Ohio’s New Entrepreneurs Fund (ONE Fund) is an innovative approach to retaining and attracting the best and the brightest talent to Ohio. This mentorship-driven program focuses on the professional development of young entrepreneurs with the necessary ambition to commercialize new technologies and looks to link promising new ventures in Ohio with early-stage investment capital. ONE Fund will aggressively recruit young entrepreneurs from within Ohio and outside the state and will foster the young entrepreneurs’ professional development by educating them on what it takes to form a business in Ohio. Written Questions – Through January 16, 2012. Proposals due by 12:00 p.m., January 18, 2012. Review and Award approximately – Spring 2012.
General Commentary
Proposed New Ohio Congressional Maps Released Today
Proposed New Ohio Congressional Maps Released Today. 2011 Proposed Ohio Congressional MAP
The proposed new maps were released during the House State Government & Elections Committee. Notable changes include combining the Districts of U.S. Representatives Steve Austria a Republican from Beavercreek and Mike Turner a Republican from Centerville as well as district of U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur a Democrat from Toledo and Dennis Kucinich a Democrat from Cleveland. Ohio is lossing two congressional seats because of population shifts.
HB319 CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING Introduced in the Ohio House and referred to House State Government & Elections Committee
HB 319 CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING Introduced in the Ohio House and referred to House State Government & Elections Committee - To establish Congressional district boundaries for the state based on the 2010 decennial census of Ohio. En. 3521.01 and to repeal section 3521.01 http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_319_I_Y.pdf
Louis Terhar selected by the Ohio House Republicans to Fill 30th House District Seat
The Ohio House Republicans announced today the selection of Louis Terhar, a retired naval officer for the vacant seat in the 30th House District. Terhar is expected to be sworn in by the House on Wednesday. Terhar is a managing direct of Strategic Planning Advisors LLC, and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Harvard University and Syracuse University.
Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro Introduces Enterprise University Plan
Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro Introduces Enterprise University Plan
Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro today charted a new course for higher education in the state, presenting a plan allowing Ohio’s 14 public universities to be free from mandates which stifle efficiency and innovation. “Ohio’s universities are a driver of economic development in the state. By allowing our universities to be free from mandates and operate as an enterprise of the state, Ohioans gain increased efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness that will help drive our 21st Century economy,” said Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro.
This summer the Ohio General Assembly and governor passed a State operating budget which takes bold steps toward improving Ohio’s already great universities. Historic construction reform, commercialization expansion, and the ability for universities to enter into lease-back agreements were accomplished to help universities realize cost savings. The Enterprise University Plan, in concert with the tuition cap and the three-year degree program, is aimed at giving universities freedom to innovate while helping keep university costs manageable for Ohio families.
JobsOhio Report to General Assembly
JobsOhio Report to General Assembly -
Transforming Ohio’s economy requires a new approach to economic development, a new way of working with businesses to assist in their growth, and a new way of attracting businesses to the state. To date, the functions of economic development have been shepherded by the Ohio Department of Development (Development), however with the passage of the JobsOhio Bill (H.B. 1), Governor Kasich was authorized to form a nonprofit corporation, which is responsible for the promotion of economic development, job creation, job retention, and the recruitment of businesses to Ohio. As a result, Development executed a review of its operations to determine which functions should remain within the state agency structure and which functions should transfer to JobsOhio. …
State Sells One Prison for $72 Million
State Sells One Prison for $72 Million -
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announced the sale of only one of the five prisons that were put up for sale, privatizing the management of two others, and combining two others — one currently privately operated — under state management. The sale price is $72.7 million while the savings expected total $13 million/year including the addition of 702 beds to the system.
New Mandel Website: ‘Follow Your Tax Dollars … Hold Your Officials Accountable’
New Mandel Website: ‘Follow Your Tax Dollars … Hold Your Officials Accountable’
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has unveiled a new website, www.ohiotreasurer.gov, providing quick access to government worker salaries, the Plain Dealer reports.
http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/08/public_workers_salaries_availa.html
Supreme Court Rules on VLT Lawsuit
The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling on Monday regarding the Governor’s plan to install Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at Ohio’s seven racetracks. The court ruled 6-1 that the enabling legislation from House Bill 1, and the Governor’s Executive Order, are subject to a referendum by the people. The lawsuit was filed by a ballot issue group called LetOhioVote.org.
LetOhioVote.org now has 90 days in which to submit at least 241,366 valid signatures, from at least 44 of the state’s 88 counties. If they are able to get these signatures, the issue will be placed on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
Governor Strickland said in a statement that he was “disappointed” in the court’s decision. However, Mr. Strickland did not reveal whether he would direct the Lottery Commission to move forward with the slots program in the meantime until this issue is put before the voters.
Ohio to Expand Patient-Centered Primary Care Initiative
Ohio Department of Health (ODH), in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Health Transformation (OHT), announced that Ohio will invest $1 million to assist primary health-care practices around the state transition to a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model of care and expand the number of PCMH practice sites in Ohio.The PCMH model of care promotes partnerships between patients and their primary health-care providers to improve care coordination and bolster individuals’ health outcomes. Patient care is coordinated using state-of-the-art tools such as registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that individuals get appropriate care when and where they need it.
“Ohioans spend more per person on health care than residents in all but 13 states, but we rank 42 among states in positive health outcomes,” said Greg Moody, director of the Office of Health Transformation. “The announcement represents a commitment to reversing that trend and acts on Governor Kasich’s instructions to engage private-sector partners to improve overall health-system performance.”