Issue Position: Higher Paying, Longer Lasting Jobs for the Ohio Valley

Issue Position

We need for focus on bringing higher paying, longer lasting jobs back to the Ohio Valley. The percentage of citizens 65 and older in Belmont County is 18.2% ranking the county as the 77th oldest of Ohio's 88 counties. Jefferson County is at 18.4% making Jefferson the 85th oldest of 88 counties. Monroe County's rate is 20.9% putting the county at 87th out of 88 counties, which means we are losing too many of our great young people, and it comes as no surprise considering the unemployment rates in these counties.

In 2014, Jefferson County has seen unemployment rates as high as 10.3% placing Jefferson 77th out of 88 counties. The 10.3% unemployment rate is well above the state average which hovers around 7% meaning for every 100 people in Jefferson County there are 3 more unemployed friends, family members and neighbors than in the rest of the state. In Belmont County, 8.7% of people have been unemployed for most of 2014 ranking the county 63rd of 88 counties, and Monroe County is dead last at 88th of 88 counties with an unemployment rate that has been as high as 15.1%. All of this comes at a time when state and national averages have been improving. So why do our counties continue to suffer? Our unemployment rates in the Ohio Valley are simply unacceptable, especially given the opportunity that natural gas and oil drilling has brought and will continue to bring to the area. So it is important we elect someone who is going to make bringing jobs to the Ohio Valley top priority, and that is why I have chosen to run for State Representative.

I plan to work with Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe county officials to create an environment inviting for not only the gas and oil drilling companies but also the many spin-off businesses that will be needed to supplement this growing industry; so we can create jobs for the good people of the Ohio Valley. This is our chance to revitalize each and every community in the area, but it will not happen by itself. It is going to take someone who is willing to go to Columbus, roll up the sleeves and make sure eastern Ohio is no longer forgotten. With the help of the great people of House District 96, I will be that person.

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