Yesterday Planetizen introduced a new resource for all high speed rail advocates. HSR News is dedicated to covering the expansion of high-speed rail in the United States and around the world. The site includes the up-to-the-minute news coverage. You can visit their site at http://www.hsrnews.com. And if you want the local Ohio perspective, make sure you’re signed up as a Greater Ohio supporter too.
Senate Passes Land Bank Bill
We are excited to announce that on March 24th the Senate passed the land bank bill on a bi-partisan vote of 31 to 1. The House also concurred with the Senate's amendments 97-0. We will keep you apprised of the latest updates.
Land Bank Bill Is Voted out of Senate Committee
Land Bank Bill Is Voted out of Senate Committee House Bill 313 cleared another hurdle yesterday after it passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee by a unanimous vote. A Senate floor vote is expected as early as next week, and we encourage supporters to contact their local State Senators to urge them to vote for passage. The bill passed the House in December.
The bill would authorize additional counties in Ohio to create land banks, which is currently only available to Cuyahoga County. Thanks to an amendment accepted in Senate committee, the original population limit was lowered to 60,000 and would grant 41 counties in all the authority to form a county-wide land bank.
Please check out a recent opinion editorial by Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz about the need for this legislation.
Also the Akron Beacon Journal recently editorialized on foreclosure tools and mentioned the need for passage of this legislation.
And lastly the Dispatch did a story where both Gene and Dawn from Greater Ohio were quoted along with Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard.
Coverage of the Restoring Prosperity to Ohio Report
We are extremely proud of the release of our recent report Restoring Prosperity: Transforming Ohio’s Communities for the Next Economy. Media coverage has remained strong throughout the state this week, and we wanted to share a small sample of some recent clips with you. Editorials
Akron Beacon Journal: Return to prosperity
Lorain News: 'Restoring Prosperity' ideas for Ohio need careful consideration
Articles
Toledo Blade: Make tough decisions now for better future, Ohio urged
Columbus Dispatch: Study has 39 steps to renew Ohio
Dayton Daily News: Report puts cities at center of Ohio's new economy
Video
This is a clip of Lavea Brachman, Co-Director of Greater Ohio Policy Center, speaking at the event.
Local Government Reform Commission in Canton
The Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration will hold a public hearing in Canton on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 10:30 am. This will be the last of five public hearings that will be held throughout Ohio seeking public input. The meeting will be held on the campus of Malone University off of Cleveland Avenue in Canton in the Chapel at the Johnson Center. Ample parking is available around the Johnson Center. To obtain directions, please click here. The Malone University campus map can be viewed here.
Testimony and input is requested in three main areas:
1.) Recommendations that will encourage and incentivize local governments to collaborate;
2.) Identification of local and state tax structure changes which would encourage collaboration or improve service effectiveness; and
3.) Identification of current/alternative service delivery models.
If you are in the Canton area and are concerned with the issue of local government efficiency we strongly encourage you to attend to ensure that your voice is heard. If you cannot attend this meeting, you might also consider preparing written testimony.
Greater Ohio and its partner the Brooking Institution have identified governance reform as an important issue to be considered as we work to restore prosperity to Ohio. Governance reform falls within our larger agenda that is charged with increasing Ohio’s economic competitiveness and quality of life by focusing on the four drivers of prosperity in the 21st century economy: innovation; human capital; infrastructure; and quality of place. Again, we ask you to voice your opinion if you feel, as we at Greater Ohio do, that regional collaboration and efficient governance structures are critical to building a more competitive and prosperous Ohio.
For more information on the Commission and its purpose please visit: http://www.ohioreformandcollaboration.org/
Restoring Prosperity
Greater Ohio Policy Center, in partnership with the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Program, today proudly released our widely anticipated Restoring Prosperity: Transforming Ohio's Communities for the Next Economy with an event at the Statehouse Atrium attended by community, political and business leaders throughout the state. Please check out our Restoring Prosperity Initiatives page to learn more about this exciting, action packed report and sign up to become a Greater Ohio Supporter to be kept up-to-date as we work together to move this agenda forward.
CSU Hosts "A Crack in the Pavement" Film Showing
A Crack in the Pavement, Fix it First?Co-sponsored by the Northeast Ohio First Suburbs Consortium
Thursday, February 11, 2010 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Cleveland State University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Glickman-Miller Hall, Atrium 1717 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115
Ohio's First Suburbs play a leading role in "The New Metropolis," a groundbreaking two-part documentary on the rise, fall and revitalization of America's first suburbs, produced by award-winning filmmaker Andrea Torrice. Plan to join us for the Cleveland premier of Episode One, "A Crack in the Pavement, Rebuilding America's First Suburbs." Narrated by actor Peter Coyote, this episode follows the story of two Cincinnati area public officials and their efforts to keep their towns stable and healthy despite difficult times to repair and improve infrastructure and lure businesses.
The film will be introduced by Andrea Torrice and will be followed by a panel discussion.
Moderator Tom Bier, Executive in Residence, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University Panelists Bill Cervenik, Mayor, City of Euclid Michael K. Lyons, Mayor, The Village of Richfield Joanna Pinkerton, Transportation System Development Office, Ohio Department of Transportation Mandy Bishop, Deputy Director, Transportation System Development Division, Ohio Department of Transportation Joyce Braverman, Director, Planning Department, City of Shaker Heights William A. Sanderson, Vice President of Joint Ventures, Forest City Land Group
Free and open to the public. Registration requested at Forum or call (216) 523-7330
Collaboration in Marion County
Last Friday, January 29, the Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration met at the Worthington Board of Education to hold their monthly meeting. Greater Ohio asked Pam Hall from Marion to testify. Pam Hall’s excellent testimony detailed her experience working to consolidate the County and City Health Departments of Marion County. Mrs. Hall, President of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, outlined the challenges and barriers that supporters of the merger faced despite the demonstrated political will and cost saving data ($254,000) that supported the reform measure. The status quo was in full force against her. Pam helped lead a strong grassroots effort that was able to create local buy in and overcome these challenges. The merger of the City and County Health Department was placed on the ballot and passed in November, 2008 with the hope that the reform would save tax dollars and provide a better customer experience.
Pam’s story is a good reminder of both the difficulties associated with challenging the status quo and the transformative nature that political will and determination can have even in the face of adversity.
$400 Million for 3C Rail in Ohio!
Greater Ohio Policy Center was pleased to attend yesterday's press conference where it was announced that Ohio would receive $400 million in federal stimulus funds to be used to fund the 3C Corridor “Quick Start” passenger rail system between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. Greater Ohio applauds the state for taking the steps necessary to capitalize on this unique opportunity offered by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to jump-start development of convenient and affordable rail service between core cities within our great state. This announcement marks real progress and marks a milestone in the effort to bring our state’s transportation system up to a world-class level.
Twitter Picks
Planetizen is reference that Greater Ohio uses to keep abreast of the latest developments in urban planning, design, and development from across the globe. Recently Planetizen listed their picks for the Top Twitter Feeds on Urban Planning. For those of you interested in urban planning and involved in the twitosphere, check out their recommendations. And if you want to stay up to date with all of Greater Ohio’s latest developments, follow Greater Ohio’s twitter feed @GreaterOhio. You can also stay in the loop by following Associate Director Dawn Larzelere’s twitter feed @GO_DawnL. And the newest addition to Greater Ohio's twitterers includes Co-Director Gene Krebs @GO_GeneK. Check them out!
And if you’re on facebook, become a fan of Greater Ohio Policy Center’s facebook page too!