I have spent the last year working to create jobs, investing in education to create jobs for tomorrow, restoring fiscal responsibility and government accountability, and protecting middle-class Ohioans during a tough national economy. Despite the national recession, I feel that Ohio has done a good job of balancing the budget without raising taxes and comprehensively reforming Ohio's schools to prepare our children for a 21st century economy. As a member of the Ohio Legislature I will continue to work to move the Ohio economy forward by creating jobs and bringing business and industry to Ohio, while protecting services for those most in need.

Third Frontier:  One of the best ways to bring jobs to Ohio is through the Third Frontier Program. In January the House voted on a joint resolution I co-sponsored to expand the Ohio Third Frontier Program. The Third Frontier Program created thousands of Ohio jobs and jump started high-growth industries such as the biomedical, advanced materials and alternative energy sectors. Ohio's future economic prosperity depends on our ability to shift from traditional manufacturing industries to the high-growth, technology-intensive industries of tomorrow,. The Ohio Third Frontier program has already created 41,300 jobs over the past seven years with over $2.4 billion in employee wages and benefits with a more than a 10 to one return on investment.

The joint resolution will place a renewal and expansion of the Ohio Third Frontier Program on the May 4, 2010, Primary Election ballot. The amendment will seek approval for the issuance of bonds over five years to fund further job creation through the Ohio Third Frontier Program.

Texting:  Several other pieces of legislation that I will continue to work on this year are banning texting while driving and parity for prosthetics under insurance policies. Last year I introduced a bill that would make texting while driving a primary offense. I will work to see that this important legislation that will make Ohio roads safe is passed in this legislative session.

Prosthetics:  Many insurance policies have reclassified prosthetics as Durable Medical Equipment with a cap of $2,500 - $4,000 on prosthetics. The average prosthetic costs $12,000 - $14,000. H.B. 310, which I introduced, would prevent insurance policies from capping prosthetics so people who need a prosthesis can obtain them so they can return to work and caring for their familes.

2009 Accomplishments

• Besides passing a budget that replaced an unconstitutional school-funding system with an evidence-based funding model, I worked to have language included in the budget bill to facilitate the building of the new Gahanna Lincoln High School Learning Center.
• Autism:  I worked with Rep Celeste to pass H. B 8 to require insurance companies to cover treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Currently, under Ohio law, insurance companies are allowed to explicitly exclude coverage for children and adults with the disorder. The bill has been referred to the Senate and is awaiting action.
• Street Racing:   - Working again with Rep Celeste, I was able to gain passage in the Criminal Justice Committee of a bill that would make street racing illegal. The bill was later passed by the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.

As we move forward, I will continue to work with District Officials to bring businesses and jobs to the 20th District and to represent the constituents of the 20th District. I like to be known as "The Listening Legislator" so please do not hesitate to contact me. Let your voice be heard.