jobs follow wireless Internet

Jan. 25, 2012, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

If businesses are going to come to Ohio, with jobs in tow, they’re going to want access to high speed Internet.

A report by the national think tank NDN looked specifically at wireless broadband, examining communities that recently saw increases in network speeds. The study notes that communities that saw this increase then saw an increase in employment the following quarter.

According to the study, the shift from 2G to 3G networks between 2007 and 2011 helped bring about 1.6 million jobs nationwide.

The study estimates that communities investing in 4G networks will see more than 231,000 jobs in one year.

State officials consider ways to boost highway construction funding

Jan. 19, 2012, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

The Ohio Department of Transportation needs more money if it’s going to put a dent in the list of necessary construction projects around Ohio, state officials say.

On Tuesday the department issued a list of projects that it currently has the means to fund — and it painted a dismal picture, with some projects delayed for nearly a generation.

“If Ohioans are saying, ‘We can’t live with that,’ we have to come up with additional revenue for construction projects,” said state Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark.

State pushes back funding for major road projects

Jan. 18, 2012, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

It will take Ohio until 2036 to complete its top priority transportation projects.

As for the construction dates on second-priority projects, which include efforts in Licking, Pickaway and Marion counties?

“After that,” said Steve Faulkner, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The Ohio Department of Transportation on Tuesday released the Transportation Review Advisory Council's draft list of projects to be funded starting in 2013. The list is much shorter than previous versions.

Anti-abortion measures gaining traction in Ohio

Jan. 15, 2012, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

If you have been out and about over the weekend, there’s a good chance you were approached about the Personhood Amendment, a ballot measure that could effectively end abortion in Ohio.

It’s just another step forward in a successful yet contentious era for Ohio’s abortion opponents. The Ohio Legislature passed seven anti-abortion measures last year — the most in recent memory of Ohio Right to Life Society President Mike Gonidakis.

“Elections have consequences,” Gonidakis said. “In 2010 every Ohio Right to Life-endorsed candidate was elected.”

These candidates pursued the organization’s legislative agenda, he said. But there’s more on the horizon, with pending measures so volatile the anti-abortion movement is fractured. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio is already promising legal action.

Unhappy electorate seeks office

Jan. 12, 2012, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

It’s no secret. People don’t like Congress very much. Nevertheless, an awful lot of people in Ohio are clamoring to join it.

There are 66 major-party candidates seeking Ohio’s 16 congressional seats. Ten incumbents face primary challenges. While 2008 and 2010 saw a similar trend, in 2000 just 56 major-party candidates sought Ohio’s 19 seats, and four incumbents had primary challengers.

“That’s pretty astounding,” said William Angel, a political science professor at The Ohio State University. “Usually incumbents are given a pass.”

12 for ’12: Key issues for Ohio

Jan. 2, 2012, Marion Star

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

If Ohio's New Year's resolution is to have even more political bickering, maneuvering and nasty ads, 2012 could very well be its year.

Once again the state will be a hotbed for presidential campaign activity. There will be at least one referendum on the fall ballot, and the attacks are already flying in the U.S. Senate race.

And nobody will be snoozing in Columbus, either.

Here are 12 public policy issues that will be upcoming this year. They range from Medicaid, to school funding, to public pensions, to regulating our four-legged friends big and small.